PHYSICS-8PH0 · Pearson Edexcel AS Level
PHYSICS-8PH0/21
Paper 2
Physics · 2023 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Pearson Edexcel
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
160
180 min
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
160
Duration
180 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
A substantial portion of marks was allocated to calculation-based questions involving conservation laws and material mechanics.
High-scoring candidates showed excellent proficiency in using standard formulae, such as Hooke's Law ΔF=kΔx \Delta F = k\Delta x ΔF=kΔx, Young Modulus stress-strain equations E=σε E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} E=εσ, and wave equations like nλ=dsinθ n\lambda = d\sin\theta nλ=dsinθ.
However, significant marks were lost in the descriptive and "explain" questions.
In particular, the 6-mark asterisked questions (such as Paper 1 Q14 on parallel filament bulbs and Paper 2 Q15 on atomic transitions) required a structured, logical sequence of points that many candidates struggled to organize coherently.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Mathematical
Weight: 6100%Logical
Weight: 583%Written E
Weight: 467%Graphical
Weight: 350%Analysis
Weight: 233%Experimental &
Weight: 117%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Report type
Examiner report — national grade boundaries and question-level commentary
Level A
Approx. 58% of maximum mark
Level B
Approx. 49% of maximum mark
Level C
Approx. 41% of maximum mark
Level D
Approx. 33% of maximum mark
Level E
Approx. 24% of maximum mark
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Show formula, substitution, and unit; method marks need visible working.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Match the expected response style for “Deduce” questions.
Match the expected response style for “that” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Determine” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 1.1
Min per mark: 1.1
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
41 marks this session
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)
31 marks this session
Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)
26 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
Digging up the Past (Mechanics)
Spare-part Surgery (Electricity)
Digging up the Past (DIG) - Mechanics
Spare-part Surgery (SUR) - Electricity & Sensing
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1: Core Physics I:
Paper 2: Core Physics II:
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Waves and Particle Nature of Light
41 marks this session
Practise in RevuiDigging up the Past (Mechanics)
31 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSpare-part Surgery (Electricity)
26 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
A substantial portion of marks was allocated to calculation-based questions involving conservation laws and material mechanics.
- 2Message
High-scoring candidates showed excellent proficiency in using standard formulae, such as Hooke's Law ΔF=kΔx \Delta F = k\Delta x ΔF=kΔx, Young Modulus stress-strain equations E=σε E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} E=εσ, and wave equations like nλ=dsinθ n\lambda = d\sin\theta nλ=dsinθ.
- 3Message
However, significant marks were lost in the descriptive and "explain" questions.
- 4Message
In particular, the 6-mark asterisked questions (such as Paper 1 Q14 on parallel filament bulbs and Paper 2 Q15 on atomic transitions) required a structured, logical sequence of points that many candidates struggled to organize coherently.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2023 2023
Physics
A substantial portion of marks was allocated to calculation-based questions involving conservation laws and material mechanics. High-scoring candidates showed excellent proficiency in using standard formulae, such as Hooke's Law ΔF=kΔx \Delta F = k\Delta x ΔF=kΔx, Young Modulus s
A substantial portion of marks was allocated to calculation-based questions involving conservation laws and material mechanics.
High-scoring candidates showed excellent proficiency in using standard formulae, such as Hooke's Law ΔF=kΔx \Delta F = k\Delta x ΔF=kΔx, Young Modulus stress-strain equations E=σε E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} E=εσ, and wave equations like nλ=dsinθ n\lambda = d\sin\theta nλ=dsinθ.
However, significant marks were lost in the descriptive and "explain" questions.
- Total marks
- 160
- Duration
- 180 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
Session analysis
A substantial portion of marks was allocated to calculation-based questions involving conservation laws and material mechanics. High-scoring candidates showed excellent proficiency in using standard formulae, such as Hooke's Law ΔF=kΔx \Delta F = k\Delta x ΔF=kΔx, Young Modulus stress-strain equations E=σε E = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} E=εσ, and wave equations like nλ=dsinθ n\lambda = d\sin\theta nλ=dsinθ. However, significant marks were lost in the descriptive and "explain" questions. In particular, the 6-mark asterisked questions (such as Paper 1 Q14 on parallel filament bulbs and Paper 2 Q15 on atomic transitions) required a structured, logical sequence of points that many candidates struggled to organize coherently.
Updated Jun 14, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1: Core Physics I:
Paper 2: Core Physics II:
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
78% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Short Answer / Calculation
83·22·52%
Extended Open / Explanation
61·11·38%
Multiple Choice
16·16·10%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Difficulty trend
Compare difficulty across recent years.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section B (
0.89 m/minPaper 2 Section B (
0.88 m/minTotal marks
47
Total time
53 min
Avg pace
0.89
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
2D Kinematics and Projectile Motion
85%85%
Refractive Index & Critical Angle Experiments
80%80%
Stokes' Law & Temperature Dependence of Viscosity
75%75%
Examiner notes & key calculations
- Neglecting Internal Resistance: In Paper 1 Q14, many failed to connect the decrease in external parallel resistance to the increase in circuit current and the subsequent rise in lost volts across the battery's internal resistance.
- Momentum Vector Directions: In Paper 1 Q15(b), when discussing the rebounding bullet, a common error was forgetting that momentum is a vector, thereby failing to recognize that a rebound represents a negative velocity and thus a much larger change in momentum.
- Uncertainty Calculations: Candidates frequently struggled to properly calculate and combine percentage uncertainties, particularly when determining the limits of resistance based on experimental p.d. and current tolerances.
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.