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GCSE Physics (AQA) MCQs with answers

Practise GCSE Physics (AQA) (AQA 8463) with 308 exam-style MCQs, each with the answer and a short explanation. Every test is marked the moment you finish and shows your score chapter by chapter, so you know what to revise next. It is free and needs no sign-up.

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GCSE Physics (AQA) MCQs with answers

Practise GCSE Physics (AQA) (AQA 8463) with 308 exam-style MCQs, each with the answer and a short explanation. Every test is marked the moment you finish and shows your score chapter by chapter, so you know what to revise next. It is free and needs no sign-up.

308 questions · 8 chapters

What each chapter covers 8 chapters

The questions follow the syllabus chapter by chapter. You can test the whole subject or one chapter at a time.

  1. Energy 31 questionsEnergy stores, energy changes and specific heat capacity (AQA 4.1.1.1–4.1.1.3), Power, conservation and dissipation of energy, and efficiency (AQA 4.1.1.4, 4.1.2), National and global energy resources (AQA 4.1.3)
  2. Electricity 41 questionsCurrent, potential difference, resistance and I–V characteristics (AQA 4.2.1), Series and parallel circuits (AQA 4.2.2), Mains electricity, power and the National Grid (AQA 4.2.3–4.2.4), Static electricity and electric fields (AQA 4.2.5)
  3. Particle model of matter 28 questionsDensity and changes of state (AQA 4.3.1), Internal energy, specific heat capacity and specific latent heat (AQA 4.3.2), Particle model and pressure in gases (AQA 4.3.3)
  4. Atomic structure 34 questionsAtoms, isotopes and the development of the atomic model (AQA 4.4.1), Radioactive decay, nuclear equations, half-life and contamination (AQA 4.4.2), Background radiation, uses of radiation, fission and fusion (AQA 4.4.3–4.4.4)
  5. Forces 72 questionsForces and their interactions: scalars, vectors, weight and resultant forces (AQA 4.5.1), Work done and forces and elasticity (AQA 4.5.2–4.5.3), Moments, levers and gears (AQA 4.5.4), Pressure in fluids and atmospheric pressure (AQA 4.5.5), Describing motion: speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs (AQA 4.5.6.1), Newton's laws of motion and stopping distances (AQA 4.5.6.2–4.5.6.3), Momentum (AQA 4.5.7)
  6. Waves 50 questionsTransverse and longitudinal waves and wave properties (AQA 4.6.1.1–4.6.1.2), Reflection, sound and waves for detection and exploration (AQA 4.6.1.3–4.6.1.5), Electromagnetic waves: properties, uses and hazards (AQA 4.6.2.1–4.6.2.4), Lenses and visible light (AQA 4.6.2.5–4.6.2.6), Black body radiation (AQA 4.6.3)
  7. Magnetism and electromagnetism 32 questionsMagnets, magnetic fields and electromagnets (AQA 4.7.1, 4.7.2.1), The motor effect, electric motors and loudspeakers (AQA 4.7.2.2–4.7.2.4), Induced potential, generators, microphones and transformers (AQA 4.7.3)
  8. Space physics 20 questionsSolar system, life cycle of a star and orbital motion (AQA 4.8.1), Red-shift and the expanding universe (AQA 4.8.2)
Sample GCSE Physics (AQA) MCQs with answers 12 questions

12 questions from the test, one or two from each chapter. Try each one, then open the answer.

1. A cyclist speeds up from 4 m/s to 8 m/s. What happens to the kinetic energy of the cyclist and bicycle?

  1. A
    it doubles
  2. B
    it increases by a factor of 4
  3. C
    it increases by a factor of 8
  4. D
    it increases by a factor of 16
Show answer

Answer: B. Kinetic energy depends on v². Doubling the speed multiplies v² by 2² = 4, so the kinetic energy is four times bigger.

2. The potential difference across a resistor is 6.0 V and the current through it is 0.25 A. What is its resistance?

  1. A
    1.5 Ω
  2. B
    0.042 Ω
  3. C
    6.25 Ω
  4. D
    24 Ω
Show answer

Answer: D. R = V ÷ I = 6.0 ÷ 0.25 = 24 Ω. Multiplying gives 1.5; dividing the wrong way round gives 0.042.

3. A liquid has a density of 800 kg/m³. What is the mass of 0.050 m³ of the liquid?

  1. A
    40 kg
  2. B
    16 000 kg
  3. C
    160 kg
  4. D
    6.25 × 10−5 kg
Show answer

Answer: A. m = ρV = 800 × 0.050 = 40 kg. Dividing 800 by 0.050 gives 16 000.

