Physics: IGCSE Physics

General Physics

Thermal Physics

Properties of waves, including light and sound

Electricity and magnetism

Atomic physics

Length and time

Motion

Mass and weight

Density

Forces

Momentum

Energy, work and power

Pressure

Simple kinetic molecular model of matter

Thermal properties and temperature

Thermal processes

General wave properties

Light

Electromagnetic spectrum

Sound

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Electrical quantities

Electric circuits

Digital electronics

Dangers of electricity

Electromagnetic effects

The nuclear atom

Radioactivity

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Effects of forces

Turning Effect

Conditions for equilibrium

Centre of mass

Scalars and vectors

Energy

Energy resources

Work

Power

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States of matter

Molecular model

Evaporation

Pressure changes

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Measurements of temperature

Thermal capacity (heat capacity)

Melting and boiling

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

Consequences of energy transfer

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Reflection of light

Refraction of light

Thin converging lens

Dispersion of light

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Electric charge

Current

Electromotive force

Potential difference

Resistance

Electrical working

Circuit diagrams

Series and parallel circuits

Action and use of circuit components

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Electromagnetic induction

a.c. generator

Transformer

The magnetic effect of a current

Force on a current-carrying conductor

d.c. motor

Atomic model

Nucleus

Detection of radioactivity

Characteristics of the three kinds of emission

Radioactive decay

Half-life

Safety precautions

Use and describe the use of rules and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume

Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital, for measuring an interval of time

Obtain an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of a pendulum)

Understand that a micrometer screw gauge is used to measure very small distance

Define speed and calculate average speed from (total distance)/(total time)

Plot and interpret a speed-time graph or a distance-time graph

Recognise from the shape of a speed-time graph when a body is

Calculate the area under a speed-time graph to work out the distance travelled for motion with constant acceleration

Demonstrate understanding that acceleration and deceleration are related to changing speed including qualitative analysis of the gradient of a speed-time graph

State that the acceleration of free fall for a body near to the Earth is constant

Describe qualitatively the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field with and without air resistance (including reference to terminal velocity)

Show familiarity with the idea of the mass and the body

State that weight is a gravitational force

Distinguish between mass and weight

Recall and use the equation W=mg

Demonstrate understanding that weights (and hence masses) may be compared using a balance

Demonstrate an understand that mass is a property that 'resists' change in motion

Describe, and use the concept of, weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass

Recall and use the equation p=m/v

Describe an experiment to determine the density of a liquid and of a regularly shaped solid and make the necessary calculation

Describe the determination of the density of an irregularly shaped solid by the method of displacement

Predict whether an object will float based on density data

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Recall and use the equation p=F/A

Relate pressure to force and area, using appropriate examples

Describe the simple mercury barometer and its use in measuring atmospheric pressure

Relate (without calculation) the pressure beneath a liquid surface to depth and to density, using appropriate examples

Use and describe the use of a manometer

Recall and use the equation p=h(rho)g

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Demonstrate understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter

Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrate by vibration in ropes and springs and by experiments using water waves

Use the term wavefront

Give the meaning of speed, frequency, wavelength and amplitude

Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples

Describe how waves can undergo:

Describe the use of water waves to demonstration reflection, refraction and diffraction

Recall and use the equation v=f(lambda)

Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap

Describe how wavelength affects diffraction at an edge

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Describe the main features of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength

State that all e.m. waves travel with the same high speed in a vacuum 

Describe typical properties and uses of radiations in all the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including:

Demonstrate an awareness of safety issues regarding the use of microwaves and X-rays

State that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 10^8 m/s^2 and is approximately the same in air

Describe the production of sound by vibrating sources

Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves

State that the approximate range of audible frequencies for a healthy human ear is 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz

Show an understanding of the term ultrasound

Describe an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air

Show an understanding that a medium is needed to transmit sound waves

Relate the loudness and pitch of sound waves to amplitude and frequency

Describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo

Describe the forces between magnets, and between magnets and magnetic materials 

Give an account of induced magnetism

Distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic materials

Describe methods of magnetisation, to include stroking with a magnet, use of d.c. in a coil and hammering in a magnetic field

Draw the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet

Describe an experiment to identify the pattern of magnetic field lines, including the direction 

Distinguish between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel 

Distinguish between the design and use of permanent magnets and electromagnets

Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic fields

Describe methods of demagnetisation, to include hammering, heating and use of a.c. in a coil

