Science 0654 (2025-): Physics

Motion, forces and energy

Thermal physics

Waves

Electricity and magnetism

Nuclear physics

Space physics

Physical quantities and measurement techniques

Motion

Mass and weight

Density

Effects of forces

Turning effect of forces

Centre of gravity

Energy

Work

Energy resources

Power

Pressure

States of matter

Particle model

Pressure changes

Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

Melting, boiling and evaporation

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

Consequences of thermal energy transfer

General properties of waves

Reflection of light

Refraction of light

Thin converging lens

Dispersion of light

Electromagnetic spectrum

Sound

Simple phenomena of magnetism

Electrical charge

Electric current

Voltage (electromotive force and potential difference)

Resistance

Electrical energy and electrical power

Circuit diagrams and circuit components

Series and parallel circuits

Electrical safety

Electromagnetic induction

The a.c. generator

Magnetic effect of current

Force on a current-carrying conductor

The d.c. motor

The transformer

The nucleus

Detection of radioactivity

The three types of nuclear emission

Radioactive decay

Half-life

Applications and safety precautions

The Solar System

The Sun as a star

Life cycle of stars

Galaxies and the Universe

Describe the use of rulers and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume

Describe how to measure a variety of time intervals using clocks and digital timers

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

Understand that a scalar quantity has magnitude (size) only and that a vector quantity has magnitude and direction

Know that the following quantities are scalars: distance, speed, time, mass, energy and temperature

Know that the following quantities are vectors: force, weight, velocity, acceleration and gravitational field strength

Define speed as distance travelled per unit time; recall and use the equation: v = s/t

Recall and use the equation: average speed = total distance travelled/total time taken

Sketch, plot and interpret distance-time and speed-time graphs

Know that an object moving with increasing speed is accelerating, and that an object moving with decreasing speed is decelerating

Determine, qualitatively, from the shape of a distance-time graph or speed-time graph when an object is: 

Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight-line section of a distance-time graph

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

Define velocity as speed in a given direction

Define acceleration as change in velocity per unit time; recall and use the equation: a =Δv/Δt

Determine from given data or the shape of a speed-time graph when an object is moving with: (a) constant acceleration (b) changing acceleration

Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a straight-line section of a speed-time graph

Know that deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations

Know that the acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is approximately constant and is approximately 9.8 m/s^2

State that mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object

State that weight is the gravitational force on an object that has mass

Define gravitational field strength g as the gravitational force per unit mass; recall and use the equation g = W / m and know that near to the surface of the Earth, g is approximately 9.8 N/kg

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

Know that gravitational field strength is equivalent to the acceleration of free fall

Define density as mass per unit volume; recall and use the equation: p = m / v

Describe how to determine the density of a liquid, of a regularly shaped solid and of an irregularly shaped solid which sinks in a liquid (volume by displacement), including appropriate calculations

Determine whether an object floats or sinks based on density data

Know that forces may produce changes in the size, shape and motion of an object

Determine the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same straight line

Describe friction as the force between two surfaces that may impede relative motion and produce heating

Know that friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a liquid

Know that friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a gas (e.g. air resistance)

Know that an object either remains at rest or continues in a straight line at constant speed unless there is a resultant force on the object

Recall and use the equation F = ma and know that the resultant force and the acceleration are in the same direction

Sketch, plot and interpret load-extension graphs for an elastic solid and describe the associated experimental procedures

Define the spring constant as force per unit extension; recall and use the equation: k = F / x

Define and use the term 'limit of proportionality' for a load-extension graph and identify this point on the graph (an understanding of the elastic limit is not required)

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

Define the moment of a force as moment = force x perpendicular distance from the pivot; recall and use this equation

State that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant moment, an object is in equilibrium

Apply the principle of moments to situations with one force each side of the pivot, including balancing of a beam

Understand what is meant by centre of gravity and know its position for regularly shaped objects (limited to rectangular blocks, spheres and cylinders)

Describe an experiment to determine the position of the centre of gravity of an irregularly shaped plane lamina

Describe, qualitatively, the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the stability of simple objects

State that energy may be stored as kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear, electrostatic and internal (thermal)

Describe how energy is transferred between stores during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical work done), electrical currents (electrical work done), heating and by electromagnetic, sound and other waves

Know the principle of conservation of energy and apply this principle to simple examples including the interpretation of simple flow diagrams (Sankey diagrams are not required)

Recall and use the equation for kinetic energy: Ek = 1/2 mv^2

Recall and use the equation for the change in gravitational potential energy: ΔEp = mΔgh

Understand that mechanical or electrical work done is equal to the energy transferred

Recall and use the equation for mechanical working: W = Fd = ΔE

Describe how useful energy may be obtained, or electrical power generated, from:

