ZNOTES.

ORG

UPDATED TO 2019 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
PHYSICS (0625)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY 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
−x1 =
​

​
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:
displaces water, making water level rise. Measure this
With constant speed: Speed × T ime
rise. This is the volume. With constant acceleration1:
F inal Speed+Initial Speed
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 gravitational field
number 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
∴ Speedaverage = resistance to motion.
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
SPEED TIME GRAPHS balance

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
Gradient = y2 −y1
= Δv 2 mass on balance = m. Use formula.
t = Acceleration (m/s)
​ ​

x2 −x1
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 HOOKE’S LAW
has 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
because it is less than 1 g/cm3 (density of water). We can
extension 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 Constant × 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 f rom 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 uA + mB uB = mA vA + mB vB
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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 Ft = mv − mu
its 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: Kinetic 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 Type Advantages Disadvantages
take 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
Eff iciency = × 100
Energy input light
​

U sef ul P ower Output

Eff iciency = × 100
P ower input Solar panels:
​

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

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 Produces
energy with very
split 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/ Therefore, as the depth of a fluid increases, the pressure
breeze. They Few areas of the
Greenhouse gasses caused by the whole liquid increases.
generate electricity world suitable.
produced Measuring Pressure: Manometer
from kinetic
Measures the pressure difference
energy.
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
position ∴ fixed each other.
in 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
2. Thermal Physics matter.

2.1. Simple Kinetic Molecular Model of

Matter

2.2. Evaporation
It is the escape of more energetic particles from the
Solid Liquid Gas surface of a liquid.
Fixed volume but If more energetic particles escape, the liquid contains few
No fixed shape or high energy particles and more low energy particles so
Fixed shape and changes shape
volume, gases fill the average temperature decreases.
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,
liquids take shape
(lattice) and move quickly In the above graph, the number of particles with higher
of their container
kinetic energies has gone down.’

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Therefore a body in contact with an evaporating liquid Temperature can be measured by observing a physical
with subsequently cool. property that changes with temperature. Examples
include alcohol and mercury - used in thermometers.
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
constant temperature. to 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 pure water.
decreasing the pressure. Place the thermometer above the steam of the pure
boiling water, this is 100 °C.
P1 V1 = P2 V2
​ ​ ​

Liquid-in-glass thermometer:

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
2.4. Thermal properties and alcohol) expands or contracts.
Amount of expansion can be matched to temperature on
temperature a scale.
To increase sensitivity:
Solids, liquids and gasses expand when they are heated Thinner capillary
as atoms vibrate more and this causes them to become Less dense liquid
further apart, taking up a greater volume. Bigger bulb
Due to differences in molecular structure of the different Depending on the melting and boiling point of the liquid
states of matter, expansion is greatest in gases, less so in being used, the range is defined.
liquids and lowest in solids The linearity depends on the liquid being used
Applications and consequences of thermal expansion:
Overhead cables have to be slack so that on cold Thermocouple thermometer:
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)

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Evaporation occurs at any temperature and only on

2.5. Thermal Capacity
the surface
The rise in temperature of a body is an increase in the Condensation is when a gas turns back into a liquid.
When a gas is cooled, the particles lose energy. They
internal energy of that body. The average kinetic energy
move more and more slowly. When they bump into each
of a gas particle is directly proportional to the
other, they do not have enough energy to bounce away
temperature. When of that gas particle. particles move
faster due to greater kinetic energy, they collide more again so they stay close together, and a liquid forms.
often, which is felt by heat When a liquid cools, the particles slow down even more.
Eventually they stop moving except for vibrations and a
All gases at the same temperature have the same average
solid forms.
kinetic energy.
Specific Heat capacity (c) is the amount of energy
required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a certain 2.7. Thermal Properties
substance by 1o C.
Conduction is the flow of heat through matter from
Q
c = mΔT ​
places of higher temperature to places of lower
temperature 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

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

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

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

medium.
The difference between boiling and evaporation is that: Thermal radiation is mainly infra-red waves, but very hot
Boiling occurs at a fixed temperature and throughout objects also give out light waves. Infra-red radiation is
the liquid part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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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
Frequency = stays 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 rarer to a denser 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: an angle at which the r = 90 degrees, where
The incident ray, normal and reflected ray all lie on the reflected ray bends at a 90 degree angle
the 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
the sides of the glass are parallel) a 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 ×
108 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 Rarefaction: Low pressure section of a longitudinal wave
through 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 various 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
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 have 2 opposite poles (North and South) which exert
Ultrasound Waves: high frequency sound waves, forces on other magnets. Like poles repel and unlike
medically used to look at structures and organs inside the poles attract. This is caused by the interaction of
human body, i.e. to form an image of a fetus in a magnetic 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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are 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