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Explain and use the terms analogue and digital in terms of continuous variation and high/low states

Describe the action of NOT, AND, OR, NAND and NOR gates 

Recall and use the symbols for logic gates

Design and understand simple digital circuits combining several logic gates 

Use truth tables to describe the action of individual gates and simple combinations of gates

State the hazards of:

State that a fuse protects a circuit 

Explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers and choose appropriate fuse ratings and circuit-breaker settings

Explain the benefits of earthing metal cases

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at rest

moving with constant speed

moving with changing speed

Recognise that a force may produce a change in size and shape of a body

Plot and interpret extension-load graphs and describe the associated experimental procedure

Describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body

Find the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same line

Recognise that if there is no resultant force on a body it either remains a rest or continues at constant speed in a straight line

Recognise air resistance as a force of friction

State Hooke's Law and recall and use the expression F=kx, where k is the spring constant

Recognise the significance of the 'limit of proportionality' for an extension-load graph

Recall and use the relation between force, mass and acceleration (including the direction), F=ma

Describe qualitatively motion in a circular path due to a perpendicular force (F=mv^2/r is not required)

Describe the moment of a force as a measure of its turning effect and give everyday examples

Understand that increasing force or distance from the pivot increases the amount of force

Calculate moment using the product force x perpendicular distance from the pivot

Apply the principle of moments to the balancing of a beam about a pivot

Apply the principle of moments to different situations

Recognise that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant turning effect, a system is in equilibrium

Perform and describe an experiment (involving vertical forces) to show that there is no net moment on a body in equilibrium

Perform and describe an experiment to determine the position of the center of mass of a plane lamina

Describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the center of mass on the stability of simple objects.

Understand that vectors have a magnitude and direction

Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between scalars and vectors and give common examples

Determine graphically the resultant of two vectors

Understand the concepts of momentum and impulse

Recall and use the equation momentum = mass x velocity, p=mv

Recall and use the equation for impulse Ft=mv-mu

Apply the principle of the conservation of momentum to solve simple problems in one dimension

Identify changes in kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear and internal energy that have occurred as a result of an event or process

Recognise that energy is transferred during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical working), by electrical currents (electrical working), by heating and by waves

Apply the principle of conservation of energy to simple examples

Recall and use the expressions kinetic energy = 1/2 mv^2 and change in gravitational potential energy = mg(delta)h

Apply the principle of conservation of energy to examples involving multiple stages

Explain that in any event or process the energy tends to become more spread out among the objects and surroundings (dissipated)

Describe how electricity or other useful forms of energy may be obtained from:

chemical energy stored in fuel

water, including the energy stored in waves, in tides, and in water behind hydroelectric dams

geothermal resources

heat and light from the Sun (solar cells and panels)

wind

Give advantages and disadvantages of each method in terms of renewability, cost, reliability, scale and environmental impact

Show a qualitative understanding of efficiency

Understanding that the Sun is the source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal

Show an understanding that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun

Recall and use the equation: efficiency = (useful energy output)/(energy input) x 100%

Demonstrate understanding that work done = energy transferred

Relate (without calculation) work done to the magnitude of a force and the distance moved in the direction of the force

Recall and use W=Fd=(delta)E

Relate (without calculation) power to work done and time taken, using appropriate examples

Recall and use the equation P=(delta)E/t in simple systems

State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases

Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of the molecules

Interpret the temperature of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules

Describe qualitatively the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules

Show an understanding of the random motion of particles in a suspension for the kinetic molecular model of matter

Describe this motion (sometimes known as Brownian motion) in terms of random molecular bombardment

Relate the properties of solids, liquids and gases to the forces and distances between molecules and to the motion of the molecules

Explain the pressure in terms of the change of momentum of the particles striking the walls creating a force

Show appreciation that massive particles may be moved by light, fast-moving molecules

Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of more-energetic molecules from the surface of a liquid

Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling of the liquid

Demonstrate an understanding of how temperature, surface area and draught over a surface influence evaporation

Explain the cooling of a body in contact with an evaporating liquid

Describe qualitatively, in terms of molecules, the effect on pressure of a gas of:

a change of temperature at a constant volume

a change of volume at constant temperature

Recall and use the equation pV=constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature

