6 topics · 72 free flashcards
GCSE Physics flashcards
Free revision cards for students aged 14 to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, sorted by topic, with a quick quiz on every page.
About GCSE Physics
GCSE Physics covers a wide range of ideas, from the behaviour of waves and particles to the forces that govern motion and the structure of atoms. Students must understand abstract concepts, recall precise definitions, apply mathematical formulas and interpret graphs and diagrams. The combination of theory and calculation makes it demanding, because a gap in understanding one topic can affect performance across several others, particularly where ideas such as energy transfer appear in multiple contexts throughout the course.
Physics requires both factual recall and the ability to apply knowledge to unfamiliar problems, which is exactly where active recall and spaced repetition prove their worth. Testing yourself with flashcards forces your brain to retrieve information rather than passively re-read it, strengthening memory far more effectively. Returning to cards at increasing intervals means you spend more time on the concepts you find difficult, such as wave equations or nuclear decay, and less time on material you already know well.
Flashcards by topic
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Energy
- · What is the principle of conservation of energy?
- · State the formula for kinetic energy.
- · State the formula for gravitational potential energy.
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Electricity
- · What is electric current and what unit is it measured in?
- · State the equation linking charge, current and time.
- · What does potential difference (voltage) mean in a circuit?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Particle model of matter
- · What is the definition of density?
- · How are particles arranged in a solid?
- · How does particle movement differ in a gas compared to a liquid?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Atomic structure and radiation
- · What are the three particles found in an atom and where are they located?
- · What is the mass number and atomic number of an atom?
- · What are isotopes?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Forces and motion
- · What is the difference between speed and velocity?
- · State the equation linking acceleration, change in velocity and time.
- · What does the gradient of a distance-time graph represent?
12 cards · 3-question quiz
Waves
- · What is the difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave?
- · State the wave equation and define each term.
- · What is the amplitude of a wave?
What you need to master
- Students need to memorise key definitions and units for quantities such as force, energy, power, frequency and resistance, since these appear across many exam questions.
- Being confident with standard formulas and knowing how to rearrange them, for example using v = f x wavelength or P = I x V, is essential for tackling calculation questions.
- Understanding the underlying physical models, such as the particle model of matter or the nuclear model of the atom, allows students to explain observations rather than simply recall facts.
- Practising graph skills, including drawing, reading and interpreting distance-time, velocity-time and current-voltage graphs, is a core requirement throughout the course.
- Students must be able to evaluate experimental methods and results, commenting on accuracy, reliability and sources of error as part of the required practical work.
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GCSE Physics revision questions
How do I remember all the physics formulas for GCSE?
Start by understanding what each formula means physically rather than just memorising symbols. Write each equation on a flashcard with a worked example on the back, and practise rearranging it for different unknowns. Regular retrieval practice across several weeks is far more effective than reading a formula sheet the night before. Some formulas are given in the exam, but knowing them confidently saves time and reduces errors under pressure.
Is GCSE Physics harder than Biology or Chemistry?
Physics tends to feel harder to students who are less comfortable with maths, because a significant portion of the marks come from calculations, graph work and algebraic rearrangement. However, students who enjoy problem-solving often find it very rewarding. The key difference is that understanding why a formula works helps enormously, so focusing on concepts rather than rote learning gives you a real advantage compared with subjects that rely more heavily on memorisation alone.
What are the most important topics to revise for GCSE Physics?
Energy and electricity tend to carry a large proportion of marks and their ideas appear repeatedly throughout the course, so they are worth prioritising. Forces and motion, waves, and atomic structure and radiation are also consistently significant. Rather than guessing which topics will come up, aim to cover everything systematically and identify your personal weak areas early. Past papers will show you the style of questions and help you spot any gaps in your knowledge.
How long before the exam should I start revising Physics?
Ideally, begin structured revision at least eight weeks before your first Physics exam. This gives you enough time to work through all the main topics, revisit difficult areas more than once and complete several past papers under timed conditions. Starting early also means you can use spaced repetition properly, returning to flashcards and notes at intervals rather than cramming everything into the final few days, which rarely leads to lasting understanding or strong exam performance.
Other courses
Written for general GCSE revision. Exam boards and schools differ, so check your own specification for exactly what you need to know. Lerno is not affiliated with any exam board.