ZNOTES.

ORG

UPDATED TO 2019 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
PHYSICS (0625)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE PHYSICS (0625)

A curved speed time graph means changing acceleration.

Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity per unit of
1. General Physics time, and
a vector as it’s direction is specified

 
1.1. Length and Time
DISTANCE TIME GRAPHS
LENGTH

A rule (ruler) is used to measure length for distances

between 1mm
and 1meter.
For even smaller lengths, use a micrometer screw gauge.
SI unit for length is the meter (m)
To find out volume of regular object, use mathematical
formula
Gradient = xy22 −y
−x 1 =
​

​
1 ​

​
​
Δd
t ​ = Speed (m/s)
To find out volume of irregular object, put object into
measuring
cylinder with water. When object added, it Therefore, distance:
With constant speed: Speed  ×  T ime
displaces water, making
water level rise. Measure this
With constant acceleration1:

Final Speed+Initial Speed
rise. This is the volume. 2 ​ ×
T ime
 
 
TIME
ACCELERATION BY GRAVITY
Interval of time is measured using clocks or a stopwatch
SI unit for time is the second(s) An object in free-fall near to the Earth has a constant
To find the amount of time it takes a pendulum to make a acceleration
caused by gravity due to the Earth’s uniform
spin, time
~25 circles and then divide by the same number gravitational field
as the number of
circles. Objects are slowed down by air resistance. When
deceleration caused
by air resistance = acceleration by
1.2. Motion gravity, i.e. no net force
acting on a body in free fall, the
body reached terminal velocity
Speed is the distance an object moves in a time frame. It
is
measured in meters/second (m/s) or kilometers/hour 1.3. Mass and Weight
(km/h).
Mass: A measure of matter in a body and the body’s
Total Distance  resistance to
motion.
∴  Speedaverage =
Total Time
​ ​

Weight is the force of gravity on a body as a result of its

Speed is a scalar quantity as it only shows magnitude. mass.
Speed in a specified direction is velocity, which is a vector
Weight = Mass × G
 
Weights (and hence masses) may be compared using a
balance
SPEED TIME GRAPHS

1.4. Density
Mass (m)
Density (ρ) =
Volume (V)
​

Density of a liquid: Place measuring cylinder on balance.

Area under the line equals to the distance travelled Add
liquid. Reading on measuring cylinder = V, change in
y2 − y1 Δv 2 mass on balance
= m. Use formula.
Gradient = ​

x 2 −x 1
​

=  t = Acceleration (m/s) Density of solid:

​ ​

​ ​

Positive acceleration means the velocity of a body is

Finding the volume: To find out volume of a regular
increasing
object, use
mathematical formula. To find out volume
Deceleration or negative acceleration means the velocity
of an irregular object,
put object into a measuring
of a body
is decreasing

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cylinder with water and the rise of

water is the volume Third law of motion: if object A exerts a force on object B,
of the object. then
object B will exert an equal but opposite force on
Finding the mass: Use balance object A
An object will float in a fluid if it’s density is lesser than the
density of the liquid, i.e. The volume of fluid displaced has HOOKE’S LAW
a
greater mass than the object itself.
Example: an orange with its peel has a density of Springs extend in proportion to load, as long as they are
under
their proportional limit.
0.84g/cm3, we can predict that it will float in water
Limit of proportionality: point at which load and extension
because it is less than 1 g/cm3 (density of water). We
can
are no
longer proportional
also say, that an orange without its peel, which has a Elastic limit: point at which the spring will not return to its
density
of 1.16g/cm3, will sink because it is greater than original shape after being stretched
1g/cm3.
Load (In Newtons) = Spring C onstant × extension

F = kx

1.5. Forces
Force is measured in Newtons

Force = Mass × Acceleration

1 Newton is the amount of force needed to give 1kg an
acceleration
of 1m/s2
A force may produce a change in size and shape of a CIRCULAR MOTION
body, give an
acceleration or deceleration or a change in
direction depending on
the direction of the force. An object at steady speed in circular orbit is always
The resultant of forces acting in the same dimension will accelerating
as its direction is changing, but it gets no
be their
sum, provided a convention for directions is set. closer to the center.
The speed of the ball stays constant.
Therefore, the
resultant of 2 forces acting in the same Centripetal force is the force acting towards the center of
dimension, in the opposite
direction will be the difference a
circle. It is a force that is needed, not caused, by circular
in their magnitude in the direction
of the greatest. motion,
If there is no resultant force acting on a body, it either For example, when you swing a ball on a string round in a
remains
at rest or continues at constant speed in a circle,
the tension of the string is the centripetal force. If
straight line the string is
cut then the ball will travel in a straight line at
a tangent to the
circle at the point where the string was
RESISTIVE FORCES cut.
Centrifugal force is the force acting away from the center
Friction: the force between two surfaces which impedes of a
circle. This is what makes a slingshot go outwards as
motion
and results in heating you spin it.
The centrifugal force is the reaction to the
Air resistance is a form of friction centripetal force. It
has the same magnitude but opposite
direction to centripetal force.
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

First law of motion: If no external force is acting on it, an 1.6. Moments

object will, if stationary, remain stationary, and if moving,
keep moving at a steady speed in the same straight line. A moment is the measure of the turning effect on a body
and is
defined as:
Second law of motion: F = ma
M oment (N m) = F orce (N ) ×  P erpendicular 

