specification overview
Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physics (1PH0) is a two-tier linear qualification (Foundation and Higher) with two 1h 45m written papers. Paper 1 covers topics 1-7 (motion, forces, energy, waves, light, radioactivity, astronomy); Paper 2 covers topics 1 and 8-15 (energy, electricity, magnetism, particle model, forces and matter). Each paper is 100 marks, worth 50%.
subject content
1. Key concepts of physics
Papers 1, 2- Units, prefixes, standard form
- Estimation, order of magnitude
2. Motion and forces
Paper 1- Speed, velocity, acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs
- Newton's laws, forces, momentum (Higher: conservation)
3. Conservation of energy
Paper 1- Energy stores and transfers
- Efficiency, power, national and global energy resources
4. Waves
Paper 1- Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves
- Speed of sound, ultrasound uses
5. Light and the electromagnetic spectrum
Paper 1- EM spectrum, refraction, reflection, colour
- Uses and dangers of EM waves
6. Radioactivity
Paper 1- Atomic structure, isotopes, radioactive decay
- Half-life, uses and dangers of radiation, nuclear fission and fusion
7. Astronomy
Paper 1- Solar system, life cycle of stars
- Red-shift, expanding universe
8. Energy, forces doing work
Paper 2- Work done, elastic potential energy
- Extension of a spring, Hooke's law
9. Forces and their effects
Paper 2- Moments, levers, gears
- Pressure in fluids (Higher: gas pressure)
10. Electricity and circuits
Paper 2- Current, potential difference, resistance
- Series and parallel circuits, domestic uses, static electricity
11. Static electricity
Paper 2- Electric fields
- Dangers and uses of static electricity
12. Magnetism and the motor effect
Paper 2- Magnetic fields, electromagnets
- Motor effect, force on a wire
13. Electromagnetic induction
Paper 2- Generator effect, transformers
- National Grid
14. Particle model
Paper 2- Density, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat
- Gas pressure (Higher: gas laws)
15. Forces and matter
Paper 2- Elasticity, spring constant
- Investigating extension and force
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Topics 1-7 (motion, forces, energy, waves, light, radioactivity, astronomy) | 1h 45m | 100 | 50% | Multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, extended-response (including 6-mark essays) |
| Paper 2 | Topics 1, 8-15 (energy, forces, electricity, magnetism, particle model) | 1h 45m | 100 | 50% | Multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, extended-response (including 6-mark essays) |
Both papers include practical questions on the 8 core practicals. Appendix 2a equations must be recalled and applied at both tiers; Appendix 2b equations are given on a formulae sheet at the end of the exam papers. Higher-only (bold) equations are not given on the Foundation formulae sheet, so the Higher sheet is the longer of the two.
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, techniques and procedures. | 40% |
| AO2 | Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, techniques and procedures. | 40% |
| AO3 | Analyse information and ideas to interpret, evaluate, make judgements and draw conclusions, and develop and improve experimental procedures. | 20% |
required practicals
| Practical | What it involves |
|---|---|
| 2.19 Investigate the relationship between force, mass and acceleration | – |
| 4.17 Investigate the suitability of equipment to measure the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave in a solid and a fluid | – |
| 5.9 Investigate refraction in rectangular glass blocks | – |
| 5.19P Investigate how the nature of a surface affects the amount of thermal energy radiated or absorbed | – |
| 10.17 Construct electrical circuits to investigate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance for a resistor and a filament lamp, and to test series and parallel circuits using resistors | – |
| 14.3 Investigate the densities of solid and liquid objects | – |
| 14.11 Investigate the properties of water by determining the specific heat capacity of water and obtaining a temperature-time graph for melting ice | – |
| 15.6 Investigate the extension and work done when applying forces to a spring | – |
higher vs foundation
| Aspect | Foundation tier | Higher tier |
|---|---|---|
| Grades available | 5-1 | 9-4 (with safety net grade 3) |
| Additional Higher content | Standard content | Adds: conservation of momentum, gas laws (P1V1 = P2V2), lenses and ray diagrams, and the bold Higher-only statements within electromagnetic induction (e.g. transformer equations) |
| Equation sheet | Equations sheet provided at the end of both papers, listing the Appendix 2b equations minus the Higher-only ones; the Appendix 2a equations still have to be recalled from memory | Equations sheet provided at the end of both papers, and longer than Foundation's; the Higher-only (bold) Appendix 2b equations appear on the Higher sheet but not on the Foundation sheet |
key tips for success
Learn all Physics equations (Higher)
The formulae sheet only covers the Appendix 2b equations - everything in Appendix 2a must be recalled. Learn: KE, GPE, work done, power, current/voltage/resistance, density, wave speed, momentum.
Master the 8 core practicals
Practical questions worth ~15% of marks. Learn method, expected results, sources of error, and evaluation for all 8 core practicals (force/mass/acceleration, wave speed in solid + fluid, refraction in glass blocks, thermal radiation, electrical circuits, density, specific heat capacity of water + melting ice, spring extension).
Practise 6-mark essay structure
Both papers have 6-mark essays. Reward: clear points, developed explanation, evaluation. Practise with a wide range of contexts.
Learn unit conversions cold
Physics needs unit conversion fluency: J to kJ, W to kW, m to km, s to ms. Drill until automatic.
Master calculations with rearrangement
Many questions require equation rearrangement before substitution. Practise rearranging under time pressure.
Learn Higher-only content thoroughly
If Higher, master conservation of momentum, gas laws, EM induction, static electricity depth. Roughly 20% of Higher paper marks.
Where to next
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