Paper 1
Physics 1
- Key Concepts of Physics
- Motion and Forces
- Conservation of Energy
- Waves
- Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Radioactivity
- Astronomy
1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%
Edexcel GCSE Physics, memorised fast.
Long notes are boring. Brain-hack the whole 1PH0 specification with active recall and actually remember it.
- Spec 1PH0
- 15 topics
- 151 subtopics
Edexcel GCSE Physics 1PH0
Key Concepts of Physics
Motion and Forces
Topic overviewScalar and vector quantitiesExamples of vectors and scalars, and velocitySpeed, distance, time and distance-time graphsAcceleration and the equation v squared minus u squaredVelocity-time graphs and free fallMeasuring speed in the laboratory, and typical everyday speedsNewton's first law, and investigating force, mass and accelerationNewton's second and third lawsWeight, mass and gravitational field strengthCircular motion and centripetal forceInertial mass and momentumCollisions, and force as the rate of change of momentumReaction time, stopping distance and large decelerationsFactors affecting stopping distance and reaction timeBraking distance, speed and work done
Conservation of Energy
Waves
Topic overviewWhat waves transfer, and the evidence for itFrequency, wavelength, amplitude and periodLongitudinal and transverse wavesThe wave equationMeasuring wave speed, and what happens at a boundaryMeasuring waves, and calculating depth from wave velocityReflection, refraction, transmission and absorption at a boundarySound waves, ultrasound and infrasoundUses of ultrasound and infrasound
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Topic overviewReflection, refraction and total internal reflectionWhy objects appear colouredLenses, ray diagrams and imagesProperties of electromagnetic wavesInvestigating refraction in glass blocksThe groups of the electromagnetic spectrumThe continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detectAbsorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic wavesEmitting and absorbing thermal radiationConstant temperature and the temperature of the EarthHow radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequencyHarmful effects of excessive exposure to radiationUses of electromagnetic radiation
Radioactivity
Topic overviewThe atom and the size of atomsIsotopes, atomic number and mass numberRelative masses and charges of subatomic particlesElectron orbits and energy levelsForming ions, and how the atomic model changedTypes of ionising radiationBackground radiation and detecting radioactivityAlpha, beta and gamma, and their penetrating powerBeta-minus and beta-plus decayEffects of decay on atomic number and mass numberBalancing nuclear equationsActivity and the becquerelHalf-life and the randomness of decayHalf-life calculationsUses of radioactivity, and how danger depends on half-lifeThe dangers of ionising radiationSafety precautions, contamination and irradiationRadiotherapy, medical tracers and PET scannersNuclear power and where nuclear energy comes fromFission of uranium-235 and the chain reactionControlling a reactor and generating electricityNuclear fusion and how it differs from fissionWhy fusion needs extreme conditions
Astronomy
Topic overviewWeight and gravitational field strength on other bodiesThe Solar System and the order of the planetsHow ideas about the Solar System and ways of observing it have changedOrbits of moons, planets, comets and satellitesGravity, orbital speed and stable orbitsThe Steady State and Big Bang theoriesEvidence for an expanding UniverseThe Doppler effect and red-shift in galaxiesThe life cycle of a star like the SunThe life cycle of stars more massive than the Sun
Energy – Forces Doing Work
Topic overviewEnergy stores and energy transfer diagramsChanging a system's energy, and measuring work doneWork done and the energy changes it causesGravitational potential and kinetic energy calculationsDissipation and wasted energyPower as the rate of energy transferThe watt, and calculating efficiency
Forces and Their Effects
Electricity and Circuits
Topic overviewThe atom, and drawing circuit diagramsSeries and parallel circuitsPotential difference and the voltmeterEnergy transferred by moving chargeCurrent, charge and measuring currentResistance and the equation V = IRResistors in series and in parallelDesigning circuits to test componentsInvestigating resistance in circuitsCurrent-potential difference graphs for componentsLight-dependent resistors and thermistorsThe heating effect of an electric currentUses of the heating effect, and the equation E = IVtPower as energy transferred per secondCalculating electrical powerEnergy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratingsDirect and alternating currentAlternating current and the UK mains supplyLive and neutral wires, earthing and fusesFuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangers
Static Electricity
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
