Topical revision checklist for AQA UK GCSE (9–1) Physics — specification 8463. Track confidence for each topic and sub-topic; aligned to 2026 specification headings. Rate your confidence (1–5) for each specification topic.
Start from the official AQA GCSE resource page (notes, videos, practice questions, AI quizzes), or open this subject’s topic dashboard and past papers. Below are portal links for each AQA GCSE course we host (also listed in our Past Paper Finder).
| Topic | Sub-topic | Resources | Confidence (1–5) | Last reviewed | Next review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Energy | Energy stores: kinetic, thermal, chemical, gravitational, elastic, nuclear, electrostatic, magnetic | ||||
| 1. Energy | Energy transfer: mechanically, electrically, by heating, by radiation, by sound | ||||
| 1. Energy | Conservation of energy in transfers | ||||
| 1. Energy | Calculating energy changes: work done = force × distance | ||||
| 1. Energy | Power: energy transferred per second; P = E/t and P = IV | ||||
| 1. Energy | Efficiency: useful output ÷ total input; reducing wasted energy | ||||
| 1. Energy | Sankey diagrams and comparing efficiencies | ||||
| 1. Energy | Renewable vs non-renewable resources; fossil fuels, biofuels, wind, solar, hydro, nuclear | ||||
| 1. Energy | Environmental impact: carbon emissions, pollution, land use | ||||
| 1. Energy | National Grid: generation, transmission, demand (introductory) | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Circuit symbols; drawing and interpreting circuit diagrams | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Electric current as rate of flow of charge; Q = It | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Potential difference; energy transferred per unit charge | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Resistance: Ohm’s law, I = V/R; measuring I–V for resistor, lamp, diode | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Series circuits: current same everywhere; voltages add; R_total = R1 + R2 | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Parallel circuits: voltage same across branches; currents add; 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Domestic wiring: live, neutral, earth; fuses and RCCBs; power in appliances P = VI | ||||
| 2. Electricity | National grid: high voltage transmission to reduce current and energy loss | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Energy transferred in circuits: E = VIt; comparing filament vs LED lamps | ||||
| 2. Electricity | Static electricity (where specified): charging by friction; hazards and uses | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Density: ρ = m/V; measuring density of regular and irregular solids | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Changes of state: melting, boiling, condensing; heating/cooling curves | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Internal energy: kinetic and potential stores of particles | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Specific heat capacity: E = mcΔθ; required practical methods | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Specific latent heat: fusion and vaporisation; E = mL | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Particle model: gas pressure from particle collisions (qualitative) | ||||
| 3. Particle model of matter | Expansion of materials when heated (introductory) | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Plum pudding vs nuclear model; Rutherford–Marsden (alpha scattering) | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Protons, neutrons, electrons; relative mass and charge | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Atomic number and mass number; isotopes; electronic structure (shells) | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Ions: loss/gain of electrons; formulae of ionic compounds | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Discovery and properties of alpha, beta, gamma; penetrating power and ionisation | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Nuclear equations; half-life: decay graphs and calculations | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Background radiation; uses of radioisotopes in medicine and industry | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Nuclear fission in reactors; chain reactions; control rods | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Nuclear fusion in stars; conditions required | ||||
| 4. Atomic structure | Hazards of ionising radiation; ALARA principles (introductory) | ||||
| 5. Forces | Scalars vs vectors; combining vectors along a line | ||||
| 5. Forces | Distance vs displacement; speed vs velocity | ||||
| 5. Forces | Acceleration; interpreting distance–time and velocity–time graphs | ||||
| 5. Forces | SUVAT equations for uniform acceleration (as specified for tier) | ||||
| 5. Forces | Newton’s first law: balanced forces and inertia | ||||
| 5. Forces | Newton’s second law: F = ma; resultant force | ||||
| 5. Forces | Newton’s third law: action–reaction pairs | ||||
| 5. Forces | Weight W = mg; gravitational field strength g | ||||
| 5. Forces | Forces and elasticity: Hooke’s law; limit of proportionality | ||||
| 5. Forces | Moments: moment = F × d; levers and gears; equilibrium | ||||
| 5. Forces | Pressure: p = F/A; in liquids and atmospheric pressure | ||||
| 5. Forces | Upthrust and floating (introductory) | ||||
| 5. Forces | Stopping distance: thinking + braking; factors affecting safety | ||||
| 6. Waves | Wave terms: amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, wave speed v = fλ | ||||
| 6. Waves | Transverse vs longitudinal; examples in solids, liquids, gases | ||||
| 6. Waves | Measuring the speed of water waves or sound (required practical style) | ||||
| 6. Waves | Sound: production, frequency and pitch, echoes, ultrasound uses | ||||
| 6. Waves | Reflection: laws of reflection; plane mirrors | ||||
| 6. Waves | Refraction: refractive index; ray diagrams (as specified) | ||||
| 6. Waves | Electromagnetic spectrum: order by wavelength/frequency | ||||
| 6. Waves | Properties and uses of each region: radio to gamma | ||||
| 6. Waves | Dangers of UV, X-rays, gamma; protection and exposure | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Magnetic poles; magnetic field patterns around bar magnets | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Earth’s magnetic field; plotting fields with compass or iron filings | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Electromagnets: solenoid, iron core; factors affecting strength | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Motor effect: F = BIL (direction with Fleming’s left-hand rule) | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Simple d.c. motor: split-ring commutator, coil, magnets | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Electromagnetic induction: generator effect; factors affecting induced voltage | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | A.c. generators: rotating coil in field | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Transformers: step-up/step-down; Vp/Vs = Np/Ns; efficiency and core | ||||
| 7. Magnetism and electromagnetism | Role of transformers in the National Grid | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Planets, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets; the Sun | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Orbits: satellites; geostationary vs polar (introductory) | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Life cycle of stars: nebula → protostar → main sequence → red giant → white dwarf | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Heavy stars: supernova, neutron stars, black holes (introductory) | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Fusion in stars; formation of elements | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Red-shift of galaxy light; expanding universe | ||||
| 8. Space physics | Evidence for the Big Bang; cosmic microwave background (introductory) |
Use with our Past Paper Finder for exam practice. Always cross-check topic coverage with your school’s route and the official board specification.