Topic 1
Atomic structure and radiation
Nuclear structure, radioactive decay, half-life and radiation risks.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
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AQA GCSE Physics — 8463
GCSE Physics
This page is matched to AQA 8463. View the official course specification.
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Your course checklist
Use these checkpoints to work through the Physics content currently published for AQA 8463. Progress labels apply to the topic as a whole rather than to individual checklist statements.
Topics15
Study checkpoints50
Named practicals10
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Topic 2
Domestic electricity
Mains electricity, plugs and cables, electrical power, energy and household safety.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Domestic electricity
What you need to know
- Distinguish live, neutral and earth conductors and explain their safety roles.
- Use electrical power and energy equations in domestic contexts.
- Distinguish the roles of live, neutral and earth conductors in a mains circuit.
- Explain why contact with the live conductor can be dangerous.
- Use P = IV for electrical appliances.
Topic 3
Elasticity and materials
Force-extension behaviour, Hooke's law, elastic energy and material response.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
1 practical
Course checklist for Elasticity and materials
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Force and extension of a spring Required practical activity Required practical activity 6
Topic 4
Electric circuits
Current, potential difference, resistance, power and energy.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
2 practicals
Course checklist for Electric circuits
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Investigating current–potential difference characteristics Required practical activity Required practical activity 4
- Investigating factors affecting resistance Required practical activity Required practical activity 3
Topic 5
Electrostatics
Static charge, electric fields, induction, earthing, uses and hazards.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Electrostatics
Topic 6
Energy
Energy stores, transfers, work, power and efficiency.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
2 practicals
Course checklist for Energy
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Comparing thermal insulation Required practical activity Required practical activity 2
- Determining specific heat capacity Required practical activity Required practical activity 1
Topic 7
Energy resources
Renewable and non-renewable resources, electricity generation, reliability and environmental impact.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Energy resources
What you need to know
- Compare renewable and non-renewable energy resources using physical and environmental evidence.
- Explain how several resources are used to generate electricity.
- Evaluate reliability, power output, response time and environmental consequences.
- Distinguish renewable from non-renewable energy resources.
- Compare resources using reliability and environmental evidence.
- Recognise that resource choice involves trade-offs rather than a single impact measure.
Topic 8
Forces and motion
Resultant force, acceleration, momentum and motion graphs.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
1 practical
Course checklist for Forces and motion
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Force, mass and acceleration Required practical activity Required practical activity 7
Topic 9
Light and optics
Reflection, refraction, lenses, image formation and optical measurements.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
1 practical
Course checklist for Light and optics
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Investigating reflection and refraction Required practical activity Required practical activity 9
Topic 10
Magnetism and electromagnetism
Magnetic fields, electromagnets, the motor effect and electromagnetic induction.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Magnetism and electromagnetism
Topic 11
Moments and pressure
Turning effects, equilibrium, pressure in solids and fluids, and upthrust.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Moments and pressure
Topic 12
Particle model
Density, internal energy, heating and changes of state.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
1 practical
Course checklist for Particle model
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Measuring density Required practical activity Required practical activity 5
Topic 13
Practical skills and data
Variables, measurement, uncertainty, graphs, evidence, evaluation and safe experimental design.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Practical skills and data
Topic 14
Space physics
The Solar System, gravity and orbits, stellar evolution and evidence for an expanding Universe.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
Course checklist for Space physics
Topic 15
Waves
Wave properties, wave speed, refraction and the electromagnetic spectrum.
2 questions available
1 retrieval card available
2 practicals
Course checklist for Waves
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Infrared radiation and surface type Required practical activity Required practical activity 10
- Measuring wave speed, frequency and wavelength Required practical activity Required practical activity 8