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Physics Paper 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Scalar

A

Only magnitude (e.g. speed, distance)

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2
Q

Vector

A

Magnitude + direction (e.g. velocity, force)

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3
Q

Contact Forces

A

Forces that require physical contact (e.g. friction, tension, air resistance)

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4
Q

Non-contact Forces

A

Forces that do not require physical contact (e.g. gravity, magnetic, electrostatic)

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5
Q

Gravity

A

Caused by gravitational field around Earth

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6
Q

Weight

A

Weight = mass × gravitational field strength → W = mg

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7
Q

Resultant Forces

A

Multiple forces can be replaced with a resultant force

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8
Q

Free-body diagrams

A

Show all forces on an object

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9
Q

Balanced Forces

A

If forces are balanced → no change in motion

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10
Q

Work Done

A

Work done = force × distance moved → W = Fs

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11
Q

Joule

A

1 joule = 1 newton-metre (1 J = 1 Nm)

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12
Q

Elastic deformation

A

Returns to original shape

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13
Q

Inelastic deformation

A

Permanent change

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14
Q

Hooke’s Law

A

Force = spring constant × extension → F = ke

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15
Q

Elastic potential energy

A

Elastic potential energy = 0.5 × k × e² → Ee = ½ke²

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16
Q

Moment

A

Moment = force × perpendicular distance from pivot → M = Fd

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17
Q

Pressure

A

Pressure = force / area → p = F/A

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18
Q

Pressure in a column of liquid

A

p = hρg (height × density × gravitational field strength)

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19
Q

Distance

A

Scalar quantity representing the total path traveled

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20
Q

Displacement

A

Vector quantity representing the shortest path from start to finish

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21
Q

Speed

A

Scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving

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22
Q

Velocity

A

Vector quantity representing the speed of an object in a given direction

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23
Q

Acceleration

A

a = Δv / t (change in velocity / time)

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24
Q

Newton’s 1st Law

A

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion continues in motion at the same speed and direction unless acted upon by a net force.

