Key term
Edexcel GCSE Physics 1PH0
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 strengthReaction time, stopping distance and large decelerationsFactors affecting stopping distance and reaction timeBraking distance, speed and work done
Conservation of Energy
Waves
Topic overviewWhat waves transfer, and the evidence for itFrequency, wavelength, amplitude and periodLongitudinal and transverse wavesThe wave equationMeasuring wave speed, and what happens at a boundaryMeasuring waves in ripple tanks, strings and solidsReflection, refraction, transmission and absorption at a boundary
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Topic overviewReflection, refraction and total internal reflectionWhy objects appear colouredLenses, ray diagrams and imagesProperties of electromagnetic wavesInvestigating refraction in glass blocksThe groups of the electromagnetic spectrumThe continuous spectrum, and what our eyes can detectEmitting and absorbing thermal radiationHow 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 calculationsUses of radioactivity, and how danger depends on half-lifeThe dangers of ionising radiationSafety precautions, contamination and irradiationRadiotherapy, medical tracers and PET scannersNuclear power and where nuclear energy comes fromFission of uranium-235 and the chain reactionControlling a reactor and generating electricityNuclear fusion and how it differs from fissionWhy fusion needs extreme conditions
Astronomy
Topic overviewWeight and gravitational field strength on other bodiesThe Solar System and the order of the planetsHow ideas about the Solar System and ways of observing it have changedOrbits of moons, planets, comets and satellitesGravity, orbital speed and stable orbitsThe Steady State and Big Bang theoriesEvidence for an expanding UniverseThe Doppler effect and red-shift in galaxiesThe life cycle of a star like the SunThe life cycle of stars more massive than the Sun
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
Static Electricity
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
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 scaleCompressing gases, and the force a gas exertsPressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas
Forces and Matter
- 6 subtopics
- 18 things to know
- Paper 2
What Forces and Matter covers
Forces and Matter is examined in Paper 2, Physics 2. It covers elastic and inelastic distortion, spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviour, work done in stretching a spring, atmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluid, force, area and pressure and calculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depth.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 6 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Elastic and inelastic distortionWhy more than one force is needed to stretch, compress or bend an object, the difference between elastic and inelastic distortion with examples, and the elastic limit.Open →
- Spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviourForce = spring constant × extension and the unit N/m, calculating force, spring constant and extension, stiff springs, linear and non-linear force–extension graphs, the limit of proportionality, and the intercept of a length–force graph.Open →
- Work done in stretching a springEnergy transferred = 0.5 × spring constant × extension² with calculations, the elastic potential store, investigating spring extension, spring constant and work done from a graph, and results tables, scales, lines of best fit, anomalies, hypotheses and safety.Open →
- Atmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluidWhy atmospheric pressure and density fall with height, pressurised aircraft cabins and the atmosphere's lack of an edge, and total pressure in a fluid as liquid pressure plus atmospheric pressure in lakes, pools and the sea.Open →
- Force, area and pressureWhy fluid pressure acts at right angles to every surface, from tank walls to a submarine hull and a swimmer's ears, and how spreading or concentrating a force changes the pressure.Open →
- Calculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depthPressure = force normal to the surface ÷ area of the surface, the pascal, calculating pressure, force and area, and how liquid pressure rises with depth and density, as in mercury and at the base of a dam.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain the direction of the force from fluid pressure on a tank wall and a swimmer's ears, and why a drawing pin goes point first.
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Explain why more than one force is needed to stretch a spring.
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State the equation linking the force applied to a spring, its spring constant and its extension.
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State the equation for the energy transferred in stretching a spring within its linear region.
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Explain why the atmosphere is denser near the ground than high above it.
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Name the two forces acting on a spring that hangs from a clamp stand with a mass attached to its lower end.
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State the unit of the spring constant.
Numbers
Calculate the energy transferred in stretching a spring of spring constant 200 N/m by 0.10 m.
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Explain why the cabin of an aircraft is pressurised when it flies at high altitude.
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Explain why the water in a tank pushes outwards on the sides as well as downwards on the base.
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State the equation linking pressure, force and area.
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Explain why at least two forces are needed to compress a sponge ball.
Numbers
Calculate the force needed to stretch a spring of spring constant 25 N/m by 0.20 m.
Numbers
Calculate the energy transferred in stretching a spring of spring constant 40 N/m by 0.50 m.
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Explain why the atmosphere has no sharp upper edge.
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Explain why a swimmer under water feels the water pressing on their ears whichever way they turn their head.
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State the unit of pressure.
Take Forces and Matter further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Elastic distortion vs Inelastic distortion
Elastic distortion: a change of shape that fully reverses when the forces are removed. Inelastic distortion: a change of shape that stays permanently once the forces are removed.
Elastic limit vs Limit of proportionality
Elastic limit: the point beyond which a stretched spring stays permanently distorted. Limit of proportionality: the point on a force–extension graph where the straight line ends.
Spring constant vs Extension
Spring constant: the force needed per metre of stretch, in N/m, the gradient of the straight-line graph. Extension: the increase in length from the unstretched length.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Explain why more than one force is needed to stretch a spring.
Model answer
A force must pull at each end, because a single force would simply make the spring accelerate instead of stretching it.
- 2
Name the two forces acting on a spring that hangs from a clamp stand with a mass attached to its lower end.
Model answer
The weight of the mass pulling down and the upward pull of the support.
- 3
Explain why at least two forces are needed to compress a sponge ball.
Model answer
Forces must push inwards on opposite sides, because a single push would just move the ball along.
- 4
Describe the forces needed to bend a metre rule that is supported at both ends.
Model answer
An upward force at each end together with a downward force in the middle, acting in opposing directions.
- 5
Give the term for a change in the shape of an object produced by forces acting on it.
Model answer
Distortion, also called deformation.
- 6
Describe what happens to an object that has been elastically distorted when the forces are removed.
Model answer
It returns completely to its original shape and size.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Forces and Matter revision questions
- What does Forces and Matter cover in Edexcel GCSE Physics?
- 6 subtopics: elastic and inelastic distortion, spring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviour, work done in stretching a spring, atmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluid, force, area and pressure and calculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depth. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Forces and Matter organised?
- By the Edexcel 1PH0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Forces and Matter, 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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