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Cambridge O Level Physics (5054)

O Level Physics, units and all.

Practise the calculations, the explanations and the experimental skills that Papers 3 and 4 test. Your tutor shows every line of working, with the units on each one.

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Calculate the energy needed to heat 0.50 kg of water from 20 °C to 40 °C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/(kg °C).[2 marks]

This is worth 2 marks. They go for:

  • Use ΔE = mcΔθ, with Δθ = 40 − 20 = 20 °C (1 mark)
  • ΔE = 0.50 × 4200 × 20 = 42 000 J (1 mark)

Examiner tip: Use the temperature change, not the final temperature, and give the unit.

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Assessment

How Cambridge O Level Physics is assessed

There are no tiers. Everyone takes Papers 1 and 2, plus Paper 3 or Paper 4, and can get grades A*–E.

Syllabus 5054, for exams in 2026–2028. The 2029 syllabus has no significant changes that affect teaching.

All students

  • Paper 1: Multiple Choice

    40 four-option multiple-choice questions

    Time
    1 h
    Marks
    40
    Weight
    30%

  • Paper 2: Theory

    Compulsory short-answer and structured questions

    Time
    1 h 45 min
    Marks
    80
    Weight
    50%

Plus one practical paper

  • Paper 3: Practical Test

    Experiments in a laboratory

    Time
    1 h 30 min
    Marks
    40
    Weight
    20%

  • Paper 4: Alternative to Practical

    Written paper on the same experimental skills

    Time
    1 h
    Marks
    40
    Weight
    20%

Your school chooses Paper 3 (a practical test in a laboratory) or Paper 4 (a written alternative to practical). Both test the same skills and are worth 20%. There is no coursework.

From the official Cambridge International syllabus, checked October 2026. Read the syllabus

Syllabus content

What’s on the Cambridge O Level Physics syllabus

  • Motion, forces and energy
  • Thermal physics
  • Waves
  • Electricity and magnetism
  • Nuclear physics
  • Space physics

Where marks are lost

Common Cambridge O Level Physics mistakes

  • Leaving mass in grams.

    Specific heat capacity, density and momentum questions often give mass in grams. Convert to kilograms before you substitute: 250 g is 0.25 kg.

  • Treating speed and velocity as the same.

    Velocity is a vector: it has a direction. An object moving in a circle at constant speed has a changing velocity, so it is accelerating.

  • Measuring angles from the surface.

    In reflection and refraction, measure the angles of incidence, reflection and refraction from the normal, the line at 90° to the surface.

Six physics tutors, six ways to learn

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  • LeoConcept explainer
  • InesStep by step
  • MarcusExam coach
  • ZaraQuick revision
  • FelixChallenger
  • AmaraConfidence builder

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FAQ

Cambridge O Level Physics questions, answered.

Yes. Ask about reading instruments, recording results in tables, drawing graphs and suggesting improvements to an experiment, then practise describing methods.

No. Everyone takes the same papers and studies the same content, and can get any grade from A* to E.

Yes. Call your physics tutor and explain your reasoning. A summary of what you covered is saved in the chat when you hang up.

Yes. The free plan includes 5 tutor messages and 15 minutes of calls a day. Pro and Max give you more when exams get close.

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More Cambridge O Level subjects

Physics in other curricula