At a glance
The course in numbers
How to read it. One row is one 45-minute lesson; its pack holds the plan, worksheet and quiz. The week column counts 3 lessons a week until you change the control above; the sheet you download uses the same numbers. Each topic ends at an assessment point, its question bank, which you can assign in the app for a marked score. The learning intention is the first idea of each lesson in the students' own pages; the traps are the examiner traps those pages pre-empt.
Topic 01
Motion, forces and energy
Weeks 1 to 101.1Physical quantities and measurement techniques Core Extended
Week 1| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.1 | Measuring length, volume and time | A ruler can only be read to about half a millimetre. |
| 1 | 1.1 | Scalars and vectors | A vector is drawn as an arrow: its length shows the magnitude and the way it points shows the direction. |
| 1 | 1.1 | Resultant of perpendicular vectors | Set the horizontal and vertical forces below to change the diagonal. |
| 1 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 2 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Three habits quietly cost marks here.
- Because a vector has direction, the sign matters.
- A 3 N force and a 4 N force at right angles do not give 7 N.
1.2Motion Core Extended
Weeks 2 to 3| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1.2 | Speed and velocity | Set a constant speed and release the trolley. |
| 2 | 1.2 | Distance-time and speed-time graphs | For a speed that changes, you cannot just multiply the final speed by the total time. |
| 2 | 1.2 | Acceleration of free fall | Release the objects and watch the strobe marks, one for each second. |
| 3 | 1.2 | Acceleration, deceleration and gradients | Drag the start and end points of the line on the graph below. |
| 3 | 1.2 | Terminal velocity | Release the skydiver and watch the two arrows. |
| 3 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 10 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Two cars travelling at the same speed in opposite directions have different velocities, because velocity includes direction.
- When the speed is changing, the distance is not the final speed multiplied by the final time.
- A common belief is that a falling object accelerates more and more as it drops.
Topic 3Forces Core Extended
Weeks 3 to 6| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1.3 | Mass and weight | Switch worlds and watch the two instruments. |
| 4 | 1.5.1 | Resultant forces | Set the forces acting on the block and read off the resultant. |
| 4 | 1.5.1 | Hooke’s law | Add loads one at a time and watch the extension grow in equal steps, the signature of a proportional relationship. |
| 4 | 1.5.1 | Newton’s second law (F = ma) | Set the resultant force and the mass, then launch the trolley and read its acceleration. |
| 5 | 1.5.1 | Circular motion | Watch the ball travel around the circle. |
| 5 | 1.5.1 | Friction and drag | Drive the object across different surfaces and through the air. |
| 5 | 1.5.2 | Moments | Slide the weights along the beam and watch the moments. |
| 6 | 1.5.3 | Centre of gravity | Tilt the object and watch the line of action of its weight. |
| 6 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 13 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- The most common error here is using mass where a force is needed.
- The greatest trap is believing an object needs a forward resultant force just to keep moving.
- The point where the straight line ends is the limit of proportionality.
1.4Density Core
Week 6| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1.4 | Density and floating | Change the object and the fluid, then predict. |
| 6 | 1.4 | Measuring density | Lower the solid into the measuring cylinder and read the level before and after. |
| 6 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 2 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Water is the benchmark, with a density of exactly 1.0 g/cm³.
- When using a single measuring cylinder, the classic error is dividing the mass by the whole final reading.
1.6Momentum (Extended only) Extended
Week 7| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1.6 | Momentum and conservation | Set the masses and velocities of two trolleys, then let them collide. |
| 7 | 1.6 | Impulse and force | Set the same change in momentum, then vary the time it takes. |
| 7 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 5 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Because momentum is a vector, you must include direction.
- When a question asks why a safety feature reduces the force, the answer is the time.
