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
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
The magnetic effect of an electric current
- 3 things to know
- Paper 6
Overview
Showing that a current in a straight wire makes a field, its circular shape, the right-hand grip rule, reversing the current, and how current and distance set the field strength.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a long straight wire carrying a current.
Key term
Name the rule used to find the direction of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Describe how you could show that a current in a straight wire produces a magnetic field.
Model answer
Place plotting compasses around the wire and switch the current on; their needles swing round to point in circles about the wire.
- 2
Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a long straight wire carrying a current.
Model answer
The field lines form circles centred on the wire, in the plane at right angles to it.
- 3
Name the rule used to find the direction of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire.
Model answer
The right-hand grip rule.
- 4
Describe how the right-hand grip rule is applied to a straight current-carrying wire.
Model answer
Point the right thumb along the direction of the current, and the curled fingers show the direction of the field lines around the wire.
- 5
State what happens to the magnetic field around a straight wire when the direction of the current is reversed.
Model answer
The field lines circle the wire in the opposite direction.
- 6
Explain why iron filings sprinkled on a card around a vertical current-carrying wire settle into rings.
Model answer
Each filing becomes an induced magnet and turns to lie along the circular field lines.
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