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 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 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, and calculating depth from wave velocityReflection, refraction, transmission and absorption at a boundarySound waves, ultrasound and infrasoundUses of ultrasound and infrasound
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 detectAbsorption, transmission and the velocity of electromagnetic wavesEmitting and absorbing thermal radiationConstant temperature and the temperature of the EarthHow 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
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, and how a motor turns
Electromagnetic Induction
Topic overviewInducing a current by moving a magnetFactors affecting an induced potential differenceAlternators and microphonesHow a transformer worksThe transformer turns-ratio equationThe national grid, and step-up and step-down transformersTransformer power calculationsWhy high-voltage transmission reduces energy loss
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
Topic overviewElastic and inelastic distortionSpring constant, and linear and non-linear behaviourWork done in stretching a springAtmospheric pressure and pressure in a fluidForce, area and pressureCalculating pressure, and how pressure varies with depthPressure in liquids: density and depthUpthrust, floating and sinking
Electricity and Circuits
- 20 subtopics
- 45 things to know
- Paper 2
What Electricity and Circuits covers
Electricity and Circuits is examined in Paper 2, Physics 2. It covers the atom, and drawing circuit diagrams, series and parallel circuits, potential difference and the voltmeter, energy transferred by moving charge, current, charge and measuring current, resistance and the equation V = IR, resistors in series and in parallel, designing circuits to test components, investigating resistance in circuits, current-potential difference graphs for components, light-dependent resistors and thermistors, the heating effect of an electric current, uses of the heating effect, and the equation E = IVt, power as energy transferred per second, calculating electrical power, energy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratings, direct and alternating current, alternating current and the UK mains supply, live and neutral wires, earthing and fuses and fuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangers.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 20 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- The atom, and drawing circuit diagramsThe charges, relative masses and positions of protons, neutrons and electrons, why atoms are neutral, conventional current, and circuit symbols for cells, batteries, diodes, LEDs, variable resistors, lamps, light-dependent resistors, thermistors, motors, meters and switches.Open →
- Series and parallel circuitsCurrent and potential difference in series and parallel circuits, why lamps go out or stay lit when one breaks, household wiring, and currents splitting and adding at a junction.Open →
- Potential difference and the voltmeterHow a voltmeter is connected and what it reads, why its resistance is very high, potential difference as energy per coulomb, and why one volt is one joule per coulomb.Open →
- Energy transferred by moving chargeThe energy, charge and potential difference equation with calculations, why a higher voltage transfers more per coulomb, and the two conditions for a current to flow in a circuit.Open →
- Current, charge and measuring currentConnecting an ammeter in series, its low resistance, current as the rate of flow of charge, free electrons in a metal, the ampere, and charge from current and time.Open →
- Resistance and the equation V = IRWhat resistance is, how a variable resistor dims a lamp and gives a range of readings, the ohm, and the equation linking potential difference, current and resistance with calculations.Open →
- Resistors in series and in parallelWhy series resistors add and parallel resistors reduce the total, two identical resistors in parallel, and calculations of current and potential difference in series circuits.Open →
- Designing circuits to test componentsPlacing a switch, ammeter, variable resistor and protective resistor in series with a voltmeter across the component, and circuits for a filament lamp, a diode, a thermistor and a light-dependent resistor.Open →
- Investigating resistance in circuitsThe circuit for a fixed resistor, the variables changed, measured and controlled, the straight-line and curved graphs for a resistor and a filament lamp, and results for series and parallel combinations.Open →
- Current-potential difference graphs for componentsThe straight line for a fixed resistor, the flattening curve for a filament lamp as it heats, and the one-way conduction of a diode.Open →
- Light-dependent resistors and thermistorsHow the resistance of a light-dependent resistor falls in brighter light and of a thermistor as it warms, switching street lamps and cooling fans, and the devices that use them.Open →
- The heating effect of an electric currentWhy a resistor warms when current passes, heating elements, energy dissipated as thermal energy, electrons colliding with lattice ions, and why thick, short, copper cables waste less.Open →
- Uses of the heating effect, and the equation E = IVtKettles, toasters and filament lamps using the heating effect, its drawbacks in cables, wiring, laptops and battery devices, and energy transferred from current, potential difference and time.Open →
- Power as energy transferred per secondPower as the energy transferred each second, the watt, comparing appliances by rating, and the equation linking power, energy and time with calculations.Open →
- Calculating electrical powerPower as current times potential difference, why larger currents or voltages transfer power faster, the current squared times resistance equation, and calculations from each.Open →
- Energy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratingsEnergy transfers in a washing machine motor, a kettle, a torch, a hair dryer and drills, what a power rating means, and comparing the energy transferred by appliances over time.Open →
- Direct and alternating currentDirect and alternating voltages and their traces against time, the frequency of an alternating voltage, batteries and wall sockets, direct current from cells and batteries, and devices such as laptops that need direct current.Open →
- Alternating current and the UK mains supplyHow charge moves in an alternating current compared with direct current, why a heater still works, direction changes per cycle, and the 50 Hz, 230 V UK mains supply.Open →
- Live and neutral wires, earthing and fusesThe functions and colours of the live, neutral and earth wires, why the live wire is dangerous, equal currents in live and neutral, earthing a metal case, how fuses and circuit breakers protect a circuit, and choosing a fuse rating.Open →
- Fuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangersWhy the switch and fuse sit in the live wire, the potential differences between live, neutral and earth, and why touching the live wire while earthed causes shocks and fires.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Explain how potential difference and current together decide the power of a heater or lamp, and state the equation for electrical power.
