Key term
Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics 1SC0
Key Concepts of Physics
Motion and Forces
Topic overviewScalar and vector quantitiesExamples of vectors and scalars, and velocitySpeed, distance, time and distance-time graphsAcceleration and the equation v squared minus u squaredVelocity-time graphs and free fallMeasuring speed in the laboratory, and typical everyday speedsNewton's first law, and investigating force, mass and accelerationNewton's second and third lawsWeight, mass and gravitational field strengthReaction time, stopping distance and large decelerationsFactors affecting stopping distance and reaction time
Conservation of Energy
Waves
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Topic overviewProperties of electromagnetic wavesInvestigating refraction in glass blocksThe groups of the electromagnetic spectrumThe continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detectHow radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequencyHarmful effects of excessive exposure to radiationUses of electromagnetic radiation
Radioactivity
Topic overviewThe atom and the size of atomsIsotopes, atomic number and mass numberRelative masses and charges of subatomic particlesElectron orbits and energy levelsForming ions, and how the atomic model changedTypes of ionising radiationBackground radiation and detecting radioactivityAlpha, beta and gamma, and their penetrating powerBeta-minus and beta-plus decayEffects of decay on atomic number and mass numberBalancing nuclear equationsActivity and the becquerelHalf-life and the randomness of decayHalf-life calculationsThe dangers of ionising radiationSafety precautions, contamination and irradiation
Energy – Forces Doing Work
Topic overviewEnergy stores and energy transfer diagramsChanging a system's energy, and measuring work doneWork done and the energy changes it causesGravitational potential and kinetic energy calculationsDissipation and wasted energyPower as the rate of energy transferThe watt, and calculating efficiency
Forces and Their Effects
Electricity and Circuits
Topic overviewThe atom, and drawing circuit diagramsSeries and parallel circuitsPotential difference and the voltmeterEnergy transferred by moving chargeCurrent, charge and measuring currentResistance and the equation V = IRResistors in series and in parallelDesigning circuits to test componentsInvestigating resistance in circuitsCurrent-potential difference graphs for componentsLight-dependent resistors and thermistorsThe heating effect of an electric currentUses of the heating effect, and the equation E = IVtPower as energy transferred per secondCalculating electrical powerEnergy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratingsDirect and alternating currentAlternating current and the UK mains supplyLive and neutral wires, earthing and fusesFuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangers
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
Electromagnetic Induction
Particle Model
Topic overviewKinetic theory and differences in densityCalculating density, and investigating itChanges of state and internal energySpecific heat capacitySpecific latent heat and thermal insulationInvestigating the specific heat capacity of waterGas pressure and the motion of particlesAbsolute zero and the kelvin scale
Electricity and Circuits
Alternating current and the UK mains supply
- 2 things to know
- Paper 6
Overview
How charge moves in an alternating current compared with direct current, why a heater still works, direction changes per cycle, and the 50 Hz, 230 V UK mains supply.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
Why does an electric heater still work when it is supplied with alternating current?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What happens to the movement of charge in an alternating current?
Model answer
The charge repeatedly changes direction, moving one way and then the other.
- 2
How does the flow of charge in an alternating current differ from the flow in a direct current?
Model answer
In an alternating current the charge keeps reversing direction, while in a direct current it flows one way only.
- 3
Why does an electric heater still work when it is supplied with alternating current?
Model answer
The heating depends on there being a current in the element, not on which way the charge happens to be moving.
- 4
How many times does the current change direction during one complete cycle of an alternating supply?
Model answer
It changes direction twice during each complete cycle.
- 5
Does the charge in a wire carrying alternating current travel steadily along the wire in one direction?
Model answer
No, it moves backwards and forwards about the same place, because the direction of flow keeps reversing.
- 6
What is the frequency of the domestic mains supply in the United Kingdom?
Model answer
The frequency is 50 Hz.
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