Edexcel · GCSE · Physics
Edexcel GCSE Physics Syllabus
The complete Edexcel GCSE Physics specification mapped to 234 topics. Click any topic for free revision notes and practice questions.
Changes of state
specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
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Circuit components
LDRs, thermistors, diodes and LEDs
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Component characteristics
resistors, filament lamps, diodes and LDRs
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Conduction, convection and radiation
methods of heat transfer
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Domestic electricity
AC and DC, mains supply and frequency
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AC, DC, plugs and safety
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mains supply, AC and DC, safety devices and wiring
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Electromagnetic induction
generators and alternators
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Electromagnetic spectrum
properties and uses of EM waves
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Electromagnetic waves
hazards and effects on the body
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Electromagnetism
solenoids and electromagnets
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the motor effect and Fleming's Left-Hand Rule
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Energy resources
renewable and non-renewable
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renewable and non-renewable sources
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uses, advantages and disadvantages
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Forces
elasticity, Hooke's Law and spring constant
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friction, normal contact force and tension
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resultant forces and free body diagrams
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resultant forces, free-body diagrams and resolving forces
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weight, mass and gravitational field strength
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work done, energy transfer and power
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Forces and elasticity
elastic and inelastic deformation
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Hooke's law and spring constant
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Gas laws
pressure, volume, temperature and Boyle's law
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Heat transfer
conduction, convection and radiation
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Key concepts of physics
equations and mathematical skills
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scalar and vector quantities
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units, measurements and errors
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Lenses
converging and diverging lenses, ray diagrams and magnification
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Magnetism
permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields
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Motion
acceleration and equations of motion
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distance-time graphs and speed
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distance–time graphs and velocity–time graphs
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distance, displacement, speed and velocity
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equations of motion
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speed, distance, time and velocity
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terminal velocity and drag forces
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velocity-time graphs and acceleration
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Orbital motion
gravity, speed and circular orbits
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Parallel circuits
current, potential difference and resistance
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Particle model
internal energy and temperature changes
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states of matter and changes of state
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Particle model of matter
density and states of matter
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Power
calculating and comparing power in devices
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Pressure and temperature of gases
kinetic theory
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Pressure in fluids
atmospheric pressure, pressure in liquids and upthrust
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liquids and gases
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Properties of waves
amplitude, frequency, wavelength and wave speed
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Radiation and temperature
black body radiation
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Radioactive decay
alpha, beta and gamma radiation
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Required practical
investigating current, resistance and potential difference in series and parallel circuits
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investigating Hooke's Law
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investigating how the force on a conductor in a magnetic field varies with current
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investigating the densities of solids and liquids
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investigating the effect of force on the extension of a spring (further analysis)
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investigating the I–V characteristics of circuit components
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investigating the properties of waves using a ripple tank and a slinky spring
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investigating the radiation from different surfaces
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investigating the reflection and refraction of light
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investigating the relationship between force, mass and acceleration
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investigating the specific heat capacity of materials
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measuring the speed of sound in air and water
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Resistance
factors affecting resistance of a wire
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Ohm's law and I-V characteristics
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Seismic waves
P-waves and S-waves
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Series and parallel circuits
rules for current, voltage and resistance
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Series circuits
current, potential difference and resistance
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Sound waves
properties, echo and ultrasound
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Static electricity
charge, electric fields and sparking
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charging, electric fields and sparking
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Stopping distances
thinking, braking and total stopping distance
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Structure of the atom
protons, neutrons and electrons
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The electromagnetic spectrum
properties and ordering
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properties and uses
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The expanding universe
red-shift and the Big Bang theory
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The Solar System
planets, moons and other bodies
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Thermal energy transfer
conduction, convection and radiation
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Transformers
step-up, step-down and the National Grid
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structure, function and efficiency
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Turning forces
moments, levers and gears
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Visible light
colour, filters and spectra
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Wave behaviour
diffraction and interference
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Waves
amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period and wave speed
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reflection, refraction and wave front diagrams
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transverse and longitudinal waves
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transverse and longitudinal waves, amplitude, frequency, wavelength and period
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All topics
Acceleration and equations of motion
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Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power
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Astronomy
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Atmospheric pressure and the gas laws
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Background radiation and its sources
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Brownian motion and evidence for the particle model
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Capacitors and charge/discharge
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Centre of mass and equilibrium
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Centre of mass and stability
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Change of momentum and force (impulse)
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Changes in momentum and safety features
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Circular motion and centripetal force
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Collisions and conservation of momentum calculations
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Colour, filters and absorption of light
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Conservation of energy
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Conservation of energy and energy dissipation
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Cosmic microwave background radiation and evidence for the Big Bang
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Current, charge and potential difference
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Current, charge and potential difference in circuits
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Current, potential difference and resistance in circuits
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Dark matter and dark energy
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Density calculations and measuring density
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Distance–time and velocity–time graphs
