Paper 1

• What are the main topics usually covered in a physics paper one?

  Energy, atoms or atomic structure, electricity, and particles
• What is energy described as in the study material?


  Energy is not a tangible thing but a property that objects and particles possess
• What does the law of conservation of energy state?


  Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred
• What are the different stores of energy mentioned?

  • Kinetic
  • Gravitational potential
  • Electric potential
  • Nuclear
  • Thermal
  • Elastic potential
  • Vibrational
  • Chemical potential
• How is work done defined in physics?

  Work done is the energy transferred by a force
• What is the equation for work done?


  $W =$$FD$
• What is the gravitational potential energy (GPE) formula?


  $GPE =$$mgh$
• What is the formula for kinetic energy?


  $KE =$$\frac{1}{2}mv^2$
• What can be concluded about the speed of an object hitting the ground from a certain height?


  The speed at which it hits the ground does not depend on its mass
• What happens to gravitational potential energy when an object falls?


  It is converted into kinetic energy
• How is energy lost due to friction calculated?


  Energy lost is equal to the work done against friction
• What is Hooke's Law?


  Hooke's Law states that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its extension
• What is the equation for Hooke's Law?


  $F =$$ke$
• What is the procedure for measuring the extension of a spring?


  • Align the zero mark on the ruler with the bottom of the spring
  • Measure the extension with different weights (e.g., 100g, 1000g)
  • Record the extension for each weight
  • Draw a graph of force (y-axis) vs. extension (x-axis)
  • Ensure the spring returns to its original length
• What is the formula for elastic potential energy stored in a spring?


  $PE =$$\frac{1}{2}ke^2$
• What is power in terms of energy transfer?


  Power is the rate of energy transfer
• What is the equation for power?


  $P =$$\frac{E}{T}$
• What does efficiency measure?


  Efficiency measures how much input energy is used usefully
• What is the formula for efficiency?

  $\text{Efficiency} =$$\frac{\text{Useful output energy}}{\text{Total input energy}}$
• What are the types of energy sources mentioned?

  • Renewable: wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric
  • Non-renewable: coal, oil, gas, nuclear
• What is the purpose of insulators in heat transfer?


  Insulators reduce heat transfer via conduction
• What is the procedure for testing the effectiveness of insulators?


  • Fill cans with hot water
  • Vary the number of insulation layers
  • Measure temperature drop over time
  • Control variables: same thickness, initial temperature, volume of water
• What are the components of an atom?

  • Protons (charge +1)
  • Neutrons (charge 0)
  • Electrons (charge -1)
• How do atoms maintain neutrality?


  Atoms have an equal number of protons and electrons
• What is the symbol for helium?


  He
• What do the bottom and top numbers in an atomic symbol represent?


  The bottom number is the number of protons, and the top number is the mass number
• What are isotopes?


  Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different mass numbers
• What is ionizing radiation?


  Ionizing radiation comes from an unstable nucleus that decays
• What are the three types of radiation from the nucleus?

  • Alpha radiation: helium nucleus, highly ionizing, stopped by paper
  • Beta radiation: fast-moving electron, medium ionizing, stopped by aluminum
  • Gamma radiation: high-energy wave, weakly ionizing, stopped by lead/concrete
• What is the decay equation for alpha decay of Uranium-238?


  ${238}^{92}\text{U} \rightarrow {234}^{90}\text{Th} +$${4}^{2}\text{He}$
• What is beta radiation?


  Beta radiation is a fast-moving electron with a charge of -1
• What is the decay equation for beta decay of Carbon-13?


  ${13}^{6}\text{C} \rightarrow {13}^{7}\text{N} +$${0}^{-1}\text{e}$
• What is gamma radiation?


  Gamma radiation is a high-energy wave emitted from a nucleus with excess energy
• What is radioactivity measured in?


  Radioactivity is measured in Becquerels (Bq)
• What is a half-life?


  A half-life is the time taken for the activity of a radioactive sample to halve
• What is the activity after three half-lives if the original activity was 8 counts per second?


  1 count per second
• How do you determine the number of half-lives that have passed?


  Divide the total time by the half-life duration
• What is fission in nuclear reactors?


  Fission is the splitting of heavy nuclei like uranium-235 when hit by a neutron
• What is fusion?

  Fusion is the process where light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy
• What is Ohm's Law?


  Ohm's Law states that voltage is equal to current times resistance