Cambridge International · O Level
5054 O Level Physics
Source: Cambridge International 5054 specification · Confirm the syllabus year with your school.
Exam infoExam structure, syllabus and formula booklet0 official documents
Syllabus for exams in 2026–2028
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Multiple Choice | 1 h | 40 | 30% |
| Paper 2 Theory | 1 h 45 min | 80 | 50% |
| Paper 3 Practical Test | 1 h 30 min | 40 | 20% |
| Paper 4 Alternative to Practical | 1 h | 40 | 20% |
- Everyone takes Papers 1 and 2, plus either Paper 3 or Paper 4.
- Paper 1 has 40 four-option multiple-choice questions; Paper 2 has short-answer and structured questions.
- Equations you must recall are listed in the syllabus; no formula sheet is given.
Summarised from the official specification, checked 19 Oct 2026. The board's document is the final word.
All Cambridge documents: exam rules, key dates and grade thresholds →
Paper 1Multiple Choice6 topics
- Motion, forces and energy
Physical quantities and measurement · Speed, velocity and acceleration · Mass, weight and density · Forces and motion · Springs and Hooke's law · Turning effect and centre of gravity · Momentum and impulse · Energy, work and power · Energy resources · Pressure10 lessons - Thermal physics
Kinetic particle model and gases · Thermal expansion and specific heat capacity · Melting, boiling and evaporation · Transfer of thermal energy4 lessons - Waves
General properties of waves · Reflection and refraction of light · Lenses and dispersion · Electromagnetic spectrum · Sound5 lessons - Electricity and magnetism
Magnetism and magnetic fields · Charge, current and potential difference · Resistance · Series and parallel circuits · Electrical power, energy and safety · Electromagnetic induction and generators · Electromagnets and motors · Transformers8 lessons - Nuclear physics
The nuclear atom · Radioactive emissions and decay · Half-life, uses and safety · Fission and fusion4 lessons - Space physics
Earth and the Solar System · Stars and the Universe2 lessons
Paper 2Theory6 topics
- Motion, forces and energy
Physical quantities and measurement · Speed, velocity and acceleration · Mass, weight and density · Forces and motion · Springs and Hooke's law · Turning effect and centre of gravity · Momentum and impulse · Energy, work and power · Energy resources · Pressure10 lessons - Thermal physics
Kinetic particle model and gases · Thermal expansion and specific heat capacity · Melting, boiling and evaporation · Transfer of thermal energy4 lessons - Waves
General properties of waves · Reflection and refraction of light · Lenses and dispersion · Electromagnetic spectrum · Sound5 lessons - Electricity and magnetism
Magnetism and magnetic fields · Charge, current and potential difference · Resistance · Series and parallel circuits · Electrical power, energy and safety · Electromagnetic induction and generators · Electromagnets and motors · Transformers8 lessons - Nuclear physics
The nuclear atom · Radioactive emissions and decay · Half-life, uses and safety · Fission and fusion4 lessons - Space physics
Earth and the Solar System · Stars and the Universe2 lessons
Paper 3Practical Test1 topics
- Practical skills
Measurements, tables and graphs1 lessons
Paper 4Alternative to Practical1 topics
- Practical skills
Measurements, tables and graphs1 lessons