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 distance from P ivot (m) A parallelogram has to be made with the acting forces (F1
and F2). The resultant force will be the diagonal. Make
Therefore, increasing force or distance from the pivot
sure the same scale is used to convert between length
increases the
moment of a force
and forces.
Measure length of diagonal and use scale to
This explains why levers are force magnifiers convert value into force
(FR).
Turning a bolt is far easier with a wrench because the
perpendicular distance from pivot is massively
increased, and so
is the turning effect. 1.9. Momentum
In equilibrium, clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment
there is no
resultant force acting on the body. Momentum: product of mass and velocity
This can be proven by hanging masses of the same
p  =  mv
weight on
opposite sides of a meter rule on a pivot at
equal distances
from the pivot showing that the meter Principle of conservation of linear momentum: when
rule in stationary. bodies in a
system interact, total momentum remains
constant provided no
external force acts on the system.
1.7. Centre of Mass
mA u A + mB u B = mA v A + mB v B
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Centre of mass: imaginary point in a body where total Impulse: product of force and time for which it acts
mass of body
seems to be acting.
An object will be in stable equilibrium when it returns to its Ft  =  mv  − mu
original position given a small displacement.
For an object that is displaced, it will stabilize only if the
1.10. Energy
force
caused by it’s weight is within it’s base.
Energy: amount of work and its measured in Joules (J)
An object may have energy due to its motion or its
position
Conservation of energy: energy cannot be created or
destroyed, when
work is done, energy is changed from
one form to another.
Energy can be stored

Energy type What it is Example

Kinetic Due to motion Car moving
Gravitational From potential to fall Book on shelf
Chemical In chemical bonds Bonds in starch (food)
Strain Compress/stretch Stretched elastic band
For an object to start rotating it needs to have an Atoms Released in nuclear
Nuclear
unbalanced
moment acting on it rearranged/split plant
Internal Motion of molecules In a glass of water
1.8. Scalars and Vectors Electrical Carried by electrons Battery to bulb
Light Carried in light waves From sun
A scalar is a quantity that only has a magnitude (so it can
only be
positive) for example speed.
Carried in sound
Sound From speaker
waves
A vector quantity has a direction as well as a magnitude,
for
example velocity, which can be negative.
1
Calculating resultant force: K inetic energy = × M ass × Velocity2
2
​

1
K.E. = mv2
2
​

Graviational P otential Energy = M ass

×Gravity × Height

G.P.E. = mgh
Example of conversion of energy: A book on a shelf has
g.p.e , if it
falls of the shelf it will have k.e

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Due to the processes through which energy transfers take Type Advantages Disadvantages
place not
being 100% efficient, energy is lost to the
Solar cells/
surrounding and
therefore energy gets more spread out
photovoltaic cells:
(dissipated) Variable amount of
made of materials
Efficiency: how much useful work is done with energy No CO2 produced sunshine in some
that deliver
supplied electrical current countries
U sef ul Energy Output when it absorbs
Efficiency = × 100
Energy input light
​

U sef ul Power Output
Efficiency = × 100
Power input Solar panels:
​

absorbs energy and

1.11. Energy Resources use it to heat water

Renewable sources are not exhaustible

Non-renewable sources of energy are exhaustible
1.12. Work and Power

Type Advantages Disadvantages Work is done whenever a force makes something move.

Fuel: burnt to make Harmful wastes: W =  ΔE

thermal energy, Cheap, Plentiful, (Greenhouse/
makes steam, turns Low-tech pollutant gas, The unit for work is the Joule (J).
turbine Radiation) 1 joule of work = force of 1 Newton moves an object by 1
Wave energy: meter
generators driven
No greenhouse Work done  (J) =   Force (N) × Distance (m)
by up and down Difficult to build
gases produced
motion of waves at W = FD
sea.
Tidal energy: dam Power is the rate of work
built where river The unit for power is Watts (W)
meets sea, lake fills Expensive 1W = 1J/s
No greenhouse
when tides comes Can’t be built
gases produced Work Done (J)
in & empties when everywhere Power (W) =
Time Taken (s)
​

tide goes out; water

flow runs generator
Hydroelectric: river 1.13. Pressure
Low impact on
& rain fill up lake
environment Few areas of the Pressure is the force per unit area.
behind dam, water
Energy produced at world suitable
released, turns Force (N)
constant rate
turbine ∴ generator Pressure  (Pa ) =
Area (m2 )
​

Geothermal: water
Deep drilling F
pumped down to
No CO2 produced difficult and P=
hot rocks rising as A
​

expensive
steam
Unit: Pascals (Pa) = N/m2
Nuclear fission:
Produces a lot of In Liquids
uranium atoms split Produces
energy with very
by shooting radioactive waste Pressure (Pa ) = Density(kg/m3 ) × Gravity(m/s2 )
little resources
neutrons at them
Wind: windmills are P = hρg
moved by the No CO2/
Few areas of the Therefore, as the depth of a fluid increases, the pressure
breeze. They Greenhouse gasses
world suitable. caused by
the whole liquid increases.
generate electricity produced
Measuring Pressure: Manometer
from kinetic energy.
Measures the pressure difference
The height difference shows the excess pressure in
addition to
the atmospheric pressure.

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Solid Liquid Gas

Atoms vibrate but
Collide with each
can’t change Particles slide past
other and bounce in
position ∴ fixed each other.
all directions
volume and shape

The more the kinetic energy in a gas, the faster it’s

particles move
and therefore the gas is at a higher
temperature.
The pressure gases exert on a container is due to the
particles
colliding on the container walls.
Measuring Pressure: Barometer
The greater the kinetic energy in gasses the faster they
Tube with vacuum at the top and mercury filling the
move and
the more often they collide on the container’s
rest.
walls.
Pressure of the air pushes down on reservoir, forcing
Therefore, the volume is constant, then increasing the
mercury up
the tube.
temperature
will increase the pressure.
Measure height of mercury
Thus, if there is a change in momentum of the particles,
~760 mm of mercury is 1 atm.
the kinetic
energy decreases, decreasing the collisions on
the container walls
and thus the pressure.

