AQA · GCSE

Physics · ⁨Physique⁩

Papers, samples and curriculum documents for this course. · ⁨Dossiers, échantillons et documents de programme pour ce cours.⁩

← Exams · ⁨Examens⁩

Qualification code · ⁨Code de qualification⁩: 8463

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Course units and learning goals · ⁨Unités de cours et objectifs d'apprentissage⁩

These lessons teach selected course objectives. Check the remaining coverage gaps; the material is not a complete preparation programme. · ⁨Ces leçons abordent des objectifs de cours sélectionnés. Vérifiez les lacunes restantes en couverture ; ce matériel ne constitue pas un programme d'entraînement complet.⁩

Lessons · ⁨Leçons⁩ →Vocabulary practice · ⁨Pratique du vocabulaire⁩ →

4.1 · 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.
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.

power · ⁨puissance⁩: Energy transferred per unit time
efficiency · ⁨efficacité⁩: Useful output divided by total input
specific heat capacity: Energy per mass per temperature rise
latent heat · ⁨chaleur latente⁩: Energy associated with a change of state

4.2 · Electricity

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.

current · ⁨courant⁩: Rate of flow of charge
potential difference: Energy transferred per unit charge

4.3 · 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 · ⁨chaleur latente⁩: Energy associated with a change of state
absolute temperature: Temperature on the kelvin scale
ideal gas: A gas model with specified simplifying assumptions

4.4 · Atomic structure

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

4.5 · Forces

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.
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.

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

4.6 · 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 · ⁨longueur d'onde⁩: Distance between successive points in phase
frequency · ⁨fréquence⁩: Number of oscillations per unit time

4.7 · Magnetism and electromagnetism

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.

induction: Creation of emf by changing flux linkage
transformer: A device transferring energy between coils through changing flux

4.8 · Space physics (physics only)

Total emitted power.
For isotropic emission without absorption, flux follows an inverse-square relationship with distance. Observed brightness alone therefore cannot establish luminosity.
Compare source observations with the life-cycle model and identify the relevant initial mass. State limitations of evidence rather than treating a model diagram as a direct observation of one star whole lifetime.

luminosity · ⁨luminosité⁩: Total emitted power
flux: Power received per unit area

Preparing for this qualification · ⁨Préparation à cette qualification⁩

Foundation and Higher route, with physics-only and HT statements retained.
Paper 1: 4.1–4.4; Paper 2: 4.5–4.8. Each is 100 marks, 1 h 45 min, 50%.
Use the equation sheet for the actual examination year; do not infer a 2026 aid from a 2024 copy.
The acquired equations insert is explicitly FOR USE IN JUNE 2027 ONLY. AQA confirms its content is unchanged from 2026, but examinations must use their own dated clean insert, supplied with both papers. Preserve the insert’s HT labels; do not infer future assessment conditions from this copy.

Teaching coverage still needed · ⁨Couverture pédagogique encore nécessaire⁩

Full energy stores, insulation, resources and efficiency objectives remain.
Static electricity (physics only), domestic supply/safety and detailed network calculations remain.
Use GCSE gas variant; density, changes of state, specific latent heat and physics-only work on gases remain.
Historical atomic models, decay equations, hazards/uses, fission and fusion remain.
Moments, pressure, vectors, elasticity, stopping-distance factors and momentum at the appropriate tier remain.
Full electromagnetic spectrum, lenses, sound/ultrasound and black-body radiation physics-only objectives remain.
Permanent/induced magnets, motor force HT, generators, microphones, transformers and loudspeakers need complete objectives.
Full solar-system, orbits, life-cycle and redshift objectives remain.

Specifications and sample documents · ⁨Spécifications et documents d'échantillon⁩

Course materials · ⁨Matériel pédagogique⁩

Course preparation · ⁨Préparation du cours⁩

Documents are available. Board-specific notes, assessments and interactive past-paper practice are not yet available for every course. · ⁨Les documents sont disponibles. Les notes spécifiques au conseil, les évaluations et la pratique interactive des anciens sujets ne sont pas encore disponibles pour tous les cours.⁩

Lessons · ⁨Leçons⁩ →