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
Magnetism and the Motor Effect
- 6 subtopics
- 18 things to know
- Paper 2
What Magnetism and the Motor Effect covers
Magnetism and the Motor Effect is examined in Paper 2, Physics 2. It covers magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnets, uses of magnetic materials, the magnetic field around a bar magnet, plotting compasses and the Earth's magnetic field, the magnetic effect of an electric current and solenoids and electromagnets.
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.
- Magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnetsAttraction and repulsion between poles, proving that a bar is a magnet, the poles of a bar magnet, magnetic forces as non-contact forces, and permanent and induced magnets, including chains of paper clips and why induced magnetism always attracts.Open →
- Uses of magnetic materialsIron, cobalt, nickel and steel as magnetic materials, why steel makes permanent magnets and iron makes electromagnet cores, temporary magnetic materials, and magnets in loudspeakers, alloys and scrapyard cranes.Open →
- The magnetic field around a bar magnetWhat a magnetic field is, the direction and strength of the field lines around a bar magnet, the uniform field between opposite poles, and why field lines never cross.Open →
- Plotting compasses and the Earth's magnetic fieldMapping a field with a plotting compass, what the needle lines up with, evidence that the Earth has a magnetic field, the pole near geographic north, and the molten outer core.Open →
- The magnetic effect of an electric currentShowing that a current in a straight wire makes a field, its circular shape, the right-hand grip rule, reversing the current, and how current and distance set the field strength.Open →
- Solenoids and electromagnetsWhat a solenoid is, the strong uniform field inside it and the weak field outside, its bar-magnet field shape, strengthening an electromagnet with more current, more turns or an iron core, and reversing its poles.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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What is a solenoid, why is the field strong inside and weak outside the coil, and how can an electromagnet be made stronger?
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Name three magnetic materials other than iron.
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Define a magnetic field.
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A plotting compass is placed just beyond the north pole of a bar magnet. State which end of its needle points away from that pole.
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Describe how you could show that a current in a straight wire produces a magnetic field.
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State the only observation that proves a steel bar is a magnet rather than simply a magnetic material.
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Explain why steel is used to make permanent magnets such as fridge magnets.
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How does a field diagram show that one part of a magnetic field is stronger than another?
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State one precaution needed when plotting compasses are used to map a magnetic field.
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Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a long straight wire carrying a current.
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State what a solenoid is.
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Name the two poles of a bar magnet.
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Explain why the core of an electromagnet is made of iron rather than steel.
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Describe the magnetic field in the gap between the opposite poles of two facing magnets.
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Explain how a plotting compass shows that the Earth produces a magnetic field.
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Name the rule used to find the direction of the magnetic field around a straight current-carrying wire.
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Explain why the magnetic field inside a solenoid is so strong.
Take Magnetism and the Motor Effect further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Permanent magnet vs Induced magnet
Permanent magnet: a material that produces its own magnetic field all the time. Induced magnet: a magnetic material that acts as one only while it sits inside another field.
Iron vs Steel
Iron: the metal that magnetises strongly but loses its magnetism when the current stops, used for cores. Steel: the metal that is hard to magnetise but keeps its magnetism, used for fridge magnets.
Solenoid vs Electromagnet
Solenoid: a long coil of wire producing a field along its axis when current flows. Electromagnet: a coil wound on an iron core, magnetic only while the current is on.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State what happens when the north pole of one magnet is brought near the south pole of another.
Model answer
They attract each other.
- 2
State what happens when the south poles of two magnets are brought close together.
Model answer
They repel each other.
- 3
State the only observation that proves a steel bar is a magnet rather than simply a magnetic material.
Model answer
The bar repels one end of a known magnet.
- 4
Name the two poles of a bar magnet.
Model answer
The north-seeking pole and the south-seeking pole.
- 5
Explain why attraction to a magnet does not show that an iron nail has been magnetised.
Model answer
An unmagnetised piece of iron is attracted to a magnet as well.
- 6
State whether magnetic forces are contact or non-contact forces.
Model answer
They are non-contact forces.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Magnetism and the Motor Effect revision questions
- What does Magnetism and the Motor Effect cover in Edexcel GCSE Physics?
- 6 subtopics: magnetic poles, permanent and induced magnets, uses of magnetic materials, the magnetic field around a bar magnet, plotting compasses and the earth's magnetic field, the magnetic effect of an electric current and solenoids and electromagnets. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Magnetism and the Motor Effect organised?
- By the Edexcel 1PH0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Magnetism and the Motor Effect, 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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