Paper 2 Summary

• What topics are covered in AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2?

  Forces, waves, magnetism, and space
• What are the two types of forces mentioned?

  Contact forces and non-contact forces
• What is an example of a contact force?

  Pushing a door
• What is an example of a non-contact force?

  Magnetism
• What is the significance of electrostatic repulsion in contact forces?


  It explains why contact forces occur due to interactions between electrons
• What is a normal contact force?

  A force that acts perpendicular to the surface of contact
• How can forces be represented?

  With vectors that show direction and magnitude
• What does the length of a force vector represent?

  The magnitude of the force
• How do you find the resultant force when two forces act in opposite directions?

  By subtracting the smaller force from the larger force
• What is the resultant force if one force is 5 Newtons to the right and another is 2 Newtons to the left?

  3 Newtons to the right
• How do you find the resultant force when vectors are at right angles to each other?

  By using Pythagoras' theorem
• What is the principle behind using trigonometry in force calculations?

  To find angles in right-angled triangles formed by the vectors
• What does it mean if forces are balanced?

  They add up to zero, and the object does not accelerate
• What is the difference between a vector and a scalar?

  A vector has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar has only magnitude
• What is weight defined as?

  The force due to gravity acting on an object
• How is weight calculated?

  Weight = mass × gravitational field strength
• What is the approximate value of gravitational field strength on Earth?

  1. 8 Newtons per kilogram
• What must be true for an object to remain at a constant speed when lifted?

  The upward force must equal the weight of the object
• What is the equation for work done?

  Work done = force × distance moved
• What does gravitational potential energy depend on?

  Mass, gravitational field strength, and height
• What is Hooke's Law?

  Force = spring constant × extension
• What does the spring constant measure?

  The stiffness of the spring
• What is the unit for spring constant?

  Newtons per meter
• What does it mean for force and extension to be directly proportional?

  If you double the force, you double the extension
• What happens when you hang varying masses off a spring?

  You get a straight line graph through the origin
• What is a systematic error in measuring extension?

  It occurs when the zero mark of the ruler is not aligned with the bottom of the spring
• What is a random error in measuring extension?

  It occurs due to variations in measurement, such as parallax error
• What is the equation for the energy stored in a spring?

  Energy = 0.5 × k × e²
• What is the principle of moments?

  If clockwise moments equal anticlockwise moments, the object will not turn
• What happens to an object when it is released from a spring?

  It gains kinetic energy in an ideal closed system
• What is pressure defined as?

  Pressure = force / area
• What is the equation for moment?

  Moment = force × distance to the pivot
• How does a small gear affect a large gear in terms of moments?

  A small gear can turn a large gear to increase the moment produced
• What is the unit for pressure?

  Newtons per square meter or Pascals (Pa)
• Why does pressure increase as you go deeper underwater?

  Due to the weight of the water above pushing down
• How is pressure calculated in a fluid?

  Pressure = height × density × gravitational field strength
• What is the density of water?

  1,000 kg per cubic meter
• What causes gas pressure?

  Collisions of gas particles with surfaces
• How can gas pressure be increased?

  By adding more gas, reducing volume, or raising temperature
• What happens to atmospheric pressure as altitude increases?

  It decreases due to fewer particles in a given volume