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

Understand, qualitatively, the concept of efficiency of energy transfer

Know that radiation from the Sun is the main source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal

Know that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun (detailed knowledge of the process of fusion is not required)

Know that energy is released by nuclear fission in nuclear reactors (detailed knowledge of the process of fission is not required)

Define efficiency as:

Define power as work done per unit time and also as energy transferred per unit time; recall and use the equations

Describe how pressure varies with force and area in the context of everyday examples

Define pressure as force per unit area; recall and use the equation: p = F/A

State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases

Know the terms for the changes in state between solids, liquids and gases (gas to solid and solid to gas changes are not required)

Describe the structure of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of the particles and represent these states using simple particle diagrams

Describe the relationship between the motion of particles and temperature

Know that the random motion of particles (e.g. smoke particles or pollen grains, that can be viewed with a light microscope) in a suspension is evidence for the kinetic particle model of matter

Know that the forces and distances between particles and the motion of the particles affect the properties of solids, liquids and gases

Describe and explain this motion (sometimes known as Brownian motion) in terms of random collisions between particles in the suspension and the much smaller, fastmoving particles of the gas or liquid

Describe the pressure of a gas in terms of the forces exerted by particles colliding with surfaces, creating a force per unit area

Describe qualitatively, in terms of particles, the effect on the pressure of a fixed mass of gas of:

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

Explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion

Know the melting and boiling temperatures for water at standard atmospheric pressure (limited to Celsius only)

Describe condensation and solidification (freezing) in terms of particles

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

Know that evaporation causes cooling of a liquid

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

Describe the differences between boiling and evaporation

Describe how temperature, surface area and air movement over a surface affect evaporation

Identify and give examples of typical good thermal conductors and bad thermal conductors (thermal insulators)

Describe thermal conduction in solids in terms of atomic or molecular lattice vibrations and also in terms of the movement of delocalised (mobile) electrons in metallic conductors

Know that convection is an important method of energy transfer in liquids and gases

Describe convection in liquids and gases

Explain convection in liquid and gases in terms of density changes

Know that thermal energy transfer by thermal radiation does not require a medium and is mainly due to infrared radiation

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

Know that the temperature of the Earth is affected by the radiation absorbed by the Earth and the radiation emitted by the Earth

Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad emitters of thermal radiation

Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad absorbers of thermal radiation

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

Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter

Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration (oscillation) in ropes and springs and by experiments using water waves

Describe the features of a wave in terms of wavelength, frequency, crest (peak), trough, amplitude and wave speed

Describe how waves can undergo:

Recall and use the equation for wave speed V = fλ

Know that for a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation and understand that electromagnetic radiation, water waves and seismic S-waves (secondary) are transverse

Know that for a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation and understand that sound waves and seismic P-waves (primary) are longitudinal

Describe how waves undergo diffraction through a narrow gap

Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap

Use ray diagrams to define the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection

Describe the formation of an optical image by a vertical plane mirror and give its characteristics compared with the object, i.e. same size, same distance from mirror, laterally inverted

State that for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection; recall and use this relationship

Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and explain why it is virtual

Use simple diagrams, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors

Define refraction as the change in direction of a light ray passing from one medium to another

Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction using ray diagrams

Describe the passage of light through a transparent material (limited to the boundaries between two media only)

Define refractive index, n, as the ratio of the speeds of a wave in two different regions

Recall and use the equation: n = sin i / sin r

Describe total internal reflection using ray diagrams

Define the critical angle as the angle of incidence at which the angle of refraction is 90° and above which all light is totally internally reflected

Describe total internal reflection in optical fibres and state some common applications of optical fibres

Describe the action of a thin converging lens on a parallel beam of light and know that rays of light from an object at distance can be assumed to be parallel

Define and use the terms principal axis, principal focus (focal point) and focal length 

Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of an image by a thin converging lens, limited to real images

Describe the characteristics 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 thin converging lens

Describe the characteristics of an image using the terms real / virtual

Describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass

Describe the dispersion of light as illustrated by the refraction of white light by a glass prism

Know the seven colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) of the visible spectrum in order of frequency and in order of wavelength

Know the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma) in order of frequency and in order of wavelength

Know that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same high speed in a vacuum

Know some applications of the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including:

Describe the harmful effects on people of excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiation, including:

Know that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 x 108m/s and is approximately the same in air

Describe the production of sound by vibrating sources

State the approximate range of frequencies audible to humans as 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Know that a medium is needed to transmit sound waves

Determine the speed of sound in air using a method involving a measurement of distance and time

Describe how changes in amplitude and frequency affect the loudness and pitch of sound waves

Describe an echo as the reflection of a sound wave

Define ultrasound as sound with a frequency higher than 20 KHz

Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in air as a series of compressions and rarefactions

