Key term
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
Forces
- 18 subtopics
- 45 things to know
- Paper 2
What Forces covers
Forces is examined in Physics Paper 2. It covers 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 and braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 18 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Scalars, vectors, forces and the resultant forceScalar and vector quantities and why velocity is a vector, representing vectors with arrows, contact and non-contact forces with examples of each, force as a vector and the pair of forces produced when two objects interact, and finding the resultant of forces acting along a straight line.Open →
- GravityWeight and why objects near the Earth have it, how weight depends on mass and gravitational field strength, the equation W = mg in words and symbols with calculations, the units of weight, mass and gravitational field strength, centre of mass, weight in direct proportion to mass, and measuring weight with a newtonmeter.Open →
- Work done and energy transferWhen work is and is not done on an object, the equation for work done in words and symbols with calculations, the units of work, force and distance, the joule and the newton-metre, the energy transfer when a crane lifts a load, and how work done against friction heats a car's brakes.Open →
- Stretching, compressing, and the spring constantThe forces that stretch, compress and bend objects, elastic and inelastic deformation, extension proportional to force up to the limit of proportionality, the equation linking force, spring constant and extension with its units, compressing rather than stretching, and the elastic potential energy stored as work is done on a spring.Open →
- Linear and non-linear extension, and work done on a springFinding the spring constant from force and extension or from a graph, what linear and non-linear mean, the energy stored in a stretched spring, and a method for investigating extension.Open →
- Moments, levers and gearsTurning effects and how a spanner turns a nut, the moment of a force in words and symbols with its units and the perpendicular distance, why a force through the pivot has no turning effect, balancing about a pivot with seesaw and beam calculations, and how levers and gears transmit the rotational effects of forces.Open →
- Pressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over AFluids and why a gas counts as one, the force from fluid pressure acting at right angles to a surface, the pressure equation in words and symbols with calculations of pressure, force and area, why sharp knives cut and snowshoes stop sinking, and the units of pressure, force and area.Open →
- Atmospheric pressureThe atmosphere and how its density falls with altitude, what causes atmospheric pressure and why it decreases with height, pressurised aircraft cabins, a simple model of the atmosphere, a sealed bottle crushed on the way down a mountain, and why a suction cup stays on a window.Open →
- Distance, displacement and speedDistance as a scalar and displacement as a vector with magnitude and direction, speed as a scalar that rarely stays constant, the factors affecting how fast people walk, run and cycle, typical speeds for walking, running, cycling, cars and aeroplanes, and other things whose speed varies.Open →
- The speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equationA typical speed of sound in air, measuring speed from distance and time, the equation s = v t in words and symbols with its units and calculations, rearranging it for time, and calculating average speed for journeys in which the speed keeps changing.Open →
- Velocity and the distance-time relationshipVelocity as speed in a given direction and how it differs from speed, sorting distance, displacement, speed and velocity into scalars and vectors, what a distance–time graph represents, finding speed from its gradient, a horizontal line for a stationary object, the quantity on each axis, and calculating speed from a straight line.Open →
- Acceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphsThe equation for average acceleration with its units and the meaning of ∆v, deceleration and negative acceleration, estimating the accelerations of a sprinter and a car, the axes of a velocity–time graph, finding acceleration from its gradient, and what horizontal and downward-sloping lines show.Open →
- Area under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equationWhen the equation linking final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration and distance applies, the equation in words and in the symbols v, u, a and s with its units and calculations, free fall at 9.8 m/s² and the speed of a dropped stone, terminal velocity in a fluid, and the velocity of a skydiver before and after the parachute opens.Open →
- Newton's First LawWhat Newton's First Law says about zero resultant force, what happens to stationary and moving objects when forces balance, why a car reaches a top speed and a cyclist who stops pedalling slows down, and the resultant force needed to change speed or direction, as on a bend.Open →
- Newton's Second and Third LawsHow resultant force, mass and acceleration are linked, the equation F = m a with its units, estimating the force to accelerate a car and what the wavy approximation symbol means, investigating force, mass and acceleration with a trolley, and the equal and opposite forces of Newton's Third Law.Open →
- Stopping distance and reaction timeStopping, thinking and braking distance, how speed affects stopping distance and which part is proportional to speed, reading stopping distance data for cars and lorries, how reaction times vary and what lengthens them, the ruler-drop test for reaction time, and why a tired driver has a longer thinking distance.Open →
- Factors affecting braking distanceThe factors that lengthen braking distance, including icy and wet roads and worn brakes and tyres, whether heavy rain affects thinking or braking distance, leaving a bigger gap in icy weather, checking tyre tread, lower speed limits outside schools, and estimating braking distance when speed doubles or the road is wet.Open →
- Braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quicklyThe energy transfer when brakes are applied, how speed affects the braking force needed, how braking force sets deceleration, and the dangers of overheating brakes, skidding and large forces on passengers.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Describe the difference between contact and non-contact forces, give examples of each, and name the force a table exerts on a book.
