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General IGCSE Physics > Physics IGCSE > Flashcards

Physics IGCSE Flashcards

To help revise for the Edexcel Certificate in Physics

1
Q

What are the units of gravitational field strength?

A

N/kg or m/s^2

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2
Q

average speed =

A

speed = distance/time

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3
Q

How do you determine the displacement from a velocity-time graph?

A

Area under the curve

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4
Q

What are the effects of a force?

A

change in velocity over time (acceleration); change in shape

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5
Q

What is friction?

A

A force which opposes motion

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6
Q

Describe the forces acting on falling objects and describe how they reach terminal velocity

A

The object initially accelerates toward the Earth due to the gravitational force. As the object’s velocity increases, so too does its air resistance. Eventually, the force of air resistance = gravitational force, so the forces will be balanced. According to Newton’s 1st Law, unless acted on by a force, an object will travel at constant velocity

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7
Q

Stopping distance =

A

s.d. = thinking distance + braking distance

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8
Q

What factors affect thinking distance?

A

Metal condition of driver; tiredness; influence of drugs; alcohol; medication; level of concentration

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9
Q

What factors affect braking distance?

A

speed; road conditions; tyre conditions; car mass; brake conditions

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10
Q

What is the centre of gravity?

A

the point within something at which gravity can be considered to act

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11
Q

Moment =

A

Moment = Force x Perpendicular distance

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12
Q

What is Hooke’s Law?

A

The extension of an elastic material is proportional to the force applied until the material reaches its elastic limit

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13
Q

What is an elastic material?

A

A material which will retain its original shape after a force which has been deforming it has been removed

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14
Q

What celestial body do comets orbit?

A

The Sun

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15
Q

How do planets orbit the Sun?

A

In nearly circular orbits

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16
Q

Describe the orbit of a comet

A

Comets have very elliptical, elongated orbits. They travel much faster when moving near to the Sun, because the gravitational force is much stronger (the force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the centre of gravity)

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17
Q

orbital speed =

A

o.s. = 2πr/T

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18
Q

What is the universe?

A

Collection of billions of galaxies

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19
Q

What is the Milky Way galaxy?

A

Our galaxy; a collection of billions of stars

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20
Q

What is the solar system?

A

Collection of all the celestial bodies (planets, natural satellites, comets, asteroids etc.) which orbit the Sun

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21
Q

What is current measured in?

A

Amperes (Amps)

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22
Q

What is charge measured in?

A

Coulombs

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23
Q

What is energy measured in?

A

Joules

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24
Q

What is resistance measured in?

A

Ohms

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25
Q

What is potential difference measured in?

A

Volts

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26
Q

What is power measured in?

A

Watts

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27
Q

What does current in a resistor cause?

A

Transfer of electrical energy to heat energy and an increase in temperature (e.g. in a kettle’s element)

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28
Q

Power =

A

P=IV

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29
Q

Energy =

A

E=IVt

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30
Q

Is mains electricity AC or DC?

A

Alternating Current

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31
Q

What does current depend on in a series circuit?

A

Voltage of cell

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32
Q

Does current vary in a series circuit after passing through components?

A

NO

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33
Q

What is the relationship between current, resistance and voltage?

A

V=IR

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34
Q

What is the relationship between current, resistance and power?

A

P=I^2R

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35
Q

What is the proportionality between current and resistance?

A

They are inversely proportional to one another

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36
Q

Voltage =

A

V=E/Q=P/I=IR

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37
Q

What is current?

A

The rate of flow of charge

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38
Q

Charge =

A

Q=It

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39
Q

What is a transverse wave?

A

A wave whose oscillations are perpendicular to to the direction of the wave’s propagation

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40
Q

What is a longitudinal wave?

A

A wave whose oscillations are parallel to the direction of the wave’s propagation

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41
Q

Name an example of a transverse wave

A

Water wave; light wave; EM radiation

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42
Q

Name an example of a longitudinal wave

A

Sound waves

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43
Q

Define amplitude

A

The maximum displacement of a wave from its rest (undisturbed) position

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44
Q

Define frequency

A

The number of oscillations per second

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45
Q

Define wavelength (λ)

A

The distance (in metres) between the same points in an oscillation and the next (e.g. between two crests)

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46
Q

Define the period of a wave

A

The time taken for one oscillation

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47
Q

What do waves do?

A

Transfer energy and information without transferring matter

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48
Q

wave speed =

A

v=fλ

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49
Q

List all of the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum

A

Radio waves; Microwave; Infra red; Visible light; Ultra-violet; X-Rays; γ-Rays

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50
Q

What are uses of radio waves?

A

Broadcasting; communication

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51
Q

What are uses of microwaves?

A

Cooking food and satellite transmissions

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52
Q

What are uses of infra red waves?

A

Heating and night vision equipment

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53
Q

What are uses of visible light?

A

Optical fibres and photography

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54
Q

What are uses of ultra violet rays?

A

Fluorescent lamps

55
Q

What are uses of X-Rays?

A

Internal imaging; medical scans

56
Q

What are uses of γ-Rays?