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Doses and effects of ionising radiation on the body
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Efficiency of energy transfers
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Elastic potential energy and Hooke's Law
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Electric charge, static electricity and electric fields
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Electric field patterns and strength
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Electric fields and field lines
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Electric motors and loudspeakers
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Electrical circuits (Higher tier extension)
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Electrical power and energy in circuits
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Electrical power and energy transfer in circuits
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Electricity
Electricity and Circuits
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Electricity and the electromagnetic spectrum (further content)
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Electromagnetic induction
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Electromagnetic induction and generators
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Electromagnetic induction and transformers (Higher tier extension)
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Electromagnetic induction, generators and the dynamo effect
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Energy — forces doing work
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Energy and Forces Doing Work
Energy cost and efficiency of electrical appliances
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Energy stores, transfers and the conservation of energy
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Factors affecting heat transfer rates and insulation
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Fleming's left-hand and right-hand rules
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Forces and matter
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Forces and their effects
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Gas laws and particle model (Higher tier extension)
Gas pressure and the kinetic theory model
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Gas pressure, temperature and volume (gas laws)
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Global energy supply and trends in energy use
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Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy
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Half-life and activity calculations
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Half-life and activity of radioactive sources
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Hazards and uses of electromagnetic radiation in medicine and communications
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Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions
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Heat transfer
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Infrared radiation emission and absorption
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Infrared radiation, emission and absorption
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Internal energy, heating and temperature change
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Isotopes and the nuclear model
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Isotopes, atomic number and mass number
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Key concepts in physics
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Key Concepts of Physics
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Kinetic and potential energy stores
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Kinetic and potential energy stores and energy transfers
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Lenses and ray diagrams
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Lenses, real and virtual images, ray diagrams
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Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
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Magnetism and the Motor Effect
Moments, levers and gears
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Momentum (Higher tier)
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Momentum and conservation of momentum
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Momentum, conservation of momentum and collisions
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Momentum, conservation of momentum and impulse
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Motion and forces
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Motion Forces and Conservation Laws
Motion graphs and calculations (Higher tier extension)
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National and global energy use, trends and environmental impact
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National grid and electricity transmission
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Newton's First and Second Laws of motion
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Newton's laws of motion and inertia
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Newton's Third Law and interaction pairs
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Nuclear equations and decay series
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Nuclear equations for radioactive decay
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Nuclear fission and chain reactions
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Nuclear fission and fusion
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Nuclear fusion and conditions required for fusion
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Nuclear fusion and energy release
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Nuclear physics (Higher tier extension)
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Ohm's Law and I–V characteristics
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Orbital motion and gravitational forces
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Orbital motion, gravity and satellites
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Particle Model
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Particle model of matter
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Power and efficiency
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Pressure calculations in gases and liquids
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Pressure in fluids and atmospheric pressure
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Projectile motion
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Radioactivity
Red-shift and evidence for the expanding universe
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Reflection and refraction of light
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Reflection and refraction of waves
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Reflection, refraction and total internal reflection
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Renewable and non-renewable energy resources and their uses
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Resistance and Ohm's Law
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Resultant forces and free body diagrams
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Scalars and vectors
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Series and parallel circuits
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Sound waves and the speed of sound
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Sound waves, ultrasound and seismic waves
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Space physics
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Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
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Specific heat capacity and thermal energy calculations
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Specific latent heat and changes of state
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Static Electricity
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Stopping distance, thinking distance and braking distance
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Structure of the atom and development of atomic models
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Structure of the atom and isotopes
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Terminal velocity and drag forces
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The Big Bang theory and evidence
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The Big Bang theory and the origin of the universe
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The expanding universe and red-shift
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The life cycle of stars
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The motor effect and the force on a current-carrying conductor
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The National Grid and electrical power transmission
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The Solar System, planets, moons and satellites
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Thermal insulation and reducing energy losses in buildings
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Total internal reflection and critical angle
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Total internal reflection and optical fibres
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Transformer calculations and efficiency
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Transformers and the relationship between turns and voltage
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Transverse and longitudinal waves
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Turning effects, moments and levers
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Ultrasound and its applications
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Upthrust and Archimedes' principle
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Uses and hazards of electromagnetic radiation
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Uses and hazards of nuclear radiation
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Uses and hazards of radioactive sources
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Vector addition and resolving forces
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Wave speed, frequency and wavelength calculations
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Waves
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Waves — higher tier extension
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Waves and Light
Weight, mass and gravitational field strength
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Work done and energy transfer
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Work done, energy transfer and power
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