Key term
AQA GCSE Physics 8463
Atomic Structure
Topic overviewThe structure of an atomMass number, atomic number and isotopesFrom the plum pudding model to the nuclear modelChadwick, the neutron, and comparing the modelsRadioactive decay and nuclear radiationNuclear equationsHalf-lives and the random nature of radioactive decayRadioactive contaminationBackground radiationUses of nuclear radiation, and how half-life affects hazardNuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Electricity
Topic overviewCircuit symbols, electrical charge and currentCurrent, resistance and potential differenceOhmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes and thermistorsLight-dependent resistors, and investigating resistanceCurrent and potential difference in series and parallelConstructing circuits, and calculating in series circuitsDirect and alternating potential difference, and mains electricityPower and efficiencyAppliances, and the energy transferred by electrical workPower, and the power ratings of domestic appliancesThe National GridStatic chargeElectric fields
Energy
Forces
Topic overviewScalars, vectors, forces and the resultant forceGravityWork done and energy transferStretching, compressing, and the spring constantLinear and non-linear extension, and work done on a springMoments, levers and gearsPressure at a surface, and the equation p = F over APressure in a column of liquid, upthrust and floatingAtmospheric pressureResolving forces and free body diagramsDistance, displacement and speedThe speed of sound, and the distance-speed-time equationVelocity and the distance-time relationshipAcceleration, deceleration and velocity-time graphsArea under a velocity-time graph, and the uniform acceleration equationNewton's First LawNewton's Second and Third LawsStopping distance and reaction timeFactors affecting braking distanceBraking force, deceleration and the dangers of stopping quicklyMomentum and its conservationChanges in momentum
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Topic overviewPoles of a magnetMagnetic fields around a magnetThe compass, and plotting a magnetic fieldElectromagnetismFleming's left-hand rule, motors and loudspeakersInduced potentialThe generator effect, alternators, dynamos and microphonesThe structure of a transformer and the turns ratioTransformer power, and using the transformer equations
Particle Model of Matter
Space Physics
Waves
Topic overviewTransverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equationWave properties, and refraction at a boundaryReflection of wavesSound wavesUltrasound, echo sounding and seismic wavesTypes and uses of electromagnetic wavesRadio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma raysLensesVisible lightEmission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies
Energy
- 8 subtopics
- 24 things to know
- Paper 1
What Energy covers
Energy is examined in Physics Paper 1. It covers energy stores and systems, kinetic energy, elastic and gravitational potential energy, energy changes in systems, power, energy transfers in a system, the main energy resources, renewable and non-renewable and environmental impact and trends in energy use.
Where it is assessed
Paper 1
Physics Paper 1: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 8 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Energy stores and systemsWhat a system is and what happens to its energy when it changes, the changes in energy stores when a ball is thrown upwards, a car hits a wall, a trolley accelerates, a cyclist brakes and a kettle boils, changing a system by heating, by work done by a force and by a current, and energy diagrams drawn to a common scale.Open →
- Kinetic energyThe two quantities that decide kinetic energy, the kinetic energy equation in words and symbols with calculations of energy, speed and mass, the effect of doubling speed or mass, its units, and elastic potential energy in a stretched spring or catapult with its equation.Open →
- Elastic and gravitational potential energyWhen the elastic potential energy equation can be used and the limit of proportionality, the units of energy, spring constant and extension with calculations, gravitational potential energy and the quantities that decide it, its equation in words and symbols, and calculating energy, height and mass with a gravitational field strength of 9.8 N/kg.Open →
- Energy changes in systemsThe equation for the energy stored or released when temperature changes, calculating energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature rise, the units in the thermal energy equation, comparing specific heat capacities, and the practical to find the specific heat capacity of a metal block using an immersion heater, insulation and a drop of oil.Open →
- PowerWhat power is and how it differs from energy transferred, power in terms of energy transferred and time and of work done and time with calculations, converting kilojoules and minutes into joules and seconds, one watt as one joule per second, and comparing motors and kettles of different power.Open →
- Energy transfers in a systemConservation of energy and closed systems, dissipated energy and why it is wasted, reducing unwanted transfers with lubrication and thermal insulation, how thermal conductivity and wall thickness affect how quickly a building cools, and the practical comparing materials as thermal insulators with its variables and results.Open →
- The main energy resources, renewable and non-renewableThe non-renewable resources and the three fossil fuels, the renewable resources including bio-fuel, wind, hydro-electricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves, what makes a resource renewable, the main uses of energy resources for electricity, transport and heating, and how reliable wind, solar, gas and nuclear resources are.Open →
- Environmental impact and trends in energy useThe environmental impact of fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, hydro-electricity, wind turbines, bio-fuel, tidal barrages and solar cells, trends in the use of renewables, coal and total world energy, the move to electric cars, and why economic and social factors limit what science can do about environmental issues.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe the energy transfer when a catapult is released, the equation for elastic energy, and how doubling a spring's extension changes it.