BROWNIAN MOTION

Gas molecules move randomly. This is because of

repeated random
collisions with other gas molecules,
which constantly change the
direction they move in.
Small molecules move much faster and have higher
energy than larger
molecules. They can effectively move
large molecules due to repeated
random bombardment-
this can be seen by larger smoke particles
moving.
Therefore, the random motion of particles in a suspension
is
evidence for the kinetic molecular model of matter.
2. Thermal Physics
2.1. Simple Kinetic Molecular Model of
Matter
2.2. Evaporation
It is the escape of more energetic particles from the
surface of a
liquid.
Solid Liquid Gas If more energetic particles escape, the liquid contains few
Fixed volume but high
energy particles and more low energy particles so
No fixed shape or the average
temperature decreases.
Fixed shape and changes shape
volume, gases fill
volume depending on its
up containers
container
Almost no
Strong forces of Weaker attractive
intermolecular
attraction between forces than solids-
forces- large
particles- particles medium distances
distances between
close to each other. between particles
particles
No fixed pattern,
Fixed pattern Particles far apart, In the above graph, the number of particles with higher
liquids take shape
(lattice) and move quickly kinetic
energies has gone down.’
of their container
Therefore a body in contact with an evaporating liquid
with
subsequently cool.

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Evaporation can be accelerated by: Fixed points are definite temperatures at which
Increasing temperature: more particles have energy something
happens and are used to calibrate a
to escape thermometer. For example,
melting and boiling point of
Increasing surface area: more molecules are close to water
the surface Sensitivity: Change in length or volume per degree
Reduce humidity level in air (draught): if the air is less Range: The values which can be measured using the
humid, fewer particles are condensing. thermometer
Linearity: Uniform changes in the physical property with a
2.3. Pressure Changes in Gases change in temperature over the measured temperature
values.
Pressure is inversely proportional to the volume given a Responsiveness: How long it takes for the thermometer to
constant
temperature. react
to a change in temperature
If the volume increases and the temperature stays Calibrating a thermometer:
constant, the
particles hit the surface less often, thus Place thermometer in melting ice, this is 0 °C.
decreasing the pressure. Place thermometer in boiling water, this is 100 °C.
Liquid-in-glass thermometer:
P 1 V1 = P 2 V2
​ ​ ​ ​

PV = constant
The constant is valid at a fixed mass of gas at a constant
temperature.
As the temperature increases of a fixed mass of gas, the
pressure
increases as the average kinetic energy
increases… Refer card 'Simple Kinetic Molecular Model of
Matter' for more detail. As temperature rises or falls, the liquid (mercury or
alcohol)
expands or contracts.
Amount of expansion can be matched to temperature on
2.4. Thermal properties and a scale.
temperature To increase sensitivity:
Thinner capillary
Solids, liquids and gasses expand when they are heated Less dense liquid
as atoms
vibrate more and this causes them to become Bigger bulb
further apart, taking up
a greater volume. Depending on the melting and boiling point of the liquid
Due to differences in molecular structure of the different being used,
the range is defined.
states of
matter, expansion is greatest in gases, less so in The linearity depends on the liquid being used
liquids and
lowest in solids
Applications and consequences of thermal expansion: Thermocouple thermometer:
Overhead cables have to be slack so that on cold days,
when they
contract, they don’t snap or detach.
Gaps have to be left in bridge to allow for expansion
Bimetal thermostat: when temperature gets too high,
bimetal
strip bends, to make contacts separate until
temperature falls
enough, then metal strip will
become straight again and contacts
touch, to maintain
a steady temperature The probe contains 2 different metals joined to form 2
junctions.
The temperature difference causes a tiny voltage which
makes a
current flow.
A greater temp. difference gives a greater current.
Thermocouple thermometers are used for high
temperatures which
change rapidly and have a large
range (-200C° to 1100°C)

2.5. Thermal Capacity

Temperature can be measured by observing a physical The rise in temperature of a body is an increase in the
property that
changes with temperature. Examples
internal
energy of that body. The average kinetic energy
include alcohol and mercury -
used in thermometers. of a gas
particle is directly proportional to the

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temperature. When of
that gas particle. particles move When a liquid cools, the particles slow down even more.
faster due to greater kinetic
energy, they collide more Eventually
they stop moving except for vibrations and a
often, which is felt by heat solid forms.
This relationship is shown by the thermal capacity of a
Specific Heat capacity (c) is the amount of energy 2.7. Thermal Properties
required to raise
the temperature of 1 kg of a certain
substance by 1o C. Conduction is the flow of heat through matter from places
Q
of
higher temperature to places of lower temperature
c = mΔT ​

without movement
of the matter as a whole

Thermal Capacity (Q) is the amount of energy required to

raise the
temperature of an object by 1oC.

