Edexcel IGCSE Physics (4PH1)
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics Syllabus Portal
Welcome, students! This specialized section contains syllabus breakdowns, core study notes, targeted practice question banks, and official curriculum specifications organized dynamically to optimize your learning and help you achieve a Grade 9 (A*).
1. Course Introduction
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Physics (Syllabus Code: 4PH1) is designed to provide students with a detailed understanding of the fundamental principles of physical science, motion, forces, electricity, waves, thermodynamics, magnetism, nuclear physics, and astrophysics. Through theoretical learning and practical investigations, candidates develop analytical problem-solving skills, preparing for further studies such as Edexcel International A-Level Physics or IB DP Physics.
Assessment Outline
The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) in Physics (4PH1) is assessed through two externally examined papers. Both papers are taken at the end of the course. Scientific calculators are permitted in both examinations.
| Assessment Paper | Target Curriculum | Format & Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1P (4PH1/1P) | Core Syllabus Content | Written exam featuring multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, and structured questions — 2 hours | 110 marks | 61.1% |
| Paper 2P (4PH1/2P) | All Syllabus Content (Core and Bold/P material including Astrophysics) | Written exam featuring multiple-choice, short-answer, calculations, and open-response questions — 1 hour 15 minutes | 70 marks | 38.9% |
Syllabus Structure
The Edexcel IGCSE Physics syllabus is divided into 8 major topic areas, encompassing fundamental mechanics, energy, waves, electricity, atomic physics, and astrophysics:
1a: Movement and position (speed, velocity, acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs)
1b: Forces, movement, shape and momentum (Newton’s laws, stopping distances, terminal velocity)
1c: Momentum (conservation of momentum, impact forces, safety features)
1d: Moments (principle of moments, centre of gravity)
2a: Mains electricity (electrical safety, fuses, circuit breakers, earthing, power formulas)
2b: Current, potential difference and resistance in circuits (Ohm’s law, IV characteristics)
2c: Electrical components in series and parallel circuits (LDRs, thermistors, diodes)
2d: Static electricity (electric charge, electrostatic phenomena and applications)
3a: Properties of waves (transverse and longitudinal waves, wave equation, Doppler effect)
3b: The electromagnetic spectrum (radio to gamma, uses and hazards)
3c: Light and sound (reflection, refraction, Snell’s law, total internal reflection, critical angle, sound waves and ultrasound)
4a: Energy stores and transfers (conservation of energy, Sankey diagrams, efficiency)
4b: Work, power and thermal energy transfers (conduction, convection, radiation)
4c: Energy resources (renewable and non-renewable energy generation)
5a: Density and pressure (calculating density, pressure in liquids and gases)
5b: Changes of state and specific heat capacity (heating curves, latent heat)
5c: Ideal gas molecules (absolute zero, Kelvin scale, Boyle’s law, pressure law)
6a: Magnetism and magnetic fields (magnetic field lines, induced magnetism)
6b: Electromagnetism (magnetic effect of a current, motor effect, Fleming’s left-hand rule, electric motors)
6c: Electromagnetic induction (generators, transformers, transformer equations)
7a: Atomic structure and radiation (alpha, beta, gamma characteristics, decay equations)
7b: Radioactive decay, half-life, uses and dangers (contamination vs irradiation)
7c: Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion (nuclear reactors, chain reactions)
8a: Motion in the universe (gravitational field strength, orbital motion of planets, moons, comets)
8b: Stellar evolution (life cycle of solar mass stars and massive stars, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram)
8c: Cosmology (cosmic microwave background radiation, redshift, Doppler equation, Big Bang theory)
Official Academic Resources
Download the official Edexcel specification and syllabus documentation below:
2. Study Lessons
Access curated study lessons, revision notes, and practice worksheets for each topic:
2.1 Save My Exams Notes & Practice
| Subtopic | Notes | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Forces and Motion | ||