4. What is a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

  1. A
    two light nuclei joining one after another
  2. B
    nuclei decaying randomly one after another
  3. C
    neutrons released by fission go on to cause more fission events
  4. D
    alpha particles released by fission cause fusion
Show answer

Answer: C. Each fission releases two or three neutrons. If these are absorbed by other U-235 nuclei, they split too, and the process repeats.

5. A 0.050 kg ball at rest is hit by a bat and leaves at 30 m/s. The bat is in contact with the ball for 0.010 s. What is the average force on the ball?

  1. A
    15 N
  2. B
    150 N
  3. C
    1.5 N
  4. D
    1500 N
Show answer

Answer: B. F = mΔv ÷ Δt = 0.050 × 30 ÷ 0.010 = 1.5 ÷ 0.010 = 150 N.

6. A ship sends a sonar pulse to the sea bed and receives the echo 0.80 s later. Sound travels at 1500 m/s in sea water. How deep is the water?

  1. A
    1200 m
  2. B
    300 m
  3. C
    600 m
  4. D
    1875 m
Show answer

Answer: C. Total distance = 1500 × 0.80 = 1200 m for the journey there and back. Depth = 1200 ÷ 2 = 600 m.

7. Which change increases the potential difference induced when a magnet is pushed into a coil?

  1. A
    moving the magnet faster
  2. B
    moving the magnet more slowly
  3. C
    using a coil with fewer turns
  4. D
    using a weaker magnet
Show answer

Answer: A. A faster change in the magnetic field, a stronger magnet, or more turns on the coil all give a larger induced p.d.

8. Which is the correct life cycle of a star about the same size as the Sun?

  1. A
    nebula → protostar → main sequence star → red giant → white dwarf → black dwarf
  2. B
    nebula → protostar → main sequence star → red supergiant → supernova → neutron star
  3. C
    nebula → main sequence star → protostar → red giant → white dwarf
  4. D
    nebula → protostar → main sequence star → red giant → supernova → black hole
Show answer

Answer: A. A Sun-sized star swells to a red giant, then shrinks to a white dwarf that cools to a black dwarf. Supernovas happen only to stars much more massive than the Sun.

9. The amount of electricity generated from coal in the UK has fallen sharply in recent years. What is the most likely reason?

  1. A
    coal has become a renewable resource
  2. B
    coal power stations cannot be switched on quickly
  3. C
    concern about carbon dioxide emissions and climate change led to coal power stations being closed
  4. D
    coal power stations produce radioactive waste
Show answer

Answer: C. Coal releases the most carbon dioxide per unit of energy of the fossil fuels, so governments have closed coal stations to reduce emissions.

10. Which describes the UK mains electricity supply?

  1. A
    direct current, 50 Hz, about 230 V
  2. B
    alternating current, 50 Hz, about 230 V
  3. C
    alternating current, 230 Hz, about 50 V
  4. D
    alternating current, 60 Hz, about 120 V
Show answer

Answer: B. UK mains is an ac supply with a frequency of 50 Hz and a p.d. of about 230 V. A direct supply does not have a frequency.

11. Air in a bicycle pump is compressed quickly by pushing the piston in. Which statement is correct?

  1. A
    the gas does work on the piston, so its temperature falls
  2. B
    the temperature stays constant because pV is constant
  3. C
    the internal energy decreases because the volume decreases
  4. D
    the force on the piston does work on the gas, increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules, so the temperature rises
Show answer

Answer: D. Doing work on a gas increases its internal energy. pV = constant only applies when the temperature is kept constant, which is not the case in a fast compression.

12. Where does the energy released in nuclear fusion come from?

  1. A
    some of the mass of the nuclei is converted into energy
  2. B
    chemical bonds between atoms break
  3. C
    electrons move down to lower energy levels
  4. D
    neutrons are absorbed by the nuclei
Show answer

Answer: A. The mass of the heavier nucleus is slightly less than the total mass of the nuclei that joined. This missing mass is converted into energy.

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Ways to practise 5 ways

When you get a question wrong, a short note called "The idea behind this" explains the topic it belongs to, with the rules to remember and a worked example.

Common questions

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Yes. Every test and every explanation is free, and you do not need an account. If you sign in, your results are kept across your devices.

Are these past paper questions?

The 308 MCQs are our own, written to the syllabus in the style of the exam.

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Instantly. You get your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and a list of the topics to work on.

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