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25
Newton's 2nd Law
Resultant force = mass × acceleration → F = ma
26
Acceleration
Measure acceleration using data logger or light gates.
27
Newton's Second Law
F = ma.
28
Newton's 3rd Law
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
29
Stopping Distance
Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.
30
Thinking Distance
Thinking distance increases with speed, tiredness, alcohol, distractions.
31
Braking Distance
Braking distance increases with: wet/icy roads, poor brakes/tyres, speed.
32
Braking
Kinetic energy → thermal energy in brakes.
33
Momentum
Momentum = mass × velocity → p = mv.
34
Conservation of Momentum
Total momentum before = after (in closed systems).
35
Force and Momentum Change
F = change in momentum / time → F = Δp / Δt.
36
Safety Features
Safety features (airbags, helmets) reduce forces by increasing time over which momentum changes.
37
Transverse Waves
Oscillations are perpendicular to wave direction (e.g. light, water waves).
38
Longitudinal Waves
Oscillations are parallel to wave direction (e.g. sound).
39
Amplitude
Max displacement from undisturbed position.
40
Wavelength (λ)
Distance between matching points on waves.
41
Frequency (f)
Waves per second (Hz).
42
Period (T)
T = 1 / frequency.
43
Wave Speed (v)
Wave speed = frequency × wavelength → v = fλ.
44
Reflection
Wave bounces off surface.
45
Refraction
Wave changes direction as it enters a new medium (due to speed change).
46
Absorption
Wave energy taken in by material.
47
Transmission
Wave passes through material.
48
Sound Waves
Sound = longitudinal wave.
49
Human Hearing Range
20 Hz - 20,000 Hz (20 kHz).
50
Ultrasound
Frequency > 20 kHz (too high for human hearing). Used in baby scans, medical imaging, industry.
51
Seismic Waves
Produced by earthquakes.
52
P-waves
Longitudinal waves that pass through solids and liquids.
53
S-waves
Transverse waves that can't travel through liquids, providing evidence for Earth's core structure.
54
Radio Waves
Longest wavelength (> 10⁻¹ m), used for broadcasting, radio, TV, Bluetooth, communications, with no known harmful effects.
55
Microwaves
Wavelength ~10⁻² m, used for cooking food and mobile phones, can cause skin burns.
56
Infrared
Wavelength ~10⁻⁵ m, used in remote controls and thermal cameras, medium-low risk.
57
Visible Light
Wavelength ~10⁻⁷ m (red-violet), used for seeing and photography, can cause eye damage if very intense.
58
Ultraviolet
Wavelength ~10⁻⁸ m, used in tanning beds and sterilising equipment, can cause skin cancer and eye damage.
59
X-rays
Wavelength ~10⁻¹⁰ m, used in medical imaging and airport security, can damage cells and cause cancer.
60
Gamma Rays
Shortest wavelength (< 10⁻¹² m), highly ionising, can mutate DNA and is used in cancer treatment.
61
Transverse waves
Travel at the same speed in vacuum or air and carry energy from source to absorber.
62
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Order of waves from long wavelength to short: Radio → Microwaves → Infrared → Visible → Ultraviolet → X-rays → Gamma rays.
63
Convex Lens
Bends light to converge it.
64
Concave Lens
Bends light to diverge it.
65
Focal length
Distance from lens to focus point.
66
Magnification
Image height / object height (no units).
67
Black Body Radiation
All objects emit and absorb infrared radiation; hotter objects emit more IR and at shorter wavelengths.
68
Perfect black body
Absorbs all radiation and is the best emitter.
69
Specular reflection
Reflection from smooth surfaces.
70
Diffuse reflection
Reflection from rough surfaces.
71
Filters
Transmit some wavelengths and absorb others.
72
Permanent magnet
Produces its own magnetic field.
73
Induced magnet
Becomes magnetic in a magnetic field and loses magnetism when the field is removed.
74
Magnetic Field
Region where magnetic force is felt
75
Direction of Magnetic Field
North to south
76
Compass
Contains a small bar magnet; aligns with Earth's magnetic field → shows direction
77
Electromagnetism
Current in a wire = magnetic field around it
78
Field Strength
Depends on current + distance
79
Solenoid
Coiled wire that creates a strong, uniform magnetic field
80
Electromagnet
Created by adding an iron core to a solenoid
81
Fleming's Left-Hand Rule
Used to find direction of force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
82
F = BIL
Equation where F = force (N), B = magnetic flux density (T), I = current (A), L = length of wire in field (m)
83
Electric Motor
Coil in magnetic field → rotates due to motor effect
84
Loudspeakers
Varying current in coil → varying force → diaphragm vibrates, converting electrical signals into sound waves
85
Generator Effect
Moving conductor in a magnetic field → induces potential difference (pd)
86
Alternator
Generates AC
87
Dynamo
Generates DC
88
Transformers
Made of primary coil, secondary coil, iron core; work with AC
89
Step-up Transformer
Increases voltage (more turns in secondary)
90
Step-down Transformer
Decreases voltage (fewer turns in secondary)
91
Vp / Vs = Np / Ns
Equation for pd and turns ratio in transformers
92
Vs × Is = Vp × Ip
Power input = output if 100% efficient
93
National Grid
Electricity is transmitted at high voltage and low current to reduce energy loss
94
Solar System
Includes 1 star (the Sun), 8 planets, dwarf planets, and moons, all orbiting the Sun
95
Normal Star Cycle
Stages: Nebula, Protostar, Main sequence star, Red giant, White dwarf, Black dwarf
96
Large Stars
Stages: Main sequence, Red supergiant, Supernova, forms either Neutron star or Black hole
97
Orbital Motion
Gravity provides the force for planet orbits, moon orbits, and artificial satellite orbits
98
Red-Shift
Light from distant galaxies is red-shifted → wavelength increased, indicating the universe is expanding
99
Dark Matter
Affects gravity, doesn't emit light
100
Dark Energy
Unknown force causing accelerating expansion of the universe

GCSES (8 decks)

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