AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Overview

Topics Covered

• Energy
• Electricity
• Particles
• Atomic Structure

Energy

• Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted between forms.
• Energy Stores:
  • Kinetic Energy: Calculated by ( E = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 ).
  • Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE): ( E = mgh ).
  • Elastic Potential Energy: ( E = \frac{1}{2} ke^2 ).
  • Thermal Energy: Calculated using specific heat capacity, ( E = mc\Delta T ).
  • Chemical Potential Energy: Found in food or fuels.
• Energy Transfer & Closed Systems: In closed systems, energy is conserved and not lost to surroundings.
• Work Done: Energy transferred through force.
• Power: Rate of energy transfer, ( P = \frac{E}{t} ).
• Efficiency: Useful energy output divided by total energy input.

Electricity

• Basics: Flow of charge (electrons) in a circuit.
• Components of a Circuit:
  • Battery: Chemical potential energy source.
  • Bulb, Resistors, Diodes: Use energy in the circuit.
• Measurements:
  • Potential Difference (Voltage): Energy per coulomb, measured in volts.
  • Current: Rate of flow of charge, measured in amperes.
  • Resistance: Opposition to current, calculated by Ohm's Law ( V = IR ).
• Series and Parallel Circuits:
  • Series: Total resistance is sum of individual resistances, current is the same through all components.
  • Parallel: Voltage is the same across all branches, total resistance decreases as more paths are added.
• Types of Current:
  • DC (Direct Current): Flows in one direction.
  • AC (Alternating Current): Changes direction periodically.
• Safety in Domestic Circuits:
  • Earth wire, fuses, and insulation prevent electric shocks.

Particles

• Density: Mass per unit volume, ( \text{density} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{volume}} ).
• States of Matter: Solids, liquids, gases.
• Changes of State: Require energy for change, affects internal energy.
• Specific Heat Capacity & Latent Heat:
  • SHC tells energy needed to change temperature.
  • SLH tells energy needed for changing states.

Atomic Structure

• Model of the Atom:
  • Evolution from plum pudding to nuclear model.
  • Discovery of protons, neutrons, electrons.
• Radiation:
  • Alpha, beta, gamma radiation from unstable nuclei.
  • Uses and dangers of each type.
• Half-Life:
  • Time taken for half of radioactive nuclei to decay.

Nuclear Physics (Triple Science Only)

• Nuclear Fission: Splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei.
• Nuclear Fusion: Combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, occurs in stars.
• Applications and Energy Production: Used in nuclear reactors for electricity generation.

Practical Applications

• Specific Heat Capacity Experiment: Using heaters to measure energy transfer.
• Resistance and Circuit Experiments: Using resistors to understand electricity flow.

This summary provides an overview of key concepts and formulas related to AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1, which covers energy, electricity, matter, and atomic structure. Make sure to understand the formulas and concepts for application in problems and experiments.