Topics will include: forces; energy; waves; electricity; magnetism and electromagnetism; the particle model of matter; atomic structure and space physics.
There are two papers:
Paper 1 - What's assessed?
Topics 1-4: Energy; Electricity; Particle model of matter; and Atomic structure.
Paper 2 - What's assessed?
Topics 5-8: Forces; Waves; Magnetism and electromagnetism; and Space physics.
Questions in paper 2 may draw on an understanding of energy changes and transfers due to heating, mechanical and electrical work and the concept of energy conservation from Energy and Electricity.
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Foundation and Higher Tier
- 100 marks each paper
- 50% of GCSE each paper
Questions
- Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
Exam Specification
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/
Past Papers
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/physics-8463/assessment-resources
Students will complete their required practicals as part of their class work and will not be completing them at home.
How can you help your daughter with Science?
- Encourage her to use scientific vocabulary and display key words around the house.
- Test her regularly on topics covered.
- Check her homework.
- Get her to discuss what she has done in science lessons and get her to teach you some science every week.
- Watch relevant television programmes. Check the TV guide at the weekend and suggest programmes to watch during the week.
- Discuss scientific articles in the Newspaper. Ask your daughter to suggest reasons, or expand on points raised.
Useful Websites and Books
Moodle contains a wealth of resources to support learning provided by the Science Department. Revision summaries for every topic are there which can be printed, annotated and used to aid learning.
Depending on your daughters interests, magazines such as How it Works, New Scientist or National Geographic are all available which will help broaden your daughters understanding and appreciation of Science.
Past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports should be used as the exams approach as they are one of the best ways to practice exam questions. These are accessible from the AQA website link below:
Recommended Websites
www.sciencelab.org.uk/resourcezone/sciencea.php
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/
www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse.html
www.kerboodle.com/