📘 AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1

COMBINED HIGHER TIER Science Revision Booklet Guide

Student Information
●​ Student Name: ________________________________

●​ Class Teacher: ________________________________

This booklet is designed to help you prepare for your AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Combined Science
exam.

Exam Details:

●​ Topics Covered:​

○​ P1: Energy​

○​ P2: Electricity​

○​ P3: Particle model of matter​

○​ P4: Atomic Structure​

●​ Exam Length: 1 hour 15 minutes​

●​ Question Types: Multiple choice, short answer, extended response​

●​ Exam Date: Week beginning June 2025​

Higher Tier – Marks Needed Per Paper (Out of 70)

Grade Total (Out of 420) Physics Paper 1 (Out of 70)
9-9 289 ~48 marks
8-8 270 ~45 marks
7-7 251 ~42 marks
6-6 233 ~39 marks
5-5 215 ~36 marks
4-4 194 ~32 marks
3-3 173 ~29 marks
2-2 153 ~26 marks
1-1 133 ~22 marks
✅ Physics Paper 1 Combined – Higher Tier Checklist
Tick ✅ when revised and 😊 when confident

⚡ P1 – Conservation and Dissipation of Energy

What I need to know ✅ 😊
Describe all the changes involved in how energy is stored when a system changes
(with examples)

Calculate energy in a moving object, stretched spring, and object raised above
ground

Give examples that illustrate the definition of power

Describe energy transfers in a closed system (no net energy change)

Describe energy dissipation (wasted energy) in system changes

Explain ways to reduce unwanted energy transfers (e.g. lubrication, insulation)

RP14: Determine the specific heat capacity of a material

🌡️ P2 – Energy Transfer by Heating

What I need to know ✅ 😊
Describe how wall thickness and thermal conductivity affect the cooling rate of
buildings

🔋 P3 – Energy Resources
What I need to know ✅ 😊
Describe the main energy sources

Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Compare uses of energy resources: transport, electricity, heating

Explain reliability differences between energy sources

Describe environmental impacts of using energy resources

Explain trends and patterns in energy use

Consider environmental, social, economic, and political issues with energy use

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💡 P4 – Electric Circuits
What I need to know ✅ 😊
Draw and interpret circuit diagrams

Explain resistance: constant for some resistors, varies for others

Design a circuit to measure resistance (current and potential difference)

Draw correct circuit diagrams using symbols

Use graphs to identify linear and non-linear components

Construct and check series/parallel circuits from circuit diagrams

Describe differences between series and parallel circuits

Explain resistance changes with series/parallel resistors

Design and use dc series circuits for testing

Calculate current, potential difference and resistance in series circuits

Solve problems using equivalent resistance in series circuits

RP15: Investigate factors affecting resistance

RP16: Investigate I-V characteristics of a filament lamp, diode, and

resistor

🏠 P5 – Electricity in the Home

What I need to know ✅ 😊
Explain direct vs alternating potential difference

Explain dangers of live wire even with open switch

Recognise live-to-earth connection hazards

Explain power transfer in circuits using potential difference, current, energy and time

Describe how appliances transfer energy (motors, heating) from batteries or ac mains

Relate power to potential difference and current

Relate power to energy transferred over time

Describe power ratings and their link to energy transfer

Explain why the National Grid is efficient for energy transfer

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💨 P6 – Molecules and Matter
What I need to know ✅ 😊
Recognise/draw particle models of solids, liquids and gases

Explain density differences using particle arrangement

Describe mass conservation during state changes

Interpret heating and cooling graphs with state changes

Distinguish specific heat capacity vs specific latent heat

Explain how gas motion relates to temperature and pressure

Explain temperature-pressure relationship in a fixed volume

RP17: Determine density of regular and irregular objects

☢️ P7 – Radioactivity
What I need to know ✅ 😊
Recognise standard form expressions

Relate isotopes to mass, charge and nuclear representation

differences

Explain atomic model change after scattering experiment

Compare plum pudding vs nuclear atomic models

Apply radiation knowledge to choose best sources for a situation

Write balanced equations for alpha and beta decay

Explain half-life and link it to random decay

Determine half-life from data

Calculate net decline as a ratio after a number of half-lives

Compare hazards of contamination vs irradiation

Explain importance of peer review in radiation research

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GCSE Physics Required Practicals (~12-15%)
The AQA GCSE Physics syllabus includes key required practicals that may be assessed in the exam.
Below is a summary of the required practicals, their methods, and examples of six-mark questions:

Describe: to recall facts, events or processes in an accurate way

Practical Method Example 6-Mark Question

Specific Heat Capacity Use a heater and a Describe an experiment to
Specific Heat Capacity of Alum… thermometer to determine determine the specific heat
the specific heat capacity of a capacity of a metal block,
Specific Heat Capacity of a Me…
material by measuring including the equipment
temperature changes. used and how to improve
accuracy.
Resistance of a Wire Measure voltage and current Explain how you would
Resistance of a Wire - GCSE Sci… for different wire lengths to investigate the effect of wire
determine how resistance length on resistance and
changes with length. how to ensure a fair test.
IV Characteristics Measure current and voltage Describe an experiment to
IV Characteristics of a Resistor … across different components determine the IV
(e.g., resistor, diode) to plot characteristics of a filament
IV Characteristics of a Bulb Exp…
IV graphs. bulb and a resistor.

