National 5 Physics hub
Overview
Everything for National 5 Physics in one place.
A simple revision plan
- 1) Learn key ideas — short, visual notes and videos.
- 2) Practise problems until they feel routine.
- 3) Do past papers by topic to spot weak areas.
- 4) Little and often — consistency beats cramming.
SQA marking principles
- Calculations: formula, substitution, final answer with unit.
- Show questions: show all working.
- Explain/justify: link cause to effect clearly and simply.
- Graphs: label axes and units, sensible scale, clear line.
Course outline
- Dynamics: forces, motion, Newton's laws, energy and power.
- Properties of Matter: density, specific heat, specific latent heat, gas laws.
- Waves and Optics: waves, sound, light, refraction, lenses, diffraction.
- Electricity: voltage, current, resistance, AC/DC, power, energy.
- Magnetism & Electromagnetism: field patterns, motors, transformers, induction.
- Nuclear Physics: atomic structure, nuclear processes, fission, fusion.
Practise
The two best ways to practise past-paper questions.
ExternalDELTA by Mr Taylor
RecommendedPast-paper multiple choice, 2026 included. It marks itself. Pick a topic, or try exam mode.
Past Paper Finder
RecommendedEvery past-paper question by topic, 2026 included. By Mr Davie, updated by Mr White. Large PDF (24 MB).
Mark Scheme Booklets
How marks are awarded. Coming soon.
Learn & revise
Notes, videos and worked examples for every topic.
Sources & credits: the Past Paper Finder is compiled by Mr Davie (September 2026 update by Mr White); DELTA is by Mr Taylor; past-paper questions and marking instructions © Qualifications Scotland (SQA). The banner is AI-generated artwork. Full site credits are on the credits page. R Stewart - September 2026