Physics

Question 1

State the conservation of energy principle.

Answer 1

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between stores.

Question 2

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Answer 2

Transverse (light): oscillations are perpendicular to wave travel. Longitudinal (sound): oscillations are parallel

Question 3

What are the three types of radiation?

Answer 3

Alpha (2 protons + 2 neutrons, stopped by paper), Beta (high-energy electron, stopped by aluminum), Gamma (electromagnetic wave, stopped by lead).

Question 4

Name four energy stores.

Answer 4

Kinetic
Thermal
Chemical
Gravitational potential

Question 5

What is the main energy transfer in a falling object?

Answer 5

Gravitational potential → Kinetic energy.

Question 6

What is Newton’s 1st law?

Answer 6

An object remains at rest or moves at a constant speed unless acted on by a force.

Question 7

What is Newton’s 2nd law?

Answer 7

Force = mass × acceleration (F = ma).

Question 8

What is Newton’s 3rd law?

Answer 8

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Question 9

What are the seven types of electromagnetic waves?

Answer 9

Radio → Micro → Infrared → Visible → UV → X-ray → Gamma.

Question 10

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the most energy?

Answer 10

Gamma rays.

Question 11

What are the three types of radiation and their properties?

Answer 11

Alpha (α): Large, stopped by paper, most ionising.
Beta (β): Small, stopped by aluminium, medium ionising.
Gamma (γ): No mass, stopped by thick lead, least ionising.

Question 12

What is half-life?

Answer 12

The time taken for half of a radioactive substance to decay.