Density of Solids & Liquids Use a balance and Explain how to measure the
Density Experiment - GCSE Ph… displacement can to calculate density of an irregular object
the density of objects. using the displacement
method.

These practicals help develop experimental skills and are frequently referenced in exam questions. Be
sure to understand the method, variables, and expected outcomes for each.

Tips:

●​ Essential Physics Skills - GCSE Physics

●​ GCSE Physics Experiments and Required Practicals
●​ Maths for Physics - GCSE Physics

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Required Practical 1: Specific Heat Capacity

Method:
Organise the method used to obtain results to measure specific heat capacity.​
Write the correct steps in the correct order (1–7):

​ Switch the power pack to 12 V. Switch it on.​

​ Record the temperature every minute for 10 minutes.​

​ Place a heater in the larger hole in the block.​

​ Record the ammeter and voltmeter readings (or joule meter readings).​

​ Put the thermometer in the correct hole.​

​ Measure and record the mass of the copper block in kg.​

​ Measure the temperature and switch on the power supply.​

Improvements:
Suggest how to improve the experiment for each of the following:

Accuracy:

Precision:

Reliability:

Equation Practice:
Rearrange the formula to make Specific Heat Capacity the subject:

Original formula:​
Energy = Specific Heat Capacity × Mass × Temperature Rise

Rearranged:​
Specific Heat Capacity = _______________________________________

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Units:

What are the units for Specific Heat Capacity?

Calculations:
1.​ What is the specific heat capacity if the temperature rise is 5°C, mass is 1 kg, and energy input
is 2000 J?​
Show working:​

Answer: ______________ J/kg°C

2.​ What is the specific heat capacity if the temperature rises from 27°C to 45°C, mass is 2 kg,
and energy input is 1000 J?​
Show working:​

Answer: ______________ J/kg°C

3.​ What is the energy needed to increase the temperature from 55°C to 100°C for a 2 kg object
with a known specific heat capacity?​
(Use your answer or a typical value like 385 J/kg°C for copper)​
Show working:​

Answer: ______________ J

Risk Assessment:
List possible risks and how to reduce them in this practical:

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Plan:
Write a clear step-by-step plan for this experiment (don’t turn over – use your own words):

1.​

2.​

3.​

4.​

5.​

6.​

7.​

Calculating Specific Heat Capacity from Data Table:

Energy (J) Temperature (°C) Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg°C)

1760 24

3580 25

5320 26

7100 27

8900 28

Use the equation:​

Specific Heat Capacity = Energy / (Mass × Temperature Change)​
(Assume mass = 1 kg and temperature change = 1°C between each row) . Fill in the table above.

Average Specific Heat Capacity:

Calculate the average from your results: Average = ______________ J/kg°C

Explain:

What does the specific heat capacity tell you about a substance?

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Exam Question link - Specific heat capacity
A student made measurements to determine the specific heat capacity of vegetable oil.

Describe how the student could use the equipment shown in Figure 1 to determine the
specific heat capacity of vegetable oil.

Plan:
Write a step-by-step plan:

1.​

2.​

3.​

4.​

5.​

6.​

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Required Practical 2: Investigating Resistance in a Wire

Method:
Organise the method below into the correct order (number them 1–6):

●​ Record the length of the wire and the readings on the ammeter and
voltmeter.​

●​ Adjust the voltage so that it stays the same. (keep it low 3V)​

●​ Calculate and record the resistance for each length of wire using the equation.​

●​ Change the length of the wire by a fixed amount e.g an interval of 10cm up to 100cm​

●​ Set up the apparatus as shown in the circuit diagram.​

●​ Repeat until you have several pairs of meter readings.​

Risk Assessment:
What are the risks in this practical? What should you do to minimise them?

1. ___________________________________________________________​
2. ___________________________________________________________​
3. ___________________________________________________________

Equation Practice:
Rearrange the equation Resistance = Voltage / Current to find:

●​ Voltage = ______________________________________________​

●​ Current = ______________________________________________​

Units:

What are the correct units for the following?

●​ Current: _____________________

●​ Voltage: _____________________​

●​ Resistance: _____________________

●​ Length of wire: _____________________​

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Calculations:
Use Resistance = Voltage ÷ Current to fill in the missing values:

Voltage (V) Current (A) Resistance (Ω)

4V 1A

8V 2Ω

2A 6Ω

12V 3A

4V 12A

4V 8Ω

20A 10Ω

Plan:

Write a step-by-step plan for measuring the resistance of a wire:

1.​

2.​

3.​

4.​

5.​

6.​

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Resistance vs Length Investigation:
Length of wire (m) Resistance (Ω)

0.1 2

0.2 3

0.3 4

0.4 6

0.5 9

Complete the sentence:

As the length of the wire ___________________, the resistance of the wire

___________________.​
This change is not linear because as the current increases, the wire gets
___________________, and this affects the ___________________.

