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
Electromagnetic Induction
- 8 subtopics
- 24 things to know
- Paper 2
What Electromagnetic Induction covers
Electromagnetic Induction is examined in Paper 2, Physics 2. It covers inducing a current by moving a magnet, factors affecting an induced potential difference, alternators and microphones, how a transformer works, the transformer turns-ratio equation, the national grid, and step-up and step-down transformers, transformer power calculations and why high-voltage transmission reduces energy loss.
Where it is assessed
Paper 2
Physics 2: 1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks, 50% of the GCSE.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 8 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Inducing a current by moving a magnetProducing a potential difference with a bar magnet and a coil, why only a changing field induces one, moving the coil instead, and wind turbines, power stations and dynamos.Open →
- Factors affecting an induced potential differenceThe speed, magnet strength and number of turns that set the induced potential difference, reversing the movement or the pole, and why the induced field opposes the change that made it.Open →
- Alternators and microphonesHow alternators and dynamos produce alternating and direct current with slip rings or a commutator, their outputs over one rotation, increasing a generator's output, and how microphones, loudspeakers and headphones convert between sound and electrical signals.Open →
- How a transformer worksThe construction of a transformer, how an alternating current in the primary coil induces a potential difference in the secondary, why direct current gives no output, the soft iron core, and step-up and step-down transformers and their turns.Open →
- The transformer turns-ratio equationThe turns ratio equation, calculating an output voltage or the number of turns on a coil, and telling a step-up from a step-down transformer by its turns.Open →
- The national grid, and step-up and step-down transformersTransmitting electrical energy at high voltage and low current to cut heating losses in cables, the national grid and its thick cables, where and why step-up and step-down transformers are used, the 230 V mains, and why the grid uses alternating current.Open →
- Transformer power calculationsThe power equation for a 100% efficient transformer, calculating an output current, an output voltage or a primary current, and why stepping the voltage up lowers the current.Open →
- Why high-voltage transmission reduces energy lossThe equations for power and for power wasted in a cable, why a tenfold voltage rise cuts losses a hundredfold, and calculations of current and wasted power in transmission cables.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
How do a faster push, pulling the magnet out, or a reversed magnet change what a coil induces, and why is a force needed?
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State the equations for electrical power and for power wasted in a cable, and explain why a tenfold voltage rise cuts losses a hundredfold.
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Describe how an alternator produces a current that alternates in direction.
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Describe the basic construction of a transformer.
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State the turns ratio equation used for a transformer.
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State why electrical energy is transferred across the country at a very high voltage.
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State the power equation linking the voltages and currents in the two coils of a transformer that is 100% efficient.
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Describe how a potential difference can be produced in the laboratory using a bar magnet and a coil of wire.
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State three factors that affect the size of the potential difference induced when a magnet is moved into a coil.
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Name the parts that connect the rotating coil of an alternator to the external circuit.
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Explain why a transformer produces no output when a steady direct current flows in its primary coil.
Numbers
A transformer changes 230 V into 11.5 V and has 2000 turns on its primary coil. Calculate the number of turns on its secondary coil.
Key term
Explain why a large current in a transmission cable wastes energy.
Numbers
A transformer takes 2.0 A from a 230 V supply and gives an output of 23 V. Calculate the output current.
Key term
State the equation linking electrical power, current and potential difference.
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Explain why a current flows in a coil only while a magnet is being moved into it.
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Describe what happens to the induced potential difference when a magnet is pushed into a coil more quickly.
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Describe how a dynamo produces a current that always flows in the same direction.
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Explain why the two coils of a transformer can be electrically insulated from each other and still transfer energy.
Numbers
A transformer with 1200 turns on its secondary coil raises 100 V to 400 V. Calculate the number of turns on its primary coil.
Key term
Explain how raising the transmission voltage reduces the current needed to deliver the same power.
Numbers
A transformer takes 5.0 A from a 12 V supply and delivers a current of 0.50 A. Calculate the output voltage.
Key term
State the equation linking the power wasted in a cable, the current in it and its resistance.
Take Electromagnetic Induction further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Step-up transformer vs Step-down transformer
Step-up transformer: a device giving an output voltage larger than its input, with more secondary turns. Step-down transformer: a device giving an output voltage smaller than its input, with fewer secondary turns.
Alternator vs Dynamo
Alternator: a generator using slip rings, so the induced current reverses every half turn. Dynamo: a generator using a split-ring commutator, so the current never reverses.
Primary coil vs Secondary coil
Primary coil: the winding connected to the input supply of a transformer. Secondary coil: the winding in which the changing field of the core induces the output.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Describe how a potential difference can be produced in the laboratory using a bar magnet and a coil of wire.
Model answer
Move the magnet into or out of the coil, and a potential difference is induced across the coil while it is moving.
- 2
Name the effect in which movement between a magnet and a conductor produces a potential difference.
Model answer
Electromagnetic induction.
- 3
Explain why a current flows in a coil only while a magnet is being moved into it.
Model answer
A potential difference is induced only while the magnetic field passing through the coil is changing.
- 4
A bar magnet is held still inside a coil connected to a sensitive meter. State the reading on the meter.
Model answer
The reading is zero.
- 5
Describe what happens if a coil is moved over a stationary magnet rather than the magnet being moved into the coil.
Model answer
A potential difference is still induced, because only the relative movement of the magnet and the coil matters.
- 6
Explain how a wind turbine generates electricity.
Model answer
The blades turn a coil and magnet past each other inside a generator, and the changing field through the coil induces a potential difference.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Electromagnetic Induction revision questions
- What does Electromagnetic Induction cover in Edexcel GCSE Physics?
- 8 subtopics: inducing a current by moving a magnet, factors affecting an induced potential difference, alternators and microphones, how a transformer works, the transformer turns-ratio equation, the national grid, and step-up and step-down transformers, transformer power calculations and why high-voltage transmission reduces energy loss. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Electromagnetic Induction organised?
- By the Edexcel 1PH0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Electromagnetic Induction, on a schedule.
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