Topic overviewMagnetic poles, permanent and induced magnetsUses of magnetic materialsThe magnetic field around a bar magnetPlotting compasses and the Earth's magnetic fieldThe magnetic effect of an electric currentSolenoids and electromagnetsThe motor effect and Fleming's left-hand ruleThe force on a conductor, and how a motor turns
Electromagnetic Induction
Topic overviewInducing a current by moving a magnetFactors affecting an induced potential differenceAlternators and microphonesHow a transformer worksThe transformer turns-ratio equationThe national grid, and step-up and step-down transformersTransformer power calculationsWhy high-voltage transmission reduces energy loss
Particle Model
Topic overviewKinetic theory and differences in densityCalculating density, and investigating itChanges of state and internal energySpecific heat capacitySpecific latent heat and thermal insulationInvestigating the specific heat capacity of waterGas pressure and the motion of particlesAbsolute zero and the kelvin scaleCompressing gases, and the force a gas exertsPressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas
Forces and Matter
Topic overviewElastic and inelastic distortionSpring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviourWork done in stretching a springAtmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluidForce, area and pressureCalculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depthPressure in liquids: density and depthUpthrust, floating and sinking
What Edexcel GCSE Physics covers
Edexcel GCSE Physics (specification 1PH0) 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. Both papers are sat at the same tier. This is the Higher tier: it carries everything on the Foundation papers plus the higher-tier content, and grades 4 to 9 are available, with a grade 3 allowed for a mark just below the grade 4 boundary.
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Physics 1PH0, issue 4, March 2024. Read the Pearson specification ↗
How it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics 2
- Key Concepts of Physics
- Energy – Forces Doing Work
- Forces and Their Effects
- Electricity and Circuits
- Static Electricity
- Magnetism and the Motor Effect
- Electromagnetic Induction
- Particle Model
- Forces and Matter
1 hour 45 minutes100 marks50%
The full specification
15 topics, 151 subtopics. Open any topic to see what is inside it.
01Key Concepts of Physics3 subtopicsOpen topic
02Motion and Forces15 subtopicsOpen topic
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Examples of vectors and scalars, and velocity
- Speed, distance, time and distance-time graphs
- Acceleration and the equation v squared minus u squared
- Velocity-time graphs and free fall
- Measuring speed in the laboratory, and typical everyday speeds
- Newton's first law, and investigating force, mass and acceleration
- Newton's second and third laws
- Weight, mass and gravitational field strength
- Circular motion and centripetal force
- Inertial mass and momentum
- Collisions, and force as the rate of change of momentum
- Reaction time, stopping distance and large decelerations
- Factors affecting stopping distance and reaction time
- Braking distance, speed and work done
03Conservation of Energy7 subtopicsOpen topic
04Waves9 subtopicsOpen topic
- What waves transfer, and the evidence for it
- Frequency, wavelength, amplitude and period
- Longitudinal and transverse waves
- The wave equation
- Measuring wave speed, and what happens at a boundary
- Measuring waves, and calculating depth from wave velocity
- Reflection, refraction, transmission and absorption at a boundary
- Sound waves, ultrasound and infrasound
- Uses of ultrasound and infrasound
05Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum13 subtopicsOpen topic
- Reflection, refraction and total internal reflection
- Why objects appear coloured
- Lenses, ray diagrams and images
- Properties of electromagnetic waves
- Investigating refraction in glass blocks
- The groups of the electromagnetic spectrum
- The continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detect
- Absorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic waves
- Emitting and absorbing thermal radiation
- Constant temperature and the temperature of the Earth
- How radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequency
- Harmful effects of excessive exposure to radiation
- Uses of electromagnetic radiation
06Radioactivity23 subtopicsOpen topic
- The atom and the size of atoms
- Isotopes, atomic number and mass number
- Relative masses and charges of subatomic particles
- Electron orbits and energy levels
- Forming ions, and how the atomic model changed
- Types of ionising radiation
- Background radiation and detecting radioactivity
- Alpha, beta and gamma, and their penetrating power
- Beta-minus and beta-plus decay
- Effects of decay on atomic number and mass number
- Balancing nuclear equations
- Activity and the becquerel
- Half-life and the randomness of decay
- Half-life calculations
