identify and use prefixes and learn how to convert between them
identify the orders of magnitude of the sizes of common objects ranging from a typical atom to the Earth
define scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each
learn how to measure a variety of lengths with appropriate accuracy by using metre rules, micrometer screw gauges and vernier calipers, along with how to account for zero errors
describe how to measure a short interval of time including the period of a simple pendulum with appropriate accuracy
Kinematics
define kinematics terms such as distance, displacement, speed and velocity and how to apply their relevant equations
define acceleration and calculate the value of an acceleration using equations
plot and interpret a displacement-time graph and a
velocity-time graph
deduce, from the shape of a displacement-time graph and a velocity-time graph, the state of a body’s motion
describe the motion of bodies with constant weight falling with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity
Dynamics
apply Newton’s Laws to describe and calculate:
(i) effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body
(ii) the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body
(iii) action-reaction pairs acting on two interacting bodies
identify forces acting on an object and draw free body diagram(s)
solve problems for a static point mass under the action of 3 forces for 2-dimensional cases through the use of vector diagrams
explain and calculate the effects of friction on the motion of a body
Mass, Weight and Density
describe the effects of inertia on different bodies
define mass, gravitational field strength and weight and learn how to use their relevant equations to solve questions
distinguish between mass and weight
define density and learn to use its equation to solve questions and describe real life applications
Turning Effect of Forces
describe and calculate the moment of a force in terms of its turning effect and relate this to everyday examples
state the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium
apply the principle of moments to solve one pivot and two pivot problems
describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of gravity and base area of support on the stability of objects
Pressure
define pressure and apply its equations to solve related problems
calculate and explain the transmission of pressure in hydraulic systems with particular reference to the hydraulic press
calculate pressure due to a liquid column to solve related problems
describe how the height of a liquid column may be used to measure the atmospheric pressure
describe the use of a manometer in the measurement of pressure difference
Energy, Work and Power
define and calculate kinetic energy, potential energy (chemical, gravitational, elastic), light energy, thermal energy, electrical energy and nuclear energy through the use of relevant formulas
state the principle of the conservation of energy and use it to solve related problems
calculate the efficiency of an energy conversion
apply the relationships for kinetic energy and potential energy to solve and explain conserved mechanical problems
define and calculate work done and power using their formulas to solve related problems
Kinetic Model of Matter
understand the macroscopic properties of solids, liquids and gases
describe the molecular structure of solids, liquids and gases, relating their properties to the forces and distances between molecules and to the motion of the molecules
infer from a Brownian motion experiment the evidence for the movement of molecules
describe the relationship between the motion of molecules and temperature
explain how gas exerts pressure in terms of the motion of its molecules
recall and explain the following relationships using the kinetic model
(i) a change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume is caused by a change in temperature of the gas
(ii) a change in volume occupied by a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure is caused by a change in temperature of the gas
(iii) a change in pressure of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature is caused by a change in volume of the gas
Transfer of Thermal Energy
describe, in molecular terms, how energy transfer occurs in solids
describe, in terms of density changes, convection in fluids
explain that energy transfer of a body by radiation and how rate of energy transfer is affected by:
(i) colour and texture of the surface
(ii) surface temperature
(iii) surface area
apply the concept of thermal energy transfer to everyday applications
Temperature
explain how a physical property which varies with temperature may be used to define temperature scales
describe the process of calibration of a liquid-in-glass thermometer
Thermal Properties of Matter
describe a rise in temperature of a body in terms of an increase in its internal energy
define the terms heat capacity and specific heat capacity and their associated equations to solve problems
describe melting/solidification and boiling/condensation
explain the difference between boiling and evaporation
define the terms latent heat and specific latent heat and their associated equations to solve problems
explain latent heat in terms of molecular behaviour
sketch and interpret a heating curve and cooling curve
General Wave Properties
describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank
define speed, frequency, wavelength, period, amplitude and wavefront
recall and apply the relevant wave equations
define transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each
Light
define and use the terms for reflection, such as normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection
define law of reflection and use this principle in constructions, measurements and calculations
define and use the terms for refraction, such as normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction
