GCSE AQA Physics: Complete Topic Guide & Revision Tips

1. Energy

Explore different energy stores, transfers, and the principles of conservation of energy in physical systems.

• Energy can be stored as kinetic, thermal, chemical, gravitational, elastic, nuclear, or electrostatic.
• Energy is transferred by heating, doing work, or radiation.
• The law of conservation of energy: energy cannot be created or destroyed.
• Calculate work done: Work = Force × Distance.
• Gravitational potential energy: Ep = mgh.
• Kinetic energy: Ek = ½mv².
• Elastic potential energy: Ee = ½ke².
• Power is the rate of energy transfer: Power = Energy ÷ Time.
• Efficiency = Useful output ÷ Total input (×100%).
• Reducing unwanted energy transfers improves efficiency.

2. Electricity

Understand electric circuits, current, potential difference, resistance, and domestic electricity.

• Current is the flow of electric charge (I = Q/t).
• Potential difference (voltage) drives current around a circuit (V = IR).
• Resistance opposes current; total resistance increases in series, decreases in parallel.
• Ohm’s Law: V = IR for ohmic conductors.
• Series circuits: current same everywhere; voltage shared.
• Parallel circuits: voltage same across branches; current splits.
• AC (alternating current) vs DC (direct current).
• UK mains: 230V, 50Hz; live, neutral, and earth wires.
• Power: P = IV and P = I²R.
• Electrical safety: fuses, circuit breakers, insulation, and earthing.

3. Particle Model of Matter

Investigate the structure of matter, changes of state, and internal energy.

• Solids, liquids, and gases have different particle arrangements.
• Density = mass ÷ volume.
• Changes of state are physical, not chemical.
• Internal energy = kinetic + potential energy of particles.
• Heating increases internal energy, causing temperature rise or change of state.
• Specific heat capacity: energy needed to raise temperature of 1kg by 1°C.
• Specific latent heat: energy needed for a change of state at constant temperature.
• Gas pressure increases with temperature (at constant volume).
• Boyle’s Law: pressure × volume = constant (for fixed mass, constant temp).
• Brownian motion provides evidence for particle theory.

4. Atomic Structure

Learn about atoms, isotopes, nuclear radiation, and radioactive decay.

• Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Atomic number = protons; mass number = protons + neutrons.
• Isotopes: atoms with same protons, different neutrons.
• Alpha, beta, and gamma are types of nuclear radiation.
• Radioactive decay is random and spontaneous.
• Half-life: time for half the radioactive nuclei to decay.
• Background radiation comes from natural and artificial sources.
• Radiation can ionise atoms and damage living tissue.
• Uses: medical tracers, radiotherapy, carbon dating.
• Nuclear fission and fusion release large amounts of energy.

5. Forces

Study the effects of forces, motion, and the laws governing them.

• Force is a push or pull; measured in newtons (N).
• Contact and non-contact forces (e.g., gravity, magnetism).
• Resultant force: single force with same effect as all forces acting together.
• Newton’s First Law: objects remain at rest or constant velocity unless acted on.
• Newton’s Second Law: F = ma (force = mass × acceleration).
• Newton’s Third Law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
• Weight = mass × gravitational field strength (W = mg).
• Work done = force × distance moved in direction of force.
• Hooke’s Law: extension ∝ force (within elastic limit).
• Speed, velocity, and acceleration calculations.

6. Waves

Examine the properties of waves, including sound, light, and electromagnetic waves.

• Transverse vs longitudinal waves.
• Wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = fλ).
• Reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption.
• Sound waves require a medium; can’t travel in a vacuum.
• Electromagnetic spectrum: radio to gamma rays.
• All EM waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum.
• Uses and dangers of EM waves (e.g., X-rays, UV).
• Visible light: colour and dispersion.
• Ultrasound and infrasound applications.
• Seismic waves and their use in studying Earth’s structure.

7. Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Discover magnetic fields, electromagnets, and their applications.

• Magnets have north and south poles; like poles repel, opposites attract.
• Magnetic field lines show the direction and strength of the field.
• Earth has a magnetic field.
• Electromagnets: created by current in a wire coil.
• Fleming’s left-hand rule for motors.
• Electric motors use electromagnetism to produce rotation.
• Electromagnetic induction: generating a voltage by changing magnetic field.
• Transformers change the voltage of alternating current.
• Uses: MRI, maglev trains, electric bells, relays.
• Magnetic materials: iron, nickel, cobalt.

8. Space Physics (Separate Science Only)

Explore the universe, life cycles of stars, and our solar system.

• The solar system: Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets.
• Life cycle of a star: nebula, protostar, main sequence, red giant/supergiant, white dwarf, neutron star, black hole.
• Gravity keeps planets and satellites in orbit.
• Red-shift as evidence for the expanding universe.
• Big Bang theory vs Steady State theory.
• Artificial satellites: uses and orbits.
• Orbital speed and radius calculations.
• Cosmic microwave background radiation as evidence for the Big Bang.
• Formation of elements in stars and supernovae.
• Observing the universe: telescopes and space probes.

Further Support

For detailed notes, practice questions, and interactive resources on every GCSE AQA Physics topic, visit TRH Learning.