AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Overview

Applicable Subjects

• High room Foundation Tier double combined Trilogy
• Triple or separate physics
• Topics 1 to 4: Energy, Electricity, Particles, and Atomic Structure (Nuclear Physics)

Energy

• Nature of Energy:
  • Conceptual idea; cannot be held or created/destroyed
  • Energy can be converted into mass (important for triple students in nuclear fission/fusion)
• Energy Stores (Types):
  • Kinetic Energy: e = 1/2 * mv^2
  • Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE): e = mgh
  • Elastic Potential Energy: e = 1/2 * k * e^2
  • Thermal Energy: e = mcΔT
  • Chemical Potential Energy: No specific equation
• Energy Transfer:
  • Conserved in a closed system
  • Rollercoaster example: GPE to KE transformation
• Specific Heat Capacity Practical:
  • Measure energy change using electric heaters and temperature change
• Power and Efficiency:
  • P = e/t; Efficiency = useful energy out/total energy in
  • Efficiency often expressed as a percentage
• Energy Sources:
  • Non-renewable: Fossil fuels, nuclear
  • Renewable: Wind, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, biofuel*

Electricity

• Basics of Electricity:
  • Flow of charge (electrons)
  • Circuit symbols for cell, battery, and lamp
• Current and Voltage (Potential Difference):
  • Current (I) in amps, flow of charge
  • Voltage (V) in volts, energy per coulomb
  • Ohm's Law: V = IR
• Components and Resistance:
  • Resistors, bulbs, diodes (LEDs)
  • Series and Parallel circuits rules
• Practical Applications:
  • Measure resistance with V-I graphs
  • Use of thermistors and LDRs
• Power Equations:
  • P = VI; P = I^2 * R*

Particle Model of Matter

• Density:
  • ρ = m/V, measures how compact mass is
• States of Matter:
  • Solid, liquid, gas with particle behavior explanations
• Changes in State:
  • Energy needed for phase changes (specific latent heat)
• Gas Pressure and Volume:
  • Inversely proportional relationship (P1V1 = P2V2)

Atomic Structure and Nuclear Physics

• Atomic History:
  • From plum pudding model to nuclear model
• Isotopes and Radiation:
  • Types: Alpha, Beta, Gamma
  • Decay equations and differences in penetrating power
• Half-Life:
  • Definition and calculation method
• Nuclear Reactions:
  • Fission: Splitting heavy nuclei
  • Fusion: Combining light nuclei

Key Practicals and Concepts

• Energy transfer in systems
• Specific heat capacity measurement
• Resistance and circuit behavior
• Nuclear decay and half-life

These notes cover the core concepts and practical applications required for the AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1, providing a comprehensive summary for revision purposes.