GCSE Physics topics: the full list

By The STEM-Tutor team · Updated October 2026

GCSE Physics covers the same big ideas on every board, organised a little differently. Here are the topics for AQA and Edexcel and how to revise them.

AQA GCSE Physics topics

1. Energy
2. Electricity
3. Particle model of matter
4. Atomic structure
5. Forces
6. Waves
7. Magnetism and electromagnetism
8. Space physics (separate Physics only)

Edexcel GCSE Physics topics

• Key concepts of physics
• Motion and forces
• Conservation of energy
• Waves
• Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
• Radioactivity
• Astronomy (separate Physics only)
• Energy: forces doing work
• Forces and their effects
• Electricity and circuits
• Static electricity
• Magnetism and the motor effect
• Electromagnetic induction
• Particle model
• Forces and matter

Combined Science or separate Physics?

Combined Science students study most of the same physics in less depth, and a few topics, such as space physics, are separate Physics only. Your school will tell you which course you are on. Check your board's current specification for the exact content and paper structure.

The required practicals

Both boards examine practical skills. You may be asked how to carry out an experiment you did in class, how to make it more accurate, or how to analyse its results. Learn the method, the variables and the likely sources of error for each practical.

How to revise GCSE Physics

1. Learn the equations until they are automatic, even though an equations sheet is provided for GCSE exams in 2025 to 2027, and practise rearranging them.
2. Always include units and convert to standard units before calculating.
3. Practise six-mark questions, using the key words from the mark scheme.
4. Do questions by topic first, then full past papers under timed conditions.
5. Revisit electricity and forces often. They appear across many questions.

A quick example from each topic

Energy

Find the GPE gained by a 50 kg student climbing 3 m of stairs. (g = 9.8 N/kg)

• E_p = mgh = 50 × 9.8 × 3 = 1470 J.

Electricity

Find the current in a 230 V, 920 W toaster.

• I = P/V = 920/230 = 4 A.

Particle model of matter

Find the density of a 2 kg object of volume 0.0008 m³.

• ρ = m/V = 2500 kg/m³.

Atomic structure

A radioactive source has a half-life of 6 hours. Its activity is 800 Bq. What will it be after 18 hours?

• 18 hours is three half-lives: 800 → 400 → 200 → 100 Bq.

Forces

Find the acceleration of a 1500 kg car with a resultant force of 4500 N.

• a = F/m = 3 m/s².

Waves

Light travels at 3 × 10⁸ m/s. Find the frequency of light with wavelength 6 × 10⁻⁷ m.

• f = v/λ = 5 × 10¹⁴ Hz.

Magnetism and electromagnetism

A 0.5 m wire carries 2 A at right angles to a 0.1 T field. Find the force (Higher).

• F = BIL = 0.1 × 2 × 0.5 = 0.1 N.

Topics that students find hardest

• Electromagnetism: Fleming's left-hand rule, motors and generators need careful visualisation.
• Radioactivity: the differences between alpha, beta and gamma, and between contamination and irradiation.
• Waves: refraction and the electromagnetic spectrum, including uses and dangers.
• Six-mark questions: writing a clear, ordered explanation under time pressure.

How the papers are organised

For AQA, Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particle model of matter and atomic structure. Paper 2 covers forces, waves, magnetism and electromagnetism, and for separate Physics, space physics. Edexcel and other boards organise topics differently, so check your own specification. Either way, questions on one paper can draw on ideas from another, such as energy in a forces question.

Practice questions

Try each one before opening the answer.

Frequently asked questions

Is separate Physics harder than Combined Science?

Separate Physics covers more topics and goes deeper, but many students find it easier to focus on one science. Both lead on to A level Physics.

Which board has which topics?

Most topics are the same across boards because they follow national content. The order and some details differ, so use your own board's specification.

Key takeaways

• GCSE Physics covers energy, electricity, matter, atoms, forces, waves and magnetism.
• Separate Physics adds space physics and extra depth.
• Topics connect, especially energy.
• Six-mark questions need clear, ordered answers.
• Use your board's specification as your checklist.

Where to go next

Explore each topic in more depth.

• Forces
• Energy
• Electricity
• Equations

Each topic in brief

Energy covers energy stores, transfers, efficiency, power and energy resources. It connects to almost every other topic.

Electricity covers circuits, resistance, series and parallel rules, mains electricity, power and the National Grid.

Particle model of matter covers density, changes of state, internal energy, specific heat capacity, latent heat and, for separate Physics, gas pressure.

Atomic structure covers the model of the atom, isotopes, radioactive decay, half-life and the uses and dangers of radiation. Separate Physics adds nuclear fission and fusion.

Forces covers resultant forces, Newton's laws, motion graphs, stopping distances, momentum and, for separate Physics, moments, pressure in fluids and more.

Waves covers wave properties, the electromagnetic spectrum, and for separate Physics, lenses, sound and seismic waves.

Magnetism and electromagnetism covers magnetic fields, electromagnets, the motor effect and, for separate Physics, generators and transformers.

Space physics (separate Physics only) covers the solar system, the life cycle of stars, orbits and red-shift.

Planning revision across the topics

Rate each topic red, amber or green based on how confident you feel. Spend most time on red topics, but keep returning to the green ones so they stay fresh. Because energy and forces appear everywhere, making them secure first gives you a strong base for the rest.

Particle model: latent heat

How much energy is needed to boil away 0.2 kg of water at 100 °C? (L = 2 260 000 J/kg)

• E = mL = 0.2 × 2 260 000 = 452 000 J.

Why understanding beats memorising

GCSE Physics papers include questions set in unfamiliar contexts, such as a new device or experiment. Students who have only memorised facts often struggle, while those who understand the ideas can apply them. When you learn a topic, ask yourself why each rule is true and how it connects to others. For example, the reason the National Grid uses high voltages comes from P = IV and from energy losses in cables, which links electricity and energy. Building these links makes revision faster and exams less stressful.

If you get stuck on a topic, try explaining it in simple words, drawing a diagram, or working through a single example slowly. Asking a teacher or tutor early saves a lot of time later.

Choosing good resources

Your board's specification is the definitive list of what can be examined. Use your textbook or revision guide for explanations, and past papers with mark schemes for practice. Revision videos are helpful for relearning a topic, but always follow them with questions. A few good resources, used well, are better than many used briefly.