Edexcel Foundation Combined Science physics exam questions
Thirteen free PDF exam practice workbooks for the physics in Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science, written for the Foundation tier, double grades 1-1 to 5-5. There is one workbook for every physics topic on Papers 5 and 6, with 1,400 original questions in 116 modules and a worked mark scheme at the back of each book.
These are not past papers. Each module drills one part of the specification with numbered questions and mark allocations, so a student can practise a method until it is secure, mark it like an examiner, and still sit Pearson’s own past papers fresh.
Free to download. No sign up, no email required. Independent resources aligned to Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science 1SC0, not produced, approved or endorsed by Pearson or Edexcel.
Which Foundation physics topics can I practise?
All 13 physics topics in Edexcel Combined Science, one workbook each. Topics 1 to 6 are examined on Physics Paper 5, and Topic 1 with topics 8 to 15 on Physics Paper 6. Need a topic taught first? Use the Edexcel Foundation Combined Science learning books.
Topic 1: Key Concepts of Physics
Covers SI base and derived units, large and small prefixes, time, length and area conversions, standard form and significant figures, ending with a mixed conversion module. 82 printable pages.
Download Topic 1Topic 2: Motion and Forces
Covers scalars and vectors, speed and laboratory methods, distance-time and velocity-time graphs, acceleration, Newton’s laws and the core practical, weight, and stopping distance and road safety. 82 printable pages.
Download Topic 2Topic 3: Conservation of Energy
Covers gravitational potential and kinetic energy, energy stores and transfer diagrams, conservation, dissipation and lubrication, insulation, efficiency, and energy resources and trends. 82 printable pages.
Download Topic 3Topic 4: Waves
Covers what waves transfer, transverse and longitudinal waves, wave quantities, the wave equations, measuring sound and ripple speeds, refraction and both parts of the waves core practical. 82 printable pages.
Download Topic 4Topic 5: Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Covers electromagnetic properties, spectrum order, frequency and wavelength calculations, the refraction core practical, then the uses and hazards of each part of the spectrum. 82 printable pages.
Download Topic 5Topic 6: Radioactivity
Covers atomic structure and isotopes, electron orbits and ions, models of the atom, ionising radiation, nuclear equations, background radiation, activity, half-life, hazards, and contamination and irradiation. 84 printable pages.
Download Topic 6Topic 8: Energy: Forces Doing Work
Covers energy stores and pathways, conservation, work done by a force, gravitational potential and kinetic energy, dissipation, power, efficiency and a stair-climbing power investigation. 84 printable pages.
Download Topic 8Topic 9: Forces and their Effects
Covers contact and non-contact interactions, scalar and vector quantities, and friction, heating and lubrication, each practised twice: first on its own, then in a mixed module. 42 printable pages, in a shorter format with worked answers.
Download Topic 9Topic 10: Electricity and Circuits
Covers charge and current, circuit symbols and meters, resistance, series and parallel circuits, the I-V core practical, diodes, LDRs and thermistors, heating, power, and mains safety. 104 printable pages.
Download Topic 10Topic 12: Magnetism and the Motor Effect
Covers poles and magnetic materials, permanent and induced magnetism, field patterns, compasses and the Earth’s field, the field around a wire, solenoids and electromagnets. 71 printable pages.
Download Topic 12Topic 13: Electromagnetic Induction
Covers the National Grid and transformer positions, high-voltage transmission and cable losses, the ideal-transformer power equation and transmission data. 55 printable pages.
Download Topic 13Topic 14: Particle Model
Covers particles, states and density, the density core practical, changes of state, specific heat capacity and latent heat, insulation, the water core practical, gas pressure and absolute zero. 87 printable pages.
Download Topic 14Topic 15: Forces and Matter
Covers distortion and recovery, Hooke’s law and the spring constant, force-extension graphs, work done and elastic energy, and the spring core practical. 59 printable pages.
Download Topic 15How is each workbook organised?
Each workbook opens with a coverage page and a module map that lists the Pearson statements every module tests. Apart from Topic 9, every module starts with a method reminder and a worked example, then sets 12 numbered questions, or 16 in Topic 1. The mark scheme at the back gives one mark per numbered point.
