GCSE SCIENCE REVISION NOTES
Edexcel GCSE Physics
Complete revision notes · Foundation tier · Specification 1PH0
All 15 topics, Papers 1 and 2 All 8 core practicals
Every equation with worked examples Quick-check questions with answers
Contents page and numbered pages
Pastel colour-coded by topic · Written to follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physics specification
Independent notes, not produced or endorsed by Pearson or Edexcel
,Contents
1 Key concepts of physics 4
2 Motion and forces 6
3 Conservation of energy 11
4 Waves 14
5 Light and the electromagnetic spectrum 17
6 Radioactivity 21
7 Astronomy 26
8 Energy - forces doing work 29
9 Forces and their effects 31
10 Electricity and circuits 33
11 Static electricity 38
12 Magnetism and the motor effect 40
13 Electromagnetic induction 42
14 Particle model 44
15 Forces and matter 48
Core practical reference sheet 51
Exam checklist 52
How to use these notes
Each topic starts with a coloured banner. The same colour is used for that topic throughout, so you can
find it fast.
Key points are the facts the exam expects. Definitions (orange boxes) are worth learning word for
word.
Equations are given in words and symbols, and worked examples (blue boxes) show every step of the
calculations. About 30% of the physics marks are for maths skills, so practise these until they are
automatic.
Core practicals (green boxes) are the 8 required practicals. You will be asked about their methods in the
exam.
Quick checks (purple boxes) end every topic. Cover the answers, try the questions, then mark yourself.
Exam tips (pink boxes) flag the mistakes examiners see most.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 2 of 52
,Your exam at a glance
Paper 1 (1PH0/1F) Paper 2 (1PH0/2F)
Topics 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Time 1 hour 45 minutes 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks 100 100
Question styles Multiple choice, short answer, calculations and extended open-response questions
Foundation tier targets grades 1 to 5. Some questions are shared with the higher tier paper, so aim to be
secure on every topic, not just the easier ones. Calculators are allowed, and you get an equation sheet in
the exam - but you still need to know what each equation means, when to use it, and how to rearrange it.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 3 of 52
, TOPIC 1 · PAPERS 1 AND 2
Key concepts of physics
1.1 SI units (1.1)
Physics uses SI units so that every scientist means exactly the same thing by a measurement. Learn the SI
unit for every quantity you meet - they are collected in the equation boxes throughout these notes.
Quantity SI unit Quantity SI unit
Distance, displacement metre, m Force, weight newton, N
Mass kilogram, kg Energy, work done joule, J
Time second, s Power watt, W
Speed, velocity metre per second, m/s Charge coulomb, C
Acceleration metre per second squared, m/s² Current ampere, A
Frequency hertz, Hz Potential difference volt, V
Wavelength metre, m Resistance ohm, Ω
1.2 Multiples and sub-multiples (1.2)
Units are scaled with prefixes. Learn each prefix, its symbol and what it multiplies by:
Prefix Symbol Meaning Example
giga G × 1 000 000 000 (10⁹) 1 GW = 10⁹ W
mega M × 1 000 000 (10⁶) 1 MJ = 10⁶ J
kilo k × 1 000 (10³) 1 km = 1000 m
centi c ÷ 100 (10⁻²) 1 cm = 0.01 m
milli m ÷ 1 000 (10⁻³) 1 ms = 0.001 s
micro μ ÷ 1 000 000 (10⁻⁶) 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m
nano n ÷ 1 000 000 000 (10⁻⁹) 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m
1.3 Converting units (1.3, 1.4)
Convert to SI units before putting numbers into an equation. A speed in km/h, a time in minutes or a
distance in cm will give the wrong answer if used directly.
WORKED EXAMPLE · HOURS TO SECONDS
Convert 2.5 hours into seconds.