Q = mc
In non-metals - when heat is supplied to something, its
IMPORTANT: The Q’s in both equations are NOT the same,
atoms
vibrate faster and pass on their vibrations to the
however the c’s are.
adjacent atoms.
In metals – conduction happens in the previous way and in
2.6. Melting and Boiling a quicker
way –electrons are free to move, they travel
randomly in the metal
and collide with atoms and pass on
Melting is when a solid turns into a liquid. the vibrations Good conductors
are used whenever heat
The temperature increases thus kinetic energy in solid is required to travel quickly through
something
increases and
particles vibrate more rapidly. Bad conductors (insulators) are used to reduce the
When melting starts there is no increase in temperature amount of heat
lost to the surroundings
of the
substance because thermal energy supplied is Convection is the flow of heat through a fluid from places
being used to break
bonds between particles of the solid of
higher temperature in places of lower temperature by
thus making it into a liquid. movement of the
fluid itself.
The latent heat of fusion is the amount of energy needed As a fluid (liquid or gas) warms up, the particles which are
to melt 1Kg
of a substance warmer
become less dense and rise.
The melting point is the temp. at which a substance They then cool and fall back to the heat source, creating a
liquefy cycle
called convection current.
Boiling is when a liquid turns into a gas As particles circulate they transfer energy to other
The temperature increases thus kinetic energy in liquid particles. If a
cooling object is above a fluid it will create a
increases
and particles vibrate more rapidly. convection current
as well.
When boiling starts, there is no increase in temperature
of the
substance because the thermal energy supplied is
being used to break
bonds between particles of the liquid
thus making it into a gas.
The latent heat of vaporization is the amount of energy
needed to
boil 1Kg of a substance
The boiling point is the temp. at which a substance boils

Specific latent heat of fusion vaporization = 
Energy Transferred
Mass
​

Radiation is the flow of heat from one place to another by

E means
of electromagnetic waves. It does not require a
Lf / Lv =
m medium.
​ ​ ​

The difference between boiling and evaporation is that: Thermal radiation is mainly infra-red waves, but very hot
objects
also give out light waves. Infra-red radiation is
Boiling occurs at a fixed temperature and throughout
part of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
the liquid
Evaporation occurs at any temperature and only on
the surface
Condensation is when a gas turns back into a liquid.
When a gas is cooled, the particles lose energy. They
move more and
more slowly. When they bump into each
other, they do not have enough
energy to bounce away
again so they stay close together, and a
liquid forms.

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Matt Black White Silver

Emitter Best → Worst
Transverse Waves
Reflector Worst → Best Travelling waves in which oscillation is perpendicular
Absorber Best → Worst to direction
of travel
Has crests and troughs
An emitter sends out thermal radiation. For example, light, water waves and vibrating string
A reflector reflects thermal radiation, therefore is a bad
absorber.
An emitter will cool down quickly, an absorber will heat up
more
quickly and a reflector will not heat up quickly.
The amount of radiation also depends on the surface
temperature and
surface area of a body.
Consequences of energy transfer include:
Metal spoon in a hot drink will warm up because it
conducts heat
Convection currents create sea breezes. During the
day the land
is warmer and acts as heat source.
During the night the sea acts
as the heat source.
A black saucepan cools better than a white one, white
houses
stay cooler than dark ones.
Longitudinal Waves
Travelling waves in which oscillation is parallel to
3. Properties of Waves, direction
of travel.
Has compressions and rarefactions
Including Light and Sound For example, sound waves

3.1. General Wave Properties

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
Examples of wave motion include:
Water Waves
Ropes Speed (m/s) = F requncy(Hz) × Wavelength(m)
Springs
Frequency: the number of waves passing any point per V = Fλ
second
measured in hertz (Hz) Refraction:
1 Speed and wave length is reduced but frequency stays
Frequency = the same
and the wave changes direction
Period
​

Mechanical waves slow down when they pass from a

Period: time taken for one oscillation in seconds denser to a
rarer material and vice versa
Wavefront: the peak of a transverse wave or the Note: Electromagnetic waves like light increase in
compression of a
longitudinal wave speed from an
optically denser to a rarer medium.
Speed: how fast the wave travels measured in m/s When wave is slowed down, it is refracted towards
Wavelength: distance between a point on one wave to the normal (i >
r)
corresponding point on the next wave in length When wave is sped up, it is refracted away from
Amplitude: maximum displacement of a wave from its normal (i < r)
undisturbed
point. Deep water is denser than shallow water

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Deep water to shallow water: speed decreases, Plane (flat) mirrors produce a reflection.
wavelength
decreases, and frequency remains Rays from an object reflect off the mirror into our eyes,
constant but we see
them behind the mirror.
The image has these properties:
Image is the same size as the object
Image is the same distance from the mirror as object
A line joining corresponding points of the image and
object meet
the mirror at a right angle
Image is virtual: no rays actually pass through the
image and
the image cannot be formed on a screen
Shallow water to deep water: speed increases wavelength
increases, and frequency remains constant

Laws of reflection:
Reflection: Angle of incidence = angle of reflection
Waves bounce away from surface at same angle they The incident ray, reflected ray and normal are always
strike it on the same plane (side of mirror)
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection Critical angle: angle at which refracted ray is parallel to
The incident ray, normal and reflected ray all lie on the the
surface of material.
same
plane. If the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle
Speed, wavelength and frequency are unchanged by there
is no refracted ray, there is total internal reflection.
reflection If the angle of incidence is less than the critical angle the
incidence ray will split into a refracted ray and a weaker
reflected
ray.

Speed of light in vacuum
Refractive Index =
Speed of light in a medium
​

Diffraction: sin i
Waves bend round the sides of an obstacle or spread Refractive Index =
sin r
​

out as they pass

through a gap.
Wider gaps produce less diffraction. 1
Critical angle = sin−1
n
​

When the gap size is equal to the wavelength,

maximum diffraction
occurs
3.3. Refraction of Light
Refraction is the bending when light travels from one
medium to
another due to the change in speed of the ray
of light.