Describe qualitatively the thermal expression of solids, liquids, and gases at constant pressure

Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion

Explain, in terms of the motion and arrangement of molecules, the relative order of the magnitude of the expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Appreciate how for a physical property that varies with temperature may be used for the measurement of temperature, and state examples of such properties

Recognise the need for and identify fixed points

Describe and explain the structure and action of liquid-in-glass thermometers

Demonstrate understanding of sensitivity, range and linearity

Describe the structure of a thermocouple and show understanding of its use as a thermometer for measuring high temperatures and those that vary rapidly

Describe and explain how the structure of a liquid-in-glass thermometer relates to its sensitivity, range and linearity

Relate a rise in the temperature of a body to an increase in its internal energy

Show an understanding of what is meant by the thermal capacity of a body

Give a simple molecular account of an increase in internal energy

Recall and use the equation thermal capacity = mc

Define specific heat capacity

Describe an experiment to measure the specific heat capacity of a substance

Recall and use the equation change in energy = mc(delta)T

Describe melting and boiling in terms of energy input without a change in temperature

State the meaning of melting point and boiling point

Describe condensation and solidification in terms of molecules

Distinguish between boiling and evaporation

Use the terms latent heat of vaporisation and latent heat of fusion and give a molecular interpretation of latent heat

Define specific latent heat

Describe an experiment to measure specific latent heats for steam and for ice

Recall and use the equation energy = mt

Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good and bad thermal conductors

Give a simple molecular account of conduction in solids including lattice vibration and transfer by electrons

Recognise convection as an important method of thermal transfer in fluids

Relate convection in fluids to density changes and describe experiments to illustrative convection

Identify infra-red radiation as part of the elctromagnetic spectrum

Recognise that thermal energy transfer by radiation does not require a medium

Describe the effect of surface colour (black or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of radiation

Describe experiments to show the properties of good and bad emitters and good and bad absorbers of infra-red radiation

Show an understanding that the amount of radiation emitted also depends on the surface temperature and surface area of a body

Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequence of conduction, convection and radiation

reflection at a plane surface

refraction due to a change of speed

diffraction through a narrow gap

Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror, and give its characteristics

Recall and use the law angle of incidence = angle of reflection

Recall that the image in a plane mirror is virtual

Perform simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflections by plane mirrors

Describe an experimental demonstration of the refraction of light

Use the terminology for the angle of incidence i and angle of refraction r and describe the passage of light through parallel-sided transparent material

Give the meaning of critical angle

Describe internal and total internal refraction

Recall and use the definition of refractive index n in terms of speed

Recall and use the equation (sin i)/(sin r =n

Recall and use the n=1/(sin c)

Describe and explain the action of optical fibres particularly in medicine and communications technology

Describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light

Use the terms principal focus and focal lenght

Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a real image by a single lens

Describe the nature of an image using the terms enlarged/same size/diminished and upright/inverted

Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a virtual image by a single lense

Use and describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass

Show understanding of the terms real image and virtual image

Give a qualitative account of the dispersion of light as shown by the action on light of a class prism including the seven colours of the spectrum in their correct order

Recall that light of a single frequency is described as monochromatic

radio and television communications (radio waves)

satellite television and telephones (microwaves)

electrical appliances, remote controllers for televisions and intruder alarms (infra-red)

medicine and security (X-rays)

State that there are positive and negative charges

State that unlike charges attract and that like charges repel

Describe simple experiments to show the production and detection of electrostatic charges

State that charging a body involves the addition or removal of electrons

Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples

State that charge is measured in coulombs 

State that the direction of an electric field at a point is the direction of the force on a positive charge at that point

Describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force

Describe simple field patterns, including the field around a point charge, the field around a charged conducting sphere and the field between two parallel plates (not including end effects)

Give an account of charging by induction

Recall and use a simple electron model to distinguish between conductors and insulators

State that current is related to the flow of charge

Use and describe the use of an ammeter, both analogue and digital 

State that current in metals is due to a flow of electrons

Show understanding that a current is a rate of flow of charge and recall and use the equation I=Q/t

Distinguish between the direction of flow of electrons and conventional current

State that the e.m.f. of an electrical source of energy is measured in volts

Show understanding that e.m.f. is defined in terms of energy supplied by a source in driving charge round a complete circuit

State that the potential difference (p.d.) across a circuit component is measured in volts