A

Sterilising food and medical equipment

57
Q

What are dangers of microwaves?

A

Internal heating of cells

58
Q

What are dangers of infra red waves?

A

Burning skin

59
Q

What are dangers of UV rays?

A

Blinding; damage to surface cells

60
Q

What are dangers of γ-Rays?

A

Cancer; mutations

61
Q

What type of waves are EM rays?

A

Transverse waves

62
Q

What is the law of reflection?

A

angle of incidence = angle of reflection

63
Q

Refractive index =

A

n = sin i/sin r

64
Q

What is total internal reflection (TIR)

A

When all of the light from an incident ray is reflected back inside the original medium; when the angle of INCIDENCE is GREATER than the CRITICAL angle; when a light ray moves from an optically denser to less dense material

65
Q

What is the critical angle?

A

The angle of incidence where the angle of refraction = 90°; the angle of incidence at which all light is totally internally reflected

66
Q

sin C

A

sin C = 1/n

67
Q

What type of waves are sound waves?

A

Longitudinal

68
Q

What is the human frequency for hearing?

A

20 Hz to 20 kHz (20000 Hz)

69
Q

What is the unit for power?

A

Watts

70
Q

List the different forms of energy

A

Kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, nuclear, chemical, heat (thermal), sound, light, electrical

71
Q

What is conduction?

A

The transfer of thermal energy through a substance without the substance itself moving; caused by the spreading vibration of particles in the substance

72
Q

What is convection?

A

The transfer of thermal energy through a fluid by the rising of less dense, hotter fluid, and falling of the denser, cooler fluid.

73
Q

What is radiation?

A

The transfer of heat by infra red radiation

74
Q

Work done =

A

W = F x d

75
Q

What is work done equivalent to?

A

Transfer of energy

76
Q

GPE =

A

GPE = mgh

77
Q

KE =

A

KE = 1/2mv^2

78
Q

GPE at top =

A

KE at bottom

79
Q

Power is rate of…

A

energy transfer (work done)

80
Q

Power =

A

P=W/t

81
Q

Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity from wind energy

A

The kinetic energy from the wind spins the turbines, which drive generators which convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy

82
Q

Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electrical energy from geothermal energy

A

heat energy -> kinetic energy -> electrical energy

83
Q

Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity using solar heating system

A

heat -> electrical

84
Q

Describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity from solar cells

A

light -> electrical

85
Q

Describe energy transfers in obtaining electricity from fossil fuels

A

chemical energy -> heat energy -> kinetic energy -> electrical energy

86
Q

Describe energy transfers in obtaining electricity from nuclear reactions

A

nuclear energy -> heat energy -> kinetic energy -> electrical energy

87
Q

Density =

A

ρ = m/V

88
Q

Pressure =

A

P = F/A

89
Q

How does pressure act on a single point in a fluid which is at rest?

A

Equally in all directions

90
Q

ΔP =

A

ΔP = ρgh

91
Q

What is Brownian motion?

A

The random motion of particles in all directions caused by collisions with particles surrounding them.

92
Q

How do molecules in a gas move?

A

Randomly; Brownian motion; exerting force (and therefore pressure) on the insides of a container

93
Q

What is absolute zero?

A

0K; -273°C; The temperature at which no heat energy is transfered; all atoms stop moving

94
Q

What does an increase in temperature do to the speed of gas molecules?

A

It makes them move faster; increases speed

95
Q

What is the relationship between pressure and temperature (in K) for a gas in a sealed container?

A

P1/T1 = P2/T2 ; pressure is directly proportional to temperature

96
Q

What is the relationship between pressure and volume?

A

P1V1 = P2V2 ; pressure and volume are inversely proportional to each other

97
Q

What do magnetic field lines represent?

A

Direction and intensity of a magnetic field

98
Q

What does electric current in a conductor induce?

A

A magnetic field in the anticlockwise direction around the wire

99
Q

What happens when a wire carries a current in a magnetic field?

A

A force is exerted

100
Q

What increases the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field?

A

strength of magnetic field; current

101
Q

what is induced in a solenoid when it moves through a magnetic field?

A

a voltage

102
Q

Which is the most penetrating form of radiation?

A

γ-radiation

103
Q

How can you detect ionising radiation?

A

Using a Geiger-Muller detector (counter)

104
Q

Name three sources of background radiation

A

rocks, the Sun, cosmic microwave background radiation

105
Q

What is activity measured in?

A

Bequerels (Bq = 1/s)

106
Q

What is a “half-life”?

A

The time taken for half of the atoms of a radioactive substance to decay

107
Q

What are the dangers of ionising radiation

A

Mutations; cancer; disposal issues

108
Q

What are α and β radiation, and how much can they penetrate respectively?

A

α: Helium nucleus with a 2+ charge and a RAM of 4. Stopped by thin card. Cannot travel very fast because it is easily stopped by air particles.
β is an electron with a 1- charge and a RAM of 0. Stopped by 1-2mm of aluminium foil. Can travel relatively fast.