3.2. Reflection of Light

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Virtual Image

When the object is closer to the optical centre than F’ is

Magnifying glass: when a convex lens is used like this - an

object
is closer to a convex (converging) lens than the
principal focus
(like the diagram above), the rays never
Note: converge. Instead, they
appear to come from a position
The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray only if behind the lens. The image is upright
and magnified, it is a
the
sides of the glass are parallel) virtual image.
i = angle of incidence, r = angle of refraction Images can be:
Light put in at one end is totally internally reflected until it Enlarged: The image is larger than the object.
comes out the other end. Same size: The image is the same size as the object.
Application: Optical Fibres Diminished: The image is smaller than the object.
Used in communications: signals are coded and sent Upright: The image is in the same vertical orientation
along the
fiber as pulses of laser light as the
object.
Used in medicine: an endoscope, an instrument used
by surgeons
to look inside the body; contains a long 3.5. Dispersion of Light
bundle of optic fibers.
Refraction by a prism:
3.4. Thin Converging Lens When light is refracted by a prism, the incidence ray is not
parallel to the emergent ray, since the prism’s sides are
Principal focus: the point where rays parallel to the
not
parallel.
principal
axis converge with a converging lens.
If a beam of white light is passed through a prism it is
Focal length: distance from principle focus and the optical
dispersed
into a spectrum.
center.
White light is a mixture of colors, and the prism refracts
Principal axis: line that goes through optical center, and
each
color by a different amount – red is deviated least &
the 2
foci.
violet most
Optical center: the center of the lens
Monochromatic light is that of a single frequency and
Real: image can be caught on a screen
colour.
Virtual: image cannot be caught on a screen
The visible spectrum of light is acronymed as ROYGBIV
 
Real Image

When object is further away from the optical centre than

F’ is

A) A ray through centre of the lens passes straight through

the
lens.
B) A ray parallel to the principal axis passes through the focus
on
the other side of the lens
C) A ray through F’ will leave the lens parallel to the principal
axis
 

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3.6. Electromagnetic Spectrum

ROMAN MEN INVENTED VERY UNUSUAL XRAY

GUNS

All electromagnetic waves:

Travel at the speed of light: approximately 3 ×
10 8 m/s. Compression: High pressure section of a longitudinal
They travel at around the same speed in air too. wave
Don’t need a medium to travel through (travel through Rarefaction: Low pressure section of a longitudinal wave
a vacuum)
Can transfer energy
Are produced by particles oscillating or losing energy
in some
way
Are transverse waves
Applications:
Radio waves: radio and television communications
Microwaves: satellite television and telephones
Safety issue: cause internal heating of body tissues
Infrared: electrical appliances (radiant heaters and
The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch.
grills),
remote controllers for televisions and intruder
The higher the amplitude, the louder the sound
alarms
If a sound is repeated 0.1 seconds or more after it is first
X-rays: medicine (x-ray photography and killing cancer heard,
the brain senses it again.
cells)
and security
Therefore, given the adequate distance, if sound reflects
Safety issue: is a mutagen, it cause cancer (mutations)
off a
surface, and comes back, an echo is produced.
Monochromatic: light of a single wavelength and color
(used in
lasers) Speed of sound in varrious media
Medium State Speed
3.7. Sound Concrete Solid 5000 m/s
Pure Water Liquid 1400 m/s
Sound is a mechanical wave.
Sound waves come from a vibrating source e.g. Air Gas 330 m/s
loudspeaker V in Gas <V in Liquid <V in solid
As the loudspeaker cone vibrates, it moves forwards and
backwards,
which squashes & stretches the air in front. - Remember to take into account that sound has gone the
As a result, a series of compressions (squashes) and
rarefactions
(stretches) travel out through the air, these
are sound waves 4. Electricity and Magnetism
Humans can hear frequencies between 20 and 20 000Hz.
Properties: 4.1. Simple phenomena of magnetism
Sound waves are longitudinal:
they have
compressions and rarefactions and oscillate
MAGNETS:
backwards
and forwards.
Sound waves need a medium to travel through as it Magnets have a magnetic field around them
moves due to
oscillating particles. They 2 opposite poles (North and South) which exert
Ultrasound Waves: high frequency sound waves, forces on other
magnets. Like poles repel and unlike poles
medically used to look
at structures and organs inside the attract. This is caused
by the interaction of magnetic
human body, i.e. to form an
image of a fetus in a fields.
pregnancy Therefore, if magnets are facing each other with
opposite poles,
they will come together given a small

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space between them Permanent Magnet Electromagnet

They attract magnetic materials by inducing (permanent Use: For applications where
or temporary)
magnetism in them. Use: for applications where
magnetic field needs to be
Will exert little or no force on a non-magnetic material magnetism is needed over
turned on & off - scrap metal
The direction of an electric field at a point is the direction long periods – fridge doors
moving
of
the force on a positive charge at that point
Induced Magnetism:
Magnets attract materials by inducing magnetism in 4.2. Electric Charge
them; the
material becomes a magnet as well.
The side of the material facing the magnet will There are 2 types of charges: positive and negative.
become the
opposite pole as the magnet. Unlike charges attract and like charges repel.
The SI unit of charge is the Coulomb (C).
Ferrous/Magnetic Non-ferrous/Non-magnetic The presence of an electrostatic charge can be detected
materials materials using a leaf
electroscope.
Iron Plastic If a charged object is placed near the cap, charges are
induced.
Nickel Wood
The metal cap gets one type of charge (positive or
Cobalt Rubber
negative) and
the metal stem and gold leaf get the
other type of charge so
they repel each other.
Methods of inducing magnetism:

