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
Radioactivity
The atom and the size of atoms
- 3 things to know
- Paper 5
Overview
Protons, neutrons and electrons and where they sit, the tiny dense positive nucleus, atoms as mostly empty space, the sizes of atoms, molecules and nuclei in standard form, and the symbols <<, >> and ~.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
What is the overall electric charge of the nucleus of an atom, and which particle gives it that charge?
Key term
How does the radius of a nucleus compare with the radius of the whole atom?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Which two types of particle are found in the nucleus of an atom?
Model answer
Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus.
- 2
What is the overall electric charge of the nucleus of an atom, and which particle gives it that charge?
Model answer
The nucleus is positively charged, because of the protons it contains.
- 3
Where are the electrons of an atom found, and what charge do they carry?
Model answer
They are found orbiting outside the nucleus and carry a negative charge.
- 4
How does the radius of a nucleus compare with the radius of the whole atom?
Model answer
The nuclear radius is far smaller, roughly ten thousand times smaller than the atomic radius.
- 5
Why is almost all the mass of an atom concentrated in its nucleus?
Model answer
Protons and neutrons are nearly two thousand times more massive than electrons, and both sit in the nucleus.
- 6
An atom is often described as mostly empty space. Explain why.
Model answer
The nucleus and the electrons take up only a tiny fraction of the atom's volume, with nothing in between.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Radioactivity, 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.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.