AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1 Overview

Topics Covered

• Energy
• Electricity
• Particles and Atomic Structure (Nuclear Physics)
• Relevant for Higher and Foundation tier, Double Combined Trilogy, and Triple/Separate Physics

Key Concepts

Energy

• Definition: Energy is a number that predicts interactions in a system, conserved in total.
• Mass-Energy Conversion: Relevant for triple, involves nuclear fission and fusion.
• Energy Stores: Kinetic, Gravitational Potential (GPE), Elastic Potential, Thermal, Chemical.
• Equations:
  • Kinetic Energy: (E = \frac{1}{2} mv^2)
  • GPE: (E = mgh)
  • Elastic Potential: (E = \frac{1}{2} kx^2)
  • Thermal: (E = mc\Delta T)
• Energy Transfer: In closed systems, energy is not lost to surroundings.
• Rearranging Equations: Use symbols for solving equations.

Specific Heat Capacity Practical

• Finding SHC: Use electric heater, measure voltage, current, mass, and temperature change.
• Power Equation: (P = \frac{E}{t}), where power is the rate of energy transfer.

Efficiency

• Definition: Ratio of useful energy out to total energy in.
• Calculation: Efficiency = Useful Energy Out / Total Energy In

Energy Sources

• Finite Sources: Fossil fuels, nuclear fuel (non-renewable).
• Renewable Sources: Wind, hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, biofuel.

Electricity

• Overview: Flow of charge (electrons) from energy source to component.
• Basic Components: Cell, battery, wires, and lamp.
• Current and Voltage: Current is flow rate of charge; voltage is energy per charge.
• Ohm's Law: (V = IR), measuring resistance in ohms.
• Series and Parallel Circuits:
  • Series: Total PD shared, same current, total resistance is sum.
  • Parallel: Same PD, current shared, more resistors lower total resistance.
• Practical Applications: Measuring resistance, thermistor response to temperature, LDR response to light.

Power in Electricity

• Equation: (P = VI) and (P = I^2R)
• AC vs DC: Alternating current (AC) used in homes, direct current (DC) from batteries.
• Wiring: Includes live, neutral, and earth wires.
• Safety: Fuses in plugs, prevents damage from excess current.

Particles

• Density: (\rho = \frac{m}{V})
• States of Matter: Solid, liquid, gas; involves changes in internal energy.
• Phase Changes: Energy affects kinetic and potential energy of particles.
• Specific Latent Heat: (E = mL) for phase change without temperature change.

Atomic Structure (Nuclear Physics)

• Historical Models: Plum pudding, Rutherford, Bohr models.
• Atomic Composition: Protons, neutrons, electrons.
• Radioactive Decay: Types include alpha, beta, gamma radiation.
• Half-Life: Time for activity to halve, applies to nuclear decay.
• Nuclear Fission and Fusion:
  • Fission: Splitting of nucleus, chain reaction.
  • Fusion: Combining nuclei, energy release in stars.

Final Notes

• Review practical experiments and their outcomes.
• Understand circuit diagrams, wiring, and safety implications.
• Master formula manipulation and the use of units in calculations.