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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OCR GCSE Physics — J249
GCSE (9–1) Physics A (Gateway Science)
This page is matched to OCR J249. View the official course specification.
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Your course checklist
Use these checkpoints to work through the Physics content currently published for OCR J249. Progress labels apply to the topic as a whole rather than to individual checklist statements.
Topics15
Study checkpoints45
Named practicals8
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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
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 Suggested PAG activity PAG 2 – Forces / example: investigate forces on springs
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
- Comparing series and parallel circuits Suggested PAG activity PAG 7 – Series and parallel circuits / example: bulb brightness
- Investigating current–potential difference characteristics Suggested PAG activity PAG 6 – Circuit components / example: I–V characteristics
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
1 practical
Course checklist for Energy
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Determining specific heat capacity Suggested PAG activity PAG 5 – Energy / example: determine the specific heat capacity of a metal
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
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 Suggested PAG activity PAG 3 – Motion / example: acceleration of a trolley down a ramp
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 Suggested PAG activity PAG 8 – Interactions of waves / example: reflection and refraction
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 Suggested PAG activity PAG 1 – Materials / example: determine densities of solids and liquids
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
1 practical
Course checklist for Waves
What you need to know
Practicals on this course
- Measuring wave speed, frequency and wavelength Suggested PAG activity PAG 4 – Measuring waves / example: ripple-tank speed, frequency and wavelength