Charge (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

1e = 1.6 × 10−19 C
1C = 6.25 × 1018 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
Voltage =
Charge
​

near a small piece of aluminum foil, electrons in foil

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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
Light dependent resistor
the temperature of the resistor or lamp remains constant
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 ) × Current (A)
Buzzer
P = VI
Electrical energy = V oltage (V ) × Current × T ime Microphone

E = VIt Loudspeaker

Motor
4.8. Series and Parallel Circuits
Generator
The current at any point in a series circuit is the same
Ammeter
The current splits at each branch in a parallel circuit so
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 1 Relay Coil
+ R2
​ ​

R1 ​
​

​
​

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intensity increases, resistance decreases.

Transformer
Diode

Light- emitting diode

Relays:
Fuse A switch operated by an electromagnet
Oscilloscope

AND gate

OR gate

NAND gate

NOR gate Normally closed relay: when coil not energized, switch is
closed, completing circuit
NOT gate

4.10. Action and Use of Circuit

Components
A potential divider divides the voltage into smaller parts.

Normally open relay: when coil energized, switch is

closed, breaking circuit

To find the voltage (at VOUT) we use the following

formula:

A variable potential divider (potentiometer) is the same as Diodes:

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

* **Light dependent resistor

(LDR):** input sensor and a transducer. When light

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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

4.11. 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.
Logic gates are processors that are circuits containing
transistors and other components. Their function is
shown by the truth table below (3 columns from the right) Circuit Breaker:
An automatic switch which if current rises over a
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
4.12. Dangers of Electricity earth wire creates a safe route for current to flow
through if the live wire touches the casing
Hazards: Earth terminal connected to metal casing, so in such a
Damaged insulation: contact with the wire (live wire case, the current goes through earth wire instead of
especially) due to gap in the insulation causes electric causing an electric shock.
shock which can cause serious injury or shock. A strong current surges through earth wire because it
Overheating of cables: when long extension leads are has very low resistance
coiled up, they may overheat. The current warms the This breaks the fuse and disconnects the appliance
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.

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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
direction in which the current is induced.
The direction of the current is given by the right-hand grip
4.13. Electromagnetic Effects rule:

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.

The fingers point in the conventional current direction

and the thumb gives the North Pole.
The direction of an induced EMF opposes the change
causing it. 4.14. Applications
The induced EMF can be increased by: In a direct current (d.c) the electrons flow in a singular
moving the wire faster
direction.
using a stronger magnet In an alternating current (a.c) the direction of flow is
Increasing length of wire in magnetic field, e.g. looping reversed in regular time periods.
the wire through the field several times. A.C Generator:
The current and EMF direction can be reversed by: The coil is made of insulated copper wire and is
moving the wire in the opposite direction
rotated by turning the shaft; the slip rings are fixed to
turning the magnet round so that the field direction is the coil and rotate with it.
reversed The brushes are 2 contacts which rub against the slip
Fleming’s right-hand rule gives the current direction: 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.
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.
Bar magnet pushed into coil

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A step-up transformer increases the voltage and a step-

down transformer decreases it.
Transformers used to make high voltage AC currents.
Since power lost in a resistor P = I2 ×R, having a lower
current will decrease the power loss.
Since transmission cables are many kilometres long they
have a lot of resistance, so a transformer is used to
increase the voltage and decrease the current to decease
power lost.
The advantages of high-voltage transmission:
Less power lost
Thinner, light, and cheaper cables can be used since
current is reduced

The current is maximum when the coil is horizontal since

field lines are being cut at the fastest rate and 0 when the
coil is vertical, since it is cutting NO field lines.
The EMF can be increased by:
increasing the number of turns on the coil
increasing the area of the coil
4.16. Electromagnetic Effect of a
using a stronger magnet
rotating the coil faster Current
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
wire.
The power is the same on both sides (assume= 100% Magnetic field around a current carrying solenoid
efficiency).
You can figure out number of coils and the voltage with:

Output voltage T urns on output coil

= ​ ​

Input voltage T urns on input coil

VP NP
=
​ ​

​ ​

VS ​
NS ​

Increasing the strength of the field

VIn × IIn = VOut × IOut
​ ​ ​

Increasing the current increases the strength of the field

Increasing the number of turns of a coil increases the
VP ×IP = VS ×IS
​ ​ ​ ​

strength increases the strength of the field.

