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
Key Concepts of Physics
SI units in physics
- 4 things to know
- Papers 5 and 6
Overview
SI units and symbols for length, mass, time, force, energy, temperature, current, potential difference, resistance, power and frequency, and why scientists everywhere use the same agreed units.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
Which units are used for temperature, electric current, potential difference, resistance, power and frequency?
Key term
What is the unit of length used throughout physics, and what symbol represents it?
Key term
State the unit of mass and the symbol used for it.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is the unit of length used throughout physics, and what symbol represents it?
Model answer
Length is measured in metres, with the symbol m.
- 2
State the unit of mass and the symbol used for it.
Model answer
Mass is measured in kilograms, symbol kg.
- 3
Name the unit of time and give its symbol.
Model answer
Time is measured in seconds, symbol s.
- 4
State the unit of force and the unit of energy.
Model answer
Force is measured in newtons (N) and energy in joules (J).
- 5
A student records a temperature in degrees Celsius. What is the base unit of temperature in physics?
Model answer
The base unit of temperature is the kelvin, symbol K.
- 6
Give the units of electric current, potential difference and resistance.
Model answer
Current is measured in amperes (A), potential difference in volts (V) and resistance in ohms (Ω).
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