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Describe a method for comparing how well different materials work as thermal insulators.
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What is meant by a system in physics?
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State the condition that must hold before the equation for the energy stored in a stretched spring can be used.
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State the equation, in words, for the energy stored or released when the temperature of a substance changes.
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Define power.
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Name four non-renewable energy resources used on Earth.
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State one environmental impact of hydro-electricity.
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State what happens to the energy of a system when the system changes.
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State the three situations in which you should be able to calculate the energy stored by an object.
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Explain why the calculated energy stored would be wrong for a spring stretched well beyond its limit of proportionality.
Numbers
0.5 kg of aluminium warms by 20 °C. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 900 J/kg °C. Calculate the energy transferred to it.
Key term
Explain the difference between the energy transferred by a device and its power.
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Name the three fossil fuels.
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State one environmental impact of growing crops for bio-fuel.
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When describing an energy change, explain why naming only the store the energy ends up in is not enough.
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State the equation, in words, for the kinetic energy of a moving object.
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State the unit in which elastic potential energy is measured.
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State the symbol equation for the change in thermal energy of a substance whose temperature changes.
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State the equation for power in terms of energy transferred and time.
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State whether energy can be created or destroyed, and name the three things that can happen to it instead.
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Name six renewable energy resources available for use on Earth.
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Explain why total world energy use has risen.
Take Energy further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Kinetic energy vs Gravitational potential energy
Kinetic energy: what a moving object stores, depending on its mass and speed. Gravitational potential energy: What a raised object stores because of its position in a field.
Renewable vs Non-renewable
Renewable: a resource replenished as fast as it is used. Non-renewable: A resource used far faster than it can form.
Power vs Energy transferred
Power: the rate at which work is done, in watts. Energy transferred: The total amount moved between stores, in joules.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is meant by a system in physics?
Model answer
A system is an object or a group of objects considered together.
- 2
A single cup of tea cooling on a table is treated as a system. Explain whether a system has to contain more than one object.
Model answer
No, a system can be a single object as well as a group of objects.
- 3
State what happens to the energy of a system when the system changes.
Model answer
Energy is transferred between stores, so the amounts held in the different stores change.
- 4
A student says a falling apple gains energy. Correct this statement.
Model answer
Energy is transferred from the apple's gravitational potential store to its kinetic store; no new energy is made.
- 5
When describing an energy change, explain why naming only the store the energy ends up in is not enough.
Model answer
A full description also names the store the energy came from and any energy dissipated on the way.
- 6
Describe the change in the way energy is stored when a ball is thrown vertically upwards.
Model answer
Energy is transferred from the ball's kinetic store to its gravitational potential store as it rises.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Energy revision questions
- What does Energy cover in AQA GCSE Physics?
- 8 subtopics: energy stores and systems, kinetic energy, elastic and gravitational potential energy, energy changes in systems, power, energy transfers in a system, the main energy resources, renewable and non-renewable and environmental impact and trends in energy use. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Energy organised?
- By the AQA 8463 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Energy, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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