1.7Energy, work and power Core Extended
Weeks 7 to 9| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1.7.1 | Energy stores and transfers | Choose a process and follow the energy as it moves between stores. |
| 8 | 1.7.1 | Kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) | Change the mass and the speed and read the kinetic energy. |
| 8 | 1.7.1 | Gravitational potential energy (ΔPE = mgΔh) | Set the mass and lift the object to different heights. |
| 8 | 1.7.2 | Work done (W = Fd) | Set the force and the distance, then push the load. |
| 9 | 1.7.3 | Energy resources | Explore each resource and follow its energy back to where it began. |
| 9 | 1.7.3 | Efficiency | Adjust the input energy and how much is wasted. |
| 9 | 1.7.4 | Power (P = W/t) | Set the energy to transfer and the time taken, then run it. |
| 9 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 12 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- When energy is "used up", it has not vanished.
- Square the speed before multiplying, and do it first.
- Use the change in height, measured vertically, not the distance travelled along a ramp or slope.
1.8Pressure Core Extended
Week 10| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1.8 | Pressure (p = F/A) and its applications | Keep the force fixed and change the area it acts on. |
| 10 | 1.8 | Pressure in liquids (Δp = ρgΔh) | Change the depth and the density of the liquid. |
| 10 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 3 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Two slips cost marks here.
- Liquid pressure depends on depth and density, never on the shape or the amount of liquid.
Topic 02
Thermal physics
Weeks 10 to 15Topic 8Thermal physics Core Extended
Weeks 10 to 15| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2.1.1 | States of matter (solid, liquid, gas) | Switch between solid, liquid and gas and watch how the particle arrangement and motion change. |
| 11 | 2.1.2 | Brownian motion | Watch a large visible grain being knocked about by the unseen molecules of the fluid. |
| 11 | 2.1.2 | Gas pressure and temperature | Change the temperature of a trapped gas and watch how the collisions, and so the pressure, change. |
| 11 | 2.1.3 | Temperature scales (Celsius and kelvin) | Move the temperature and watch the Celsius and kelvin readings change together. |
| 12 | 2.1.3 | Boyle’s law (pV = constant) | Change the volume of a trapped gas at constant temperature and watch the pressure respond. |
| 12 | 2.2.1 | Thermal expansion | Raise the temperature of a solid and watch how its length grows as the particles vibrate more. |
| 12 | 2.2.2 | Specific heat capacity (E = mcΔθ) | Change the material, the mass and the energy supplied, and read off the temperature rise. |
| 13 | 2.2.3 | Changes of state | Add energy steadily and watch the temperature climb, then pause at each change of state. |
| 13 | 2.2.3 | Evaporation and cooling | See the most energetic molecules break free from the surface, leaving slower, cooler ones behind. |
| 13 | 2.3.1 | Conduction | Heat one end of a material and watch energy travel along it from the hot end to the cold end. |
| 14 | 2.3.2 | Convection | Heat a fluid from below and watch the warm fluid rise and the cool fluid sink into a circulating current. |
| 14 | 2.3.3 | Thermal radiation | Compare surfaces and temperatures and watch how much infrared radiation each one emits. |
| 14 | 2.3.3 | Energy balance and equilibrium | Adjust how much energy flows in and watch the object settle at the temperature where emission matches absorption. |
| 15 | 2.3.4 | Applications of thermal energy transfer | Switch the insulating features on and off and watch how each one cuts a different path for energy to escape. |
| 15 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 48 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- The particles themselves do not change between states.
- The visible grain is not moving under its own power.
- Gas pressure is the result of particles striking the walls, not of the particles simply pressing against them while still.
Topic 03
Waves
Weeks 15 to 213.1General properties of waves Core Extended
Weeks 15 to 16| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 3.1 | Wave features (wavelength, amplitude, frequency) | Change the amplitude and frequency and watch the wavelength and period respond. |
| 15 | 3.1 | The wave equation (v = fλ) | Adjust the frequency and wavelength and watch the wave speed that results. |
| 16 | 3.1 | Transverse and longitudinal waves | Switch between a transverse and a longitudinal wave and watch how the particles move relative to the wave. |
| 16 | 3.1 | Reflection, refraction and diffraction of waves | Send waves at a barrier, across a boundary, and through a gap, and watch them reflect, refract and diffract. |
| 16 | 3.1 | Diffraction in depth | Change the gap width and the wavelength and watch how much the waves spread beyond the gap. |
| 16 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 12 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- A wave transfers energy, not matter: the water, air or rope it travels through stays put on average.
