GCSE Physics Flashcards

GCSE Physics rewards using ideas, not just knowing them. Most marks come from applying equations, converting units and explaining what a graph or experiment shows. Flashcards are good for what you must have ready: definitions, units, symbols, equations and the steps of required practicals. They are a weak tool for multi-step calculations, which you need to practise on paper.

AQA, Edexcel and OCR Gateway group the same physics differently and number their topics differently. Use the deck tagged with your board and check each card against your own specification. If a card covers something your board doesn’t list, skip it.

The Nextutor GCSE Physics flashcard library has 24 decks and 360 cards across 7 topics, including Forces, Energy, Electricity and more. Decks are tagged by exam board (AQA, Edexcel and OCR) so you can revise from the version that matches your course.

  • 24 decks
  • 360 cards
  • 7 topics
  • Exam boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR
  • Updated April 2026

Topics

How GCSE Physics is examined

  • Two written papers with each of AQA, Edexcel and OCR Gateway. Each paper is 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 50% of the GCSE. There is no coursework.
  • Tiered: Foundation covers grades 1–5 and Higher covers grades 4–9, and all papers must be at the same tier. AQA and Edexcel say a Higher student just below grade 4 can be awarded grade 3.
  • Ofqual rules for every board: at least 30% of marks test maths skills and at least 15% test practical knowledge and skills, from at least eight practical activities.
  • Each specification lists equations you must recall and equations you select from a sheet. For exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, Ofqual requires boards to give an equation sheet with the papers, so check your board’s published sheet for your exam year.
Exam boardPapers
AQA8463100 marks per paper
  • Paper 1: 1h 45m · Topics 1–4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; Atomic structure
  • Paper 2: 1h 45m · Topics 5–8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; Space physics
Edexcel1PH0100 marks per paper
  • Paper 1: 1h 45m · Topics 1–7: Key concepts of physics; Motion and forces; Conservation of energy; Waves; Light and the electromagnetic spectrum; Radioactivity; Astronomy
  • Paper 2: 1h 45m · Topics 1 and 8–15: Key concepts; Energy – forces doing work; Forces and their effects; Electricity and circuits; Static electricity; Magnetism and the motor effect; Electromagnetic induction; Particle model; Forces and matter
OCR GatewayJ24990 marks per paper
  • Paper 1 (Foundation) / Paper 3 (Higher): 1h 45m · P1 Matter; P2 Forces; P3 Electricity; P4 Magnetism and magnetic fields; P9 Practical skills
  • Paper 2 (Foundation) / Paper 4 (Higher): 1h 45m · P5 Waves in matter; P6 Radioactivity; P7 Energy; P8 Global challenges (assumes P1–P4)

OCR Twenty First Century Physics B, WJEC Eduqas and CCEA are not covered here.

Checked against the official specifications on 10 October 2026: AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification · AQA 8463 practical assessment · AQA 8463 Appendix A: physics equations · Pearson Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0) specification · OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway) J249 specification · Ofqual GCSE subject level conditions for single sciences · Ofqual: changes to the assessment of maths, physics and combined science GCSEs in 2025, 2026 and 2027

How to revise GCSE Physics with flashcards

  1. Learn equations in both directions

    Make one card that asks for the equation from its name, and another that gives the equation and asks what each symbol means and its unit. Even with an equation sheet, you need to pick the right equation quickly and know what each letter stands for.

  2. Give every quantity its unit

    Pair each quantity with its unit and symbol, such as energy in joules (J) or charge in coulombs (C). Add cards for prefixes like milli, kilo and mega. Many marks are lost to a missing unit or a value left in grams or minutes.

  3. Turn each required practical into cards

    For each practical, make cards for the aim, the independent, dependent and control variables, the main steps, and one common source of error. Practical questions are written questions in the papers.

  4. Know when to put the cards down

    Flashcards can’t train multi-step calculations, graph work or six-mark explanations. Once you can recall an equation, use it in full exam questions on paper, show each step and check against the mark scheme.

  5. Mix topics in short sessions

    Review a small batch of cards most days and mix topics, so you practise choosing the right idea as you must in the exam. If you sit Higher, make sure the Higher-only content has cards too.

Sample GCSE Physics flashcards

GCSE · Forces · AQA

What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?

Show answer

A scalar quantity has magnitude only. A vector quantity has both magnitude and an associated direction.

Study the full deck →
GCSE · Energy · AQA

State the equation used to calculate kinetic energy.

Show answer

Kinetic energy is calculated using the equation: E_k = 0.5 * m * v^2. Mass is measured in kilograms (kg) and speed is measured in metres per second (m/s).

Study the full deck →
GCSE · Electricity · AQA

What is electric current?

Show answer

Current is the rate of flow of electrical charge. It is measured in amperes (A).

Study the full deck →
GCSE · Waves · AQA

Define a transverse wave.

Show answer

A wave where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Examples include electromagnetic waves and ripples on water.

Study the full deck →
GCSE · Space Physics · AQA

What is the universe

Show answer

All of space and time including stars and galaxies.

Study the full deck →
GCSE · Magnetism and Electromagnetism · AQA

What is magnetism

Show answer

A force that acts between magnetic fields.

Study the full deck →

Struggling with GCSE Physics? Book a GCSE Physics tutor →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to memorise physics equations for 2026 or 2027 exams?

For exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, Ofqual requires exam boards to give you an equation sheet with your physics papers. You still need to choose the right equation, rearrange it and use the correct units, so practise with your board’s published sheet.

Is there coursework or a practical exam in GCSE Physics?

No. You carry out at least eight practical activities in class and are asked about them in the written papers. At least 15% of the marks cover practical knowledge and skills.

What is the difference between Foundation and Higher tier?

Foundation gives grades 1–5 and Higher gives grades 4–9. Some content is Higher only, and the maths is harder. Your school decides your entry, so ask your teacher if you are unsure.

Are these GCSE Physics flashcards free?

Yes — every deck in the Nextutor flashcard library is free. Create a free account to study the full decks and track your progress with spaced repetition.

Which GCSE Physics topics do the flashcards cover?

The library currently covers 7 topics: Forces; Energy; Electricity; Waves; Space Physics; Magnetism and Electromagnetism; Particle Model and Atomic Structure. New decks are added over time.

Which exam boards are the GCSE Physics flashcards for?

Decks are tagged for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. Check the exam board tag against your specification — core content often overlaps between boards.

How many GCSE Physics flashcards are there?

There are 24 decks with 360 cards in total. Each card has a question on the front and the answer on the back.

Can I make my own AI GCSE Physics flashcards?

Yes — once you're signed in you can generate a GCSE Physics flashcard deck on any topic with AI in seconds, or build one card by card. Free accounts get a monthly AI generation quota.

Should I use flashcards or a Physics tutor?

Flashcards are good for memorising key facts, definitions and terms. A GCSE Physics tutor helps with understanding and exam technique, which flashcards alone can't cover — many students use both.