Reversing the current direction reverses the magnetic
(Under 100% efficiency)
field direction (right-hand rule).
When magnetic field is changed across the primary coil by The direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the
connecting it with A.C. an e.m.f. induces across the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that
secondary coil. point
The iron core channels the alternating field through the Magnetic effect of current is used in a relay and a circuit
secondary coil, inducing an alternating e.m.f. across it. breaker.

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A DC motor runs on a direct current.

4.17. Force on a Current-Carrying
The coil is made of insulated copper wire and is free to
Conductor rotate between the poles of the magnet.
The commutator (split-ring) is fixed to the coil and rotates
If a current carrying conductor is in a magnetic field, it with it.
warps the field lines. When the coil overshoots the vertical, the commutator
The field lines from the magnet want to straighten out changes direction of the current through it, so the forces
naturally. change direction and keep the coil turning.
This causes a catapult like action on the wire creating a The brushes are two contacts which rub against the
force commutator and keep the coil connected to battery,
usually made of carbon
The max. turning effect is when the coil is horizontal.
There is no force when the coil is vertical, but it always
overshoots this position

Turning effect increased Reversing rotation can be done

by: by:
Increasing the current Reversing the battery
If you reverse current, you will reverse direction of force
Using a stronger magnet -
If you reverse direction of field, you will reverse direction increasing the strength of Reversing the poles
of force.
the magnetic field
The direction of the force, current or magnetic field is
Increasing the number of
given by Fleming’s left-hand rule:
turns on the coil.

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
When a current-carrying coil is in a magnetic field, it kill cancer cells using cobalt-60
experiences a turning effect.

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Industrial use: to check for leaks – radioisotopes e.g. Radium-226 nucleus → Radon-222 + helium-4 nucleus
(tracers) added to oil/gas. At leaks radiation is
detected using a Geiger counter.
Archaeological use: carbon 14 – used for carbon Beta decay:
dating
A neutron changes into a proton, an electron and an
antineutrino so an element with the same nucleon
5.2. Detection of Radioactivity
number but with a proton number 1 higher e.g.
Background radiation: small amount of radiation around
e.g. iodine-131 → xenon-131 + antineutrino + beta particle
us all time because of radioactive materials in the
environment. It mainly comes from natural sources such
as soil, rocks, air, building materials, food and drink – and
Gamma emission:
even space.
A Geiger-Müller (GM) tube can be used to detects α, β Gamma emission by itself causes no change in mass
and γ radiation number or atomic number; they just emit energy
Some isotopes do not change in mass or atomic number
5.3. Type of Radioactive Emissions however they emit energy as their particles rearrange
themselves to become more stable
Radioactive emissions occur randomly over space & time
5.5. Half Life
Alpha (α) Beta (β) Gamma (γ)
Helium nucleus One high Electro- Half-life of a radioisotope: is the time taken for half the
Nature (2 protons and speed magnetic nuclei present in any given sample to decay.
neutrons) electron radiation Some nuclei are more stable than others.
Charge +2 -1 none Remember to factor background radiation in half-life
Stopped by Stopped by Only reduced calculations involving tables and decay curves
Penetration
paper aluminum by lead
Effect from Very 5.6. Safety Precautions
Deflected Not deflected
fields deflected
Radioactive material is stored in a lead container
Ionizing
Very strong Weak Very weak Picked up with tongs, not bare hands
effect
1 9
Kept away from the body and not pointed at people
Speed 10 ​ v of light 10 ​ v of light v of light Left out of its container for as short a time as possible

Depending on their charge, they will be affected by

electric and magnetic fields.
5.7. Rutherford’s Experiment
Thin gold foil is bombarded with alpha particles, which
5.4. Radioactive Decay are positively charged.
Most passed straight through, but few were repelled so
Radioactive decay: A radioisotope (unstable arrangement strongly that they were bounced back or deflected at
of neutrons and protons) is altered to make a more large angles.
stable arrangement. Rutherford concluded that the atom must be largely
The parent nucleus becomes a daughter nucleus and a empty space, with its positive charge and most of its
particle (decay products). mass concentrated in a tiny nucleus.
The nucleus changes when undergoing alpha or beta
decay

Alpha decay:

An element with a proton number 2 lower and nucleon

number 4 lower, and an alpha particle is made (2p + 2n)

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Physics (0625)

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