AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2 Overview

Topics Covered

• Forces
• Waves
• Magnetism
• Space (Triple only)

Forces

• Types of Forces
  • Contact Forces: when objects are physically touching (e.g., pushing a door)
  • Non-contact Forces: magnetism, electrostatic forces, gravity
  • Forces represented as vectors (direction & magnitude)
• Resultant Force: sum of vectors; use Pythagoras for forces at right angles
• Newton's Laws of Motion
  • 1st Law: No change in velocity if forces are balanced
  • 2nd Law: F=ma (Unbalanced force results in acceleration)
  • 3rd Law: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
• Scalars vs. Vectors
  • Scalars: magnitude only
  • Vectors: magnitude and direction
• Weight and Mass
  • Weight = mass x gravitational field strength (g = 9.8 N/kg)

Work, Energy, and Power

• Work Done = Force x Distance
  • Equivalent to energy transferred
• Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE):
  • GPE = mass x g x height
• Hooke's Law for Elasticity
  • F = kx (Force = spring constant x extension)
  • Directly proportional relationship

Moments and Pressure

• Moments: Moment = Force x distance to pivot
• Pressure
  • Pressure = Force / Area
  • Underwater pressure: P = hρg (depth x density x gravitational field strength)

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration

• Speed and Velocity:
  • Speed = distance/time; Velocity = displacement/time
  • Velocity includes direction
• Graphs
  • Distance-time graph: gradient = speed
  • Velocity-time graph: gradient = acceleration, area = distance traveled
• SUVAT Equations (Newton's equations of motion)

Waves

• Waves transfer energy without transferring matter
• Types of Waves
  • Longitudinal: oscillations parallel to direction (e.g., sound waves)
  • Transverse: oscillations perpendicular to direction (e.g., light)
• Wave Properties
  • Frequency, wavelength, amplitude
  • Wave equation: v = fλ

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Order: Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-rays, Gamma rays
• Higher frequency = more energy
• Uses: communications, cooking, medical imaging

Magnetism

• Magnetic Fields
  • Permanent magnets vs. induced magnets
  • Field lines: North to South
• The Motor Effect
  • F = BIL (Force = Magnetic Field Strength x Current x Length)

Electromagnetic Induction

• Dynamo/generator effect: inducing current by moving wire in magnetic field
• Transformers
  • Step-up and Step-down to change voltage
  • Power in = power out (ideal)

Space (Triple only)

• Structure of the Universe
  • Solar System, Milky Way
• Life Cycle of Stars
  • Nebula -> Main Sequence -> Red Giant/Supernova -> White Dwarf/Neutron Star/Black Hole
• Big Bang Theory
  • Redshift: galaxies moving away
  • Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)

Tips for Exam

• Understand the principles and equations
• Practice with graphs and calculations
• Relate real-world examples to physics concepts

Note: This is a condensed summary for revision purposes. Refer to your textbooks and teacher's notes for detailed explanations and examples.