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
Waves
- 10 subtopics
- 30 things to know
- Paper 2
What Waves covers
Waves is examined in Physics Paper 2. It covers transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation, wave properties, and refraction at a boundary, reflection of waves, sound waves, ultrasound, echo sounding and seismic waves, types and uses of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, lenses, visible light and emission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics Paper 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the AQA specification ↗The 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equationThe two wave types and how their oscillations differ, compressions and rarefactions, why the medium is not carried along, the wave equation v = f λ, and measuring the speed of sound and of ripples.Open →
- Wave properties, and refraction at a boundaryAmplitude, wavelength, frequency and period, the equation linking period and frequency, the hertz, wave speed and the wave equation with calculations, what can happen to electromagnetic waves meeting a substance, why waves refract and change direction at a boundary, and comparing the infrared emitted by different surfaces using a cube of hot water.Open →
- Reflection of wavesReflection, absorption and transmission at a boundary between materials, why glass is see-through and wood is not, the law of reflection with angle calculations, sound absorbed by a curtain and light by a matt black surface, radio signals blocked by a metal lift, and the practicals investigating reflection and refraction with a ray box and protractor.Open →
- Sound wavesHow sound passes through a solid such as a door or a rail, how the ear drum turns vibrations into the sensation of sound, and why hearing runs from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.Open →
- Ultrasound, echo sounding and seismic wavesWhy waves reveal hidden structures, what makes sound ultrasound and how its partial reflection measures distance, its medical and industrial uses, echo sounding, and what P-waves and S-waves show about the Earth's core.Open →
- Types and uses of electromagnetic wavesElectromagnetic waves as transverse waves that transfer energy, the continuous spectrum and a single speed in a vacuum, the order of the groups by wavelength and frequency, the colours of visible light, energy transferred to an absorber, the uses of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, and why some suit their uses.Open →
- Radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma raysHow oscillations in a circuit produce radio waves and induce a current in a receiver, where gamma rays originate, what radiation dose measures, and the harm ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays do to tissue.Open →
- LensesHow lenses form images, convex lenses bringing parallel rays to the principal focus and the focal length, concave lenses spreading rays out, real and virtual images, the magnifying glass, rays through the centre of a lens, magnification from image and object height with calculations and matching units, and ray diagram symbols for both lenses.Open →
- Visible lightThe wavelength and frequency of each colour of visible light, specular and diffuse reflection, how colour filters work, why opaque objects look coloured, white or black, objects seen under coloured light, transparent and translucent materials, and explaining the colours of leaves, filtered objects and shirts under coloured lamps.Open →
- Emission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodiesHow every object emits and absorbs infrared radiation, what a perfect black body is, how intensity and wavelength change with temperature, and how rates of absorption, emission and reflection set the Earth's temperature.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe how sound passes through a solid, such as a closed wooden door or a metal rail, and out into the air again.
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Describe how the radiation given out by an object changes as it gets hotter, using a heated metal bar as an example.
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Use wavefronts to explain why a wave refracts as it crosses into a substance where it travels more slowly.
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Define the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a wave, and say how its period is related to its frequency.
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Compare the oscillations in transverse and longitudinal waves, using ripples on a pond as the example of a transverse wave.
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Give an example of a wave being reflected at the boundary between two materials.
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Why can waves be used to explore structures that cannot be seen directly?
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What type of wave is every electromagnetic wave?
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Why does an alternating current in an aerial send out a radio wave?
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What is the focal length of a lens?
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What are the two types that all waves can be classified as?
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Why can you see through a glass window but not through a wooden door?
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What happens inside a solid when a sound wave passes through it?
Evaluation
An ultrasound pulse travelling at 1500 m/s returns from a boundary 80 μs after it is sent. How far away is the boundary?
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What is meant by saying that the electromagnetic spectrum is continuous?
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What is produced in a receiving aerial when a radio wave is absorbed by it?
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What two kinds of image can be produced by a convex lens?
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What is different about each colour within the visible light spectrum?
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Which objects emit and absorb infrared radiation?
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Give an example of a transverse wave that can be seen on water.
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Name the four quantities used to describe the motion of a wave.
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State the law of reflection.
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Explain how sound from a room reaches a person on the other side of a closed wooden door.
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How do seismic waves give evidence about the size of the Earth's core?
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List the groups of the electromagnetic spectrum in order from the longest wavelength to the shortest.
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What kinds of change can result in an electromagnetic wave being generated or absorbed?
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What kind of image is always produced by a concave lens?
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How does the frequency of blue light compare with the frequency of red light?
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What is a perfect black body?
Take Waves further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Transverse vs Longitudinal
Transverse: oscillations at right angles to the direction of energy transfer. Longitudinal: Oscillations along the same direction as the energy transfer.
Specular reflection vs Diffuse reflection
Specular reflection: light bouncing off a smooth surface in a single direction. Diffuse reflection: Light scattered in many directions by a rough surface.
Real image vs Virtual image
Real image: an image formed where light rays actually meet, so it can be shown on a screen. Virtual image: An image formed where rays only appear to come from, so it cannot be shown on a screen.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What are the two types that all waves can be classified as?
Model answer
Transverse and longitudinal.
- 2
In which type of wave do the oscillations happen at right angles to the direction the wave travels?
Model answer
In a transverse wave.
- 3
Give an example of a transverse wave that can be seen on water.
Model answer
Ripples on a water surface.
- 4
In which direction does the water move as a ripple travels across the surface of a pond?
Model answer
Up and down, at right angles to the direction in which the ripple travels.
- 5
What name is given to the regions of a longitudinal wave where the particles are squashed close together?
Model answer
Compressions.
- 6
What name is given to the regions of a longitudinal wave where the particles are spread furthest apart?
Model answer
Rarefactions.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Waves revision questions
- What does Waves cover in AQA GCSE Physics?
- 10 subtopics: transverse and longitudinal waves, and the wave equation, wave properties, and refraction at a boundary, reflection of waves, sound waves, ultrasound, echo sounding and seismic waves, types and uses of electromagnetic waves, radio waves, and the hazards of ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays, lenses, visible light and emission and absorption of infrared radiation, and black bodies. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Waves organised?
- By the AQA 8463 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Waves, 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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