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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
Forces and Their Effects
- 4 subtopics
- 12 things to know
- Paper 6
What Forces and Their Effects covers
Forces and Their Effects is examined in Paper 6, Physics 2. It covers contact and non-contact forces, vectors and scalars, and reducing friction, resolving forces and free body diagrams and forces on an object in equilibrium.
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.
- Contact and non-contact forcesNon-contact forces acting through gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic fields with an example of each, contact forces such as the normal contact force and friction, interaction pairs, and why a force is drawn as an arrow.Open →
- Vectors and scalars, and reducing frictionVector and scalar quantities with examples, speed and velocity, mass and weight, distance and displacement, and how lubricants reduce friction in door hinges, engines, bicycle chains and machines.Open →
- Resolving forces and free body diagramsThe resultant of two forces, scale vector diagrams, equilibrium shown as a closed vector diagram, resultants of forces along one line, resolving a force into two at right angles, and free body force diagrams for a book, a car and a parachutist.Open →
- Forces on an object in equilibriumResultant force and balanced forces, calculating a resultant from a push and friction, and objects in equilibrium, including a lift moving steadily, a skydiver at constant velocity, a book on a table and a rope pulled from both ends.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain the motion of a skydiver whose weight equals air resistance, a book on a table, and a rope pulled equally both ways.
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Give examples of contact forces, explain why forces are drawn as arrows, and describe the force pair between a book and a table.
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Describe how a scale vector diagram is used to find the resultant of two forces acting at an angle to each other.
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Name the three types of field through which objects can interact at a distance.
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Explain the difference between a vector quantity and a scalar quantity.
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State what the length and the direction of each arrow represent in a scale vector diagram of forces.
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Explain what is meant by balanced forces acting on an object.
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Give an example of two objects interacting through a gravitational field.
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Give three examples of vector quantities.
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What does it mean for an object to be in equilibrium?
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Explain why the resultant force on a lift moving upwards at a steady speed is zero.
Take Forces and Their Effects further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Contact force vs Non-contact force
Contact force: a push or pull between objects that are touching, such as friction. Non-contact force: a push or pull acting through a field between objects that are not touching.
Normal contact force vs Friction
Normal contact force: the push from a surface on an object resting on it, at right angles to the surface. Friction: the push along a surface opposing the motion of an object across it.
Equilibrium vs Resultant force
Equilibrium: the state where the forces on an object add to a resultant of zero. Resultant force: the single push with the same effect as all the forces acting together.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Explain what is meant by a non-contact force.
Model answer
It acts between objects that are not touching, through a field around them.
- 2
Name the three types of field through which objects can interact at a distance.
Model answer
Gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic fields.
- 3
Give an example of two objects interacting through a gravitational field.
Model answer
The Earth and the Moon attract each other across empty space.
- 4
Give an example of two objects interacting through an electrostatic field.
Model answer
A charged plastic rod attracts small polystyrene balls without touching them.
- 5
Give an example of two objects interacting through a magnetic field.
Model answer
Two magnets repel each other when like poles are brought close together.
- 6
Explain what is meant by the normal contact force.
Model answer
It is the push that a surface exerts on an object resting on it, acting at right angles to the surface.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Forces and Their Effects revision questions
- What does Forces and Their Effects cover in Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics?
- 4 subtopics: contact and non-contact forces, vectors and scalars, and reducing friction, resolving forces and free body diagrams and forces on an object in equilibrium. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Forces and Their Effects organised?
- By the Edexcel 1SC0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Forces and Their Effects, 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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