Paper 1
Physics Paper 1
- Energy
- Electricity
- Particle Model of Matter
- Atomic Structure
1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%
AQA GCSE Physics, memorised fast.
Long notes are boring. Brain-hack the whole 8463 specification with active recall and actually remember it.
- Spec 8463
- 8 topics
- 71 subtopics
AQA GCSE Physics 8463
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewThe structure of an atomMass number, atomic number and isotopesFrom the plum pudding model to the nuclear modelChadwick, the neutron, and comparing the modelsRadioactive decay and nuclear radiationNuclear equationsHalf-lives and the random nature of radioactive decayRadioactive contaminationBackground radiationUses of nuclear radiation, and how half-life affects hazardNuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Electricity
Topic overviewCircuit symbols, electrical charge and currentCurrent, resistance and potential differenceOhmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistorsLight-dependent resistors, and investigating resistanceCurrent and potential difference in series and parallelConstructing circuits, and calculating in series circuitsDirect and alternating potential difference, and mains electricityPower and efficiencyAppliances, and the energy transferred by electrical workPower, and the power ratings of domestic appliancesThe National GridStatic chargeElectric fields
Energy
Forces
Topic overviewScalars, vectors, forces and the resultant forceGravityWork done and energy transferStretching, compressing, and the spring constantLinear and non-linear extension, and work done on a springMoments, levers and gearsPressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over AAtmospheric pressureDistance, displacement and speedThe speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equationVelocity and the distance-time relationshipAcceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphsArea under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equationNewton's First LawNewton's Second and Third LawsStopping distance and reaction timeFactors affecting braking distanceBraking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Particle Model of Matter
Space Physics
Waves
Topic overviewTransverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equationWave properties, and refraction at a boundaryReflection of wavesTypes and uses of electromagnetic wavesRadio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma raysLensesVisible lightEmission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies
What AQA GCSE Physics covers
AQA GCSE Physics (specification 8463) is one of the three separate sciences and is examined by two written papers of 1 hour 45 minutes and 100 marks each, worth 50% apiece. Paper 1 covers the first half of the topics and Paper 2 the second, though Paper 2 questions can also draw on energy changes, transfers and conservation from the Energy and Electricity topics. This is the Foundation tier: grades 1 to 5 are available, and the higher-tier content is not examined.
AQA GCSE Physics 8463, version 1.1, September 2019. Read the AQA specification ↗
How it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics Paper 2
- Forces
- Waves
- Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Space Physics
1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%
The full specification
8 topics, 71 subtopics. Open any topic to see what is inside it.
01Atomic Structure11 subtopicsOpen topic
- The structure of an atom
- Mass number, atomic number and isotopes
- From the plum pudding model to the nuclear model
- Chadwick, the neutron, and comparing the models
- Radioactive decay and nuclear radiation
- Nuclear equations
- Half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay
- Radioactive contamination
- Background radiation
- Uses of nuclear radiation, and how half-life affects hazard
- Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
02Electricity13 subtopicsOpen topic
- Circuit symbols, electrical charge and current
- Current, resistance and potential difference
- Ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistors
- Light-dependent resistors, and investigating resistance
- Current and potential difference in series and parallel
- Constructing circuits, and calculating in series circuits
- Direct and alternating potential difference, and mains electricity
- Power and efficiency
- Appliances, and the energy transferred by electrical work
- Power, and the power ratings of domestic appliances
- The National Grid
- Static charge
- Electric fields
03Energy8 subtopicsOpen topic
04Forces18 subtopicsOpen topic
- Scalars, vectors, forces and the resultant force
- Gravity
- Work done and energy transfer
- Stretching, compressing, and the spring constant
- Linear and non-linear extension, and work done on a spring
- Moments, levers and gears
- Pressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over A
- Atmospheric pressure
- Distance, displacement and speed
- The speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equation
- Velocity and the distance-time relationship
- Acceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphs
- Area under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equation
- Newton's First Law
- Newton's Second and Third Laws
- Stopping distance and reaction time
- Factors affecting braking distance
- Braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly
05Magnetism and Electromagnetism4 subtopicsOpen topic
06Particle Model of Matter6 subtopicsOpen topic
07Space Physics3 subtopicsOpen topic
08Waves8 subtopicsOpen topic
- Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation
- Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary
- Reflection of waves
- Types and uses of electromagnetic waves
- Radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays
- Lenses
- Visible light
- Emission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies
How you work through it
Pick the mode that fits the time you have.
Try three questions
No account needed. Answer from memory first.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe how nuclear radiation is used in medicine, both to explore an organ and to treat a tumour.
Key term
Explain why the behaviour of a radioactive sample can be predicted, and why its activity falls as time goes on.
Key term
Describe in words how a chain reaction builds up from a single fission.
Spaced Repetition Schedule
How reviews are timed
Levo will automatically distribute all of your progress into a spaced repetition calendar. Once you’ve answered, it’s scheduled for you on the next day in the spaced repetition schedule. Over time, the gaps between your recall get bigger, from a day to three years, reinforcing memorisation over a long period of time.
Interval sequence
- 1 day
- 3 days
- 7 days
- 14 days
- 30 days
- 60 days
- 4 months
- 8 months
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material
Physics revision questions
Common questions about revising AQA GCSE Physics. Tap any to open it.
How do you memorise AQA GCSE Physics?
By testing yourself, not rereading. Active recall, pulling each answer from memory then checking it, builds far stronger memory than highlighting notes. Levo runs the method for you across all 8 Physics topics and brings each one back on a spaced schedule so it stays memorised.
What is the fastest way to revise Physics for AQA?
Skip the long notes and go straight to retrieval. Levo turns the 8463 specification into short questions you drill with rapid recall, cram whole papers in one sitting, and a readiness score tells you exactly what is left to learn.
What topics are on AQA GCSE Physics (8463)?
There are 8 topics, split across 71 subtopics, from Atomic Structure, Electricity, Energy and more. Every topic is listed above, and each one opens to the subtopics inside it.
What do you get inside Levo for Physics?
Six ways to work the same material. The 3-step method for learning a set, Cram for sorting a whole paper into what you know and what you do not, Blank Blitz for making key facts automatic, Build It for assembling full-mark answers, Test It for catching misconceptions, and Brain Breaks between sessions. A readiness score tracks how much of the subject you have memorised.
Is active recall better than rereading your notes for Physics?
Consistently, yes. Rereading feels productive but fades quickly. Retrieving an answer from memory, the way Levo tests you, is what actually forms durable memory, and it shows you honestly what you do and do not know.
Does Levo cover the whole AQA Physics specification?
Every topic on the 8463 specification is covered, written from the published subject content. The full list is above, and each topic opens to its subtopics so you can see exactly what is there before you subscribe.
How can you encourage your teenager to revise?
Make it short, structured and low-pressure. Levo gives a clear daily plan, quick sessions rather than marathon ones, streaks that reward showing up, and an honest readiness score, so revision feels like progress instead of a chore. Parents can add an account and follow along.
Can you revise Physics the night before an exam?
Yes. Cram mode is built for exactly that: fly through a whole paper, sort every topic into red, amber and green, then drill just the reds and ambers you do not know yet. It is the honest version of a last-minute session.
Every question in Physics, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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