AQA GCSE Physics
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course overview
The AQA GCSE Physics specification covers 8 topics and 91 subtopics with 1482 learning objectives (8463). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 8 topics · 91 subtopics
- 480 study pages
- 1482 learning objectives
Verified courseQuestions and notes checked against the official specification.
- 1,440
- verified practice questions
- 480
- verified teaching notes
- 90
- topics
- 2
- explainer videos
- 9
- audio lessons
Your exams
- Paper 1Tuesday, 25 May 2027, AM
- Paper 2Friday, 18 June 2027, AM
Always confirm dates and times with your exam centre.
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: topics 1–4 (Foundation) | 105 min | 100 | 50% |
| Paper 1: topics 1–4 (Higher) | 105 min | 100 | 50% |
| Paper 2: topics 5–8 (Foundation) | 105 min | 100 | 50% |
| Paper 2: topics 5–8 (Higher) | 105 min | 100 | 50% |
Explore your topics
8 topics · 91 subtopics
Energy to atomic structure4 topics · 39 subtopics
Energy
Energy stores and systems4 specification points covering A system is an object or group of objects., There are changes in the way energy is stored when a system changes., Students…14 objectives · 4 study pages- Changes in energy2 specification points covering Students should be able to calculate the amount of energy associated with a moving object, a stretched spring and an object…7 objectives · 2 study pages
- Energy changes in systems2 specification points covering The amount of energy stored in or released from a system as its temperature changes can be calculated using the equation:,…8 objectives · 2 study pages
- Power3 specification points covering Power is defined as the rate at which energy is transferred or the rate at which work is done., Students should be able to…11 objectives · 3 study pages
- Energy transfers in a system8 specification points covering Energy can be transferred usefully, stored or dissipated, but cannot be created or destroyed., Students should be able to…29 objectives · 8 study pages
- Efficiency7 specification points covering The energy efficiency for any energy transfer can be calculated using the equation:, efficiency = useful output energy…21 objectives · 7 study pages
- National and global energy resources5 specification points covering The main energy resources available for use on Earth include: fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), nuclear fuel, bio-fuel,…20 objectives · 5 study pages
Electricity
Standard circuit diagram symbols2 specification points covering Circuit diagrams use standard symbols., Students should be able to draw and interpret circuit diagrams..8 objectives · 2 study pages- Electrical charge and current2 specification points covering For electrical charge to flow through a closed circuit the circuit must include a source of potential difference., Electric…8 objectives · 2 study pages
- Current, resistance and potential difference4 specification points covering The current (I) through a component depends on both the resistance (R) of the component and the potential difference (V)…16 objectives · 4 study pages
- Resistors13 specification points covering Students should be able to explain that, for some resistors, the value of R remains constant but that in others it can…52 objectives · 13 study pages
- Series and parallel circuits3 specification points covering There are two ways of joining electrical components, in series and in parallel.9 objectives · 3 study pages
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Forces to space physics4 topics · 52 subtopics
Forces
Scalar and vector quantities4 specification points covering Scalar quantities have magnitude only., Vector quantities have magnitude and an associated direction., A vector quantity may…12 objectives · 4 study pages- Contact and non-contact forces5 specification points covering A force is a push or pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.15 objectives · 5 study pages
- Gravity5 specification points covering Weight is the force acting on an object due to gravity.15 objectives · 5 study pages
- Resultant forces7 specification points covering A number of forces acting on an object may be replaced by a single force that has the same effect as all the original forces…21 objectives · 7 study pages
- Work done and energy transfer6 specification points covering When a force causes an object to move through a distance work is done on the object., So a force does work on an object when…18 objectives · 6 study pages
- Forces and elasticity7 specification points covering Students should be able to: give examples of the forces involved in stretching, bending or compressing an object explain…21 objectives · 7 study pages
- Moments, levers and gears (physics only)7 specification points covering A force or a system of forces may cause an object to rotate., Students should be able to describe examples in which forces…21 objectives · 7 study pages
- Pressure in a fluid 19 specification points covering A fluid can be either a liquid or a gas., The pressure in fluids causes a force normal (at right angles) to any surface.,…27 objectives · 9 study pages
- Pressure in a fluid 2 (HT only)6 specification points covering The pressure due to a column of liquid can be calculated using the equation: pressure = height of the column × density of…18 objectives · 6 study pages
- Atmospheric pressure6 specification points covering The atmosphere is a thin layer (relative to the size of the Earth) of air round the Earth.18 objectives · 6 study pages
- Distance and displacement4 specification points covering Distance is how far an object moves.12 objectives · 4 study pages
- Speed9 specification points covering Speed does not involve direction.27 objectives · 9 study pages
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About this course
About AQA GCSE Physics
The AQA GCSE Physics course (8463) is designed to give students a solid foundation in the core principles of physics, from energy and forces to waves and electromagnetism. It encourages learners to understand the world around them, develop critical thinking, and apply scientific methods to solve problems. The specification is structured to build both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, with prescribed practical activities woven into the teaching.