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Why are the switch and the fuse placed in the live wire of a mains appliance rather than the neutral wire?
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Describe how an ammeter is connected, the unit an ammeter reads in, why an ammeter has very low resistance, and define current.
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State the charge of each of the two types of particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
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How does the current at different points compare in a series circuit?
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How must a voltmeter be connected to measure the potential difference across a resistor?
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What is meant by the resistance of a component?
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Why does adding a second resistor in series increase the total resistance of a circuit?
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Why is a series circuit convenient for measuring the current in a component?
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What circuit is used to investigate how the current in a fixed resistor depends on the potential difference across it?
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How does the current in a fixed resistor vary with the potential difference across it at constant temperature?
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How can a light-dependent resistor be used to switch a street lamp on at dusk?
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What happens to a resistor when there is a current in it?
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Give one useful application of the heating effect of an electric current.
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What is meant by power?
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What energy transfer takes place in the electric motor of a washing machine?
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What is the difference between a direct voltage and an alternating voltage?
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What happens to the movement of charge in an alternating current?
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What is the function of the live wire in a mains circuit?
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What are the relative charges of a proton, a neutron and an electron?
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How is the supply potential difference shared out in a series circuit?
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What unit does a voltmeter read in?
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Which equation links energy transferred, charge moved and potential difference?
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How must an ammeter be connected to measure the current in a lamp?
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What happens to the current in a circuit if the resistance is increased while the potential difference stays the same?
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How is the total resistance of two resistors in series found?
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Why must a voltmeter be added across a component rather than into the series loop when a series circuit is used for measurements?
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In an investigation of how current depends on potential difference for a fixed resistor, which quantity is changed and which quantities are measured?
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How does the current in a filament lamp change as the potential difference across it is increased?
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Name one everyday device that uses a light-dependent resistor to respond to changing light levels.
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Which energy store increases when a current passes through a resistance wire?
Evaluation
Why is the heating effect of a current a disadvantage in the cables that carry electricity to homes?
Key term
What unit is power measured in, and what is its symbol?
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How is the power transferred by a circuit device related to the current in it and the potential difference across it?
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What energy transfer takes place in an electric kettle?
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How can you tell from a voltage-time trace that a supply is alternating rather than direct?
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Why does an electric heater still work when it is supplied with alternating current?
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What is the function of the neutral wire in a mains circuit?
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Why is the switch of a mains appliance placed in the live wire?
Numbers
What are the relative masses of a proton, a neutron and an electron?
Key term
How does the potential difference across each branch of a parallel circuit compare with the supply potential difference?
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Why is a voltmeter built to have a very high resistance?
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A charge of 20 C moves through a potential difference of 12 V. How much energy is transferred?
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What unit does an ammeter read in?
Take Electricity and Circuits further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Series circuit vs Parallel circuit
Series circuit: a single loop in which the current is the same everywhere and one break stops everything. Parallel circuit: separate branches that each get the full supply potential difference and work independently.
Ammeter vs Voltmeter
Ammeter: a meter connected in series, with very low resistance, reading in amperes. Voltmeter: a meter connected in parallel, with very high resistance, reading in volts.
Direct current vs Alternating current
Direct current: a flow of charge in one direction only, as from a cell or battery. Alternating current: a flow of charge that repeatedly reverses direction, as from the mains.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State the charge of each of the two types of particle found in the nucleus of an atom.
Model answer
Protons carry a positive charge and neutrons carry no charge.
- 2
What are the relative charges of a proton, a neutron and an electron?
Model answer
A proton has a relative charge of +1, a neutron has no charge, and an electron has a relative charge of −1.
- 3
What are the relative masses of a proton, a neutron and an electron?
Model answer
A proton and a neutron each have a relative mass of 1, while an electron has a relative mass of about 1/1836, which is very nearly zero.
- 4
Where in an atom are the electrons found?
Model answer
The electrons occupy shells at different distances around the outside of the nucleus.
- 5
Why does a complete atom have no overall charge?
Model answer
An atom contains equal numbers of protons and electrons, so the positive and negative charges cancel out.
- 6
Why is almost all the mass of an atom concentrated in a tiny part of its volume?
Model answer
The protons and neutrons carry nearly all the mass and are packed into the nucleus, which is far smaller than the whole atom.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Electricity and Circuits revision questions
- What does Electricity and Circuits cover in Edexcel GCSE Physics?
- 20 subtopics: the atom, and drawing circuit diagrams, series and parallel circuits, potential difference and the voltmeter, energy transferred by moving charge, current, charge and measuring current, resistance and the equation v = ir, resistors in series and in parallel, designing circuits to test components, investigating resistance in circuits, current-potential difference graphs for components, light-dependent resistors and thermistors, the heating effect of an electric current, uses of the heating effect, and the equation e = ivt, power as energy transferred per second, calculating electrical power, energy transfer in domestic devices, and power ratings, direct and alternating current, alternating current and the uk mains supply, live and neutral wires, earthing and fuses and fuses in the live wire, mains voltages and electrical dangers. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Electricity and Circuits organised?
- By the Edexcel 1PH0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Electricity and Circuits, on a schedule.
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