A piece of steel becomes permanently magnetized when

placed near a
magnet, but its magnetism is usually weak.
It can be magnetized more strongly by stroking it with one
end of a
magnet
Most effective method: place it in a solenoid and pass a
large,
direct current (d.c.) through the coil.
Electric field: region in which electric charge experiences
Methods of demagnetisation:
a
force.
If a magnet is hammered, its atomic magnets are The direction of an electric field at a point is the direction
thrown out of
line and it becomes demagnetized.
of
the force on a positive charge at that point
Heating a magnet to a high temperature also Conductors: materials that let electrons pass through
demagnetize it.
them.
Metals are the best electrical conductors as they
Stroking with another magnet to destroy the have free
electrons. E.g. copper
alignment of poles
Insulators: materials that hardly conduct at all. Their
Place magnet with poles opposite to that which is electrons are tightly held to atoms and hardly move, but
induced by a
d.c. current and insert into coil with d.c. they can be
transferred by rubbing. E.g. Rubber
current Simple Field Patterns:
Most efficient method: place magnet inside a solenoid
Parallel plates
connected
to an alternating current (a.c.) supply.
Soft Iron vs. Steel

Soft iron Steel

Gets magnetized faster but
Slow to be magnetized but
loses its magnetism as soon
retains acquired magnetism
as inducing magnet is
for a long time.
removed.
High susceptibility but low Low susceptibility but high
retentivity retentivity. Point charge
Use: core in the transformer Use: making magnets.

Permanent Magnet vs. Electromagnet

Permanent Magnet Electromagnet

Design: hard magnetic Design: Uses a solenoid to
material create magnetic field

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pulled towards
rod, which leaves the bottom of the foil
with a net positive
charge.
The attraction is stronger than repulsion because the
attracting
charges are closer than the repelling ones.

4.3. Current
Current: a flow of charge, the SI unit is the Ampere (A).
An ammeter measures the current in a circuit and is
connected in
series
Current is a rate of flow of charge.
In metals, current is caused by a flow of electrons

C harge (C )
Current (A) = ​

T ime (s)
+ve and -ve
I = Q/t

Current follows path of least resistance

Conventional current flows in the direction opposite to
that which
electrons flow in.
Red = Conventional Current
Green = flow of electrons

1 e = 1.6 × 10 −19 C
1C = 6.25 × 10 18 e

4.4. Electromotive Force (EMF)

The energy supplied by the source in driving a unit charge
+ve and +ve around a
circuit.

The maximum voltage a cell can produce is called the

electromotive
force (EMF), measured in volts.
When a current is being supplied, the voltage is lower
because of
the energy wastage inside the cell.
A cell produces its maximum PD when not in a circuit and
not
supplying current.

4.5. Potential Difference (P.D)

Potential difference, or PD for short, is also known as
voltage.
Voltage is the amount of energy the cell gives the
electrons it
pushes out. Voltage is measured in volts (V)
Induced charges:
and is measured by a
voltmeter (connected in parallel). If
Charging a body involves the addition or removal of a cell has 1 Volt, it delivers
1 Joule of energy to each
electrons.
coulomb of charge (J/C).
A charge that “appears” on an uncharged object
because of a
charged object nearby Energy
For example if a positively charged rod is brought near
Voltage  =
Charge
​

a small
piece of aluminum foil, electrons in foil are

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E The combined resistance of 2 resistors in parallel is

V=
C less than
that of either resistor by itself and the
​

current in the two

resistors in greater in the source
4.6. Resistance than in the individual
resistors and is equal to the sum
of the currents in all the
resistors connected in
Voltage V parallel.
Resistance  (Ω ) =  =
Current I Advantages of putting lamps in parallel are:
​ ​

If one lamp breaks, the other still works

Factors affecting resistance:
Each lamp gets maximum PD
Length In series: PD across the supply = PD across all the
Ω∝L components
combined
In parallel: Current across the source = sum of currents in
The electrons have to travel a longer length and thus
the
separate branches
encounter
more resistance.
Cross-sectional area
Ω∝ 1
A ​
4.9. Circuit Diagrams
More electrons can flow per unit time, increasing the
current
and therefore decreasing the resistance. Cell
Material
Better conductor = less resistance
Current Voltage Character of an Ohmic Resistor and a Battery of cells Or
Filament Lamp:

Power supply
a.c. power supply
Junction of conductors
Lamp
Fixed resistor
Thermistor

Ohm’s law states that voltage across a resistor is directly Variable Resistor
proportional to the current through it. This is only true if
the
temperature of the resistor or lamp remains constant
Light dependent resistor
Heater
4.7. Electrical Energy Switch

Electrical energy is transferred from the battery or power

Earth or Ground
source to
the circuit components then into the
surroundings
1 Watt is 1J/s
Electric Bell
Electrical power  =  V oltage (V ) × C urrent (A)

P  =  VI Buzzer

Electrical energy  =  V oltage  (V ) ×  C urrent ×  T ime Microphone

E  =  VIt Loudspeaker

4.8. Series and Parallel Circuits Motor

Generator
The current at any point in a series circuit is the same
The current splits at each branch in a parallel circuit so Ammeter
the total
current is always greater than the current in one
Voltmeter
branch
Combining resistors Galvanometer
In Series:
RT otal = R1 +
​ ​ R2 ​

Potential Divider
In Parallel:
RT otal = 1 1
+ R12
​ ​

R1 ​
​

​
​

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Relay Coil A switch operated by an electromagnet

Transformer
Diode

Light- emitting diode

Fuse
Normally closed relay: when coil not
energized, switch is
Oscilloscope closed, completing circuit

AND gate

OR gate

NAND gate

NOR gate

NOT gate
Normally open relay: when coil
energized, switch is
closed,
completing circuit
4.10. Action and Use of Circuit
Components
A potential divider divides the voltage into smaller parts.

