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CCEA GCSE Physics: complete guide to Unit 1 and Unit 2, the exams and how to study each topic

A complete guide to CCEA GCSE Physics (Northern Ireland). Covers the two examined units (motion and forces, density, pressure and kinetic theory, energy, waves and light, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and atomic, nuclear and space physics), how the written papers are structured, the practical skills, the equations you must recall, and how to revise each topic for top grades.

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CCEA GCSE Physics is the separate (single) Physics GCSE set and marked by CCEA in Northern Ireland, examined through two written units plus a practical skills assessment. This page is the index: below is a map of the study modules, the exam structure, the practical skills, the equations you must recall, and how to study each part.

The CCEA Physics content

The specification groups the subject content into two examined units. We split that content into six study modules so that each examinable topic gets a focused answer page.

Unit 1: Motion, Force, Density and Kinetic Theory, Energy, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The mechanics, matter and nuclear foundation. It covers motion (speed, acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs), force (Newton's laws, terminal velocity, momentum, stopping distances), density and pressure, kinetic theory and heat transfer, energy (work, power, efficiency, conservation and resources), and atomic and nuclear physics (radioactivity, half-life, fission and fusion).

Unit 2: Waves, Light, Electricity, Magnetism and Electromagnetism, and Space Physics. The waves, electricity and astronomy module. It covers waves and sound, light (reflection, refraction and lenses), the electromagnetic spectrum, electricity (charge, current, voltage, resistance, circuits and mains electricity), magnetism and electromagnetism (the motor effect, generators and transformers), and space physics (the Solar System, stars, the universe and red shift).

The six study modules

Motion and forces
Speed, velocity and acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs, Newton's three laws, weight, terminal velocity, momentum and conservation of momentum, and stopping distances and vehicle safety.
Density, pressure and kinetic theory
Density and how to measure it, pressure in solids and liquids, the particle model and changes of state, gas pressure, and the three methods of heat transfer with ways of reducing unwanted transfers.
Energy
Energy stores and transfers, conservation of energy, work done, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, power and efficiency, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Waves, light and the electromagnetic spectrum
Wave properties and the wave equation, sound and ultrasound, reflection and refraction, lenses and the eye, and the electromagnetic spectrum with its uses and hazards.
Electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism
Charge, current, voltage and resistance, series and parallel circuits, I-V characteristics, electrical power and mains electricity safety, magnets and magnetic fields, the motor effect, electromagnetic induction, generators and transformers.
Atomic, nuclear and space physics
The nuclear atom and isotopes, alpha, beta and gamma radiation, half-life, the uses and dangers of radiation, fission and fusion, and space physics from the Solar System to stars, red shift and the Big Bang.

Practical skills

Practical skills are compulsory and are assessed through a practical booklet rather than a separately graded report. Core experiments include measuring the density of regular and irregular solids and of liquids, investigating acceleration down a ramp, Hooke's law for a spring, measuring specific heat capacity, finding the resistance of a wire and the I-V characteristics of components, and investigating reflection and refraction of light. You should know each method, the measurements taken, and the main sources of error.

Assessment structure

CCEA GCSE Physics is assessed by two written papers plus a practical skills assessment. A Physics Equations Sheet is provided in the written papers, and both papers are tiered.

  • Unit 1 - a written paper on motion, force, density and kinetic theory, energy, and atomic and nuclear physics.
  • Unit 2 - a written paper on waves, light, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and space physics.
  • Practical skills - assessment of practical and investigative skills based on the core experiments.

How to study CCEA Physics

Physics rewards precise definitions, confident equation work, and clear graph interpretation.

  1. Work from the specification statements. Each statement is a checklist; questions are written from them.
  2. Learn definitions and units exactly. State each law and define each quantity, and know the SI unit for every symbol.
  3. Master the equations. Rearrange fluently, carry units through calculations, and use the Equations Sheet quickly and correctly.
  4. Draw and read the standard graphs. Distance-time, velocity-time, I-V characteristics and radioactive decay curves recur and are tested by interpretation.
  5. Learn the practicals. Know each core method, its measurements and its main sources of error.
  6. Drill past papers. Attempt CCEA papers for your tier under timed conditions and mark against the official schemes.

