Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

CCEA GCSE (S1) > S1 Physics Notes > Flashcards

S1 Physics Notes Flashcards

1
Q

Define a “scalar” quantity (brackets highlight key points)

A

A quantity that can be (accurately described) using only its (magnitude) and (units)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define a “vector” quantity

A

A quantity that can only be (accurately described) using its (magnitude), (units) and (direction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

A

(Distance) is a (scalar quantity) and (displacement) is the (vector equivalent)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

A

(Speed) is a (scalar quantity) and (velocity) is the (vector equivalent)

= speed requires magnitude where velocity requires direction and magnitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define velocity and give the units it’s measured in

A

(Speed) in a (given direction), (metres per second) / (m/s)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define displacement and give the unit it’s measured in

A

(Distance) travelled in a (given direction), (metres) / (m)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Apart from direction, what is the other difference between scalar and vector quantities?

A

(Scalars) (cannot) have (negative units), whereas (vectors) (can) have (negative units)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a negative unit used to express?

A

(Backwards movement) (relative) to the (starting point)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Define constant speed/velocity

A

(Moving) at a (steady/constant rate)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Define uniform acceleration

A

When speed/velocity is increasing or decreasing a constant rate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define acceleration and the give the units it’s measured in

A

(Change) in (velocity) over (unit time), (metres per second squared) / (m/s2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a ticker tape timer and how does it work?

A

A (ticker tape timer) is a device that (stamps a strip of ticker tape) with a dot (many times a second). This can be used to analyse motion by looking at the (frequency of the dots). The (farther apart) the dots are the (faster) the object is (moving). We can use this data to (calculate speed) by taking the (distance between 2 dots) and (dividing) it by the (frequency of the dots), i.e. (5 dots per second/1 dot per 0.2 seconds). For example: (1cm/0.2s = [5cm/s])

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the gradient of a displacement/time graph represent?

A

(Speed/velocity)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the gradient of a velocity/time graph represent?

A

(Acceleration)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does a curve on d/t graph represent?

A

Acceleration (represented by upward curve) / deceleration (downward curve)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does a curve on a v/t graph represent?

A

(Non-constant) acceleration/decelerartion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does the area under the gradient of a v/t graph represent?

A

(Displacement)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What do the variables s, u, v, a and t represent in an equation?

A

s = displacement
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
t = time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the equation for average velocity?

A

v = u +at
OR
v = d/t

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Equations for distance

A

s = (u+v)t / 2

s = ut + 1/2 at2

s = v/t

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Equation for final velocity

A

v2= u2 + 2as

Or
v= u + at

Or the rearranged equation from
S= ut + 1/2at2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is Newton’s First Law of motion?

A

A body will remain at rest or travel at a constant speed unless compelled to change by an external force

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is inertia?

A

(Reluctance) to (start moving) when at (rest) or (reluctance) to (stop moving) when in (motion)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What 2 physical states can an object be in when the forces acting on it are balanced?

