Cambridge iGCSE 0654 (Physics Units)

TOPIC I can …….   

Calculate average speed from s = d ÷ t
Plot distance/time graphs and speed/time graphs
Calculate speed from distanc/time graphs and acceleration
from speed/time graphs
Recognise what the following looks like on graphs:
• An object at rest,
P1. Motion • An object moving with constant speed,
• An object moving with changing speed.
State the difference between speed and velocity
Calculate the area under a speed/time graph to work out
distance covered
Recognise motion that has a constant acceleration and non-
constant. Be able to calculate when constant
Understand the difference between mass and weight.
Recall Earth’s gravitational field (10m/s2)
Know that mass is a property that “resists” change in
motion.
Know that weight is a concept due to the effect of a
gravitational field on mass.
Describe an experiment to find the density of objects using:
Density = mass/volume
Find the density of irregularly shaped objects using
displacement theory
Give the units of force as Newtons
Describe how forces can change an object’s:
• Size
P2. Matter and
• Shape
forces
• motion
Hookes Law
Interpret extension-load graphs
Recall and use the expression:
Force = constant x extension (F=kX)
Recall and use the relationship between force and
acceleration (F=ma)
Recognise the term “limit of proportionality” in extension-
load graphs
Understand about resultant forces
Pressure
• Relate pressure to force and area.
• Use the equation P= F/a)
Recall the units of energy (Joules)
Identify examples of energy in different forms:
Gravitational – thermal – chemical – strain – nuclear –
electrical – kinetic - light - sound
Apply the concept of energy conservation in examples of
energy transfer
P3. Energy, work Discuss in depth how an object may have energy due to it’s
and power motion (kinetic) or it’s position (gravitational)
P3. Energy, work Use the expressions KE = ½mv2 and GPE = mxgxh
and power Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy
continued…. sources.
Describe the sun as the source of all energy sources apart
from geothermal and nuclear.
Describe how the following methods are used to obtain
useful energy
1. Fuels (chemical stores)
2. Water (waves, tides and hydroelectric dams)
3. Geothermal
4. Nuclear fission (nuclear power)
5. Heat and light from the sun (solar etc)
6. Wind
Give advantages and disadvantages for the above.
Appreciate and calculate energy efficiency
Efficiency = useful/input x 100
Work done
Calculate work done from force and distance (WD=fxd)
Power
Calculate power from work done and time (Power =WD ÷ t)
Describe the difference between solids, liquids and gases.
Say which particles have a higher temperature by their
motion.
Describe pressure in terms of a molecules’ motion
Say what would happen to the pressure of a gas if the
temperature was changed (at constant volume)
Relate the properties of solids/liquids/gases to the forces
and distances between molecules and the motion.
P4. Simple kinetic
Pressure: Relate the change in volume of a gas to the
molecular model
of matter change in pressure (at a constant temperature)
p x V = constant (at room temperature)
Describe evaporation
Explain how evaporation causes cooling (linking to energy)
Discuss how evaporation is effected by
• temperature,
• surface area and
• air flow.
Explain the idea of expansion caused by heating
(contraction by cooling)
P5. Matter and Identify and explain how thermal expansion can be useful
thermal
properties and consequential
Link temperature and volume to pressure
Understand the term thermal capactiy   
Describe an experiment to find the specific heat capacity
(SHC) of a substance
Recall and use: energy = mass x SHC x change in temp
Discuss the difference between boiling and evaporation
State that boiling and melting involve energy input, but no
change in temperature
 Use the terms latent heat of vaporization and latent heat of
fusion.
Conduction: Explain this heat transfer (in solids), and
describe experiments to find the properties of good/bad
heat conductors
Convection: Explain this heat transfer (in fluids)
Relate this energy transfer to density changes.
Radiation: Understand that infra-red is the region of the
P6. Transfer of
EMS involved in heat transfer by radiation.
thermal energy
Know that radiation does not need a medium to travel.
Describe experiments to show the properties of good and
bad emitters of heat (absorbers too!)
Appreciate and discuss the consequences and uses of
conduction, convection and radiation
Recall and use the equation:
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength
Understand that waves transfer energy without transferring
matter
Use the terms:
• wave speed
P7. Waves
• frequency
• wavelength
• amplitude
Understand the difference between longitudinal and
transverse waves (and give examples)
Understand about wave reflection and direction-change.
Reflection
Use the law of angle of incidence=angle of reflection
Perform simple constructions based on reflections in mirrors
Identify total internal reflection and describe its presence in
optical fibres (uses in medicines and ICT)
Refraction
Describe the movement of light through a material of
changing density
P8. Light State the meaning of the term critical angle
Dispersion
Describe the dispersion of light by a glass prism.
Lens
Use ray diagrams to show light moving through a converging
lens
Use the terms:
• focal length
• principle focus
Draw simple ray diagrams that show real and virtual images
being made
State the approximate speed of waves in the EMS
P9. Electromagnetic Describe the features of the EMS (Order, wavelength etc)
spectrum Describe the roles of the EMS waves in:
1. radio & television
2. Satellite TV and telephones
3. Romote controles, electricals and intruder alarms
4. Medicine and security
 Appreciate the safety precautions needed with regards to x-
rays
Recall that sound production is due to vibrations
State the range of frequencies humans can hear at
Show understanding that a medium (particles) are needed
P10. Sound for sound travel
Communicate a possible experiment for finding the
approximate speed of sound
Relate frequency and amplitude to pitch and loudness
Explain how an echo is formed
Describe the transfer of sound in air in terms of
compressions and rarefractions.
Describe the properties of magnets
Identify the pattern of field lines around a bar magnet
P11. Magnetism Distinguish between iron and steel magnetic properties
Appreciate the difference between permanent magnets and
electromagnets
Explain how magnetism can be induced.
Understand the use of: current, pd, emf, resistance, charge.
Understand how electrostatic charges are formed
P12. Electricity Understand what potential difference does in a circuit.
Use the relationship I = Q/t
Know the difference between conventional current and real current
Understand resistance, use R = V/I and relate to wire
characteristics (length and diameter/cross sectional area)
Appreciate the hazards of: damaged cables, overheating
and damp conditions
Show understanding of how circuit breakers are used.

Draw and interpret diagrams containing:

Switches – resistors – lamps – ammeters – voltmeters –
P13. Electric fuses – magnetising coils – transformers – bells - relays
circuits
Be able to construct series and parallel circuits
Know in depth how the current, voltage and resistance
changes throughout a series/parallel circuit.
Describe the role of thermistors and light depending
resistors
Explain the action of a relay and show understanding of
circuits with a light sensitive switch and temperature
systems.
Describe how an electromotive force (EMF) can be induced
by a changing magnetic field
State the factors that affect the size of an EMF.
Describe a generator, the use of slip rings, and the voltage
change produced by one over time
P14. Understand how a transformer works to transmit high
Electromagnetic voltage electricity in order to reduce energy losses.
effects Explain the above energy loss reduction.
Recall and use: Vp ÷ Vs = Np ÷ NS
Explain patterns of a magnetic field due to currents in wires
and in solenoids (coiled wires)
Describe how changing the size and direction of the current
will effect the magnetic field
Describe the effect of a coil of wire in an electric field, and
relate this turning effect to the action of a motor.