- Keep the units consistent and rearrange with care.
- In both types the particles only vibrate about a fixed point; they do not travel along with the wave.
3.2Light Core Extended
Weeks 17 to 19| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 3.2.1 | Reflection of light | Change the angle of the incoming ray and watch the reflected ray and the angles from the normal. |
| 17 | 3.2.2 | Refraction of light | Change the angle of the incoming ray and watch how it bends as it enters and leaves the block. |
| 17 | 3.2.2 | Total internal reflection | Increase the angle of incidence inside the glass and watch the refracted ray vanish as the light is reflected back. |
| 18 | 3.2.2 | Refractive index | Change the angle of incidence and read off the angle of refraction to see the refractive index that links them. |
| 18 | 3.2.2 | Optical fibres | Send a ray into the fibre and watch it bounce along by total internal reflection, even around a bend. |
| 18 | 3.2.3 | The converging lens | Move the object along the bench and watch the rays cross to build a real image, or spread to form a virtual one. |
| 19 | 3.2.3 | Correcting short and long sight | Switch between a short-sighted and long-sighted eye, then add the correcting lens and watch the image sharpen. |
| 19 | 3.2.4 | Dispersion of light | Send white light into the prism and watch it split into its colours, with red bent least and violet most. |
| 19 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 28 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Always measure the angles from the normal, the line perpendicular to the mirror, not from the mirror surface.
- A ray travelling along the normal does not bend, even though it does change speed.
- Total internal reflection only happens when light travels from a denser to a less dense medium, such as glass to air, and only when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.
3.3Electromagnetic spectrum Core Extended
Weeks 19 to 20| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 3.3 | The electromagnetic spectrum | Move along the bands from radio to gamma and watch the wavelength shorten and the frequency climb. |
| 20 | 3.3 | Harmful effects of EM radiation | Choose a band and watch how it interacts with cells, gently for low frequencies and damagingly for the high frequency end. |
| 20 | 3.3 | Digital and analogue signals | Turn up the noise and watch the analogue trace get permanently messy while the digital one is cleaned at the threshold and rebuilt. |
| 20 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 8 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Every electromagnetic wave travels at the same speed in a vacuum, whatever its frequency.
- It is the high frequency end of the spectrum, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, that is the most dangerous, because the energy carried rises with frequency.
- Both analogue and digital signals pick up noise as they travel.
3.4Sound Core Extended
Weeks 20 to 21| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 3.4 | Sound as a longitudinal wave | See the loudspeaker push the air into compressions and rarefactions, and notice that each particle only vibrates on the spot. |
| 21 | 3.4 | Speed of sound and echoes | Set the distance to the wall and watch the pulse travel out and return, with the stopwatch climbing to the echo time. |
| 21 | 3.4 | Loudness and pitch | Adjust amplitude and frequency to match a target wave, and watch how each control changes a different feature. |
| 21 | 3.4 | Ultrasound | Move the flaw deeper and watch the echo arrive later on the A-scan trace, with the gate marking the target depth. |
| 21 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 11 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Sound is longitudinal, not transverse.
- In an echo the sound makes a round trip, so use twice the distance to the surface.
- Amplitude controls loudness and frequency controls pitch, and they are independent.
Topic 04
Electricity and magnetism
Weeks 22 to 304.1Simple phenomena of magnetism Core
Week 22| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 4.1 | Magnetic poles and forces | Bring poles together and apart, and watch whether they attract or repel. |
| 22 | 4.1 | Magnetic materials, soft and hard | Compare how soft iron and hard steel hold or lose their magnetism. |
| 22 | 4.1 | Magnetic fields and field lines | Move the compass around the magnet and watch the needle line up with the field at each point. |
| 22 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 4 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Repulsion is the only certain test that a material is magnetised.
- Magnetically soft does not mean physically soft.
- Outside the magnet the arrows on the field lines point from north to south.