Describe, qualitatively, compressions as regions of higher pressure due to particles being closer together and rarefactions as regions of lower pressure due to particles being spread further apart

Know that, in general, sound travels faster in solids than in liquids and faster in liquids than in gases

Describe the forces between magnetic poles and between magnets and magnetic materials, including the use of the terms north pole (N pole) and south pole (S pole), attraction and repulsion, magnetised and unmagnetised

State the differences between the properties of temporary magnets (made of soft iron) and the properties of permanent magnets (made of steel)

State the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials 

Describe how a permanent magnet differs trom an electromagnet

Describe a magnetic field as a region in which a magnetic pole experiences a force

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

Describe induced magnetism

State that there are positive and negative charges 

State that positive charges repel other positive charges, negative charges repel other negative charges, but positive charges attract negative charges

Describe electrostatic charging by friction, and simple methods to determine if an object is charged 

Know that charging of solids by friction involves only a transfer of negative charge (electrons)

Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples

State that charge is measured in coulombs 

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

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

Know that electric current is related to the flow of charge

Know that electric current in metals is related to the flow of electrons

Describe the use of ammeters (analogue and digital) with different ranges

Know the difference between direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.)

Describe electrical conduction in metals in terms of the movement of delocalised (mobile) electrons

Define electric current as the charge passing a point per unit time; recall and use the equation: I = Q/ t

State that conventional current is from positive to negative and that the flow of electrons is from negative to positive

Describe the voltage of the source as the cause of current in the circuit

Know that the voltage of the source is shared between the components in a series circuit

Describe the use of voltmeters (analogue and digital) with different ranges

Define electromotive force (e.m.f.) as the electrical work done by a source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit

Know that e.m.f. is measured in volts (V) 

Define potential difference (p.d.) as the work done by a unit charge passing between two points in a circuit 

Know that the p.d. between two points is measured in volts (V)

Recall and use the equation for resistance: R = V/I

Describe an experiment to determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter and do the appropriate calculations

Sketch and explain the current-voltage graph of a resistor of constant resistance

Recall and use the following relationship for a metallic electrical conductor:

Understand that electric circuits transter energy from a source of electrical energy, such as an electrical cell or mains supply, to the circuit components and then into the surroundings

Recall and use the equation for electrical power P = IV

Recall and use the equation for electrical energy E = IVt

Define the kilowatt-hour (kWh) and calculate the cost of using electrical appliances where the energy unit is the kWh

Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing cells, batteries, power supplies, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), heaters, lamps, motors, ammeters, voltmeters and fuses, and know how these components behave in the circuit

Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing generators and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and know how these components behave in the circuit

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

Know how to construct and use series and parallel circuits

Calculate the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series

Know the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a circuit

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

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

Recall and use in calculations, the fact that: 

Calculate the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel

Describe the heating effect of current

State the hazards of:

Explain the use and operation of trip switches and fuses and choose appropriate fuse ratings and trip switch settings (knowledge of RCDs (Residual Current Devices) is not required)

Explain why the outer casing of an electrical appliance must be either non-conducting (double-insulated) or earthed

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

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

Describe a simple form of a.c. generator (rotating coil) and the use of slip rings and brushes where needed

Sketch and interpret graphs of e.m.f. against time for simple a.c. generators

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

Describe the effect on the magnetic field around straight wires and solenoids of changing the magnitude and direction of the current

Know that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing:

Recall and use the relative directions of force, magnetic field and current

Know that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field may experience a turning effect and that the effect is increased by increasing:

Describe the operation of an electric motor, including the action of a split-ring commutator and brushes

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

Use the terms primary, secondary, step-up and step-down 

Recall and use the equation: Vp/Vs = Np/Ns where p and s refer to primary and secondary

Recall and use the equation for 100% efficiency in a transformer: IpVp=IsVs where p and s refer to primary and secondary

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

Recall and use the equation P = I^2R to explain why power losses in cables are smaller when the voltage is greater

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

State the relative charges of protons, neutrons and electrons as +1, 0 and -1 respectively

Define the terms proton number (atomic number) Z and nucleon number (mass number) A and be able to calculate the number of neutrons in a nucleus

Use the nuclide notation 

State that an element may have more than one isotope and know that some isotopes are radioactive

Know the relationship between the proton number and the relative charge on a nucleus

Describe the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion as the splitting and joining of nuclei

Know what is meant by the terms ionising nuclear radiation and background radiation

Know the sources that make a significant contribution to background radiation including:

Know that ionising nuclear radiation can be measured using a detector connected to a counter

Use count rate measured in counts/s or counts/ minute

Identity alpha (α), beta (B) and gamma (γ) emissions by recalling:

