GCSE Physics Paper 1 Revision Questions

Introduction

• This session is for testing your knowledge of GCSE physics paper 1 for AQA.
• It covers key questions that may appear in the exam.
• Important to remember equations even though they are provided in formula sheets.

Kinetic Energy

• Equation: ( E = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 )
• Rearranged for V: ( v = \sqrt{\frac{2E}{m}} )

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

• Equation: ( E = mgh )
• Height calculation for GPE: For a 500 g ball with 100 Joules GPE and g = 10, height ( h = \frac{E}{mg} = 20m )

Power

• Definition: Rate of energy transfer or work done.
• Equation: ( P = \frac{E}{t} )
• Example: 5W bulb uses 18,000 Joules in an hour (3600 seconds).

Efficiency

• Formula: ( \text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful energy out}}{\text{Total energy in}} )
• Example: 5W bulb emitting 3W light has efficiency of 60%.

Electric Current

• Equation: ( I = \frac{Q}{t} )
• Units: Current ( (I) ) in Amperes, Charge ( (Q) ) in Coulombs.

Ohm’s Law

• Equation: ( V = IR )
• Resistance ( R = \frac{V}{I} ) can be determined from graphical data if the relation is linear.

Electric Circuits

• Series Components: Same current, shared PD.
• Parallel Components: Same PD, shared current.

Thermal Resistors and LDRs

• Thermistors: Resistance decreases with temperature.
• LDRs: Resistance decreases with light intensity.

UK Mains Electricity

• Voltage: 230V, Frequency: 50Hz.
• AC (Alternating Current) vs DC (Direct Current).

Electrical Power in Devices

• Equation: ( P = IV )
• Example: For 2kW kettle, use a 13A fuse.

Transformers

• Step-up: Increase voltage, decrease current to reduce energy loss.
• Step-down: Decrease voltage to safe levels for homes.

Electric Fields

• Positive charges at the center produce outward electric fields.

Density Calculation

• Equation: ( \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} )
• For irregular objects, use displacement method.

Internal Energy

• Combination of kinetic and potential energies of particles.
• Temperature remains constant during changes of state due to energy usage in overcoming forces.

Specific Heat Capacity

• Equation: ( \Delta E = mc\Delta \theta )
• Example: Calculating mass of water raised in temperature with given heat.

Latent Heat

• Equation: ( E = mL )
• Example: Energy required to melt ice.

Gas Pressure

• Increase by reducing volume, adding gas, or heating.
• Gas Law: ( PV = \text{constant} )

Rutherford’s Atomic Model

• Discovery of nucleus through alpha particle experiment.

Radiation Types

• Alpha: Helium nuclei, stopped by paper.
• Beta: High-energy electrons, stopped by aluminum.
• Gamma: EM waves, reduced by lead or concrete.

Nuclear Decay Equations

• Alpha and beta decay change atomic mass and number.

Background Radiation

• Sources include cosmic rays, radon gas, medical equipment.

Radioactive Decay

• Calculate half-life by observing activity decrease over time.

Nuclear Energy

• Energy from fission and fusion due to mass decrease converting to energy.