If you are searching for a clear breakdown of AQA GCSE physics paper 2 topics, this guide gives you the whole picture in one place, without the guesswork. Paper 2 is the exam that catches most students out, mainly because it sits at the end of the exam season and covers content that many schools teach last. Forces, waves, magnetism and space physics all land in this paper, and each one carries its own style of question.
In this guide you will learn exactly which units are examined, how the paper is structured, which required practicals can appear, which equations you must recall from memory, and how to build a revision plan that actually works. Whether you are sitting Triple Science or Combined Science Trilogy, you will finish this article knowing what to revise and in what order.
What Is Physics Paper 2 and How Is It Assessed?
Physics Paper 2 is the second of two written exams in the AQA GCSE Physics specification (8463). It tests the second half of the course and is worth half of your final grade.
Here is the format at a glance:
- GCSE Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50 percent of the GCSE
- Combined Science Trilogy Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes, 70 marks, 16.7 percent of the GCSE
- Question types: multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and extended open response
- Available at both Foundation tier and Higher tier
- A calculator is allowed and you will need one
How Paper 2 differs from Paper 1
Paper 1 covers energy, electricity, particle model of matter and atomic structure. Paper 2 picks up from topic 5 onwards. The style of questioning also shifts. Paper 2 leans more heavily on graphs, vector diagrams, multi step calculations and written explanations of physical processes such as induction or red shift. Students who only memorise definitions tend to struggle here, because examiners want reasoning.
AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2 Topics in Full
Anyone asking what's on AQA physics paper 2 is really asking about four units. Below is the full AQA physics paper 2 topic list, with the key ideas inside each one.
Topic 5: Forces
This is the largest and most heavily weighted unit on the paper. Expect it in almost every section.
- Scalar and vector quantities, including how to draw and interpret free body diagrams
- Contact forces and forces that act at a distance, such as gravity and magnetism
- Resultant forces, resolution of forces and work done
- Elasticity, spring constant and Hooke's law
- Moments, levers and gears (and pressure in fluids for the Physics only route)
- Distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
- Newton's three laws of motion and terminal velocity
- Stopping distance, thinking distance, braking distance and reaction time
- Momentum and conservation of momentum at Higher tier
Topic 6: Waves
- Transverse and longitudinal waves, including amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period
- The wave speed equation and how to apply it to real situations
- Reflection, refraction and wave behaviour at boundaries
- Sound waves, ultrasound, seismic waves and echo sounding for Triple Science students
- The electromagnetic spectrum in order, plus uses and dangers of each type
- Lenses, ray diagrams, visible light, colour and black body radiation for Triple Science
Topic 7: Magnetism and Electromagnetism
- Permanent and induced magnets, magnetic fields and field lines
- Electromagnets, solenoids and the field around a current carrying wire
- The motor effect, Fleming's left hand rule and the force on a conductor
- Induced potential, the generator effect, alternators and dynamos at Triple level
- Transformers, microphones and loudspeakers at Triple level
Topic 8: Space Physics
Space physics appears only on the Triple Science Physics paper. It is not examined in Combined Science Trilogy.
- The solar system, life cycle of stars and the formation of elements
- Orbital motion, satellites and the relationship between speed and radius
- Red shift, the expanding universe and evidence for the Big Bang
Required Practicals That Can Appear on Paper 2
Practical questions are guaranteed, so treat them as content rather than an afterthought. The practicals linked to Paper 2 content are:
- Force and extension, investigating the relationship for a spring
- Acceleration, investigating how force and mass affect the acceleration of a trolley
- Waves, measuring wavelength, frequency and speed in a ripple tank and in a solid
- Light, investigating reflection and refraction at different surfaces (Triple Science)
- Radiation and absorption, using a Leslie cube to compare infrared emission from different surfaces
For each one, learn the independent variable, the dependent variable, the control variables, one source of error and one improvement. Examiners reward precision here far more than they reward long descriptions.
Equations, Command Words and the Marks Students Lose
A large slice of Paper 2 is calculation based, and the marks are usually lost in the same three places: unit conversion, rearranging formulae and rounding too early.
Some equations are provided in the exam and some must be recalled from memory. AQA has changed these arrangements more than once in recent years, so check the current specification on the AQA website before you build your equation flashcards. Never assume last year's rules still apply.
Pay close attention to command words too. Describe asks you to say what happens. Explain asks you to say why it happens. Calculate expects working and a unit. Evaluate expects both sides and a judgement.
How to approach the extended response questions
The 6 mark questions reward structure. Plan three short points, link each to a physical principle, and use correct terminology such as induced, resultant, or wavelength rather than vague words like moves or goes up. Writing less but writing it precisely almost always scores higher.
Building a Revision Plan That Works
Effective GCSE physics paper 2 revision is about spacing and retrieval, not rereading notes. A simple six week structure works well for most students.
- Weeks 1 and 2: Forces, including motion graphs and Newton's laws
- Week 3: Waves and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Week 4: Magnetism and electromagnetism
- Week 5: Space physics for Triple students, or a second pass through forces for Combined students
- Week 6: Full past papers under timed conditions, then mark them against the official mark scheme
Alongside this, do 20 minutes of past paper questions daily rather than one long session at the weekend. Keep a written log of every question you get wrong and revisit it seven days later.
Extra support for students in Great Portland Street, London and beyond
Families around Great Portland Street, London often juggle school, travel and tuition in a very tight schedule, which is why online tutoring has become the practical choice for so many households in central London. Live online classes remove the commute, allow lessons to be recorded for later review, and let students work through past paper questions with a specialist rather than alone at the kitchen table.
At Amalearning, classes run through the Amalearning app with UK teachers who have 15 years plus of classroom and examining experience. Tuition covers GCSE, IGCSE and O and A Levels for the AQA and Edexcel boards only, across physics, chemistry, biology and maths. That narrow board focus matters, because a tutor who knows the AQA mark scheme in detail can tell you precisely which words earn the mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics are on AQA Physics Paper 2?
Paper 2 covers four units: Forces, Waves, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, and Space Physics. Space Physics is examined only in Triple Science Physics and does not appear in Combined Science Trilogy.
How long is AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2?
Triple Science Physics Paper 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 100 marks. Combined Science Trilogy Physics Paper 2 is 1 hour 15 minutes and worth 70 marks.
Is Paper 2 harder than Paper 1?
Most students find Paper 2 more demanding because forces and electromagnetism involve multi step calculations and vector reasoning. It is also taught later in the course, so students often have less time to consolidate it.
Are the equations given to you in Physics Paper 2?
Some equations are supplied in the exam and others must be memorised. AQA has adjusted this in recent years, so confirm the current position on the AQA website and revise the recall list accordingly.
Which Paper 2 topics carry the most marks?
Forces is consistently the largest unit, followed by Waves. If your revision time is limited, secure motion graphs, Newton's laws, stopping distances and the wave speed equation first.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the AQA GCSE physics paper 2 topics is the first step, but turning that knowledge into marks takes structured practice, honest self testing and feedback from someone who understands the mark scheme. Focus on forces, master your required practicals, learn your command words, and work through real past papers under timed conditions.
If you want your GCSE physics paper 2 revision guided by a specialist rather than left to chance, book a trial lesson with Amalearning today. Our UK based teachers deliver live online classes through the Amalearning app for AQA and Edexcel students in physics, chemistry, biology and maths. Get in touch and give your child the exam confidence they deserve before results day arrives.
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