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 strengthCircular motion and centripetal forceInertial mass and momentumCollisions, and force as the rate of change of momentumReaction 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 detectAbsorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic wavesHow 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
Topic overviewMagnetic poles, permanent and induced magnetsUses of magnetic materialsThe magnetic field around a bar magnetPlotting compasses and the Earth's magnetic fieldThe magnetic effect of an electric currentSolenoids and electromagnetsThe motor effect and Fleming's left-hand ruleThe force on a conductor in a magnetic field
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
Electromagnetic Induction
- 4 subtopics
- 12 things to know
- Paper 6
What Electromagnetic Induction covers
Electromagnetic Induction is examined in Paper 6, Physics 2. It covers factors affecting an induced potential difference, how a transformer works, the national grid, and step-up and step-down transformers and transformer power calculations.
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 4 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Factors affecting an induced potential differenceThe speed, magnet strength and number of turns that set the induced potential difference, reversing the movement or the pole, and why the induced field opposes the change that made it.Open →
- How a transformer worksThe construction of a transformer, how an alternating current in the primary coil induces a potential difference in the secondary, why direct current gives no output, the soft iron core, and what step-up and step-down transformers do.Open →
- The national grid, and step-up and step-down transformersTransmitting electrical energy at high voltage and low current to cut heating losses in cables, the national grid and its thick cables, where and why step-up and step-down transformers are used, the 230 V mains, and why the grid uses alternating current.Open →
- Transformer power calculationsThe power equation for a 100% efficient transformer, calculating an output current, an output voltage or a primary current, and why stepping the voltage up lowers the current.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Why is electricity transmitted across the country at a very high voltage, and why is the voltage lowered again before it reaches homes?
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How is a transformer built, why does it give no output on a steady direct current, and why is its core soft iron?
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State the power equation linking the voltages and currents in the two coils of a transformer that is 100% efficient.
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State three factors that affect the size of the potential difference induced when a magnet is moved into a coil.
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Describe the basic construction of a transformer.
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State why electrical energy is transferred across the country at a very high voltage.
Numbers
A transformer takes 2.0 A from a 230 V supply and gives an output of 23 V. Calculate the output current.
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Describe what happens to the induced potential difference when a magnet is pushed into a coil more quickly.
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Explain why a transformer produces no output when a steady direct current flows in its primary coil.
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Explain why a large current in a transmission cable wastes energy.
Numbers
A transformer takes 5.0 A from a 12 V supply and delivers a current of 0.50 A. Calculate the output voltage.
Take Electromagnetic Induction further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Step-up transformer vs Step-down transformer
Step-up transformer: a device giving an output voltage larger than its input, with more secondary turns. Step-down transformer: a device giving an output voltage smaller than its input, with fewer secondary turns.
Primary coil vs Secondary coil
Primary coil: the winding connected to the input supply of a transformer. Secondary coil: the winding in which the changing field of the core induces the output.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State three factors that affect the size of the potential difference induced when a magnet is moved into a coil.
Model answer
The speed of the movement, the strength of the magnet, and the number of turns on the coil.
- 2
Describe what happens to the induced potential difference when a magnet is pushed into a coil more quickly.
Model answer
The induced potential difference is larger.
- 3
Describe how the direction of the induced current changes when a magnet is pulled out of a coil instead of pushed into it.
Model answer
The induced current flows in the opposite direction.
- 4
State the effect on the induced potential difference of turning a magnet round so that the other pole enters the coil first.
Model answer
The induced potential difference is reversed.
- 5
Describe the magnetic field produced by the current induced in a coil.
Model answer
It always acts to oppose the change in magnetic field that induced it.
- 6
Explain why a force must be applied to push a magnet into a coil that is part of a complete circuit.
Model answer
The induced current makes a magnetic field that repels the approaching magnet, so it must be pushed against that field.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Electromagnetic Induction revision questions
- What does Electromagnetic Induction cover in Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics?
- 4 subtopics: factors affecting an induced potential difference, how a transformer works, the national grid, and step-up and step-down transformers and transformer power calculations. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Electromagnetic Induction organised?
- By the Edexcel 1SC0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Electromagnetic Induction, 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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