Sketch Graph:
Sketch a graph of Resistance (Ω) on the y-axis vs Length of Wire (m) on the x-axis.​
Use the data from the table above.​
(Leave space for students to draw their graph.)

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Required Practical 3: I–V Characteristics

Method:
Organise the steps for measuring current and voltage in various
components.​
Number these in the correct order (1–9):

​ Swap the connections on the battery. Now the ammeter is connected to the negative terminal
and variable resistor to the positive terminal.​

​ Connect the voltmeter in parallel across the power supply.​

​ Record the readings on the ammeter and voltmeter in a suitable table.​

​ Connect the resistor in the circuit as shown in the diagram.​

​ Continue to record pairs of readings of current and potential difference with the battery
reversed.​

​ Change the component from a resistor to a diode or lamp and repeat.​

​ Connect the ammeter in series.​

​ Adjust the voltage of the power supply and record the new ammeter and voltmeter readings.
Repeat to obtain several pairs of readings. (Interval of 1V up to 6V)​

​ The readings on the ammeter and voltmeter should now be negative.​

Risk Assessment:
List possible risks and how to minimise them:

1. ___________________________________________________________​
2. ___________________________________________________________​
3. ___________________________________________________________

Variables:
●​ Independent Variable: _____________________________________

●​ Dependent Variable: _______________________________________

●​ Control Variables (describe how to keep them constant):​

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Unit Conversion Practice:
Convert the following from milliamps (mA) to amps (A):​
(Remember: 1000 mA = 1 A)

1.​ 500 mA = __________ A​

2.​ 25 mA = __________ A​

3.​ 770 mA = __________ A​

4.​ 5.8 mA = __________ A​

5.​ 900 mA = __________ A​

6.​ 1 mA = __________ A​

Plan: RP3 Circuits IV

Write a step-by-step plan for how you would measure the current and voltage across components to
plot I–V characteristics:

1.​

2.​

3.​

4.​

5.​

6.​

Understanding Resistance in Components:

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Complete the sentences for each component:

●​ As the voltage and current increase in the lamp, the resistance ________________ because
__________________________________________________________________________
●​ As the voltage and current are increased in the resistor, the resistance
__________________________________________________________________________

●​ The resistance in the diode is high when

__________________________________________________________________________

Sketch Graphs:
Use the space below to sketch the I–V characteristics for each of the following:

●​ Resistor​

●​ Diode​

●​ Lamp​

(Label the axes: Current (A) on y-axis, Voltage (V) on x-axis)

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Required Practical 4: Measuring Density of Solids and
Liquids

Method:
Organise the following steps to correctly describe how to measure the density of a regular solid object.​
Number them in the correct order (1–7):

​ Calculate and record the volumes (length × width × height).​

​ Record your results in a table.​

​ For each object, measure the: length, width, height.​

​ Record the results.​

​ Calculate and record the densities (mass ÷ volume).​

​ Include columns for volume, mass, density, and substance.​

​ Measure the mass of each object using the digital balance.​

Understanding Density:
Describe:
How does adding sugar to water affect its density?

Why do we not take into account the volume of the sugar?

Modifying the Method for Liquids:

How should the method be changed for measuring the density of a liquid?​
Write any extra steps or modifications:

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Equation Practice:
Rearrange the formula:
Density = Mass ÷ Volume

●​ Mass = __________________________________________​

●​ Volume = __________________________________________​

Units:
●​ Mass is measured in: _____________________​

●​ Volume is measured in: _____________________​

●​ Density is measured in: _____________________​

Data Table: Density of Sugar Solutions

Mass of Sugar Dissolved (kg) Density (kg/m³)

0.005 kg 1000

0.01 kg 1005

0.015 kg 1007

0.02 kg 1009

0.025 kg 1012

Plan: RP5 Density

Write a step-by-step plan for measuring the density of an irregular solid object:

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Unit Conversions:
Convert the following values:

1.​ 500 g = __________ kg​

2.​ 25 g = __________ kg​

3.​ 770 g = __________ kg​

4.​ 58 g = __________ kg​

5.​ 10,000 cm³ = __________ m³​

6.​ 100 cm³ = __________ m³​

7.​ 250,000 cm³ = __________ m³​

8.​ 100,000 cm³ = __________ m³​

Challenge: More Conversions

a. 2 g = __________ kg​
b. 34.5 g = __________ kg​
c. 0.5 g = __________ kg​
d. 10 cm³ = __________ m³​
e. 198 cm³ = __________ m³​
f. 2.5 cm³ = __________ m³

Calculations:
Use the formula:​
Density = Mass ÷ Volume​
(Remember: Convert grams to kilograms, and use volume in m³ if needed)

1.​ A block has dimensions 100 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm and mass 500 g.​
Density = __________ kg/m³​

2.​ A block has dimensions 12 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm and mass 500 g.​

Density = __________ kg/m³​

3.​ A block has dimensions 6 cm × 8 cm × 4.5 cm and mass 273 g.​

Density = __________ kg/m³​

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