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Use Newton's First Law to explain why a car reaches a top speed, why a cyclist who stops pedalling slows, and when velocity changes.
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What is the weight of an object?
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When is work done on an object?
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Name the force that stretches a spring when a mass is hung from it.
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What two measurements are needed to find the spring constant of a spring?
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State the equation for the moment of a force, in words.
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What is a fluid?
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Where in the atmosphere is the air most dense?
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What does the quantity distance tell you about the movement of an object?
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Which two measurements must be taken in order to calculate the speed of a moving object?
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State the word equation for the average acceleration of an object.
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State in words the equation linking final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration and distance for uniform acceleration.
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Which three quantities are linked by Newton's Second Law?
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For a given braking force, how does an increase in speed affect the stopping distance?
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Name two general kinds of factor that can lengthen the braking distance of a vehicle.
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Why do the brakes of a vehicle get hot when it stops?
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What does a scalar quantity tell you about?
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An astronaut takes a toolbox to the Moon. Explain why its weight changes.
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What two quantities must be known to calculate the work done by a force?
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Give an example of forces compressing an object.
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Describe the difference between a linear and a non-linear relationship between force and extension.
Numbers
A force of 20 N acts at a perpendicular distance of 0.30 m from a pivot. Calculate the moment.
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State the equation for the pressure at the surface of a fluid, in words.
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What causes atmospheric pressure on a surface?
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Why is distance classed as a scalar quantity?
Numbers
A cyclist rides at a constant 6 m/s for 40 s. Calculate the distance travelled.
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What is meant by the velocity of an object?
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In what unit is acceleration measured, and what symbol represents it?
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Write the uniform acceleration equation using the symbols v, u, a and s.
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When all the forces acting on an object are balanced, what is the size of the resultant force?
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The resultant force on an object is doubled while its mass stays the same. What happens to its acceleration?
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A car needs about 23 m to stop from 13 m/s. Explain why stopping from 27 m/s takes far more than twice this distance.
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Explain why the braking distance of a car is longer on an icy road.
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How does the speed of a vehicle affect the braking force needed to stop it within a fixed distance?
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Name three quantities that are scalars.
Numbers
State the equation used to calculate the weight of an object, in words.
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State the equation for work done, in words.
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Give an example of forces bending an object.
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What does a large spring constant tell you about a spring?
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Write the equation for the moment of a force using symbols.
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Write the equation for pressure at a surface using symbols.
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Explain why aircraft cabins have to be pressurised when flying at high altitude.
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What two pieces of information together make up a displacement?
Take Forces further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Scalar vs Vector
Scalar: a quantity with magnitude only. Vector: A quantity with both a magnitude and a direction.
Distance vs Displacement
Distance: how far an object has moved, with no direction. Displacement: Straight-line length from start to finish, with its direction.
Thinking distance vs Braking distance
Thinking distance: how far the vehicle travels during the driver's reaction time. Braking distance: How far the vehicle travels while the brakes are acting.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What does a scalar quantity tell you about?
Model answer
A scalar quantity has magnitude, or size, only.
- 2
Name three quantities that are scalars.
Model answer
Mass, speed and energy are all scalar quantities.
- 3
What two things does a vector quantity have?
Model answer
A vector quantity has a magnitude and an associated direction.
- 4
Explain why velocity is a vector but speed is a scalar.
Model answer
Velocity states a direction as well as a size, while speed states only a size.
- 5
How is a vector quantity represented on a diagram?
Model answer
It is represented by an arrow.
- 6
What does the length of an arrow representing a vector show?
Model answer
The length shows the magnitude of the vector quantity.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Forces revision questions
- What does Forces cover in AQA GCSE Physics?
- 18 subtopics: 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 and braking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quickly. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Forces organised?
- By the AQA 8463 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Forces, 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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