Free GCSE Physics Practice Test

Ten GCSE physics questions on forces, energy, electricity and waves, with the equation and working for each.

1. What is the unit of force?

Answer: Force is measured in newtons (N).

2. An object travels 100 m in 20 s. What is its speed?

Answer: Speed = distance ÷ time = 100 ÷ 20 = 5 m/s.

3. What is the unit of energy?

Answer: Energy is measured in joules (J).

4. Which equation gives power?

Answer: Power is energy transferred per second: P = E ÷ t.

5. A current of 2 A flows through a 6 Ω resistor. What is the potential difference?

Answer: V = I × R = 2 × 6 = 12 V.

6. What is the weight of a 5 kg mass where g = 10 N/kg?

Answer: W = m × g = 5 × 10 = 50 N.

7. Which of these is a longitudinal wave?

Answer: Sound waves vibrate along the direction of travel (longitudinal); light and radio are transverse.

8. What is the unit of electrical resistance?

Answer: Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).

9. Roughly how fast does light travel in a vacuum?

Answer: About 3 × 10⁸ m/s: 300,000,000 m/s.

10. Which energy store does a stretched spring have?

Answer: Stretching or squashing stores energy in the elastic potential store.

About this test

Physics marks depend on recalling equations and units, then substituting carefully. These questions practise both: know the equation, write it down, put the numbers in, give the unit.

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