Pearson Edexcel · IGCSE · 4PH1
Physics — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)
Topic-by-topic keywords, key terms and definitions for precise exam language—separate from our revision checklists (topic coverage) and formula sheets (equations).
Keywords & Key Terms — definitions
Examiner-style keywords and definitions organised by syllabus topic. Terms are tagged Essential (start here), Core (typical exam standard), and Advanced for harder distinctions — tick each row when you can recall it. Your progress is saved in this browser for this list.
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics (4PH1)
Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics (4PH1)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)
Structured using Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) content areas for 2026: forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, particle model, radioactivity, astrophysics. Higher tier lists assume Higher-tier breadth and depth.
Mark schemes: Marks are awarded for correct physics, clear working with units, and valid scientific reasoning. Longer questions often require balanced arguments with evidence from the stem. Refer to your specification for prescribed practicals.
Active recall: 0 / 48 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Essential | SI base units | e.g. metre (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), ampere (A) — use consistently. | |
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Core | Derived units | e.g. N, J, W — express answers in appropriate SI units unless told otherwise. | |
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Core | Significant figures | Final answers often to a given s.f.; trailing zeros after a decimal point count. | |
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Core | Resolution | Smallest change an instrument can detect. | |
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Core | Repeat readings | Reduce random error; identify anomalies. | |
| Measurement, units & practical skills | Advanced | Uncertainty | Half the smallest division or range from repeats — quote in conclusions. | |
| Forces and motion | Essential | Distance | How far moved along a path. | |
| Forces and motion | Essential | Displacement | Straight-line distance and direction from start to finish. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Speed | Distance ÷ time; average speed = total distance ÷ total time. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Velocity | Speed with direction; rate of change of displacement. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Acceleration | Rate of change of velocity. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Resultant force | Vector sum of all forces — determines acceleration (Newton II). | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Newton’s laws | I: inertia; II: F = ma; III: equal and opposite reaction pairs on different bodies. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Friction | Opposes motion between surfaces. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Drag | Fluid resistance; increases with speed. | |
| Forces and motion | Advanced | Momentum | p = mv; in collisions, momentum is conserved if no external resultant force. | |
| Forces and motion | Core | Impulse | Change in momentum; area under force–time graph. | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Essential | Energy store | Way energy is stored (kinetic, gravitational, elastic, chemical, thermal…). | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Core | Energy transfer | Energy moving from one store to another (by heating, mechanical work, radiation, electrical). | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Core | Efficiency | Useful energy output ÷ total energy input × 100%. | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Core | Power | Rate of energy transfer: energy ÷ time. | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Advanced | Sankey diagram | Energy flow diagram; width proportional to energy. | |
| Conservation of energy & energy transfers | Core | Renewable vs non-renewable | Sources that can be replenished vs finite fossil/nuclear fuels. | |
| Waves & light | Essential | Wave | Oscillation transferring energy. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Transverse / longitudinal | Particle motion perpendicular / parallel to energy transfer. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Amplitude, wavelength, frequency | Key descriptors; f = 1/T. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Wave speed | v = fλ. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Reflection & refraction | Change in direction at boundaries; refractive index. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Diffraction | Spreading through gaps or around obstacles. | |
| Waves & light | Advanced | Electromagnetic spectrum | Family ordered by frequency/energy — radio to gamma; uses and hazards. | |
| Waves & light | Core | Sound | Longitudinal; needs a medium; pitch and loudness. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Essential | Current | Flow of charge per second (A). | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Essential | Voltage | Energy per unit charge; driving p.d. in circuit model. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Resistance | R = V/I; ohms. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Ohm’s law | For many conductors at constant temperature, I ∝ V. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Series & parallel circuits | Series: same I; parallel: same V across branches. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Electrical power | P = IV. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Advanced | Magnetic field | Region where magnetic materials experience force; right-hand rules for fields. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Electromagnetic induction | Induced voltage when magnetic field through a circuit changes. | |
| Electricity & magnetism | Core | Transformer | Changes alternating voltage using induction between coils. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Essential | States of matter | Solid, liquid, gas — different particle spacing and movement. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Internal energy | Sum of kinetic and potential energies of particles. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Specific heat capacity | Energy to warm 1 kg by 1 °C. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Specific latent heat | Energy per kg for change of state. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Ionising radiation | Alpha, beta, gamma — different penetration and ionisation. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Half-life | Time for activity or undecayed nuclei to halve. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Advanced | Nuclear equation | Mass number and atomic number balanced across a nuclear reaction. | |
| Particle model & radioactivity | Core | Background radiation | Always present; subtract in experiments. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
Physics (4PH1) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Physics keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important physics terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) (4PH1). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
- How should I use this Physics glossary alongside past papers?
- Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for IGCSE Physics (4PH1) so you apply terms in context.
- Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?
- No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Physics. Quantitative relationships belong on formula sheets; this list emphasises language and concepts.
- Can I download this Physics keywords and key terms list for free?
- Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
- Is this Physics list aligned to the 4PH1 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) for Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
- Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?
- Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Physics at IGCSE, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.