Physics guides

In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.

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Physics practice quizzes

Multiple-choice drills with worked answer explanations. Your scores stay on this device.

The CCEA-GCSE system, explained

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Common questions about Physics

How is CCEA GCSE Physics structured?
CCEA GCSE Physics is examined through two written units. Unit 1 covers motion, force, density and kinetic theory, energy, and atomic and nuclear physics. Unit 2 covers waves, light, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and space physics. There is also a practical skills assessment. The qualification is graded on the A* to G scale used in Northern Ireland, and most of the marks come from structured short-answer, calculation and graph questions written directly from the specification statements.
What are the CCEA GCSE Physics exam papers?
There are two written papers, one for Unit 1 and one for Unit 2, each available at Foundation and Higher tier. Foundation tier targets grades C to G and Higher tier targets grades A* to D. The papers use structured short-answer questions, data and calculation questions, graph work and some short extended-writing questions, and a Physics Equations Sheet is provided. Practical skills are assessed in a separate booklet rather than as a graded coursework report.
What topics are in CCEA GCSE Physics?
Unit 1 covers motion (speed, acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs), force (Newton's laws, terminal velocity, momentum, stopping distances), density and pressure, kinetic theory and heat transfer, energy (work, power, efficiency, conservation and resources), and atomic and nuclear physics (radioactivity, half-life, fission and fusion). Unit 2 covers waves and sound, light, reflection, refraction and lenses, the electromagnetic spectrum, electricity and mains electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, and space physics including the Solar System, stars, the universe and red shift.
Which equations must I recall in CCEA GCSE Physics?
You are given a Physics Equations Sheet, but you must still know what every symbol means, the correct SI unit, and how to rearrange each equation. Core equations include average speed equals distance over time, acceleration equals change in velocity over time, force equals mass times acceleration, weight equals mass times gravitational field strength, work done equals force times distance, power equals work done over time, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, density equals mass over volume, pressure equals force over area, the wave equation, charge equals current times time, voltage equals current times resistance, electrical power and the transformer equation.
How much maths and practical work is in CCEA GCSE Physics?
Physics is the most mathematical of the three sciences. You will rearrange and use equations, substitute values with correct units, work in standard form and with prefixes, read gradients and areas from distance-time and velocity-time graphs, interpret decay and I-V graphs, and use ratios and percentages. Practical skills are compulsory and are assessed through a practical booklet covering core experiments such as measuring density, investigating acceleration, Hooke's law, specific heat capacity, resistance and the I-V characteristics of components.
How should I revise CCEA GCSE Physics?
Work topic by topic against the specification statements, because questions are written directly from them. Drill the equations and rearranging until they are automatic, and learn the SI unit for every quantity. Learn definitions precisely for State and Define command words, practise drawing and reading distance-time, velocity-time, I-V and decay graphs, and learn the practical methods and their main sources of error. Then attempt CCEA past papers for your tier under timed conditions, marking against the official mark schemes.
How do I approach projectile motion problems?
Split the motion into horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (constant acceleration due to gravity). Use t as the shared variable across both axes.
What's the difference between work and power?
Work (J) is energy transferred by a force over a distance. Power (W) is the rate of doing work β€” work divided by time.
When is momentum conserved?
In any collision (elastic or inelastic) where no external net force acts on the system. Kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.
What's the photoelectric effect?
Light shone on a metal can eject electrons, but only if the photon energy (hf) exceeds the work function. The kinetic energy of the ejected electron is hf - W. Evidence that light behaves as discrete quanta (photons).
How do magnetic forces on current-carrying wires work?
F = BIL sin ΞΈ for a wire in a uniform field B with current I and length L. Direction comes from the right-hand rule. Underpins motors, generators, and ammeters.