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
Resistance and the equation V = IR
- 2 things to know
- Paper 6
Overview
What resistance is, how a variable resistor dims a lamp and gives a range of readings, the ohm, and the equation linking potential difference, current and resistance with calculations.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
What happens to the current in a circuit if the resistance is increased while the potential difference stays the same?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is meant by the resistance of a component?
Model answer
Resistance is the opposition that a component gives to the current in it.
- 2
What happens to the current in a circuit if the resistance is increased while the potential difference stays the same?
Model answer
The current decreases, because a larger resistance opposes the flow of charge more strongly.
- 3
How is a variable resistor used to dim a lamp?
Model answer
Increasing the resistance of the variable resistor lowers the current in the circuit, so the lamp glows less brightly.
- 4
How does a variable resistor change its resistance?
Model answer
A sliding contact changes the length of resistance wire that the current has to pass through.
- 5
Why is a variable resistor useful when taking a set of current and potential difference readings for a component?
Model answer
Adjusting it changes the current and the potential difference, so several different pairs of readings can be obtained.
- 6
What unit is resistance measured in, and what is its symbol?
Model answer
Resistance is measured in ohms, symbol Ω.
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