CCEA GCSE Physics Revision
GCSE Physics · Northern Ireland
Revising for CCEA GCSE Physics? Below is every topic in the course, in specification order, with a short summary. Sign up free to get the full notes, quizzes, flashcards and exam questions for each one — filtered to the CCEA course so you only revise what's on your exam.
CCEA GCSE Physics topics
1 Motion
Speed is defined as the rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude (e.g., 50 km/h). Velocity, however, is the rate of change of displacement and is a vector quantity, possessing both magnitude and direction (e.g., 50 km/h North). Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. An object accelerates if its speed changes, its direction changes, or both. It is also a vector quantity, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).
2 Forces →
A force is a push or a pull that acts on an object. Forces can cause an object to change its motion (start moving, stop moving, speed up, slow down, or change direction) or to change its shape. Forces are vector quantities, meaning they have both magnitude (size) and direction. The standard unit for force is the Newton (N). Examples of forces include gravity, friction, tension, air resistance, and the normal contact force. Understanding forces is fundamental to explaining why objects move as they do in the physical world.
3 Density and kinetic theory
Density is a fundamental physical property of matter that quantifies how much 'stuff' is packed into a given space. It is defined as mass per unit volume. The formula for density is $\text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}}$ or $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$. The standard SI unit for density is kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m$^3$), though grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm$^3$) is also commonly used, especially for liquids and solids. Understanding density helps explain why some objects float and others sink.
4 Energy →
Energy exists in various forms, each with unique characteristics. **Kinetic energy** is associated with movement, while **gravitational potential energy (GPE)** is stored due to an object's position in a gravitational field. **Elastic potential energy** is stored in stretched or compressed materials like springs. **Thermal energy** is related to the internal vibrations of particles, and **chemical energy** is stored in the bonds of molecules. Other forms include nuclear, electrical, sound, and light energy. Understanding these forms is crucial for analysing energy transfers.
5 Atomic and nuclear physics
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, comprising a dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. The nucleus contains protons (positive charge, mass approx. 1 amu) and neutrons (no charge, mass approx. 1 amu). Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels, with a much smaller mass than protons or neutrons. The atomic number (Z) defines the number of protons, determining the element. The mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.
6 Waves →
Waves are disturbances that transfer energy without transferring matter. They can be classified into two main types: transverse and longitudinal. In transverse waves, the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, like light waves and water ripples. In longitudinal waves, the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, such as sound waves. Understanding this distinction is crucial for explaining wave phenomena and their properties.
7 Light
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, meaning it does not require a medium to travel and can travel through a vacuum. It travels at an incredibly high speed in a vacuum, approximately `3 x 10^8 m/s`. Light waves are transverse waves, which means their oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. The visible spectrum of light is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from red (longest wavelength, lowest frequency) to violet (shortest wavelength, highest frequency). All electromagnetic waves transfer energy.
8 Electricity →
Electric current is the rate of flow of charge (measured in Amperes, A). It's the same everywhere in a series circuit and splits in parallel. Voltage (potential difference) is the energy transferred per unit charge (measured in Volts, V). It's shared in series and the same across components in parallel. Resistance is a measure of how much a component opposes the flow of current (measured in Ohms, Ω). Components with higher resistance limit current more.
9 Magnetism and electromagnetism →
Magnetic fields are regions around magnets or current-carrying wires where magnetic forces can be experienced. They are represented by magnetic field lines, which always go from North to South outside the magnet and are densest where the field is strongest. Materials can be magnetic (like iron, nickel, cobalt) or non-magnetic. Magnetic materials are attracted to magnets and can be magnetised themselves. Permanent magnets retain their magnetism, while temporary magnets lose it when the magnetising field is removed. Earth itself has a magnetic field, which is why a compass needle points North.
10 Space physics →
Our solar system consists of the Sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, all orbiting the Sun. Beyond our solar system are countless stars grouped into galaxies. Our galaxy is the Milky Way. The universe encompasses all of these, an incredibly vast and expanding space. Understanding these scales helps contextualise Earth's place within the cosmos.
More CCEA GCSE Science
Topic summaries are ScienceForge originals, not official CCEA material. Check the official CCEA specification for the definitive content list.