Test format
Symbiotics currently describes Progressive Physics as a 20-question, 30-minute assessment, structured the same way as Progressive Maths: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced questions of increasing difficulty and mark value. The content sits at roughly GCSE-equivalent level, applied to practical mechanical and electrical scenarios rather than abstract theory.
Because the underlying physics is fixed and well documented, this is one of the more directly revisable sections of the ADAPT battery — the return on structured formula practice is high.
Force, mass and motion
Newton's second law
The core relationship is Force = mass × acceleration, written F = ma.
A 12 kg mass accelerates at 3 m/s². F = 12 × 3 = 36 N.
A force of 50 N acts on a 10 kg mass. a = 50 ÷ 10 = 5 m/s².
Mass vs weight
Mass and weight are frequently confused, and the distinction is a favourite exam point. Mass (kg) is the amount of matter in an object and does not change with location. Weight (N) is the force gravity exerts on that mass: Weight = mass × g, where g ≈ 9.8 m/s² on Earth.
An object has a mass of 5 kg. Weight = 5 × 9.8 = 49 N.
Velocity and acceleration
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement; acceleration is the rate of change of velocity: a = (v − u) ÷ t, where u is initial velocity and v is final velocity.
A car speeds up from 4 m/s to 22 m/s in 6 seconds. a = (22 − 4) ÷ 6 = 3 m/s².
Energy, work and levers
Work and energy
Work done = Force × distance, measured in joules. This is the same relationship used for energy transferred when a force moves something.
A force of 40 N moves an object 5 m. Work = 40 × 5 = 200 J.
Levers and moments
A moment is a turning force: Moment = Force × distance from pivot. A lever balances when the moments on each side are equal.
A 20 N weight sits 3 m from a pivot on one side of a see-saw. What force is needed 2 m from the pivot on the other side to balance it? 20 × 3 = 60. 60 ÷ 2 = 30 N.
Springs
Hooke's law: F = kx, where k is the spring constant and x is extension.
A spring has a constant of 25 N/m and is stretched 0.4 m. F = 25 × 0.4 = 10 N.
Pressure, solids, liquids and gases
Pressure = Force ÷ Area, measured in pascals (N/m²). A smaller area concentrates the same force into higher pressure.
A 100 N force acts over 0.5 m². P = 100 ÷ 0.5 = 200 Pa.
Expect at least one question requiring you to know how solids, liquids and gases differ in particle arrangement and compressibility: solids hold a fixed shape and volume, liquids hold a fixed volume but take the shape of their container, and gases expand to fill any container and are readily compressed.
Circuits and magnetism
Ohm's law relates the three basic electrical quantities: Voltage = Current × Resistance, written V = IR.
A circuit has a current of 2 A and a resistance of 6 Ω. V = 2 × 6 = 12 V.
A 9 V supply drives a 3 Ω resistor. I = 9 ÷ 3 = 3 A.
Know the basic difference between series and parallel circuits — in series, current is the same everywhere and voltage splits across components; in parallel, voltage is the same across each branch and current splits between them — and the basic principle that a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field, which is the working principle behind an electromagnet.
Waves
The core wave relationship is Wave speed = frequency × wavelength, written v = fλ.
A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 4 m. v = 50 × 4 = 200 m/s.
SI units worth memorising
| Quantity | SI unit |
|---|---|
| Force | newton (N) |
| Mass | kilogram (kg) |
| Weight | newton (N) — a force, not a mass |
| Velocity / speed | metres per second (m/s) |
| Acceleration | metres per second squared (m/s²) |
| Pressure | pascal (Pa), N/m² |
| Energy / work | joule (J) |
| Current | ampere (A) |
| Voltage | volt (V) |
| Resistance | ohm (Ω) |
Worked practice
A 6 kg object accelerates at 4 m/s². Force? F = 6 × 4 = 24 N.
A 15 N weight sits 4 m from a pivot. What balancing force is needed 3 m from the pivot on the other side? 15 × 4 = 60, 60 ÷ 3 = 20 N.
A circuit carries 5 A through a 4 Ω resistor. Voltage? V = 5 × 4 = 20 V.
A wave has wavelength 2.5 m and travels at 100 m/s. Frequency? f = v ÷ λ = 100 ÷ 2.5 = 40 Hz.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on ADAPT Physics?
Symbiotics currently lists 20 questions.
How long do you get?
30 minutes.
Does difficulty increase?
Yes. Symbiotics describes Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels, similar in structure to Progressive Maths.
What topics are officially named?
Symbiotics documentation and FAQ reference force and motion, energy, pressure, simple circuits, and general mechanics at a GCSE-equivalent level.
The other ADAPT components
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Turn these formulas into speed
Physics for Pilot Selection and Mechanical Reasoning drill the exact calculation types named above, with timed practice built in.
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Primary source: Symbiotics Progressive Physics documentation and current FAQ. CBAT Academy is an independent training resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by Symbiotics.