- Uses of radioactivity, and how danger depends on half-life
- The dangers of ionising radiation
- Safety precautions, contamination and irradiation
- Radiotherapy, medical tracers and PET scanners
- Nuclear power and where nuclear energy comes from
- Fission of uranium-235 and the chain reaction
- Controlling a reactor and generating electricity
- Nuclear fusion and how it differs from fission
- Why fusion needs extreme conditions
07Astronomy10 subtopicsOpen topic
- Weight and gravitational field strength on other bodies
- The Solar System and the order of the planets
- How ideas about the Solar System and ways of observing it have changed
- Orbits of moons, planets, comets and satellites
- Gravity, orbital speed and stable orbits
- The Steady State and Big Bang theories
- Evidence for an expanding Universe
- The Doppler effect and red-shift in galaxies
- The life cycle of a star like the Sun
- The life cycle of stars more massive than the Sun
08Energy – Forces Doing Work7 subtopicsOpen topic
09Forces and Their Effects6 subtopicsOpen topic
10Electricity and Circuits20 subtopicsOpen topic
- The atom, and drawing circuit diagrams
- Series and parallel circuits
- Potential difference and the voltmeter
- Energy transferred by moving charge
- Current, charge and measuring current
- Resistance and the equation V = IR
- Resistors in series and in parallel
- Designing circuits to test components
- Investigating resistance in circuits
- Current-potential difference graphs for components
- Light-dependent resistors and thermistors
- The heating effect of an electric current
- Uses of the heating effect, and the equation E = IVt
- Power as energy transferred per second
- Calculating electrical power
- Energy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratings
- Direct and alternating current
- Alternating current and the UK mains supply
- Live and neutral wires, earthing and fuses
- Fuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangers
11Static Electricity4 subtopicsOpen topic
12Magnetism and the Motor Effect8 subtopicsOpen topic
- Magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnets
- Uses of magnetic materials
- The magnetic field around a bar magnet
- Plotting compasses and the Earth's magnetic field
- The magnetic effect of an electric current
- Solenoids and electromagnets
- The motor effect and Fleming's left-hand rule
- The force on a conductor, and how a motor turns
13Electromagnetic Induction8 subtopicsOpen topic
- Inducing a current by moving a magnet
- Factors affecting an induced potential difference
- Alternators and microphones
- How a transformer works
- The transformer turns-ratio equation
- The national grid, and step-up and step-down transformers
- Transformer power calculations
- Why high-voltage transmission reduces energy loss
14Particle Model10 subtopicsOpen topic
- Kinetic theory and differences in density
- Calculating density, and investigating it
- Changes of state and internal energy
- Specific heat capacity
- Specific latent heat and thermal insulation
- Investigating the specific heat capacity of water
- Gas pressure and the motion of particles
- Absolute zero and the kelvin scale
- Compressing gases, and the force a gas exerts
- Pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas
15Forces and Matter8 subtopicsOpen topic
- Elastic and inelastic distortion
- Spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviour
- Work done in stretching a spring
- Atmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluid
- Force, area and pressure
- Calculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depth
- Pressure in liquids: density and depth
- Upthrust, floating and sinking
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
State the SI units and symbols for length, mass, time, force and energy.
Key term
Which units are used for temperature, electric current, potential difference, resistance, power and frequency?
Key term
What do the prefixes kilo, mega, giga, centi, milli, micro and nano stand for?
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
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What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material
Physics revision questions
Common questions about revising Edexcel GCSE Physics. Tap any to open it.
How do you memorise Edexcel 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 15 Physics topics and brings each one back on a spaced schedule so it stays memorised.
What is the fastest way to revise Physics for Edexcel?
Skip the long notes and go straight to retrieval. Levo turns the 1PH0 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 Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0)?
There are 15 topics, split across 151 subtopics, from Key Concepts of Physics, Motion and Forces, Conservation of 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 Edexcel Physics specification?
Every topic on the 1PH0 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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