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.
National 5 Physics 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.
SQA marking principles
  • Calculations: formula, substitution with units, 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.

Learn & revise

Open learning resources 5 resources

BBC Bitesize

Short notes and quick tests on every topic.

▶️ The other (better) Mr Stewart

Video walkthroughs by topic.

👩‍🔬 Mrs Physics

Clear written explanations and worked examples.

🏛️ SQA National 5 Physics

Official course pages and key documents.

Exam prep

Open exam resources 2 resources

📘 Past Paper Finder

Find past-paper questions by topic and skill type.

✅ Mark Scheme Booklets Coming soon

Understand how marks are awarded.

Sources & credits: The Past Paper Finder is compiled by Mr Davie (September 2025 update by Mr White); past-paper questions and marking instructions © Qualifications Scotland (SQA).