After publication in 1982 of the Royal Society report "Science Education 11-18 in England and Wales," the Physics Education Joint Committee of the Royal Society and Institute of Physics was established. A working party of this Joint Committee has now produced this reduced-content 16+ syllabus in physics. The main intention of the working party was to produce suggestions for an essential minimum core syllabus in physics for children of all abilities, a core which would be fitted into a coordinated science curriculum for secondary years. The syllabus consists of: (1) a foreword outlining the purpose of the syllabus; (2) an introduction, outlining the aims of physics education, offering several suggestions (such as emphasizing physics processes and applications), and explaining other areas; and (3) the syllabus. The syllabus is set in three columns. The left-hand column outlines the broad topic areas, the middle column provides a commentary on the treatment of the topic for low ability children, and the right-hand column deals with modifications and additional content required for an essential core physics syllabus for General Certificate of Education (GCE) and Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE). An appendix lists illustrative applications appropriate to the various sections of the syllabus. (JN)