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
The continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detect
- 3 things to know
- Paper 5
Overview
Why 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.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
State how frequency changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
Key term
State how wavelength changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Explain what is meant by calling the electromagnetic spectrum continuous.
Model answer
The wavelengths run smoothly from the longest to the shortest with no gaps, and the group names are simply convenient labels.
- 2
State how frequency changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
Model answer
The frequency increases steadily from radio waves through to gamma rays.
- 3
State how wavelength changes across the electromagnetic spectrum going from radio waves to gamma rays.
Model answer
The wavelength decreases steadily from radio waves through to gamma rays.
- 4
State the relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves travelling at the same speed.
Model answer
As the frequency increases the wavelength decreases, because their product is the fixed wave speed.
- 5
Compare the frequency of ultraviolet with the frequency of infrared.
Model answer
Ultraviolet has the higher frequency, because it lies nearer the gamma ray end of the spectrum.
- 6
Compare the wavelength of microwaves with the wavelength of X-rays.
Model answer
Microwaves have the far longer wavelength, because they lie at the radio end of the spectrum.
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