A

(Stationary) / (moving at constant speed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is Newton’s Second Law?
The **resultant force** produced is **directly proportional** to the **acceleration** and **inversely proportional** to the **mass** F = ma
26
How else can Newton’s second law be written (equation)?
F = ma
27
What is Newton’s Third Law?
If (body A) exerts a (force) on (body B) then (body B) will exert a (force) on (body A) that is (equal in magnitude) but (opposite in direction)
28
What effects can forces have on objects (3)
They cause a **change** in the 1. **motion**, 2. **size**, or 3. **shape** of a body
29
What is the difference between mass and weight?
(Mass) is (unchanging) and is measured in (kilograms/kg), whereas (weight) is the (effect of gravity) on an object’s (mass) and is measured in (Newtons/N)
30
What is Hooke’s Law? (Give definition, formula and units)
The **extension** of a spring is **proportional** to the **stretching force** so long as the **spring** is not **permanently stretched** **F = kx** F K x = **N=N/m x m** (Spring force = spring constant x extension)
31
What apparatus is used to measure weight?
(Newton Spring Balance)
32
Define “pressure”
The (force) acting on (unit area)
33
Give the formula and the SI unit for pressure
P = F/A N/m2 / Pa 1N/m2 = 1Pa Pa
34
What 2 principles do hydraulic machines work on (Hydraulic principle)
Liquids are incompressible Pressure in fluids is spread equally throughout (forces act in all directions)
35
Hydraulic machines have the ability to use small forces to produce large forces, how would you calculate the force produced at one end if you are given the force at the other end and both areas?
P = F/A F = f * A/a i.e. if; f = 1N , a = 1cm2 , and , A = 50cm2 , then: F = 50/1 * 1 F = [50N] The system multiplies the force at “a” by a factor of 50x
36
How are the particles in a solid arranged?
Particles in solids are arranged in **regular rows in planes**. They are in an **equilibrium** where they **oscillate about a fixed point** but always return to their **original position**. This allows the solid to have a **definite shape and volume** while *individual molecules* still **vibrate back and forth**
37
How are particles in a liquid arranged? (5)
- The molecules in a liquid are **farther apart** than in a solid but still close enough to have a **definite volume**. - They still **vibrate** but they also - have the ability to **slip past** and **flow over** one another, - **never being close enough** to bond and - **permanently** take on **the shape of their container**
38
How are particles in a gas arranged?
- The particles in a gas are **roughly ten times farther apart** than in a **solid or a liquid** - it is because of this that gases are **much less dense** and are easily **compressible**. - The molecules **move randomly** and **extremely high speeds**, about **500m/s** for air molecules at **0ºC**, in all the available space
39
By what process solids become liquid?
(Melting)
40
By what process do liquids become solid?
(Freezing)
41
By what process do liquids become gas?
(Boiling) Or (Evaporation)
42
By what process do gases become liquid?
(Condensation)
43
By what process do solids become gas?
(Sublimation)
44
By what process do gases become solid?
(Deposition)
45
What does heating a gas inside a container cause? And why?
An (increase) in (pressure), this is due to the (thermal energy) causing the gas to move (faster) and (more regularly), meaning the (particles) hit the (inside) of the (container more often) thereby (increasing) the **molecular force over the same area**
46
What is a convection current? How are they caused?
They are (air currents) caused by changing (density) of (air). They occur when air (near to) a (heat source) is (heated up), (decreasing its density) causing it to (rise) replacing it with (cooler air) which is in turn (heated up), causing it to (rise) and the (cool air) to (fall), and so on and so forth
47
What happens to solids when heat is applied? Why?
They (expand) due the (thermal energy) causing the (molecules) to (vibrate) (more frequently) and across a (wider equilibrium)
48
What is a moment of a force?
A (moment) is a (turning force)
49
What factors affect the moment of a force? How do these factors affect the moment?
The (moment of a force) is dependant on the (magnitude of the force) and the (distance) it is away from the (fulcrum/pivot). The moment can be (increased) if (either or both) of these factors is (increased)
50
What is a lever?
A (lever) is any device which can (turn about a pivot). In a (working lever) a (force) called the (effort) can (overcome) the (resistive forces) known as the (load)
51
How can the stability of an object be increased?
1) lowering its centre of gravity 2) increasing the area of it’s base
52
When is a body in **stable equilibrium?**
