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
Motion and Forces
Collisions, and force as the rate of change of momentum
- 3 things to know
- Paper 5
Overview
Momentum in coupling trucks, snooker balls, skaters and a recoiling rifle, force as change in momentum over time, and how crumple zones and air bags lengthen that time.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
A moving snooker ball strikes a stationary one and slows down. Describe the momentum change in this collision.
Key term
Explain why a rifle recoils backwards when a bullet is fired forwards.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Two railway trucks collide and couple together. Describe what happens to the total momentum.
Model answer
The total momentum is unchanged, and it is now carried by the joined trucks moving as one.
- 2
A moving snooker ball strikes a stationary one and slows down. Describe the momentum change in this collision.
Model answer
The momentum lost by the moving ball is gained by the ball it strikes.
- 3
Two ice skaters stand at rest and push each other apart. Describe their momenta afterwards.
Model answer
They move in opposite directions with equal-sized momenta, so the total is still zero.
- 4
Explain why a rifle recoils backwards when a bullet is fired forwards.
Model answer
The total momentum stays zero, so the rifle gains backward momentum equal to the bullet's forward momentum.
- 5
A 3 kg trolley moving at 4 m/s collides head-on with a 1 kg trolley moving at 4 m/s the other way, and they stick together. Calculate their velocity afterwards.
Model answer
The total momentum is 12 − 4 = 8 kg m/s shared by 4 kg, so they move at 2 m/s the way the heavier trolley was going.
- 6
State in words the equation that links force, change in momentum and time.
Model answer
Force = change in momentum ÷ time taken.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Motion and Forces, 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.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.