The practice routine in every workbook
- Learn: read the module reminder, the equations and the worked example
- Practise: answer all the questions in the module without looking at the mark scheme
- Mark: award one mark for each numbered answer point, accepting equivalent scientific wording
- Repair: record whether each lost mark was a concept, graph, equation, conversion or method error
- Retest: cover the old answers and repeat the weakest modules after revision
What else is inside
- a coverage page stating which statements are in this tier and which are left out
- a module map with the Pearson statement references and question count for each module
- a mark allocation on every question, except in the Topic 9 workbook
- ruled space for working and answers under every question
- a diagnostic scorecard for a first attempt and a retest, and a repair and retest log in every workbook except Topic 9
- 42 to 104 printable A4 pages per workbook, 996 in all
What does each workbook cover?
116 modules across 13 workbooks, listed by Edexcel topic. Module titles follow each workbook’s own module map, and the specification statements are printed in the books.
Topic 1: Key Concepts of Physics
- SI base units and quantity symbols
- SI derived units and compound units
- Large prefixes: kilo, mega and giga
- Small prefixes: centi, milli, micro and nano
- Time, length, area and mixed-unit conversions
- Standard form and powers of ten
- Significant figures and rounding
- Integrated SI-unit and conversion mastery
Topic 2: Motion and Forces
- Scalars, vectors, distance and displacement
- Speed calculations and laboratory methods
- Distance-time graphs and gradient
- Acceleration and equations of motion
- Velocity-time graphs and free fall
- Resultant forces and Newton’s first and third laws
- Newton’s second law and the core practical
- Weight and gravitational field strength
- Reaction time, thinking and stopping distance
- Braking distance, deceleration and road safety
Topic 3: Conservation of Energy
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy
- Energy stores and transfer diagrams
- Energy changes in physical systems
- Conservation of energy and closed systems
- Dissipation, friction and lubrication
- Thermal insulation and cooling
- Efficiency calculations and comparisons
- Energy resources and their uses
- Patterns and trends in resource use
Topic 4: Waves
- Wave transfer: energy, information and evidence
- Transverse and longitudinal waves
- Frequency, wavelength, amplitude and period
- Reading wave snapshots and time traces
- Wave-speed equations and unit conversions
- Measuring sound and ripple speeds
- Refraction: boundaries and direction changes
- Core practical: waves in a metal rod
- Core practical: waves in a ripple tank
- Integrated waves and practical interpretation
Topic 5: Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Electromagnetic properties and energy transfer
- Spectrum order, colours and visible detection
- Frequency, wavelength and vacuum calculations
- Core practical: tracing rays through glass
- Core practical: variables, precision and evaluation
- Radio waves and microwaves: uses and hazards
- Infrared and visible light: uses and detection
- Ultraviolet: uses, fluorescence and harm
- X-rays and gamma rays: uses and harm
- Potential danger and radiation from matter
Topic 6: Radioactivity
- Atomic structure and isotopes
- Electron orbits, radiation and ions
- Changing models of the atom
- Ionising radiation and penetration
- Nuclear changes and equation balances
- Background radiation and detection
- Activity, randomness and decay models
- Half-life: calculations and graphs
- Radiation hazards and precautions
- Contamination and irradiation
Topic 8: Energy: Forces Doing Work
- Energy stores and transfer pathways
- Conservation and energy-flow diagrams
- Work done by a constant force
- Measuring work: force and distance
- Gravitational potential energy
- Kinetic energy and speed
- Work, motion and dissipation
- Power: energy transferred per second
- Efficiency and useful output
- Investigating power: stair climbing
Topic 9: Forces and their Effects
- Interactions: contact and non-contact
- Scalar and vector quantities
- Friction, heating and lubrication
- Mixed interactions and vector language
- Applied scalar/vector reasoning
- Energy-loss and lubrication applications
Topic 10: Electricity and Circuits
- Atoms, charge and current
- Circuit symbols and meter connections
- Potential difference, energy and resistance
- Series circuits and voltage sharing
- Parallel circuits and junction currents
- Core practical: resistor and lamp I-V
- Diodes, LDRs and thermistors
- Electrical heating and transferred energy
- Electrical power and device outputs
- Direct current, alternating current and mains
- Earth, fuses, switches and mains hazards
- Circuit review: ratings, practicals and calculations
Topic 12: Magnetism and the Motor Effect
- Poles, magnetic materials and uses
- Permanent and induced magnetism
- Bar-magnet and uniform fields
- Plotting compasses and Earth
- Magnetic field around a straight current
- Solenoid fields and electromagnets
- Investigating current and field: evidence
- Shared-content review and diagram repair
Topic 13: Electromagnetic Induction
- The National Grid: route and transformer positions
- High voltage, low current and cable losses
- Ideal transformer power and conservation
- Transformer equation: finding unknown values
- Transmission data: controlled comparisons
- Grid and transformer review and repair
Topic 14: Particle Model
- Particles, states and density explanations
- Density calculations and conversions
- Core practical: density of solids and liquids
- Changes of state and energy stores
- Specific heat capacity: temperature changes
- Specific latent heat: changing state
- Thermal insulation and cooling evidence
- Core practical: water heating and melting ice
- Gas pressure and temperature: particle reasoning
- Absolute zero and the kelvin scale
Topic 15: Forces and Matter
- Forces, distortion and recovery
- Hooke law: force, extension and spring constant
- Linear and non-linear force-extension graphs
- Work done and elastic energy
- Core practical: extension and work done
- Forces and matter review and repair
How should a student use these?