Use and describe the use of a voltmeter, both analogue and digital 

Recall that 1V is equivalent to 1 J/C

State that resistance = p.d./current and understand qualitatively how changes in p.d. or resistance affect current

Recall and use the equation R=V/I

Describe an experiment to determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter

Relate (without calculation) the resistance of a wire to its length and to its diameter

Sketch and explain the current-voltage characteristic of an ohmic resistor and a filament lamp

Recall and use quantitatively the proportionality between resistance and length, and the inverse proportionality between resistance and cross-sectional area of a wire

Understand that electric circuits transfer energy from the battery or power source to the circuit components then into the surroundings

Recall and use the equations P=IV and E=IVt

Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing sources, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), heaters, thermistors, light-dependent resistors, lamps, ammeters, voltmeters, galvanometers, magnetising coils, transformers, bells, fuses and relays

Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing diodes

Understand that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same

Give the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series

State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch

State that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself 

State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a lighting circuit

Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several sources in series

Recall and use the fact that the sum of the p.d.s across the components in a series circuit is equal to the total p.d. across the supply

Recall and use the fact that the current from the source is the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit

Calculate the effective resistance of two resistors in parallel

Describe the action of a variable potential divider (potentiometer)

Describe the action of thermistors and lightdependent resistors and show understanding of their use as input transducers

Describe the action of a relay and show understanding of its use in switching circuits

Describe the action of a diode and show understanding of its use as a rectifier

Recognise and show understanding of circuits operating as light-sensitive switches and temperature-operated alarms (to include the use of a relay)

damaged insulation

overheating of cables

damp conditions

Show understanding that a conductor moving across a magnetic field or a changing magnetic field linking with a conductor can induce an e.m.f. in the conductor 

Describe an experiment to demonstrate electromagnetic induction

State the factors affecting the magnitude of an induced e.m.f.

Show understanding that the direction of an induced e.m.f. opposes the change causing it

State and use the relative directions of force, field and induced current

Distinguish between direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.)

Describe and explain a rotating-coil generator and the use of slip rings  

Sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator

Relate the position of the generator coil to the peaks and zeros of the voltage output

Describe the construction of a basic transformer with a soft-iron core, as used for voltage transformations 

Recall and use the equation (Vp / Vs) = (Np / Ns)

Understand the terms step-up and step-down

Describe the use of the transformer in high-voltage transmission of electricity

Give the advantages of high-voltage transmission

Describe the principle of operation of a transformer

Recall and use the equation Ip*Vp = Is*Vs (for 100% efficiency)

Explain why power losses in cables are lower when the voltage is high

Describe the pattern of the magnetic field (including direction) due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids

Describe applications of the magnetic effect of current, including the action of a relay

State the qualitative variation of the strength of the magnetic field over salient parts of the pattern

State that the direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that point

Describe the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and direction of the current

Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing: 

the current 

the direction of the field

State and use the relative directions of force, field and current 

Describe an experiment to show the corresponding force on beams of charged particles

State that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect and that the effect is increased by:

increasing the number of turns on the coil

increasing the current

increasing the strength of the magnetic field

Relate this turning effect to the action of an electric motor including the action of a split-ring commutator

Describe the structure of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus and negative electrons 

Describe how the scattering of α-particles by thin metal foils provides evidence for the nuclear atom

Describe the composition of the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons

State the charges of protons and neutrons

Use the term proton number Z

Use the term nucleon number A

Use the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation

Use and explain the term isotope

State the meaning of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion

Balance equations involving nuclide notation

Demonstrate understanding of background radiation

Describe the detection of α particles, β particles and γ rays (β+ are not included: β particles will be taken to refer to β–)

Discuss the random nature of radioactive emission

Identify α, β and γ-emissions by recalling

their nature

their relative ionising effects

their relative penetrating abilities (β+ are not included, β particles will be taken to refer to β– )

Describe their deflection in electric fields and in magnetic fields

Interpret their relative ionising effects

Give and explain examples of practical applications of α, β and γ-emissions

State the meaning of radioactive decay

State that during α or β decay the nucleus changes to that of a different element

Use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are emitted 

Use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves

Calculate half-life from data or decay curves from which background radiation has not been subtracted

Recall the effects of ionising radiations on living things

Describe how radioactive materials are handled, used and stored in a safe way