4.2Electrical quantities Core Extended
Weeks 23 to 25| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 4.2.1 | Electric charge | Transfer electrons between objects and watch the charges attract or repel. |
| 23 | 4.2.1 | Electric fields | Place charges and plates and watch the field lines and the force on a small positive test charge. |
| 23 | 4.2.2 | Electric current | Connect the ammeter in series so the whole current flows through it. |
| 24 | 4.2.2 | Current as charge flow (I = Q / t) | Vary the current and time and read off the charge that has flowed. |
| 24 | 4.2.3 | EMF and potential difference | Connect a voltmeter across the source and across components to compare the energy per charge. |
| 24 | 4.2.4 | Resistance (R = V / I) | Change the p.d. across a resistor and watch the current and the resistance ratio. |
| 25 | 4.2.4 | Current-voltage graphs | Trace the graph for a mystery component and decide what it is from the shape. |
| 25 | 4.2.5 | Electrical power and energy | Set the current and voltage and watch the power, then the energy build up over time. |
| 25 | 4.2.5 | Kilowatt-hours and the cost of electricity | Set an appliance power and running time and watch the kilowatt-hours and the cost add up. |
| 25 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 22 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- It is electrons that move, not positive charge.
- Field lines show the direction of the force on a positive charge, so they leave a positive charge and enter a negative one.
- An ammeter is connected in series, not parallel, so the whole current passes through it.
4.3Electric circuits Core Extended
Weeks 26 to 27| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 4.3.1 | Circuit symbols and components | Match each symbol to its component and see how the input transducers respond. |
| 26 | 4.3.2 | Series circuits | Add resistors in series and watch the current stay equal everywhere while the voltage shares out. |
| 26 | 4.3.2 | Parallel circuits | Add branches and watch the current divide while each branch keeps the full voltage. |
| 27 | 4.3.3 | Potential dividers | Change the two resistances and watch how the output voltage tracks their ratio. |
| 27 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 13 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- An LDR has a high resistance in the dark and a low resistance in bright light.
- In series the current is the same all the way round, it is not shared.
- In parallel each branch gets the full supply voltage, the voltage is not shared.
4.4Electrical safety Core
Week 27| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 4.4 | Electrical hazards | Inspect a room and identify what makes each situation dangerous. |
| 27 | 4.4 | The mains circuit, fuses and earthing | Connect the live, neutral and earth to their correct terminals and see how a fault is made safe. |
| 27 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 3 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Water and damp conditions are dangerous because they lower resistance and let current pass through the body more easily.
- The fuse and switch go in the live wire, so the appliance is cut off from the supply when they break.
4.5Electromagnetic effects Core Extended
Weeks 28 to 30| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 4.5.1 | Electromagnetic induction | Move a magnet in and out of a coil and see the induced e.m.f. respond to the speed and direction. |
| 28 | 4.5.2 | The A.C. generator | Rotate the coil and watch the alternating e.m.f. trace out its sine shape. |
| 28 | 4.5.3 | The magnetic effect of a current | Turn the current on and off and watch the electromagnet field appear and vanish. |
| 29 | 4.5.4 | The motor effect | Send current through the wire in the field and see which way the force pushes it. |
| 29 | 4.5.5 | The D.C. motor | Watch the forces turn the coil and the commutator flip the current each half turn. |
| 29 | 4.5.6 | Transformers | Change the turns on each coil and watch the secondary voltage step up or down. |
| 30 | 4.5.6 | Transformer equations and transmission | Change the turns ratio and watch the secondary voltage and current follow the equations. |
| 30 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 16 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- An e.m.f. is induced only while the field through the coil is changing.
- An a.c. generator uses slip rings, not a split-ring commutator.
- An electromagnet works only while the current flows, which is exactly why it is useful: the magnetism can be switched on and off.
Topic 05
Nuclear physics
Weeks 30 to 345.1The nuclear model of the atom Core Extended
Weeks 30 to 31| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 5.1.1 | Atomic structure | Explore the nucleus and the orbiting electrons, and see how little of the atom is actually filled. |
| 30 | 5.1.1 | The alpha-scattering experiment | Fire alpha particles at the foil and see how most pass through while a rare few rebound. |
| 31 | 5.1.2 | Protons, neutrons and nuclide notation | Change the proton and neutron counts and watch the nuclide notation update. |
| 31 | 5.1.2 | Isotopes | Keep the protons fixed and change the neutrons to move between isotopes of the same element. |
| 31 | 5.1.2 | Nuclear fission and fusion | Trigger a fission split and a fusion join, and watch the energy released by each. |
| 31 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 17 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Nearly all the mass of an atom is in the nucleus, even though the nucleus is thousands of times smaller than the atom.