Diodes:
A device that has an extremely high resistance in one
To find the voltage (at VOUT ) we use the following
formula:
direction
and a low resistance in the other, therefore it
effectively only
allows current to flow in one direction
Forward bias is when the diode is pointing in the
A variable potential divider (potentiometer) is the same as direction of
the conventional current and reverse bias
the one
above but using a variable resistor; it acts like a is the opposite
potential
divider, but you can change output voltage. It can be used in a rectifier; turns AC current into DC
Input Transducers: current.
Thermistor: input sensor and a transducer. It is a
temperature-dependent resistor. At higher
temperature there is
less resistance.

Light dependent resistor (LDR): input sensor and a

transducer. When light intensity increases, resistance
decreases.
4.11. Digital Electronics
Analogue uses a whole range of continuous variations to
transmit a
signal that include variations of high and low
states.
Digital signals use only 2 states, on and off.
Relays:

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Logic gates are processors that are circuits containing Circuit Breaker:
transistors
and other components. Their function is shown An automatic switch which if current rises over a
by the truth table
below (3 columns from the right) specified
value, the electromagnet pulls the contacts
apart, breaking the
circuit.
The reset button is to rest everything.
It works like a fuse but is better because it can be
reset.

Benefits of Earthing a Metal Case:

Many electrical appliances, have metal cases, the
earth wire
creates a safe route for current to flow
through if the live
wire touches the casing
4.12. Dangers of Electricity Earth terminal connected to metal casing, so in such a
case, the
current goes through earth wire instead of
Hazards: causing an electric
shock.
Damaged insulation: contact with the wire (live wire A strong current surges through earth wire because it
especially) due to gap in the insulation causes electric has very
low resistance
shock
which can cause serious injury or shock. This breaks the fuse and disconnects the appliance
Overheating of cables: when long extension leads are
coiled
up, they may overheat. The current warms the
wire, but the heat
has less area to escape from a tight
bundle. This might cause a
fire.
Damp conditions: water can conduct a current, so if
electrical equipment is wet someone might get
electrocuted
Fuse:
A fuse protects a circuit.
Thin piece of wire which overheats and melts if
current is too
high.
It is placed on the live wire before the switch.
This prevents overheating and catching fire.
A fuse will have a specific current value (e.g. 13
Amps.) so
when choosing a suitable fuse, you must
use the one above
minimum value but less than
maximum value

4.13. Electromagnetic Effects

Electromagnetic Induction: If a wire is passed across a
magnetic
field/changing magnetic field, a small EMF is
induced and can be
detected by a galvanometer.

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The direction of an induced EMF opposes the change

causing it.
The fingers point in the conventional current direction and
The induced EMF can be increased by: the
thumb gives the North Pole.
moving the wire faster
using a stronger magnet 4.14. Applications
Increasing length of wire in magnetic field, e.g. looping
the
wire through the field several times. In a direct current (d.c) the electrons flow in a singular
The current and EMF direction can be reversed by: direction.
moving the wire in the opposite direction In an alternating current (a.c) the direction of flow is
turning the magnet round so that the field direction is reversed in
regular time periods.
reversed A.C Generator:
Fleming’s right-hand rule gives the current direction: The coil is made of insulated copper wire and is
rotated by
turning the shaft; the slip rings are fixed to
the coil and
rotate with it.
The brushes are 2 contacts which rub against the slip
rings and
keep the coil connected to the outside part
of the circuit,
usually made of carbon.
When the coil is rotated, it cuts magnetic field lines, so
an
EMF is generated, which makes a current flow.
Bar magnet pushed into coil Each side of the coil travels upwards then downwards
then
upwards etc. so the current flows backwards then
forwards then
backwards etc. so it is an alternating
current.

The induced EMF (and current) can be increased by:

moving the magnet faster
using a stronger magnet
increasing the number of turns in the coil
If the magnet is pulled away, the direction of the induced
EMF (and
current) is reversed
Using South pole instead of North pole reverses direction
of induced
EMF (and current)
If the magnet is held still, there is no EMF
An induced current always flows in a direction such that it
opposes
the change which produced it.
When a magnet is moved towards a coil the pole of the
coil and
magnet next to each other are the same.
When the magnet is moved away the poles are opposite
(opposite poles
attract).
The pole-type (north or south) is controlled by the
The current is maximum when the coil is horizontal since
direction in
which the current is induced.
The direction of the current is given by the right-hand grip field lines
are being cut at the fastest rate and 0 when the
coil is vertical,
since it is cutting NO field lines.
rule:
The EMF can be increased by:
increasing the number of turns on the coil
increasing the area of the coil
using a stronger magnet

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rotating the coil faster Magnetic field around a current carrying wire

4.15. Transformers
AC currents can be increased or decreased by using a
transformer.
Consists of a primary coil, a secondary coil and an iron
core.
The iron core gets magnetized by the incoming current
and this
magnetism then creates a current in the leaving Magnetic field around a current carrying solenoid
wire.
The power is the same on both sides (assume= 100%
efficiency).
You can figure out number of coils and the voltage with:

Output voltage T urns on output coil
= ​ ​

I nput voltage T urns on input coil
VP NP Increasing the strength of the field
=
​ ​