2.5 hours × 60 minutes per hour × 60 seconds per minute = 2.5 × 3600 = 9000 s.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 4 of 52
Edexcel GCSE Physics
Complete revision notes · Foundation tier · Specification 1PH0
All 15 topics, Papers 1 and 2 All 8 core practicals
Every equation with worked examples Quick-check questions with answers
Contents page and numbered pages
Pastel colour-coded by topic · Written to follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Physics specification
Independent notes, not produced or endorsed by Pearson or Edexcel
,Contents
1 Key concepts of physics 4
2 Motion and forces 6
3 Conservation of energy 11
4 Waves 14
5 Light and the electromagnetic spectrum 17
6 Radioactivity 21
7 Astronomy 26
8 Energy - forces doing work 29
9 Forces and their effects 31
10 Electricity and circuits 33
11 Static electricity 38
12 Magnetism and the motor effect 40
13 Electromagnetic induction 42
14 Particle model 44
15 Forces and matter 48
Core practical reference sheet 51
Exam checklist 52
How to use these notes
Each topic starts with a coloured banner. The same colour is used for that topic throughout, so you can
find it fast.
Key points are the facts the exam expects. Definitions (orange boxes) are worth learning word for
word.
Equations are given in words and symbols, and worked examples (blue boxes) show every step of the
calculations. About 30% of the physics marks are for maths skills, so practise these until they are
automatic.
Core practicals (green boxes) are the 8 required practicals. You will be asked about their methods in the
exam.
Quick checks (purple boxes) end every topic. Cover the answers, try the questions, then mark yourself.
Exam tips (pink boxes) flag the mistakes examiners see most.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 2 of 52
,Your exam at a glance
Paper 1 (1PH0/1F) Paper 2 (1PH0/2F)
Topics 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Time 1 hour 45 minutes 1 hour 45 minutes
Marks 100 100
Question styles Multiple choice, short answer, calculations and extended open-response questions
Foundation tier targets grades 1 to 5. Some questions are shared with the higher tier paper, so aim to be
secure on every topic, not just the easier ones. Calculators are allowed, and you get an equation sheet in
the exam - but you still need to know what each equation means, when to use it, and how to rearrange it.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 3 of 52
, TOPIC 1 · PAPERS 1 AND 2
Key concepts of physics
1.1 SI units (1.1)
Physics uses SI units so that every scientist means exactly the same thing by a measurement. Learn the SI
unit for every quantity you meet - they are collected in the equation boxes throughout these notes.
Quantity SI unit Quantity SI unit
Distance, displacement metre, m Force, weight newton, N
Mass kilogram, kg Energy, work done joule, J
Time second, s Power watt, W
Speed, velocity metre per second, m/s Charge coulomb, C
Acceleration metre per second squared, m/s² Current ampere, A
Frequency hertz, Hz Potential difference volt, V
Wavelength metre, m Resistance ohm, Ω
1.2 Multiples and sub-multiples (1.2)
Units are scaled with prefixes. Learn each prefix, its symbol and what it multiplies by:
Prefix Symbol Meaning Example
giga G × 1 000 000 000 (10⁹) 1 GW = 10⁹ W
mega M × 1 000 000 (10⁶) 1 MJ = 10⁶ J
kilo k × 1 000 (10³) 1 km = 1000 m
centi c ÷ 100 (10⁻²) 1 cm = 0.01 m
milli m ÷ 1 000 (10⁻³) 1 ms = 0.001 s
micro μ ÷ 1 000 000 (10⁻⁶) 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m
nano n ÷ 1 000 000 000 (10⁻⁹) 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m
1.3 Converting units (1.3, 1.4)
Convert to SI units before putting numbers into an equation. A speed in km/h, a time in minutes or a
distance in cm will give the wrong answer if used directly.
WORKED EXAMPLE · HOURS TO SECONDS
Convert 2.5 hours into seconds.
2.5 hours × 60 minutes per hour × 60 seconds per minute = 2.5 × 3600 = 9000 s.
Edexcel GCSE Physics · Foundation · page 4 of 52