One module at a time, after the topic has been taught. Answer without notes, mark strictly against the numbered points, note why each mark was lost, then return to the weakest modules a few days later.
If the exam is months away
Learn each topic first, from class notes or our learning books, then work through its workbook one or two modules a week, in order.
If the exam is weeks away
Go to the review or integrated module at the end of each workbook for the weakest topics first. Any module that scores low is the one to repeat, then move on to Pearson past papers for timed practice.
If you are resitting
Resit students often know the content but lose marks on units, substitution and method. Mark strictly against the numbered points: a missing unit costs the mark in the real exam too.
Guide: GCSE past papers
Where to find real past papers and mark schemes to practise with alongside these books.
Read the past papers guideGuide: maths skills for Physics
The equations, rearranging, graphs and standard form that physics questions expect, in one checklist.
Read the maths skills guideGuide: GCSE Science resits
How Combined and separate Science resits work, and how to plan the months before the exam.
Read the resits guideExam workbook questions
The workbooks are free for personal use, every question has an answer, and they are written for the Edexcel Foundation tier, double grades 1-1 to 5-5. These answers cover marking, Topic 9, tiers, papers and licensing.
Are these real Pearson past paper questions?
No. Every question, value, graph and marking point is independently written. The workbooks follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Combined Science 1SC0 physics content without reproducing any past-paper question, mark scheme wording or illustration, so they can be used alongside Pearson’s own past papers without overlap.
How are the answers marked?
Each question shows its marks, and the mark scheme gives one numbered answer point per mark. Equivalent scientific wording and methods are accepted, so calculations need the equation, the substitution and the unit as well as the final number. Module scores are for spotting weak areas, not GCSE grades.
Is the Topic 9 workbook different?
Yes. Topic 9, Forces and their Effects, is shorter and uses a simpler layout: the questions carry no mark allocations and the answers are worked answers rather than numbered marking points. Its later modules also reuse earlier questions as mixed practice, which is why 22 of its 72 questions appear twice.
Are they free? What is the licence?
The workbooks are free to download for personal and household educational use. Tutors and schools need permission before copying them for learners, and resale, paid redistribution and third-party uploading are not permitted.
Which papers do the topics come up on?
Edexcel Combined Science has six papers, two each in biology, chemistry and physics, all sat at the same tier. Physics Paper 5 covers topics 1 to 6 and Physics Paper 6 covers topic 1 again plus topics 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Each is 1 hour 10 minutes, 60 marks and 16.67% of the qualification.
How are these different from your learning books?
They do different jobs. The learning books teach each topic from scratch, lesson by lesson. These workbooks assume the topic has been taught and drill exam-style questions with a mark scheme. Learn first, then practise. The Foundation workbooks leave out the Higher-only statements, and each coverage page says which.
My child keeps losing marks on the same module. What next?
Repeating the same questions rarely fixes it, because the problem is usually the method rather than the practice. If a module still scores low after two honest attempts, get the method retaught by a teacher at school or a tutor. The first 30 minutes of a lesson with us are free.
Practice finds the gaps. A tutor closes them
Fourteen of our tutors teach Science, and Combined Science is covered by tutors who teach across biology, chemistry and physics. Lessons are one to one on Zoom, £30 each, and the first 30 minutes are free with no card details. If a module keeps scoring low after two attempts, that is usually the sign to get help with the method rather than repeat the questions.