Increasing the current increases the strength of the field

​ ​

VS NS ​ ​

Increasing the number of turns of a coil increases the

V In × I In = V Out × I Out
​ ​ ​ ​

strength
increases the strength of the field.
Reversing the current direction reverses the magnetic
V P ×I P = V S ×I S
​ ​ ​ ​

field
direction (right-hand rule).
(Under 100% efficiency) The direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the
direction
of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that
When magnetic field is changed across the primary coil by point
connecting
it with A.C. an e.m.f. induces across the Magnetic effect of current is used in a
relay and a circuit
secondary coil. breaker.
The iron core channels the alternating field through the
secondary
coil, inducing an alternating e.m.f. across it. 4.17. Force on a Current-Carrying
A step-up transformer increases the voltage and a step-
down
transformer decreases it. Conductor
Transformers used to make high voltage AC currents.
Since power lost in a resistor
P = I 2 ×R , having
a lower If a current carrying conductor is in a magnetic field, it
current will decrease the power loss. warps the
field lines.
Since transmission cables are many kilometres long they The field lines from the magnet want to straighten out
have a lot
of resistance, so a transformer is used to naturally.
increase the voltage and
decrease the current to decease This causes a catapult like action on the wire creating a
power lost. force
The advantages of high-voltage transmission:
Less power lost
Thinner, light, and cheaper cables can be used since
current is
reduced

If you reverse current, you will reverse direction of force

If you reverse direction of field, you will reverse direction
of
force.
The direction of the force, current or magnetic field is
given by
Fleming’s left-hand rule:

4.16. Electromagnetic Effect of a

Current

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5. Atomic Physics
5.1. The Atom
Atoms consist of:
Nucleus: central part of atom made of protons
(positively
charged) and neutrons. These two types of
particles are called
nucleons. They are bound together
by the strong nuclear force.
Electrons: almost mass-less particles which orbit
nucleus in
shells
This is proved by Rutherford’s Gold Foil Experiment2
Proton number: number of protons in an atom
Nucleon number: the number of nucleons (protons +
neutrons) in
an atom
The following is the nuclide notation for atoms

4.18. D.C. Motor Isotope:

Atoms of the same element that have different
numbers of
neutrons e.g. Carbon 12 and Carbon 14.
There are non-radioactive isotopes and radio-
isotopes.
Radio isotopes are unstable atoms, which break down
giving
radiation
Uses:
Medical use: cancer treatment (radiotherapy) – rays
kill
cancer cells using cobalt-60
When a current-carrying coil is in a magnetic field, it Industrial use: to check for leaks – radioisotopes
experiences
a turning effect. (tracers)
added to oil/gas. At leaks radiation is
A DC motor runs on a direct current. detected using a Geiger
counter.
The coil is made of insulated copper wire and is free to Archaeological use: carbon 14 – used for carbon
rotate
between the poles of the magnet. dating
The commutator (split-ring) is fixed to the coil and rotates
with
it.
5.2. Detection of Radioactivity
When the coil overshoots the vertical, the commutator
changes
direction of the current through it, so the forces Background radiation: small amount of radiation around
change direction
and keep the coil turning. us all
time because of radioactive materials in the
The brushes are two contacts which rub against the environment. It mainly
comes from natural sources such
commutator and
keep the coil connected to battery, as soil, rocks, air, building
materials, food and drink – and
usually made of carbon even space.
The max. turning effect is when the coil is horizontal. A Geiger-Müller (GM) tube can be used to detects α,  β
There is no force when the coil is vertical, but it always
and γ radiation
overshoots this position

Reversing rotation can be done 5.3. Type of Radioactive Emissions

Turning effect increased by:
by:
Increasing the current Reversing the battery Radioactive emissions occur randomly over space & time

Using a stronger magnet -

Alpha (α) Beta (β) Gamma (γ)
increasing the strength of Reversing the poles
the magnetic field Helium nucleus One high Electro-
Nature (2 protons and speed magnetic
Increasing the number of
neutrons) electron radiation
turns on the coil.

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Alpha (α) Beta (β) Gamma (γ) Gamma emission:

Charge +2 -1 none Gamma emission by itself causes no change in mass

Stopped by Only reduced number or atomic
number; they just emit energy
Penetration Stopped by paper
aluminum by lead Some isotopes do not change in mass or atomic number
Effect from Very however they
emit energy as their particles rearrange
Deflected Not deflected themselves to become more
stable
fields deflected
Ionizing
Very strong Weak Very weak
effect 5.5. Half Life
Speed 1 9
10  v of light
​

10  v of light
​
v of light
Half-life of a radioisotope: is the time taken for half the
Depending on their charge, they will be affected by nuclei present in any given sample to decay.
Some nuclei are more stable than others.
electric and
magnetic fields.
Remember to factor background radiation in half-life
calculations
involving tables and decay curves
5.4. Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay: A radioisotope (unstable arrangement
5.6. Safety Precautions
of
neutrons and protons) is altered to make a more stable
Radioactive material is stored in a lead container
arrangement.
Picked up with tongs, not bare hands
The parent nucleus becomes a daughter nucleus and a
Kept away from the body and not pointed at people
particle (decay
products).
Left out of its container for as short a time as possible
The nucleus changes when undergoing alpha or beta
decay
5.7. Rutherford’s Experiment
 
Alpha decay: Thin gold foil is bombarded with alpha particles, which are
positively charged.
An element with a proton number 2 lower and nucleon
Most passed straight through, but few were repelled so
number 4 lower,
and an alpha particle is made (2p + 2n)
strongly that
they were bounced back or deflected at
e.g. Radium-226 nucleus → Radon-222 + helium-4 nucleus large angles.
Rutherford concluded that the atom must be largely
empty space, with
its positive charge and most of its mass
 
concentrated in a tiny
nucleus.
Beta decay:

A neutron changes into a proton, an electron and an

antineutrino so
an element with the same nucleon
number but with a proton number 1
higher e.g.

e.g. iodine-131 → xenon-131 + antineutrino + beta particle

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Physics (0625)

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