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
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 8 subtopics
- 23 things to know
- Paper 5
What Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum covers
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum is examined in Paper 5, Physics 1. It covers properties of electromagnetic waves, investigating refraction in glass blocks, the groups of the electromagnetic spectrum, the continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detect, absorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic waves, how radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequency, harmful effects of excessive exposure to radiation and uses of electromagnetic radiation.
Where it is assessed
Paper 5
Physics 1: Physics in Combined Science: 1 hour 10 minutes, 60 marks, 16.67% of the qualification.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 8 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Properties of electromagnetic wavesElectromagnetic waves as transverse waves travelling at 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s through a vacuum, why they form one family, and the energy they transfer from source to absorber in sunlight, microwave ovens and radio aerials.Open →
- Investigating refraction in glass blocksDrawing round the block, marking the ray with crosses, measuring the angles of incidence and refraction from the normal, the variables involved, and the pattern of results.Open →
- The groups of the electromagnetic spectrumThe seven groups of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength, which groups lie at each end and between their neighbours, and the colours of the visible spectrum from red to violet.Open →
- The continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detectWhy the spectrum is continuous, how frequency and wavelength change from radio waves to gamma rays, and the narrow band of visible light the eye detects, with infrared and ultraviolet just outside it.Open →
- Absorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic wavesHow absorption and transmission depend on wavelength in glass, oven doors, bone, black surfaces and the atmosphere, light slowing and refracting in glass and water, prisms splitting white light, and how radio waves are produced and received by an aerial.Open →
- How radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequencyWhy danger rises with frequency across the electromagnetic spectrum, ranking groups by potential harm, radiation from changes in electrons and nuclei, atoms raised to higher energy states or ionised, sodium lamps, and the sources of X-rays and gamma rays.Open →
- Harmful effects of excessive exposure to radiationHarmful effects of excessive exposure to microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, from internal heating and skin burns to skin cancer, eye damage and cell mutation, with sunbathing, radiographers and sunglasses as examples.Open →
- Uses of electromagnetic radiationUses of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, from broadcasting, satellite links, cooking and thermal imaging to optical fibres, security marking, disinfecting water, medical images, sterilising and cancer treatment.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain, in terms of oscillations, how a radio broadcast is produced, received by an aerial and turned into a current.
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Describe how the outline of a glass block is used when refraction in the block is investigated.
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List the seven groups of the electromagnetic spectrum in order, starting with the longest wavelength.
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Explain what is meant by calling the electromagnetic spectrum continuous.
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Which end of the electromagnetic spectrum carries the greater risk of harm, and why?
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Describe the harmful effect on the body of excessive exposure to microwaves.
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Explain how a microwave oven cooks food.
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State the type of wave that every electromagnetic wave is.
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State which two angles are measured when refraction in a rectangular glass block is investigated.
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List the colours of the visible spectrum in order, starting with the longest wavelength.
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State how frequency changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
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Explain why window glass is clear to visible light yet blocks much of the ultraviolet in sunlight.
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State which group of the electromagnetic spectrum is the most dangerous to living tissue.
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Describe the harmful effect on the body of excessive exposure to infrared.
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State the use of infrared that allows information to be carried over long distances.
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Explain why light from a distant star reaches the Earth across empty space but the star's sound cannot.
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State the independent and dependent variables when refraction in a rectangular glass block is investigated.
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State how wavelength changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
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Explain how the fine metal mesh in a microwave oven door keeps microwaves in while letting light out.
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Compare the potential danger of ultraviolet with that of infrared.
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Explain why sunbathing without protection carries a risk of skin cancer.
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Give three uses of visible light.
Take Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Infrared vs Ultraviolet
Infrared: the group just beyond the red end of visible light, emitted by warm bodies. Ultraviolet: the group just beyond the violet end of visible light, which damages skin cells.
X-rays vs Gamma rays
X-rays: radiation from changes involving the electrons of an atom, used to image bones. Gamma rays: radiation from changes in the nucleus, used to sterilise and to treat cancer.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State the type of wave that every electromagnetic wave is.
Model answer
Every electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave.
- 2
State the speed at which all electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum.
Model answer
They all travel at 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s.
- 3
Compare the speed of gamma rays with the speed of radio waves in a vacuum.
Model answer
They travel at exactly the same speed.
- 4
State whether electromagnetic waves need a material to travel through.
Model answer
No, they can travel through a vacuum.
- 5
Explain why light from a distant star reaches the Earth across empty space but the star's sound cannot.
Model answer
Light is an electromagnetic wave that travels through a vacuum, while sound needs particles to carry it.
- 6
Explain why the members of the electromagnetic spectrum are grouped together as one family.
Model answer
Every member is a transverse wave, moves through empty space at the same speed of 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s, and carries energy from its source.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum revision questions
- What does Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum cover in Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Physics?
- 8 subtopics: properties of electromagnetic waves, investigating refraction in glass blocks, the groups of the electromagnetic spectrum, the continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detect, absorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic waves, how radiation is generated, and why danger rises with frequency, harmful effects of excessive exposure to radiation and uses of electromagnetic radiation. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum organised?
- By the Edexcel 1SC0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum, 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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