If the body, when *slightly displaced*, **returns to its original position**, it is in stable equilibrium E.g. **ball in bowl** (standing the right way up)
53
When is a body in **unstable equilibrium?**
If the body moves **further away** from its original position when slightly displaced E.g. **ball on upside down bowl**
54
When is a body in **neutral equilibrium?**
If the body **stays in it’s new position** when displaced E.g. **ball on flat plane**
55
What does the **principal of conservation** state?
Energy **cannot be created or destroyed** but can be **transferred/conserved**
56
State the formula for energy efficiency
Useful energy/power output —————————————— = efficiency Total energy/power input
57
What is the definition of a **renewable energy source?**
An energy source which can be **replenished within a human lifetime** and/or through natural processes
58
What is the definition of a **non-renewable energy source?**
An energy source which **cannot be replenished within a human lifetime**
59
What is the unit for energy efficiency?
There is no unit: Only displayed in percentage and decimal form
60
State the formula for **work done**
W=FS (W= work, F=force, S=displacement/distance traveled in direction of the force)
61
State the formulae for **kinetic** and **gravitational potential energy**
Ek = 1/2 mv2. (Kinetic energy) Eg= mgh. (GPE)
62
State the rearranged formulae for **kinetic energy**
Ek = 1/2 mv2. V=√2Ek/M M=2Ek/v2 Ek 1/2. M. V2
63
State the formula for **power**
Power = work done/time taken P= W/t Or P=fs/ t Etc
64
What is the relationship between **displacement and velocity squared** in the equation for **kinetic energy?**
**S** is *directly proportional* to **V2**
65
What is another way to write the equation for kinetic energy **(involving displacement)**
F x S = 1/2mv2 S = 1/2mv2 / F
66
What surface it the best absorber and Emitter of radiation? Conversely What surface is the worst absorber and emitter of radiation?
A Matt Black surface A shiny, chrome surface
67
What materials are the best conductors of heat generally And What materials are the worst conductors of heat (3 examples)
Metals (mostly) Wood, water, air and wax etc.
68
What is the name of a poor conductor of heat?
A thermal insulator
69
How does convection work? (4)
- a substance is heated, increasing kinetic energy - it becomes less dense and rises - it then cools (less kinetic energy) and condenses (more dense) - it then falls
70
How can we demonstrate convection (in water)
Heating **Potassium Promanganate**, which rises as purple streaks and falls once cooled
71
How can we prevent energy losses in buildings? Name 3 ways.
- Wall insulation (foam filled etc) - double or triple glazed windows - layers of insulating material (e.g. fibreglass) in a roof space between rafters - carpets - preventing draughts at doors Etc.
72
What is the formula for beta radiation. What is it made of?
-10B It is made of an **electron lost by an unstable atom**, where a neutron changes to a proton and electron
73
What type of radiation would be used in a factory to monitor the thickness of aluminium? Why? (2)
- **Gamma ray or beta source** because gamma rays unaffected by aluminium - Only one that **penetrates** aluminium
74
Why is half-life important when choosing a radioactive source in a factory for aluminium thickness? (2)
- you need a **Long half-life** – e.g. several years - So its activity remains constant/Source not changed often
75
Describe how count rate is used to control the thickness of aluminium in a roller machine (3)
- As the **count rate decreases** - **pressure** (force) is **increased** (or converse) - To make metal **thinner**
76
What is the name of an isotope of hydrogen with a **mass of 2**?
Deuterium
77
What is the name of an isotope of hydrogen with a **mass of 3**?
Tritium
78
What is the formula for alpha radiation. What is it made of?
24He or 24a etc. It is made of **2 protons and 2 neutrons**, ejected by an unstable nucleus It has the same properties as a helium atom
79
What is background radiation?
Radiation from our environment which we are constantly exposed to From the sun (cosmic), hospitals, our bodies, rocks etc.
80
Outline how Rutherford conducted the alpha-particle experiment (6)
- **Vacuum** – to prevent collision with air molecules Alphas have limited range in air - **Measurements** – Move detector to different angles Measure the number of alphas detected - **Deflection** – The positive particles repelled by nucleus The nucleus is positive or Like charges repel - **Small nucleus** – Most alphas passed through without deflection - **Massive nucleus** – Some alphas rebounded or were back scattered
81
What three isotopes are used in nuclear **fusion**? Where can they be extracted from?
Hydrogen Deuterium Tritium In the seas/oceans
82
What is the major product of nuclear fusion?
Helium
83
What is the formula for average velocity?
avgV = V-U/2

CCEA GCSE (S1) (26 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions