CIE IGCSE Physics Lecture Notes

Jul 24, 2024

CIE IGCSE Physics Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • All-in-one CIE IGCSE Physics video
  • Focus on perfect answers for maximum exam marks
  • Revision guides available for purchase

Measuring Volume

  • Measured using a measuring cylinder (plastic tube with increments)
  • Note: Not highly precise; read liquid level across the cylinder.

Measuring Length

  • Use a meter rule for long items.
  • Use a centimeter ruler for shorter lengths.
  • Measures millimeters to centimeters to meters.

Measuring Time

  • Use either:
    • Analog clock (clock face)
    • Digital clock (more precise, measures hundredths of seconds)

Calculating Averages

  • Average distance (e.g. javelin throw):
    1. Measure distance multiple times (n).
    2. Add results.
    3. Divide by n.
  • Average time: Repeat measurement and apply same method as above.

Pendulum

  • Time period: Time taken to complete one oscillation.
  • Measure time for multiple swings and divide by number of swings for accuracy.

Resultant Force

  • A resultant force is a single force that represents the overall effect of multiple forces acting on an object.

Calculating Resultant Force

  • Tools: Protractor, ruler, pencil.
  • Steps include drawing force diagrams and vector addition.

Examples

  1. Man pulling a pulley with 350 N force vs a 300 N weight: Resultant = 50 N upward.
  2. Two men pushing a trolley with 500 N total force: 300 N + 200 N.

Speed, Distance, Time

  • Equations:
    • Distance = Speed x Time
    • Speed = Distance / Time
    • Time = Distance / Speed
  • Formula Triangle:
    • d at the top, s and t beneath.

Distance-Time Graphs

  • Understand graphs to identify stationary times and calculate speeds.

Acceleration

  • Formula: Acceleration = (Final Speed - Initial Speed) / Time.
  • Units: m/s².
  • Distance traveled = area under velocity-time graph.

Free Fall and Terminal Velocity

  • Free fall is dictated by gravity, with an acceleration of 9.8 m/s².
  • Terminal velocity achieved when forces of weight and drag (air resistance) balance.

Terminal Velocity Experiment

  1. Drop ball in viscous liquid (e.g. oil).
  2. Record time to fall a certain distance.
  3. Measure average speeds and reliability through multiple trials.

Weight vs Mass

  • Weight: force due to gravity (N).
  • Mass: amount of matter (kg), *****constant across locations.
  • Equations: Weight = Mass x Gravitational Field Strength.

Density and Pressure

  • Density Equation: Density = Mass / Volume.
  • Objects less dense than fluids float, while denser sink.

Forces

  • Types of forces: Contact forces (friction, tension) vs Non-contact forces (gravity, magnetic force).
  • Newton’s Laws: Objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon, etc.

Energy

  • Forms include: Chemical, Kinetic, Gravitational, Elastic, Nuclear.
  • Energy conservation: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

Electrical Circuits

  • Components: Battery, resistor, wire, ammeter, voltmeter, fuse, switch.
  • Series vs. Parallel: Current same in a series circuit; voltage same across components in parallel.

Radioactivity

  • Types: Alpha (α), Beta (β), Gamma (γ) decay.
  • Metrics: Dose measured in Sieverts (Sv).
  • Applications: Carbon dating, medical tracers, smoke detectors.

Life Cycle of Stars

  • Small stars (like our sun) -> Red Giant -> White Dwarf -> Black Dwarf.
  • Large stars -> Red Supergiant -> Supernova -> Neutron Star / Black Hole.

Universe and Cosmology

  • Big Bang Theory: Universe expanded from a single point.
  • Hubble’s Law: Speed of galaxies correlates with distance.
  • Evidence: Redshift, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation.

Conclusion

  • Summary of key physics concepts explored in the lecture.
  • Note on related exams and the importance of understanding definitions and concepts.