Throughout the course, students explore eight main topic areas: Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, Atomic Structure, Forces, Waves, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, and Space Physics. These topics are carefully sequenced to help students see connections between concepts, such as how energy transfers underpin all physical processes. The syllabus emphasises working scientifically, so students learn how to plan experiments, analyse data, and evaluate evidence.
AQA’s clear and accessible style makes it one of the most popular choices for GCSE Physics in the UK. The course is 100% exam-based, with no controlled assessment or coursework, though practical skills are assessed through questions in the written papers. Students are well-supported by a wealth of past papers, textbooks, and online resources, making it a manageable and rewarding qualification for learners of all abilities.
Assessment Structure
The AQA GCSE Physics qualification is assessed entirely through two written examination papers, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes and carrying 100 marks. Paper 1 covers Energy, Electricity, Particle Model of Matter, and Atomic Structure; Paper 2 covers Forces, Waves, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, and Space Physics. Both papers are worth 50% of the final grade and feature a mix of multiple-choice, structured, closed short-answer, and open-response questions. There is no separate practical exam; instead, knowledge and understanding of the eight required practical activities are tested within the written papers.
Why Choose AQA?
- AQA is the most widely used exam board for GCSE Physics, meaning there is an extensive range of textbooks, revision guides, and past papers available—making independent study easier.
- The qualification is entirely exam-based, which removes the pressure of long-term coursework and allows students to focus on mastering exam technique.
- The specification is well-structured and clearly written, with a strong emphasis on working scientifically, helping students develop transferable analytical and problem-solving skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any coursework in AQA GCSE Physics?
What is the difference between AQA and Edexcel GCSE Physics?
Do I need to memorise all the physics equations for the AQA exam?
How many marks are the AQA GCSE Physics papers worth, and how long do they last?
What practical work is required for AQA GCSE Physics?
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific techniques and procedures
Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures
Analyse information and ideas to interpret and evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions, and develop and improve experimental procedures
Exam Structure
Paper 1: topics 1–4 (Foundation)
1h 45m
Duration
100
Marks
50%
Weighting
Paper 1: topics 1–4 (Higher)
1h 45m
Duration
100
Marks
50%
Weighting
Paper 2: topics 5–8 (Foundation)
1h 45m
Duration
100
Marks
50%
Weighting
Paper 2: topics 5–8 (Higher)
1h 45m
Duration
100
Marks
50%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •treating the system as one object only, leaving out the barrier, spring or surroundings that the question named
- •listing electrical, light or sound as energy stores when they are pathways between stores
- •writing that energy is lost or used up when it has been transferred to the thermal store of the surroundings
- •writing that energy is created by the pump or used up by the heater instead of transferred between stores
- •naming heating, a pathway, as the final store rather than naming the thermal store
- •listing features of each method in turn, which caps a compare question at the lower level
- •saying the kinetic energy is destroyed in a collision rather than transferred to thermal stores and sound
- •forgetting that a kettle also heats its own element and body, not only the water
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Open the answer by saying what is inside the system; the boundary has to be clear before the energy argument means anything.
- •For a closed system, the examiner credits stating that there is no net energy transfer to or from the surroundings, which means the total energy remains constant.
- •In a compare question, write sentences that hold both options together: method A stores more per kilogram but wastes 40% against method B at 25%.
- •Give the magnitude of any difference when the data allows it; the top level asks for the size of the difference, not just its direction.
- •Write the change as a chain: store, pathway, store, then add where energy is dissipated.
- •Say which object holds the store, because the thermal store of the brakes is not the thermal store of the road.
- •A one-mark answer still needs both ends of the transfer, so never name a single store on its own.
- •Write the equation, then the substitution, then the answer; the first two marks survive even when the arithmetic slips.
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