Edexcel GCSE Physics Paper 1 Key Topics

This guide covers everything needed for Higher and Foundation Tier, Double Combined, and Triple Separate Physics, specifically topics 1-7.

Key Topics

• Concepts: Motion and Forces, Conservation of Energy
• Physical Phenomena: Wave, Light, and the EM Spectrum, Radioactivity, Astronomy

Measurements and Units

• Every measurement/quantity has a unit (e.g., meters for distance, seconds for time)
• Prefixes: Large numbers use prefixes (e.g., 1,000 meters = 1 km)
• Convert units by multiplying or dividing by the conversion factor
  • Example: 5 micrometers in meters = 5 / 1,000,000 = 5 * 10^(-6)m*

Forces

• Types of Forces: Contact (e.g., friction, tension) and Non-contact (e.g., gravity, magnetism)
• Represented by vectors (magnitude = size, direction = arrow)
  • Resultant force is found by adding vectors, consider opposite directions
  • Equilibrium: Balanced forces (no acceleration)

Motion

• Speed and Velocity: Measured in m/s; velocity includes direction
• Graphs:
  • Distance-time graph: gradient = speed
  • Velocity-time graph: gradient = acceleration
• Newton's Laws of Motion:
  • First Law: Object at rest/motion stays unless acted upon
  • Second Law: F = ma (force = mass x acceleration)
  • Third Law: Every action force has an equal and opposite reaction force

Energy

• Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed
• Types of Energy: Kinetic, Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE), Elastic Potential, Thermal
• Work Done: Energy transferred (work done = force x distance)
• Closed Systems: No energy lost to surroundings

Waves

• Types of Waves: Longitudinal (e.g., sound) and Transverse (e.g., light)
• Wave Characteristics: Amplitude, wavelength, frequency
  • Wave Equation: v = fλ (speed = frequency x wavelength)
• Sound: Human ear range 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Electromagnetic Waves

• EM Spectrum: Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, UV, X-rays, gamma
• Properties: Travel without a medium, different wavelengths
• Applications: Communication, medical imaging, etc.

Light and Optics

• Refraction: Change in direction/speed of light when entering different mediums
• Lenses: Convex (converges light), Concave (diverges light)
  • Image Characteristics: Real/virtual, inverted/magnified

Radioactivity

• Types of Radiation: Alpha, Beta, Gamma
• Decay: Radioactive isotopes decay over time, measured in half-life
• Safety: Alpha (easily stopped), Beta, Gamma (penetrates materials)

Astronomy

• Solar System: Sun, planets, moons, asteroids
• Stars and Life Cycle: Nebula, main sequence, red giant, supernova, neutron star/black hole
• Cosmology: Redshift and Big Bang Theory

This cheat sheet provides essential information for preparing for the Edexcel GCSE Physics Paper 1 exam.