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 APressure in a column of liquid, upthrust and floatingAtmospheric pressureResolving forces and free body diagramsDistance, 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 quicklyMomentum and its conservationChanges in momentum
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Topic overviewPoles of a magnetMagnetic fields around a magnetThe compass, and plotting a magnetic fieldElectromagnetismFleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakersInduced potentialThe generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphonesThe structure of a transformer and the turns ratioTransformer power, and using the transformer equations
Particle Model of Matter
Space Physics
Waves
Topic overviewTransverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equationWave properties, and refraction at a boundaryReflection of wavesSound wavesUltrasound, echo sounding and seismic 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
Space Physics
- 3 subtopics
- 9 things to know
- Paper 2
What Space Physics covers
Space Physics is examined in Physics Paper 2. It covers our solar system, and the orbits of satellites, the life cycle of a star and red-shift.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 3 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Our solar system, and the orbits of satellitesThe Sun, planets, dwarf planets and moons of our solar system and its place in the galaxy, how the Sun formed from a nebula, why fusion begins and what balances a stable star, gravity keeping planets, moons and artificial satellites in circular orbits, changing velocity at constant speed, and how orbital speed and radius are linked.Open →
- The life cycle of a starThe life cycle of a star and what decides it, the nebula and protostar stages every star passes through, the main sequence, the red giant, white dwarf and black dwarf of a Sun-sized star, the red super giant, supernova, neutron star or black hole of a massive star, and how fusion and supernovae make and spread the elements.Open →
- Red-shiftWhat red-shift is, how a galaxy's speed relates to its distance, why this is evidence for an expanding universe and the Big Bang, what supernova observations since 1998 suggest, and dark mass and dark energy.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe how a star begins to form, from a nebula to the point where fusion starts.
Process
Which two groups are stars divided into by mass, and what stages does every star go through first?
Key term
Explain what red-shift reveals about the motion of distant galaxies and why it is evidence that space is expanding.
Key term
Which star lies at the centre of our solar system, and how many stars does the solar system contain?
Key term
Towards which end of the visible spectrum is the light from a distant galaxy shifted?
Key term
Apart from the Sun, which two kinds of body orbit the Sun directly?
Process
What determines the stages a star will pass through in its life cycle?
Key term
How is the speed at which a galaxy is moving related to its distance from us?
Take Space Physics further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Red giant vs Red super giant
Red giant: the stage after the main sequence for a Sun-sized star. Red super giant: The stage after the main sequence for a much more massive star.
Neutron star vs Black hole
Neutron star: a remnant left at the centre after a supernova. Black hole: The remnant left after a supernova if the original body was massive enough.
Moon vs Artificial satellite
Moon: a natural body orbiting a planet. Artificial satellite: A body built and launched by people to orbit a planet.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Which star lies at the centre of our solar system, and how many stars does the solar system contain?
Model answer
The Sun, and it is the only star in the solar system.
- 2
Apart from the Sun, which two kinds of body orbit the Sun directly?
Model answer
The eight planets and the dwarf planets.
- 3
The moons that orbit planets are examples of what, and are they part of the solar system?
Model answer
They are natural satellites, and they are part of the solar system.
- 4
Which galaxy is our solar system part of?
Model answer
The Milky Way galaxy.
- 5
How big is our solar system compared with the galaxy it belongs to?
Model answer
It is only a small part of that galaxy.
- 6
What is a nebula?
Model answer
A cloud of dust and gas in space.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Space Physics revision questions
- What does Space Physics cover in AQA GCSE Physics?
- 3 subtopics: our solar system, and the orbits of satellites, the life cycle of a star and red-shift. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Space Physics organised?
- By the AQA 8463 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Space 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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