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Edexcel · GCSE · Physics

Free Edexcel GCSE Physics
Practice Paper

8 mixed-difficulty practice questions in the style of real Edexcel GCSE papers — answers, mark-scheme-style explanations, and the official exam structure all on one page.

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What the real Edexcel GCSE Physics paper looks like

Paper 1
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, ~70-100 marks. Covers Topics 1-4 of the specification.
Paper 2
Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, ~70-100 marks. Covers Topics 5-8 of the specification.
Paper 3
Where applicable — e.g. Combined Science, Languages. Includes synoptic and applied questions.
Total exam time: ~3 hours across two or three papers.
Grading: Grades: 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with U (ungraded). A grade of 4 is a standard pass; 5 is a strong pass.

Mini practice paper: 8 questions

Mixed-difficulty questions from across the Physics syllabus. Tap "Show answer" after each to check yourself.

Q1 · Difficulty 1/3

What is the formula for speed?

  1. s = d/t
  2. s = d×t
  3. s = t/d
  4. s = F/m
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A — s = d/t
Speed = distance ÷ time. Unit: m/s. Speed is scalar (no direction); velocity is a vector (has direction).
Q2 · Difficulty 1/3

A machine has an input of 500 J and useful output of 350 J. What is its efficiency?

  1. 50%
  2. 70%
  3. 35%
  4. 85%
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — 70%
Efficiency = (350/500) × 100 = 70%.
Q3 · Difficulty 1/3

What is background radiation?

  1. Radiation from nuclear power stations only
  2. Low-level radiation always present from natural (rocks, cosmic rays, radon) and artificial (medical) sources
  3. Radiation that is dangerous
  4. Radiation from mobile phones
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Low-level radiation always present from natural (rocks, cosmic rays, radon) and artificial (medical) sources
Background radiation sources: radon gas (~50%), rocks/soil, cosmic rays, medical (X-rays), food (carbon-14, potassium-40), nuclear industry (tiny fraction).
Q4 · Difficulty 2/3

A gas has an initial pressure of 200 kPa and volume of 3.0 m³ at constant temperature. The volume is reduced to 1.5 m³. What is the new pressure?

  1. 300 kPa
  2. 100 kPa
  3. 400 kPa
  4. 600 kPa
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C — 400 kPa
Using Boyle's Law: P₁V₁ = P₂V₂. So P₂ = (200 × 3.0) / 1.5 = 600 / 1.5 = 400 kPa. Option A is wrong — halving the volume doubles, not halves, the pressure. Option B adds the pressures incorrectly. Option D would be correct only if volume decreased to 1.0 m³.
Q5 · Difficulty 2/3

What is nuclear fusion?

  1. Splitting atoms
  2. Joining two small nuclei to form a larger nucleus, releasing enormous energy
  3. Radioactive decay
  4. A chemical reaction
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Joining two small nuclei to form a larger nucleus, releasing enormous energy
Fusion: small nuclei (e.g. hydrogen isotopes) join under extreme temperature and pressure. This powers the Sun. Very difficult to achieve on Earth.
Q6 · Difficulty 1/3

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

  1. They are the same
  2. Transverse: vibrations perpendicular to wave direction. Longitudinal: vibrations parallel to wave direction
  3. Longitudinal is faster
  4. Transverse needs a medium
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Transverse: vibrations perpendicular to wave direction. Longitudinal: vibrations parallel to wave direction
Transverse: light, water waves, EM waves. Longitudinal: sound waves. The key difference is the direction of oscillation relative to energy transfer.
Q7 · Difficulty 1/3

What is an alpha particle?

  1. An electron
  2. A helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
  3. A gamma ray
  4. A neutron
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — A helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
Alpha particle: 2 protons + 2 neutrons (helium-4 nucleus). Charge: +2. Mass: 4. Stopped by paper. Most ionising but least penetrating.
Q8 · Difficulty 1/3

What are magnetic field lines?

  1. Visible lines around a magnet
  2. Imaginary lines showing the direction and strength of a magnetic field — from north to south pole
  3. Electric current paths
  4. Lines of gravity
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B — Imaginary lines showing the direction and strength of a magnetic field — from north to south pole
Field lines go from north to south outside the magnet. Closer lines = stronger field. They never cross.
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Edexcel GCSE Physics FAQ

What does the Edexcel GCSE Physics exam look like?
The Edexcel GCSE Physics exam is structured across 3 components. Paper 1: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, ~70-100 marks. Covers Topics 1-4 of the specification. Paper 2: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, ~70-100 marks. Covers Topics 5-8 of the specification. Paper 3: Where applicable — e.g. Combined Science, Languages. Includes synoptic and applied questions. Total exam time: ~3 hours across two or three papers.
Can I download a free Edexcel GCSE Physics past paper?
Real Edexcel past papers are published directly by Edexcel on their official website. Kramizo doesn't redistribute copyrighted past papers, but we do generate free AI-written practice papers in the exact same style — same command words, same difficulty tier, same mark conventions. Use this practice paper as warm-up, then time yourself on official past papers before exam day.
How is Edexcel GCSE Physics graded?
Grades: 9 (highest) to 1 (lowest), with U (ungraded). A grade of 4 is a standard pass; 5 is a strong pass. Kramizo's practice questions are tagged with difficulty 1-3 mapping roughly to the lower, middle, and top grade boundaries you'll encounter in the real exam.