define law of refraction and refractive index and use its equations to solve related problems
explain and calculate critical angle and total internal reflection
describe the effects of a thin lens on a beam of light
define and calculate the focal length for a converging lens
draw ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of real and virtual images of an object by a thin converging lens
Electromagnetic Spectrum
define electromagnetic waves and their relevant characteristics
describe the main components of the electromagnetic spectrum
state examples of the use of the following components
describe the effects of absorbing electromagnetic waves
Sound
describe the production of sound
describe the characteristics of sound waves
explain how speed of sound differs in gasses, liquids and solids
describe a direct method for the determination of the speed of sound in air and make the necessary calculation
relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency
describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo, and how this may be used for measuring distances
define ultrasound and their applications
Static Electricity
describe positive and negative charges and how they interact
draw the electric field of several scenarios
describe how to charge and discharge insulators
describe experiments to show electrostatic charging by induction
describe examples where electrostatic charging may be a potential hazard
describe the use of electrostatic charging in real life scenarios
Current of Electricity
define current and use its formula in calculations
distinguish between conventional current and electron flow
define electromotive force and potential difference and use their formulas in calculations
define resistance use their formulas in calculations
describe an experiment to determine the resistance of a metallic conductor using a voltmeter and an ammeter, and make the necessary calculations
learn how to calculate effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to solve related problems
define resistivity anduse their formulas in calculations
state Ohm’s Law
describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductor
sketch and interpret the I/V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature, for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode
D.C. Circuits
draw circuit diagrams with power sources (cell, battery, d.c. supply or a.c. supply), switches, lamps, resistors (fixed and variable), variable potential divider (potentiometer), fuses, ammeters and voltmeters, bells, light-dependent resistors, thermistors and light-emitting diodes
state the relationships of current, electromotive force and potential difference in series and parallel circuits and use them to solve questions
describe the action of a variable potential divider
describe the action of thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input transducers in potential dividers
solve simple circuit problems involving thermistors and light-dependent resistors
Practical Electricity
describe the use of the heating effect of electricity in appliances such as electric kettles, ovens and heaters
use equations of electrical power and energy to solve related problems
calculate the cost of using electrical appliances
compare the use of non-renewable and renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectric generation to generate electricity in terms of energy conversion efficiency, production costs and environmental impact
state the hazards of using electricity
explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and calculate fuse ratings
explain the need for earthing metal cases and for double insulation
state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth
describe the wiring in a mains plug
explain why switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are wired into the live conductor
Magnetism
state the properties of magnets
describe induced magnetism
describe electrical methods of magnetisation and demagnetisation
draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets
distinguish between the properties and uses of temporary magnets (e.g. iron) and permanent magnets (e.g. steel)
Electromagnetism
draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and/or direction of the current
describe the application of the magnetic effect of a current in a circuit breaker
describe experiments to show the force on a current-carrying conductor, and on a beam of charged particles in a magnetic field
deduce the relative directions of force, field and current when any two of these quantities are at right angles to each other using Fleming’s left-hand rule
describe the field patterns between currents in parallel conductors and relate these to the forces which exist between the conductors
explain how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect
discuss how this turning effect is used in the action of an electric motor
describe the action of a split-ring commutator in a two-pole, single-coil motor and the effect of winding the coil on to a soft-iron cylinder
Electromagnetic Induction
define, explain and apply Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law
describe a simple form of a.c. generator and the use of slip rings
sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator
describe the use of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) to display waveforms and to measure potential differences and short intervals of time
interpret c.r.o. displays of waveforms, potential differences and time intervals to solve related problems
describe the structure and principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer as used for voltage transformations and their relevant equations to solve problems
describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage transmission
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