H1 Physics 8867
Build H1 Physics understanding topic by topic, then check what you know and revisit the lessons that will help most.
Learning goals
- Use SI quantities, units, prefixes and dimensional analysis.
- Estimate physical quantities and check the reasonableness of results.
- Assess random, systematic and propagated uncertainties.
- Resolve, add and subtract coplanar vectors.
- Explain inertia and momentum, then apply Newton's laws using free-body diagrams.
- show a qualitative understanding of forces including normal force, frictional force and viscous force, e.g. air resistance (knowledge of the concepts of coefficients of friction and viscosity is not required)
- Apply Hooke's law within the limit of proportionality.
- Apply moments, couples and force-and-torque equilibrium using free-body diagrams and vector triangles.
- show an understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity
- apply the principle of moments to new situations or to solve related problems
- Interpret position, displacement, velocity and acceleration using equations and graphs.
- Derive the uniformly accelerated motion equations from the definitions of velocity and acceleration.
- Derive and apply uniformly accelerated motion equations with a stated sign convention.
- state and apply each of Newton’s laws of motion: 1st law: a body at rest will stay at rest, and a body in motion will continue to move at constant velocity, unless acted on by a resultant external force; 2nd law: the rate of change of momentum of a body is (directly) proportional to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction as the resultant force; and 3rd law: the force exerted by one body on a second body is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force simultaneously exerted by the second body on the first body
- Track energy stores and transfers, then apply conservation of energy.
- Define work and derive and apply the kinetic-energy relationship.
- Derive Eₖ = ½mv² from the definition of work done by a force and the uniformly accelerated motion equations.
- Represent fields and relate work done by a field to potential-energy change.
- Draw field-line representations of uniform and radial gravitational and electric fields.
- Use force–extension graphs to determine elastic potential energy.
- Apply power, mechanical power and efficiency relationships.
- Relate weight and gravitational potential energy changes in a uniform gravitational field.
- Analyse projectile motion by separating perpendicular components.
- Explain falling motion with air resistance using forces, energy and terminal velocity.
- Use impulse and momentum conservation in one-dimensional elastic and inelastic collisions.
- Express angular displacement in radians and use s = rθ.
- Relate angular velocity, period, frequency and tangential speed using v = rω.
- Explain and apply centripetal acceleration and resultant-force relationships.
- Apply Newton's law of gravitation to point and spherical masses.
- Derive and apply gravitational field strength, including the near-surface model.
- Analyse circular gravitational orbits and geostationary satellite conditions.
- Relate current to charge flow, number density and drift velocity.
- Apply potential difference, e.m.f. and electrical power relationships.
- Recall circuit symbols and draw or interpret circuit diagrams.
- Draw circuit diagrams containing sources, switches, resistors, meters, lamps, thermistors, light-dependent resistors and diodes.
- Apply resistance and resistivity, interpret I–V characteristics and explain temperature effects.
- Analyse e.m.f., terminal potential difference and internal resistance in real sources.
- Analyse series, parallel and potential-divider resistor networks.
- Calculate field strength and force in uniform electric fields.
- Analyse charged-particle motion in uniform electric fields.
- Calculate and represent magnetic fields produced by currents.
- Sketch magnetic field lines due to currents in a long straight wire, a flat circular coil and a long solenoid.
- Analyse forces on current-carrying conductors, current balances and interactions between parallel currents.
- recall and solve problems using the equation F = BIlsinθ, with directions as interpreted by Fleming’s left-hand rule
- show an understanding of how the force on a current-carrying conductor can be used to measure the flux density of a magnetic field using a current balance
- Analyse forces and paths of moving charges in uniform fields.
- Apply crossed electric and magnetic fields to velocity selection.
- Interpret nuclear structure, isotopes and Rutherford scattering.
- show an understanding that an element can exist in various isotopic forms, each with a different number of neutrons in the nucleus, and use the notation ZA X for the representation of nuclides
- state that one mole of any substance contains 6.02 × 1023 particles and use the Avogadro number NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol-1
- show an understanding of the spontaneous and random nature of nuclear decay, and use the term activity
- Analyse random radioactive decay, activity, decay constant and half-life.
