Gravitational Potential: Ep = m g h (g = 9.8 N/kg).
Power: P = Energy / time = Work Done / time (Watts).
Efficiency: (Useful Energy Out / Total Energy In) × 100.
Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between stores. Dissipation to thermal surroundings is "wasted energy". Lubrication reduces friction; thermal insulation reduces conduction.
Topic 2: Electricity & Circuits
Ohm's Law:V = I × R (V in Volts, I in Amps, R in Ohms Ω).
I-V Characteristic Graphs:
Ohmic Conductor: Straight diagonal line through origin (constant resistance).
Diode: Current flows in one direction only (extremely high resistance in reverse bias).
LDR & Thermistor: LDR resistance decreases as light increases. Thermistor resistance decreases as temperature increases ("TURD": Temperature Up, Resistance Down).
UK Mains Electricity: Alternating Current (AC) at 230V, 50Hz. Live wire (brown, 230V), Neutral wire (blue, ~0V), Earth wire (green/yellow stripes, safety).
Topic 3: Particle Model of Matter
Density:Density (ρ) = Mass / Volume (kg/m³ or g/cm³).
States of Matter: Solids (vibrating fixed lattice), Liquids (close together, irregular flow), Gases (random rapid motion, far apart).
Specific Heat Capacity (c): Energy required to raise 1kg of a substance by 1°C: ΔE = m c Δθ.
Specific Latent Heat (L): Energy required to change state of 1kg without changing temperature: E = m L (Lf for melting/freezing, Lv for boiling/condensing). Temperature remains constant during state changes because energy breaks bonds.
Topic 4: Atomic Structure & Radioactivity
Rutherford Alpha Scattering Experiment: Most alpha particles passed straight through gold foil (atom is mostly empty space); a small fraction deflected back (dense positive central nucleus). Disproved the plum pudding model.
Half-Life: The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve, or for the activity count rate to halve.
Nuclear Fission vs Fusion:
Fission: Splitting a large unstable nucleus (e.g. Uranium-235) by absorbing a slow neutron, releasing 2 smaller nuclei, 2-3 neutrons, and energy.
Fusion: Joining two light nuclei (e.g. Hydrogen isotopes) to form a heavier nucleus (Helium), releasing vast energy (powers stars).
Paper 2: Forces, Wave Mechanics, Electromagnetism & Space
Topic 5: Forces & Motion
Newton's 1st Law: An object remains stationary or moves at constant velocity unless acted upon by a resultant force.
Newton's 2nd Law:Resultant Force = mass × acceleration (F = m a).
Newton's 3rd Law: When two objects interact, they exert equal and opposite forces on each other.
Motion Graphs:
Distance-Time: Gradient = Speed.
Velocity-Time: Gradient = Acceleration; Area under line = Total Distance Travelled.
Hooke's Law:Force = spring constant × extension (F = k e). Directly proportional until the limit of proportionality is exceeded.
Topic 6 & 7: Waves & Electromagnetism
Wave Equation:Wave Speed (v) = frequency (f) × wavelength (λ).
Transverse vs Longitudinal: Transverse vibrations are perpendicular to energy transfer (light, water, EM waves). Longitudinal vibrations are parallel to energy transfer (sound, seismic P-waves).
EM Spectrum Order (Decreasing Wavelength / Increasing Frequency): Radio → Micro → Infrared → Visible → Ultraviolet → X-rays → Gamma rays.
Fleming's Left-Hand Rule (The Motor Effect):
Thumb = Motion / Force
First Finger = Magnetic Field (North to South)
seCond Finger = Current (+ to -)
💡 Key Takeaway
Stopping Distance Rule: Thinking distance is directly proportional to speed (Distance ∝ Speed). However, braking distance is proportional to the square of speed (Braking Distance ∝ Speed²) because kinetic energy is ½mv²! If you double speed from 30mph to 60mph, your braking distance quadruples (4x)!
Active Recall: Core Physics Equations & Units
📇 Flashcards: GCSE Physics Recall Deck
0 / 5 mastered
Click to reveal answer
What is the formula linking Potential Difference, Current, and Resistance?
Click to see question
V = I × R (Potential Difference in Volts = Current in Amps × Resistance in Ohms Ω).
💡 Spaced Repetition: Cards marked "Review Again" will repeat at the end of the session.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In recent exam cycles, exam boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) have provided an expanded Physics Equations Sheet for exams. However, you must still understand how to select the right formula, rearrange for any variable, and convert units (e.g. kJ to J, grams to kg, cm to metres).
In Series: Current is the same everywhere (I1 = I2 = I3); Potential Difference is shared across components (Vtotal = V1 + V2). In Parallel: Potential Difference across each branch is equal to the source voltage (Vtotal = V1 = V2); Current splits between branches (Itotal = I1 + I2).
Alpha (α): Helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons), strongly ionising, low penetration (stopped by paper or skin). Beta (β): High-speed electron emitted from nucleus, moderately ionising, stopped by 5mm aluminium. Gamma (γ): High-frequency electromagnetic wave, weakly ionising, highly penetrating (requires several centimetres of lead to absorb).
Stopping Distance = Thinking Distance + Braking Distance. Thinking distance is affected by driver factors (tiredness, alcohol, drugs, phone distractions, speed). Braking distance is affected by vehicle and road conditions (tyre/brake wear, ice, wet roads, vehicle mass, speed²).
