CIE IGCSE Science_Physics (0653 / 0654)

Cambridge IGCSE Combined & Co-ordinated Sciences Physics Portal

NoteCourse Portal: CIE IGCSE Science - Physics Component

Welcome, students! This specialized section contains study lessons, revision notes, targeted multiple choice & structured practice questions, and official syllabus resources for the Physics components of the Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) and Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) (0654) qualifications.

[!TIP] Interdisciplinary Study: If you are taking Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) or Combined Science (0653), you can access the Chemistry component resources directly on our sister portal: CIE IGCSE Science_Chemistry (0653 / 0654).

1. Course Introduction

The Physics component of Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) and Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) covers fundamental principles of physics, mechanics, thermal physics, wave properties, electricity, electromagnetism, and space physics, preparing students to appreciate the physical world and technological applications.

  • Combined Science (0653): A single-award syllabus containing an equal mix of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. It counts as a single IGCSE grade.
  • Co-ordinated Sciences (0654): A double-award syllabus featuring a more detailed, double-weighted coverage of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. It counts as two IGCSE grades.

Assessment Outline (Physics Components)

Candidates who have studied the Core syllabus content are entered for Paper 1 (Multiple Choice), Paper 3 (Theory) and either Paper 5 (Practical) or Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical). Candidates who have studied the Extended syllabus content (Core + Supplement) are entered for Paper 2 (Multiple Choice), Paper 4 (Theory) and either Paper 5 or Paper 6.

Assessment Paper Target Curriculum Format & Duration Marks Syllabus Weighting
Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) Core 40 multiple-choice questions — 45 minutes 40 marks 30%
Paper 2 (Multiple Choice) Extended 40 multiple-choice questions — 45 minutes 40 marks 30%
Paper 3 (Theory) Core Short-answer and structured questions — 75 minutes (0653) / 120 minutes (0654) 80 / 120 marks 50%
Paper 4 (Theory) Extended Short-answer and structured questions — 75 minutes (0653) / 120 minutes (0654) 80 / 120 marks 50%
Paper 5 (Practical Test) Core & Extended Laboratory-based practical tasks — 75 minutes (0653) / 120 minutes (0654) 40 / 60 marks 20%
Paper 6 (Alternative to Practical) Core & Extended Written questions on experimental skills — 60 minutes (0653) / 90 minutes (0654) 40 / 60 marks 20%

Syllabus Structure

The Physics component comprises 6 major topic areas:

Physical quantities and measurement techniques; motion; mass, weight and density; effects of forces; moments; energy, work and power; pressure.

Kinetic particle model of matter; thermal properties and temperature; transfer of thermal energy (conduction, convection, radiation).

General properties of waves; light (reflection, refraction, thin converging lenses); electromagnetic spectrum; sound.

Simple phenomena of magnetism; electrical quantities; electric circuits and electrical safety; electromagnetic effects.

The nuclear model of the atom; the nucleus; radioactivity (alpha, beta, gamma emissions, half-life, safety).

The Solar System; stars and the Universe (Hubble constant, redshift, Big Bang theory).

Official Academic Resources

Download official CIE Science syllabuses and curriculum guides:

Combined Science (0653) Syllabus (2025-2027) Co-ordinated Sciences (0654) Syllabus (2025-2027)

2. Study Lessons

Access mapped worksheets, notes, and topic question banks for each specific science pathway:

Subtopic Syllabus Title Revision Notes Multiple Choice Theory Questions Practice Questions
Topic 1: Motion forces and energy
1.1 Physical Quantities and Measurement Techniques Notes MCQ Theory Practice
1.2 Motion Notes MCQ Theory N/A
1.3 Mass, Weight and Density Notes MCQ Theory Practice
1.4 Effects of Forces Notes MCQ Theory Practice
1.5 Energy, Work and Power Notes MCQ Theory Practice
1.6 Pressure Notes MCQ Theory N/A
Topic 2: Thermal physics
2.1 Kinetic Particle Model of Matter Notes MCQ Theory N/A
2.2 Thermal Properties and Temperature Notes MCQ Theory Practice
2.3 Transfer of Thermal Energy Notes MCQ Theory Practice
Topic 3: Waves
3.1 General Properties of Waves Notes MCQ Theory N/A
3.2 Light Notes MCQ Theory Practice
3.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum Notes MCQ Theory N/A
3.4 Sound Notes MCQ Theory N/A
Topic 4: Electricity and Magnetism
4.1 Simple Phenomena of Magnetism Notes MCQ Theory N/A
4.2 Electrical Quantities Notes MCQ Theory Practice
4.3 Electric Circuits and Electrical Safety Notes MCQ Theory Practice
4.4 Electromagnetic Effects Notes MCQ Theory N/A
Topic 5: Nuclear Physics
5.1 The Nucleus Notes MCQ Theory N/A
5.2 Radioactivity Notes MCQ Theory N/A
Topic 6: Space Physics
6.1 The Solar System Notes MCQ Theory N/A
6.2 Stars and the Universe Notes MCQ Theory N/A
Subtopic Syllabus Title Revision Notes Practice Questions
Topic 1: Motion, Forces & Energy
1.1 Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques Notes N/A
1.2 Motion Notes Practice Questions
1.3 Mass, Weight & Density Notes Practice Questions
1.4 Effects of Forces Notes Practice Questions
1.5 Energy, Work & Power Notes Practice Questions
1.6 Pressure Notes N/A
Topic 2: Thermal Physics
2.1 Kinetic Particle Model of Matter Notes Practice Questions
2.2 Thermal Properties & Temperature Notes N/A
2.3 Transfer of Thermal Energy Notes Practice Questions
Topic 3: Waves
3.1 General Properties of Waves Notes Practice Questions
3.2 Light Notes Practice Questions
3.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum Notes Practice Questions
3.4 Sound Notes Practice Questions
Topic 4: Electricity & Magnetism
4.1 Electrical Quantities Notes Practice Questions
4.2 Electric Circuits & Electrical Safety Notes N/A
Topic 5: Space Physics
5.1 The Solar System Notes Practice Questions
5.2 Stars & the Universe Notes Practice Questions