- define half-life as the time taken for a quantity x to reduce to half its initial value, and use the term to solve problems which might involve information in tables or decay curves
- Relate binding energy per nucleon to fission, fusion, applications and hazards.
- represent simple nuclear reactions by nuclear equations of the form 147 N + 4 2 He → 178 O + 11H
- Apply conservation laws to nuclear equations and beta decay, including antineutrino evidence.
- Use mass-energy equivalence, mass defect and binding energy.
Start learning
Start with Quantities and Measurement and follow the roadmap in sequence.
Other ways to start
Check my course foundations
Sample the main course areas and get a suggested topic to review first. This short check does not test every topic.
Prepare for an exam
Practise recall, method selection and complete structured solutions under time pressure.
Foundations and mechanics
Quantities and Measurement
SI units, prefixes and homogeneity, Estimation, errors and uncertainty and Scalars and coplanar vectors. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Forces and Moments
Field, contact and elastic forces, Moments, couples and centre of gravity and Translational and rotational equilibrium. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Motion and Forces
Kinematics, graphs and uniform acceleration, Mass, inertia and linear momentum and Newton’s laws and resultant force. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Energy and Fields
Energy stores, work and kinetic energy, Fields and potential energy and Power and efficiency. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Projectile Motion
Weight and perpendicular motion components, Potential energy in a uniform gravitational field and Air resistance and terminal velocity. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Collisions
Impulse and force–time area, Momentum conservation and elastic interactions and Kinetic-energy change in collisions. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Circular Motion and Gravitation
Uniform circular-motion kinematics and force, Inverse-square gravitation and near-Earth field and Circular and geostationary orbits. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Electricity and electromagnetism
Currents
Current, charge flow and drift velocity, Potential difference and electromotive force and Electrical power. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Circuits
Circuit symbols and diagrams, Resistance, resistivity and component behaviour and Series, parallel and potential-divider networks. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Electromagnetism
Motion in a uniform electric field, Magnetic fields and force on a conductor and Force and deflection of moving charges. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Nuclear physics
Nuclear Physics
Nuclear atom, nuclides and amount, Radioactive decay, half-life, uses and hazards and Nuclear reactions, mass defect and binding energy. Use the linked explanations, worked methods and practice to connect these ideas.
Practice and continue learning
- Course foundations check — Sample the course to choose a starting topic, then use that topic's full check for a more precise diagnosis.
- A-Level quizzes — Build retrieval speed and check topic knowledge under pressure.
- Structured practice — Practise setup, reasoning, calculations and method marks.
About this course
8867 (2027)
Study the complete H1 Physics 8867 course in syllabus order with 11 clear topic guides, worked examples and exam practice.
H1 Physics 8867 is assessed through Paper 1 Multiple Choice and Paper 2 Structured Questions. H2-only waves, thermal physics and practical-paper requirements are outside this course.
Use this H1 route when your subject code is 8867. Your H1 progress stays separate from H2 Physics 9478.
Curriculum and content checked 9 Aug 2026
Questions about this course
Where should I start?
If the course is new, begin with Quantities and Measurement. If you are revising, use a topic check and begin with the earliest lesson you find difficult.
What should I do when a topic feels difficult?
Try the topic check without notes, study the suggested lesson, complete its practice questions and return to the topic a few days later.
When should I use quizzes and structured practice?
Use quizzes for fast recall and to find gaps. Use structured practice for explanation quality, calculation setup and method marks.
What is the H1 Physics course boundary?
Use this H1 route when your subject code is 8867. Your H1 progress stays separate from H2 Physics 9478.
Review
Review: H1 Physics 8867
Cumulative review of previously studied course topics.
About 10 minutes
Review
Review questions from topics you have studied in this course. Use the result to decide what to review; this check does not prove mastery.
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Course and syllabus information
- Course
- GCE A-Level H1 Physics
- Edition
- GCE A-Level H1 Physics 2027