OxfordAQA · International GCSE

Physics

Papers, samples and curriculum documents for this course.

Qualification code: 9203

Handouts, exercise sheets and slides

Shared topic documents retain their source course and topic titles. Use your chosen board’s specification for coverage, tier and exam requirements.

Handouts · IGCSE Physics (6)

Exercise sheets · IGCSE Physics (24)

Presentation slides · IGCSE Physics (6)

Course units and learning goals

These lessons teach selected course objectives. Check the remaining coverage gaps; the material is not a complete preparation programme.

Lessons →Vocabulary practice →

3.1 · Forces and their effects

Rate of change of displacement.
The gradient of a displacement-time graph is velocity. The area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement. A constant-acceleration formula is valid only when its assumption is justified.
Choose a positive direction and state it. Use a light gate or video with a known scale and frame interval for repeatable motion measurements. Avoid assuming hand timing is exact over very short intervals.
Mass multiplied by velocity.
Impulse equals momentum change. Increasing stopping time for the same momentum change reduces average force. Identify external forces before applying momentum conservation.
Draw a free-body diagram containing only forces on the selected object. For spring measurements, add loads in steps within the elastic range and measure extension from the unloaded position.

velocity: Rate of change of displacement
acceleration: Rate of change of velocity
momentum: Mass multiplied by velocity
resultant force: The vector sum of forces on an object

3.2 · Energy

Energy transferred per unit time.
Define the system and useful output before calculating efficiency. Doubling speed quadruples kinetic energy at constant mass. Power describes transfer per time, not total energy.
Measure a lifting height and load, time the lift, and record electrical input with suitable instruments. Repeat trials and account for heating or friction as transfers, not missing energy.

power: Energy transferred per unit time
efficiency: Useful output divided by total input

3.3 · Waves

Distance between successive points in phase.
At a boundary, frequency stays fixed by the source. A change of speed changes wavelength. Refraction follows from speed differences; angles are measured from the normal.
Measure several wavelengths and divide to reduce fractional reading uncertainty. Use a ray box with a normal drawn at the boundary. Keep the beam away from eyes and record incident and refracted angles clearly.

wavelength: Distance between successive points in phase
frequency: Number of oscillations per unit time

3.4 · Particle model of matter

Energy per mass per temperature rise.
Temperature relates to particle motion in a model; internal energy includes kinetic and potential contributions. During a change of state, energy can change particle arrangements rather than temperature.
Measure mass, electrical input and temperature change for an insulated block. Ensure the temperature sensor has good contact, allow time for equilibration, and consider energy transferred to the surroundings.
Temperature on the kelvin scale.
State which quantities stay fixed. A pressure-volume relation requires consistent units and a fixed temperature. The kelvin-based temperature ratio is an extension only where the course explicitly specifies it.
Use approved apparatus with a temperature range and pressure limit set by the teacher. Allow thermal equilibrium and record pressure against kelvin temperature. Never heat an improvised sealed vessel.

specific heat capacity: Energy per mass per temperature rise
latent heat: Energy associated with a change of state
absolute temperature: Temperature on the kelvin scale
ideal gas: A gas model with specified simplifying assumptions

3.5 · Electricity and magnetism

Rate of flow of charge.
Current is the same through components in series. Potential differences add around the series path. In parallel, branches share the same potential difference, while branch currents sum at a junction.
Place an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel. For an I-V investigation, change voltage in steps, reverse polarity when appropriate and limit current to reduce heating.
Creation of emf by changing flux linkage.
Changing field strength, coil area, orientation or relative motion can change flux linkage. Lenz law describes an induced effect opposing the change producing it, consistent with energy conservation.
Use a coil and sensitive meter to compare magnet motion in each direction. Record that a stationary arrangement gives no induced signal. Use approved low-voltage supplies for motor demonstrations.

current: Rate of flow of charge
potential difference: Energy transferred per unit charge
induction: Creation of emf by changing flux linkage
transformer: A device transferring energy between coils through changing flux

3.6 · Generating and distributing electricity and household use

Creation of emf by changing flux linkage.
Changing field strength, coil area, orientation or relative motion can change flux linkage. Lenz law describes an induced effect opposing the change producing it, consistent with energy conservation.
Use a coil and sensitive meter to compare magnet motion in each direction. Record that a stationary arrangement gives no induced signal. Use approved low-voltage supplies for motor demonstrations.
Rate of flow of charge.
Current is the same through components in series. Potential differences add around the series path. In parallel, branches share the same potential difference, while branch currents sum at a junction.
Place an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel. For an I-V investigation, change voltage in steps, reverse polarity when appropriate and limit current to reduce heating.

induction: Creation of emf by changing flux linkage
transformer: A device transferring energy between coils through changing flux
current: Rate of flow of charge
potential difference: Energy transferred per unit charge

3.7 · Nuclear physics

Time for activity or undecayed population to halve.
Subtract background counts measured over the same time interval. Distinguish irradiation from contamination. Shielding, distance and reduced exposure time can reduce risk under a school-controlled procedure.
Use teacher-managed sources and the school radiation rules. Record count duration and repeat background measurements. Do not extrapolate a half-life from one nucleus or from uncorrected readings.

half-life: Time for activity or undecayed population to halve
background radiation: Radiation measured apart from the investigated source

3.8 · Space physics

A stable stellar phase sustained by core hydrogen fusion.
Read a life-cycle diagram as a model of stages and conditions, not a timed film of one star. The Sun is expected to follow the lower-mass route. Fusion combines light nuclei; it differs from fission of a heavy nucleus.
Compare attributed stellar observations with predicted properties of each stage. Keep star, planet, galaxy and universe distinct. An orbiting body can have constant speed while its velocity changes direction.

main sequence: A stable stellar phase sustained by core hydrogen fusion
white dwarf: A compact remnant on the lower-mass stellar route

Preparing for this qualification

9203 separate Physics; do not relabel AQA 8463 or Cambridge 0625.
Two untiered papers, each 90 marks and 1 h 30 min, each worth 50%; both can assess all content.
Practical skills are assessed in writing; retain P labels distinguishing separate Physics.

Teaching coverage still needed

All P-labelled separate-Physics statements including terminal velocity, centre of mass and moments remain.
Complete resources and energy transfer objectives remain.
Full sound, ultrasound, refraction/TIR and lens P statements remain.
Use IGCSE gas variant; complete kinetic theory and energy changes remain.
Full circuit, magnet and electromagnetic statements remain.
Separate-Physics generator/transmission P statements and all household safety remain.
Complete nuclear models, radiation, fission and P fusion statements remain.
Full star-life-cycle and cosmology statements remain.