AQA GCSE Physics (Sep) Paper 1 Overview

Vocabulary flashcards outlining the core topics, required practicals (RP), and subtopics included in AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1.

Paper 1

The GCSE Physics examination component covering four main areas: 4.1 Energy, 4.2 Electricity, 4.3 Particle Model of Matter, and 4.4 Atomic Structure.

4.1 Energy

Paper 1 topic covering energy stores and systems, changes in energy, energy changes in system, power, energy transfer in system, efficiency, and national and global energy resources.

Specific Heat Capacity -RP

A Required Practical (RP) categorized under 4.1 Energy, scheduled for the week commencing (W/C) 30 Nov.

4.2 Electricity

Paper 1 topic covering standard circuit diagram symbols, electrical charge and current, resistance, potential difference, resistors, series and parallel circuits, direct and alternating potential difference, mains electricity, power, appliance energy transfers, the National Grid, static charge, and electric fields.

Investigating Resistance-RP

A Required Practical (RP) categorized under topic 4.2 Electricity.

Investigating IV characteristics-RP

A Required Practical (RP) categorized under topic 4.2 Electricity.

4.2.4.3 The National Grid

A subtopic listed under 4.2 Electricity regarding electrical energy distribution.

4.2.5.1 Static Charge & 4.2.5.2 Electric Fields

The concluding subtopics of 4.2 Electricity focusing on static charge and electric fields.

4.3 Particle Model of Matter

Paper 1 topic covering density of materials, changes of state, internal energy, temperature changes in a system, specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, and particle motion and pressure in gases.

Investigating Density-RP

A Required Practical (RP) categorized under topic 4.3 Particle Model of Matter.

4.3.2.1 Internal Energy

A subtopic listed under 4.3 Particle Model of Matter relating to the energy stored within a system.

4.3.2.3 Change of state and specific latent heat

A subtopic under 4.3 Particle Model of Matter that covers energy changes during state changes.

4.4 Atomic Structure

Paper 1 topic covering the structure of an atom, mass number, atomic number, isotopes, development of the model of the atom, radioactive decay, nuclear equations, half-lives, radioactive contamination, background radiation, uses of radiation, and nuclear fission.

4.4.1.3 The development of the model of the atom

A subtopic under 4.4 Atomic Structure describing the historical progression of atomic models.

4.4.2.2 Nuclear Equations

A subtopic under 4.4 Atomic Structure involving equations that represent radioactive decay.

4.4.2.4 Radioactive contamination

A subtopic under 4.4 Atomic Structure focusing on contamination from radioactive materials.

4.4.3.1 Background Radiation

A subtopic under 4.4 Atomic Structure addressing low-level ionizing radiation present in the environment.

4.4.4.1 and 4.4.4.2 Nuclear Fission

The concluding subsections under 4.4 Atomic Structure detailing nuclear fission processes.