1.1 Movement and Position |
Notes | Practice |
1.2 Forces, Movement and Changing Shape |
Notes | Practice |
1.3 Momentum |
Notes | Practice |
1.4 Moments |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 2: Electricity | ||
2.1 Current, Potential Difference and Resistance |
Notes | Practice |
2.2 Components in Series and Parallel Circuit |
Notes | Practice |
2.3 Electrical Power and Mains Electricity |
Notes | Practice |
2.4 Static Electricity |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 3: Energy Resources and Energy Transfers | ||
3.1 Energy Stores and Transfers |
Notes | Practice |
3.2 Work, Power and Energy Resources |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 4: Solids Liquids and Gases | ||
4.1 Density and Pressure |
Notes | Practice |
4.2 Changes of State |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 5: Waves | ||
5.1 Waves and The Electromagnetic Spectrum |
Notes | Practice |
5.2 Reflection and Refraction |
Notes | Practice |
5.3 Sound |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 6: Solids Liquids and Gases Part 2 | ||
6.1 Ideal Gases |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism | ||
7.1 Magnetism & Electromagnetism |
Notes | Practice |
7.2 Electromagnetic Induction |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 8: Radioactivity and Particles | ||
8.1 Properties of Radiation |
Notes | Practice |
8.2 Radioactivity, Uses and Dangers |
Notes | Practice |
8.3 Fission and Fusion |
Notes | Practice |
| Topic 9: Astrophysics | ||
9.1 Motion in the Universe |
Notes | Practice |
9.2 Stellar Evolution |
Notes | Practice |
9.3 Cosmology |
Notes | Practice |
2.2 More Notes & Practical Resources
Comprehensive chapter summary notes, experimental practical skills guides, and flashcards:
| Topic / Module | Summary Notes | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
|---|---|---|---|
Topic 1 Forces and Motion |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 2 Electricity |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 3 Waves |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 4 Energy Resources and Energy Transfers |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 5 Solids, Liquids and Gases |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 6 Magnetism and Electromagnetism |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 7 Radioactivity and Particles |
Summary | Practical Guide | Flashcards |
Topic 8 Astrophysics |
Summary | N/A | N/A |
3. Practice Questions
Access topic-by-topic examination practice papers for Paper 1 (Core) and Paper 2 (Extended / All Papers) with full mark schemes:
| Topic / Subtopic | Question Papers | Mark Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Forces and Motion | ||
| Forces, Movement, Shape and Momentum | ||
| Movement and Position | ||
| Topic 2: Electricity | ||
| Energy and Voltage in Circuits | ||
| Mains Electricity | ||
| Topic 3: Waves | ||
| Light and Sound | ||
| Properties of Waves | ||
| The Electromagnetic Spectrum | ||
| Topic 4: Energy Resources and Transfers | ||
| Energy Resources and Electricity Generation | ||
| Energy Transfers | ||
| Work and Power | ||
| Topic 5: Solids, Liquids and Gases | ||
| Change of State | ||
| Density and Pressure | ||
| Ideal Gas Molecules | ||
| Solids, Liquids and Gases | ||
| Topic 6: Magnetism and Electromagnetism | ||
| Electromagnetic Induction | ||
| Magnetism | ||
| Topic 7: Radioactivity and Particles | ||
| Fission and Fusion | ||
| Radioactivity | ||
| Topic / Subtopic | Question Papers | Mark Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Forces and Motion | ||
| Forces, Movement, Shape and Momentum | ||
| Movement and Position | ||
| Topic 2: Electricity | ||
| Energy and Voltage in Circuits Electric Charge | ||
| Mains Electricity | ||
| Topic 3: Waves | ||
| Light and Sound | ||
| Properties of Waves | ||
| The Electromagnetic Spectrum | ||
| Topic 4: Energy Resources and Transfers | ||
| Energy Resources and Electricity Generation | ||
| Energy Transfers | ||
| Work and Power | ||
| Topic 5: Solids, Liquids and Gases | ||
| Change of State | ||
| Density and Pressure | ||
| Topic 6: Magnetism and Electromagnetism | ||
| Magnetism | ||
| Topic 7: Radioactivity and Particles | ||
| Fission and Fusion | ||
| Motion in the Universe | ||
| Radioactivity | ||
| Topic 8: Astrophysics | ||
| Motion in the Universe | ||