- The rare alpha particles that bounce almost straight back are the key evidence.
- The bottom number is the proton number Z and the top number is the nucleon number A.
5.2Radioactivity Core Extended
Weeks 32 to 34| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 5.2.1 | Background radiation | See the steady count from background radiation and how a nearby source adds to it. |
| 32 | 5.2.2 | Alpha, beta and gamma radiation | Put paper, aluminium and lead in the path and see which radiation gets through. |
| 32 | 5.2.2 | Deflection of radiation in fields | Pass each radiation through a field and watch which way, and how much, it bends. |
| 33 | 5.2.3 | Radioactive decay equations | Trigger alpha and beta decays and see how the nucleon and proton numbers shift. |
| 33 | 5.2.4 | Half-life | Watch the activity fall to a half, then a quarter, then an eighth, one half-life at a time. |
| 33 | 5.2.4 | Applications of radioactivity | Pick the radiation and half-life for each application and see why it fits. |
| 34 | 5.2.5 | Safety with ionising radiation | Adjust distance, time and shielding and see how each lowers the radiation dose. |
| 34 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 22 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- Background radiation is present everywhere, so when measuring a source you must subtract the background count rate to get the true reading.
- Ionising power and penetrating power run in opposite orders.
- Gamma is undeflected because it carries no charge.
Topic 06
Space physics
Weeks 34 to 376.1The Earth and the Solar System Core Extended
Weeks 34 to 35| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 6.1.1 | The Earth, day, night and seasons | Spin the Earth and orbit it round the Sun, and watch day, night and the seasons appear. |
| 34 | 6.1.1 | Orbital speed | Change the orbital radius and period and watch the orbital speed that results. |
| 35 | 6.1.2 | The Solar System | Move out from the Sun past the rocky planets, the asteroid belt and the gas giants. |
| 35 | 6.1.2 | Formation of the Solar System | Let gravity pull the cloud together and watch the Sun and planets take shape. |
| 35 | 6.1.2 | Elliptical orbits and energy | Follow a comet round its elliptical orbit and watch its speed change with distance. |
| 35 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 15 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- The seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, not by the Earth being nearer to or further from the Sun.
- Use the full circumference 2 pi r, not just the radius, and keep r in metres and T in seconds.
- The asteroid belt lies between Mars and Jupiter, separating the rocky inner planets from the gas giants.
6.2Stars and the Universe Core Extended
Weeks 36 to 37| Week | Ref | Lesson | Learning intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 6.2.1 | The Sun as a star | See the Sun as a star powered by fusion in its core. |
| 36 | 6.2.2 | Galaxies and light-years | See the Milky Way and how far apart its stars are in light-years. |
| 36 | 6.2.2 | The life cycle of a star | Watch a star form, live, and end in one of two ways depending on its mass. |
| 37 | 6.2.3 | Redshift and the Big Bang | See light from receding galaxies shifted toward the red, more so for the most distant. |
| 37 | 6.2.3 | The cosmic microwave background | Detect the microwave background coming evenly from every direction in space. |
| 37 | Assessment point | Topic question bank, 15 multiple-choice questions: print or review, or assign in the app for a marked score. |
Examiner traps to pre-empt:
- The Sun shines by nuclear fusion, joining hydrogen nuclei into helium, not by burning like a fire.
- A light-year is a distance, not a time.
- How a star ends depends on its mass.
Also for this course
Beyond the scheme
Lesson packs110 packs: plan, worksheet, quiz
Question bankBuild a test from every course
PlannerBlock out the term
Classes and gradebookAssign the banks, track everyone
Student syllabus pageIGCSE Physics 0625
Editable originalsThe 0625 scheme as Word and Excel
Original work by the TheLucidSTEM team. Week numbers assume 3 lessons a week unless you change the control; the download carries the numbers shown.