gcse physics aqa summary of specification
Paper 1:
• Energy
• Electricity
• Particle model of matter
• Atomic structures
Paper 2:
• Forces
• Waves
• Magnetism and electromagnetism
• Space physics
Multiple Size Power of ten Prefix Prefix
(x10²) abbreviation
Physics Review
1,000,000,000,00
0
12 tera- T
1,000,000,000 9 giga- G
Paper 1: 1,000,000 6 mega- M
Energy 1,000 3 kilo- k
Electricity 0.01 -2 centi- c
Particle model of matter 0.001 -3 milli- m
Atomic structures 0.000001 -6 micro- μ
0.000000001 -9 Nano- n
Name Unit Abbreviation
Paper 2: Frequency hertz Hz
Forces Force newton N
Waves Energy transferred/work done joule J
Magnetism and electromagnetism Power watt W
Pressure pascal Pa
Space physics. Electric charge coulomb C
Electric potential difference volt V
Energy: Electric resistance ohm Ω
Magnetic flux density tesla T
System: an object or group of objects; when a system changes energy is transferred
Law of conservation of energy states energy can be transferred usefully, stored or dissipated, but it
cannot be created or destroyed.
When energy is transferred to an object the energy is stored in one of the objects energy stores.
Dissipation: The process of energy being transferred, or lost, to the surroundings.
8 main stores of energy:
1. Magnetic
2. Internal (thermal)
3. Chemical
4. Electrostatic
5. Kinetic
6. Elastic potential
7. Gravitational potential
8. Nuclear
4 Transferring energy:
1. mechanical work - a force moving an object through a distance
2. electrical work - charges moving due to a potential difference
3. heating - due to temperature difference caused electrically or by chemical reaction
4. radiation - energy transferred as a wave, e.g. light and infrared - light radiation and infrared
radiation are emitted from the sun
Power (watts): the rate at which work is done (joules) or energy is transferred (joules).
Work done(J) = force(N) * distance(M)
energy transfered ( E ) work done(w)
Power ( P )= Power (P)=
time ( t ) time (t)
Energy transferred can also be unwanted, such as heat in a circuit with a bulb, this can be reduced
by using things like lubrication in a mechanical system or an LED instead of a bulb because it makes
the system more efficient.
Renewable energy resource: an energy resource that is being (or can be) replenished as it is used.
Insulator: a material that doesn’t transfer energy easily
useful output energy transfer useful power output
Efficiency= Efficiency=
total input energy transfer total power input
Specific heat capacity: the amount of energy required to rise 1kg of a substance by 1 0C
, Electricity:
Electric current: the rate of flow of electrical charge
Charge flow ( Q )=current ( I )∗time(t)
V =IR
V=energy/charge
Energy resources on the Earth:
Energy resources Renewable
Fossil fuels (coal, oil No Harmful to the environment but produce a lot of energy
and gas)
Nuclear fuel No Very reliable, provide energy for a long time and has no
emissions into the environment
Bio-fuel Yes Made from organic matter and waste but cause co2 emissions
Wind Yes Only work when there’s enough wind and don’t cause a lot of
energy compared to fossil fuels
Hydro-electricity Yes Very expensive
Geothermal Yes Heats water from underground and uses it to produce energy
The tides Yes Rely on the moon and there for only work at certain times
The Sun Yes Only works in the day and produces less energy in the winter
Thermistor: the resistance of a thermistor is negatively proportional to the temperature
LDR: the resistance of an LDR is negatively proportional to the light intensity
Series Parallel
1. Current stays the same through each 1. The potential difference is the same across
component branches
2. The total potential difference of the power 2. The total current through the circuit is the
supply is shared between the components sum of the currents through the separate
3. the total resistance of branches
two components is the 3. The total resistance is lower than the lowest
sum of the resistance of individual resister because current has ore
each component. paths to go through
4. So, if 1 component stops working the whole 4. So, if 1 component breaks components in
circuit will stop working other branches will still work
Mains electricity is an AC supply. In the United Kingdom the domestic electricity supply has a
frequency of 50 Hz and is about 230 V.
Live: caries the alternating current from the supply, brown
Neutral: completes the circuit (ideally has no potential difference), blue
Earth: is a safety wire to stop appliances from becoming live, green and yellow
Fuse: acts as a fail-safe; it is connected to a small wire which melts when the current is too high
Features of a plug Function
Outer insulation All three wires in the cable are bundled together and there is extra plastic insulation wrapped
round them all for safety
Cable grip This holds the cable tightly in place so that wires do not become loose
Live wire Copper wire coated with brown plastic along which the current enters the device
Fuse A glass or ceramic canister containing a thin wire that melts if the current gets too high
Neutral wire Copper wire coated with blue plastic that also connects to the cable in the wall and completes
the circuit
Earth wire Copper wire coated in striped plastic that provides a path for current to flow from the case of
the device to the ground if there is a fault
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