GCSE Unit Index
The Units are given below. The percentage for each unit in the final exam is shown. The order of the topics is the same as the syllabus. However your teacher may well teach the topics in a different order, according to your school's scheme of work. Higher Tier work is shown as HT ONLY.
How to use the notes
| The syllabus statements (what you have to know for the exam) are given at the top of each topic in a box like this. |
| Keywords are given in a box like this. |
|
These notes are based on the
themes within the AQA syllabus.
If you want to see the notes as individual lessons, click to go to the St Neots Science Website. You will see them as laid out in the Collins AQA Science, although some lessons are doubled up, or put in a slightly different order, to fit in with our timetable and schemes of work |
This little chap warns you that there is a bear trap, something lots of students get wrong.
Have a go at the interactive questions and the topic quizzes to see how much you have learned.
Worked examples show you how to do the calculations:
| Question in this box |
| Answer in this box |
| Equation you have to learn. LEARN IT! |
Where appropriate Physics Codes will be given. You can learn the equation using words or physics codes as you prefer, as long as you learn it. Get into the habit of using the right units. Most equations will also be given in the magic triangle form. Put your finger on the term you want and you will get the equation arranged for you.
For example, B = A/C.
| Equation you will be given. Don't try to learn it. Do practise how to use it. |
Unit 1 Physics 1 (25 %)
Topic 1 How is heat transferred?
Topic 2 What is meant by the efficient use of energy?
Topic 3 Why are electrical devices so useful?
Topic 4 How should we generate the electricity we need?
Topic 5 What are the uses and hazards of waves that form the Electromagnetic Spectrum?
Topic 6 What are the uses of and dangers of emissions from radioactive substances?
Topic 7 What do we know of the origins of the universe and how it continues to change?
Unit 2 Physics 2 (25 %)
Topic 1 How can we describe the way things move?
Topic 2 How do we make things speed up or slow down?
Topic 3 What happens to movement energy when things speed up or slow down?
Topic 6 What does the current through an electric circuit depend on?
Topic 7 What is mains electricity and how can it be used safely?
Topic 8 Why do we need to know the power of electrical appliances?
Topic 9 What happens to radioactive substances when they decay?
Topic 10 What are nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?
Unit 3 Physics 3 (25 %)
Topic 1 How do forces have a turning effect?
Topic 2 What keeps bodies moving in a circle?
Topic 3 What provides centripetal force for planets and satellites?
Topic 4 What do mirrors and lenses do to light?
Topic 6 What is ultrasound and how can it be used?
Topic 7 How can electricity be used to make things move?
Topic 8 How do generators work?
Topic 9 How do transformers work?
Topic 10 What is the life history of stars?