109
Q

How can you reduce heat loss by conduction?

A

Use a vacuum; conduction needs a medium to work.

Use air as an insulator (although if the airspace is too large, heat will be transferred by convection)

110
Q

How can you reduce heat loss by convection?

A

Use a vacuum; convection needs a fluid to work in.

Use trapped gas or liquids which restrict motion of convection currents.

111
Q

How can you reduce heat loss by radiation?

A

Use shiny surfaces which will reflect the IR rays away. Shiny surfaces are also poor radiators of heat; black-bodies absorb and radiate the most heat.

112
Q

Describe how a simple electric motor works

A

A single coil of wire is in a magnetic field. A current passes through the wire which makes it move to and fro between 180°. A split ring commutator ensures that the current continues to change direction (otherwise the coil wouldn’t spin)

113
Q

How can you make a DC motor spin faster?

A

Increase number of turns on the coil; Increase number of cells in battery; increase the strength of the magnetic field.

114
Q

Describe Fleming’s left hand rule

A

If you make a left-hand gesture where the thumb, index finger and middle finger are all orthogonal to one another (perpendicular), if the index finger is the direction of the magnetic field (North to South), and the middle finger is the direction of the current, the thumb will be pointing in the direction of the force exerted on the wire.

115
Q

Describe the right hand grip rule

A

If you make a fist with the thumb pointing upwards with your right hand, if the thumb is the direction of the current, the fingers will be pointing in the direction of the magnetic field produced surrounding the wire.

116
Q

How does a generator work?

A

A conducting coil moves in a changing magnetic field induces a voltage; since the coil in which the voltage is being induced will be spinning, the electrical connections are made by the carbon brushes which slide over the commutator rings.

117
Q

State the transformer equation

A

Vp/Vs = Np/Ns = Is/Ip

118
Q

What does a step down transformer do?

A

It decreases the voltage and increases the current.

119
Q

What does a step up transformer do?

A

It increases the voltage and decreases the current.

120
Q

Why might step up transformers be used when transporting electricity across the country in the national grid?

A

Because using a step up transformer, the current will decrease, and power lost = I^2R, so the current needs to be as low as possible to minimise power lost.

121
Q

What does a moderator do in a nuclear power plant?

A

It absorbs fast neutrons, so that they can be readily absorbed into U-235 nuclei sustaining the chain reaction.

122
Q

What is the role of the control rods?

A

The control rods absorb neutrons and take them completely out of action. The rods can be raised out of the reactor to increase the rate of the chain reaction, or lowered to completely stop the chain reaction.

123
Q

Describe the Geiger-Marsden experiment

A

An α source was surrounded with a lead block with a small aperture to focus a “beam” of α-particles towards a gold leaf. A zinc sulfide screen was used as an α-particle detector (it fluoresced when α-particles struck it). Most particles passed through the screen, but a few of them were deflected (to different degrees).

124
Q

What three factors influenced the amount of deflection?

A
  • Speed; the faster the particles were deflected through smaller angles.
  • Nuclear charge; more highly charged nuclei (i.e. Au-79) caused greater deflections.
  • How close the α-particles got to the nucleus; the electric force diminishes with the square of the distance.
125
Q

What were Rutherford’s deductions?

A

Atoms must have a very small, dense, charged nucleus at the centre, and be mainly empty space. The experiment showed that the nucleus was one ten-thousandth the diameter of the atom.

126
Q

What is a fissile material?

A

An unstable material; ready to split/decay

127
Q

How can you make experiments more accurate?

A
  • Read off from horizontal/vertical to avoid parallax
  • Measure mass of any masses being used (e.g. in Hooke’s law experiments) with a scale
  • Use a ruler marked in mm instead of one marked in cm
  • Attach any ruler to a clamp stand/ use a set square to make sure that it is vertical/horizontal
  • Set all instrumentation to 0; check for 0-error
  • Make the results as close to the real (truth) answer as possible
128
Q

How can you make experiments more reliable?

A
  • REPEAT THEM!
  • Get other people to repeat them
  • When analysing the data, remove anomalies from mean
129
Q

What is validity of an experiment?

A

Whether the experiment is correctly answering the question which it is supposed to answer. This involves careful selection of dependent/independent/control variables.

130
Q

How can you make an experiment more precise?

A

By using equipment which reproduces the same results (i.e. reliable equipment)

131
Q

Describe how a photocopier works.

A

A statically charged drum is exposed to light, reflected from the document to be copied, which discharges the drum everywhere except where the the dark print does not reflect the light. The charged parts of the drum attract the toner which is then bonded (by heat) to the paper.

132
Q

Describe how static electricity can be used in an inkjet printer.

A

The ink droplets are charged and are allowed to be directed to particular places on the paper by deflecting them between charged plates.

133
Q

Describe how static electricity can be used in paint spraying.

A

The droplets of paint are given a static charge and the object to be painted is given the opposite charge. Therefore, the paint droplets will be attracted to the surface of the object and they will be evenly spread out from each other - this minimises paint used.

General IGCSE Physics (3 decks)

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