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
Forces and Matter
- 3 subtopics
- 9 things to know
- Paper 6
What Forces and Matter covers
Forces and Matter is examined in Paper 6, Physics 2. It covers elastic and inelastic distortion, spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviour and work done in stretching a spring.
Where it is assessed
Paper 6
Physics 2: Physics in Combined Science: 1 hour 10 minutes, 60 marks, 16.67% of the qualification.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 3 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Elastic and inelastic distortionWhy more than one force is needed to stretch, compress or bend an object, the difference between elastic and inelastic distortion with examples, and the elastic limit.Open →
- Spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviourForce = spring constant × extension and the unit N/m, calculating force, spring constant and extension, stiff springs, linear and non-linear force–extension graphs, the limit of proportionality, and the intercept of a length–force graph.Open →
- Work done in stretching a springEnergy transferred = 0.5 × spring constant × extension² with calculations, the elastic potential store, investigating spring extension, spring constant and work done from a graph, and results tables, scales, lines of best fit, anomalies, hypotheses and safety.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Which forces act on a hanging spring, why do squashing a ball and bending a rule need two forces, and what is an inelastic distortion?
Key term
State the equation for the energy transferred in stretching a spring within its linear region.
Key term
Explain why more than one force is needed to stretch a spring.
Key term
State the equation linking the force applied to a spring, its spring constant and its extension.
Numbers
Calculate the energy transferred in stretching a spring of spring constant 200 N/m by 0.10 m.
Key term
Name the two forces acting on a spring that hangs from a clamp stand with a mass attached to its lower end.
Key term
State the unit of the spring constant.
Numbers
Calculate the energy transferred in stretching a spring of spring constant 40 N/m by 0.50 m.
Take Forces and Matter further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Elastic distortion vs Inelastic distortion
Elastic distortion: a change of shape that fully reverses when the forces are removed. Inelastic distortion: a change of shape that stays permanently once the forces are removed.
Elastic limit vs Limit of proportionality
Elastic limit: the point beyond which a stretched spring stays permanently distorted. Limit of proportionality: the point on a force–extension graph where the straight line ends.
Spring constant vs Extension
Spring constant: the force needed per metre of stretch, in N/m, the gradient of the straight-line graph. Extension: the increase in length from the unstretched length.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Explain why more than one force is needed to stretch a spring.
Model answer
A force must pull at each end, because a single force would simply make the spring accelerate instead of stretching it.
- 2
Name the two forces acting on a spring that hangs from a clamp stand with a mass attached to its lower end.
Model answer
The weight of the mass pulling down and the upward pull of the support.
- 3
Explain why at least two forces are needed to compress a sponge ball.
Model answer
Forces must push inwards on opposite sides, because a single push would just move the ball along.
- 4
Describe the forces needed to bend a metre rule that is supported at both ends.
Model answer
An upward force at each end together with a downward force in the middle, acting in opposing directions.
- 5
Give the term for a change in the shape of an object produced by forces acting on it.
Model answer
Distortion, also called deformation.
- 6
Describe what happens to an object that has been elastically distorted when the forces are removed.
Model answer
It returns completely to its original shape and size.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Forces and Matter revision questions
- What does Forces and Matter cover in Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics?
- 3 subtopics: elastic and inelastic distortion, spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviour and work done in stretching a spring. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Forces and Matter organised?
- By the Edexcel 1SC0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Forces and Matter, 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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