Know that radioactive decay is a change in an unstable nucleus that can result in the emission of α-particles or B-particles and/or γ-radiation and know that these changes are spontaneous and random

Know that during α-decay or ß-decay, the nucleus changes to that of a different element 

Know the change in the nucleus that occurs during B-emission: neutron → proton + electron

Use decay equations, using nuclide notation, to show the emission of α-particles, β-particles and γ-radiation

Define the half-life of a particular isotope as the time taken for half the nuclei of that isotope in any sample to decay; recall and use this definition in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves (calculations will not include background radiation)

Know the following applications of radioactivity:

State the effects of ionising nuclear radiation on living things, including cell death, mutations and cancer

Describe how radioactive materials are moved, used and stored in a safe way in terms of time, distance and shielding

Describe the Solar System as containing: 

Know that:

Calculate the time it takes light to travel a significant distance such as between objects in the Solar System

Know that the Sun contains most of the mass of the Solar System and this explains why the planets orbit the Sun

Know that the force that keeps an object in orbit around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction of the Sun

Know that the Sun is a star of medium size, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium, and that it radiates most of its energy in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

Define orbital speed from the equation: v = 2πr / T where r is the radius of the orbit and T is the orbital period; recall and use this equation

Know that the strength of the Sun's gravitational field decreases and that the orbital speeds of the planets decrease as the distance from the Sun increases

Know that stars are powered by nuclear reactions that release energy and that in stable stars the nuclear reactions involve the fusion of hydrogen into helium

Know that stable stars are formed as protostars from interstellar clouds of gas and dust due to gravitational attraction 

Know that the next stages of the life cycle of a star depend on its mass, limited to:

Know that the nebula from a supernova may form new stars with orbiting planets

Know that:

Know that the Milky Way is one of many billions of galaxies making up the Universe and that the diameter of the Milky Way is approximately 100000 light-years

Know that the Big Bang Theory is supported by many astronomical observations and states that:

at rest

moving with constant speed

accelerating

decelerating

constant speed 

constant acceleration

fossil fuels 

biofuels

water, including waves, tides, and hydroelectric dams 

geothermal resources 

nuclear fission

light from the Sun (solar cells) 

infrared and other electromagnetic waves from the Sun to heat water (solar thermal collectors

wind (wind turbines) including references to a boiler, turbine and generator where they are used

efficiency = useful energy output / useful energy input x 100%

efficiency = useful power output / useful power input x 100% recall and use the equations

P = W/t

P = ΔE/t

a change of temperature at constant volume

a change of volume at constant temperature

reflection at a plane surface 

retraction due to a change of speed

radio waves; radio and television transmissions, radar 

microwaves; satellite television, mobile (cell) phone, microwave ovens 

infrared; remote controllers for televisions, thermal imaging 

visible light; vision, photography 

ultraviolet; detecting fake bank notes 

X-rays; medical scanning, security scanners

gamma rays; detection of cancer and its treatment

ultraviolet; damage to surface cells and eyes, leading to skin cancer and eye conditions

X-rays and gamma rays; mutation or damage to cells in the body

resistance is directly proportional to length

resistance is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area

the sum of the currents entering a junction in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents that leave the junction

the total p.d. across the components in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual p.d.s across each component 

the p.d. across each branch of a parallel arrangement of components is the p.d. across the whole arrangement

damaged insulation 

overheating cables

damp conditions

excess current from overloading of plugs, extension leads, single and multiple sockets when using a mains supply 

the current

the direction of the field 

the number of turns on the coil 

the current

the strength of the magnetic field

radon gas (in the air)

rocks and buildings

food and drink

cosmic rays

their nature

their relative ionising effects 

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

household fire (smoke) alarms 

irradiating food to kill bacteria 

sterilisation of equipment using gamma rays 

measuring and controlling thicknesses of materials with the choice of radiations used linked to penetration and absorption 

diagnosis and treatment of cancer using gamma rays

one star, the Sun 

the eight named planets and know their order from the Sun

minor planets that orbit the Sun, including dwarf planets such as Pluto and asteroids in the asteroid belt

moons, that orbit the planets

the Sun is the closest star to the Earth 

astronomical distances can be measured in light-years, where one light-year is the distance travelled in (the vacuum of) space by light in one year

a small mass star about the same mass as the Sun): red giant → white dwarf + planetary nebula 

a large mass star: red supergiant → supernova → neutron star

a very large mass star: red supergiant → supernova → black hole

galaxies are each made up of many billions of stars

the Sun is a star in the galaxy known as the Milky Way 

other stars that make up the Milky Way are much further away from the Earth than the Sun is from the Earth

the Universe expanded from a single point of high density and temperature 

the Universe is still expanding 

the Universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old