OCR GCC Physics Paper 1 Overview

Covers topics for Higher-End Foundation Tier, Double Combined, and Triple Separate Physics on the first Physics paper:

• Matter
• Forces
• Electricity and Magnetism

Atomic Structure

• Discoveries & Models
  • J.J. Thompson: Plum pudding model (positive charge with electrons)
  • Ernest Rutherford: Nucleus discovery (small positive part)
  • Niels Bohr: Electrons in shells/orbitals
  • James Chadwick: Neutrons in the nucleus
• Periodic Table
  • Atomic number (bottom): Number of protons
  • Mass number (top): Protons + Neutrons
  • Isotopes: Same element, different neutrons

Density

• Definition: Mass per unit volume
• Equation: Density (ρ) = Mass / Volume
• Measurement Tools:
  • Regular Objects: Use dimensions and balance
  • Irregular Objects: Use displacement method (Eureka can)
• Examples:
  • Water vapor vs. liquid water

States of Matter

• Solid, Liquid, Gas
  • Solid: Particles vibrate in fixed positions
  • Liquid: Particles free to move past each other
  • Gas: Particles far apart, moving randomly
• Energy Changes:
  • Melting/Evaporating: Overcome electrostatic forces
  • Specific Heat Capacity (SHC)

Energy Changes

• Thermal Energy: E = mcΔT (mass, SHC, temperature change)
• State Change: E = mL (mass, specific latent heat)
• Internal Energy: Sum of kinetic and potential energy

Gas Laws

• Kinetic Energy & Pressure:
  • Heating increases kinetic energy, pressure
  • Pressure can be increased by compressing
  • Pressure * Volume = Constant (P1V1 = P2V2)
• Pressure Definition:
  • Pressure = Force / Area
  • Measured in Newtons/m² or Pascals (Pa)

Forces

• Contact vs. Non-contact
  • Contact: Objects must touch (e.g., friction)
  • Non-contact: Forces at a distance (e.g., gravity)
• Vector Representation
  • Magnitude and direction shown by arrows
  • Resultant forces found by vector addition

Hooke's Law

• Hooke’s Law: F = kx (force, spring constant, extension)
• Elastic Potential Energy: 0.5 * k * x²

Moments (Triple only)

• Definition: Turning effect of a force
• Equation: Moment = Force * Distance to pivot

Motion

• Speed & Velocity: m/s
• Graph Analysis:
  • Distance-time graph: Slope gives speed/velocity
  • Velocity-time graph: Slope gives acceleration
• Newton's Laws:
  • First Law: Constant velocity if no resultant force
  • Second Law: F = ma (resultant force)
  • Third Law: Equal and opposite forces

Momentum

• Definition: Mass * Velocity
• Conservation: Total momentum before = after

Electricity

• Current, Voltage, Resistance:
  • Current: Flow of charge, I = Q/t
  • Voltage: Energy per coulomb, V = E/Q
  • Ohm's Law: V = IR
• Circuit Types:
  • Series: Shared voltage, same current
  • Parallel: Same voltage, shared current

Magnetism

• Magnetic Fields
  • Produced by currents
  • Motor effect: F = BIL (force from magnetic field)
• Electromagnetic Induction
  • Generators: Induce voltage by moving wire in a magnetic field

Transformers

• Function: Change voltage levels in the grid
• Types: Step-up and step-down
• Efficiency: Power in = Power out, V1I1 = V2I2

Important Equations

• Density: ρ = m/V
• Specific Heat Capacity: E = mcΔT
• Latent Heat: E = mL
• Pressure: P = F/A
• Hooke’s Law: F = kx
• Ohm’s Law: V = IR
• Momentum: p = mv
• Motor Effect: F = BIL

These notes provide a comprehensive summary of key concepts and equations needed for understanding OCR GCC Physics Paper 1.