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
Key Concepts of Physics
- 3 subtopics
- 12 things to know
- Papers 1 and 2
What Key Concepts of Physics covers
Key Concepts of Physics is examined in both papers, as the key concepts that run through the whole course. It covers SI units in physics, multiples and sub-multiples of units, and converting units, significant figures and standard form.
Where it is assessed
Papers 1 and 2
Key concepts, examined on both physics papers.
Check the Pearson Edexcel specification ↗The 3 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- SI units in physicsSI units and symbols for length, mass, time, force, energy, temperature, current, potential difference, resistance, power and frequency, and why scientists everywhere use the same agreed units.Open →
- Multiples and sub-multiples of unitsThe prefixes kilo, mega, giga, centi, milli, micro and nano, the symbol μ for micro, and converting megahertz, kilohms and milliamperes into hertz, ohms and amperes.Open →
- Converting units, significant figures and standard formSeconds in an hour, hours and minutes into seconds, kilometres to metres, grams to kilograms, km/h to m/s, then writing numbers in standard form and rounding to significant figures.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Which units are used for temperature, electric current, potential difference, resistance, power and frequency?
Key term
What do the prefixes kilo, mega, giga, centi, milli, micro and nano stand for?
Key term
Convert a time of 2.5 hours into seconds.
Key term
What number does the prefix kilo stand for?
Key term
A bus journey lasts 45 minutes. Give this time in seconds.
Key term
What is the unit of length used throughout physics, and what symbol represents it?
Key term
State the meanings of the prefixes mega and giga.
Numbers
Convert a distance of 3.2 km into metres.
Key term
State the unit of mass and the symbol used for it.
Key term
What do the prefixes centi and milli stand for?
Key term
A mass of 750 g is recorded on a balance. Give this mass in kilograms.
Take Key Concepts of Physics further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Kilo vs Mega
Kilo: the prefix standing for one thousand, or 10³. Mega: the prefix standing for one million, or 10⁶.
Milli vs Micro
Milli: the prefix standing for one thousandth, or 10⁻³. Micro: the prefix standing for 10⁻⁶, written with the Greek letter μ.
Newton vs Joule
Newton: the unit of force, symbol N. Joule: the unit of energy, symbol J.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is the unit of length used throughout physics, and what symbol represents it?
Model answer
Length is measured in metres, with the symbol m.
- 2
State the unit of mass and the symbol used for it.
Model answer
Mass is measured in kilograms, symbol kg.
- 3
Name the unit of time and give its symbol.
Model answer
Time is measured in seconds, symbol s.
- 4
State the unit of force and the unit of energy.
Model answer
Force is measured in newtons (N) and energy in joules (J).
- 5
A student records a temperature in degrees Celsius. What is the base unit of temperature in physics?
Model answer
The base unit of temperature is the kelvin, symbol K.
- 6
Give the units of electric current, potential difference and resistance.
Model answer
Current is measured in amperes (A), potential difference in volts (V) and resistance in ohms (Ω).
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Key Concepts of Physics revision questions
- What does Key Concepts of Physics cover in Edexcel GCSE Physics?
- 3 subtopics: si units in physics, multiples and sub-multiples of units and converting units, significant figures and standard form. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Key Concepts of Physics organised?
- By the Edexcel 1PH0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Key Concepts of Physics, on a schedule.
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