Physics paper 1

• What topics are covered in AQA GCSE Physics Paper 1?

  Energy, electricity, particles, atomic structure
• What does total energy in any interaction represent?

  It is always conserved and cannot be destroyed
• How is energy measured?

  In Joules
• What is kinetic energy calculated with?

  $E =$$\frac{1}{2} mv^2$
• What does gravitational potential energy depend on?

  Mass, gravitational field strength, and height
• What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

  $E =$$mgh$
• What does the spring potential energy formula represent?

  $E =$$\frac{1}{2} k e^2$
• What does specific heat capacity measure?

  Energy needed to raise 1 kg by 1°C
• What is the equation for change in thermal energy?

  $E =$$mc\Delta T$
• What happens to particles when thermal energy increases?

  They move faster
• What is the relationship between energy transfer and closed systems?

  No energy is lost to surroundings
• How is gravitational potential energy converted in a roller coaster?

  GPE is converted to kinetic energy
• How can you find speed from kinetic energy?

  Rearrange $E =$$\frac{1}{2} mv^2$ to find $v$
• What does it mean if energy is lost to surroundings?

  It indicates an open system
• What is the equation for power?

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

  Useful energy output to total energy input
• How is efficiency calculated?

  $\text{Efficiency} =$$\frac{\text{Useful energy out}}{\text{Total energy in}}$
• What happens to energy in a poorly insulated building?

  Heat is lost through walls and windows
• What are finite energy sources?

  Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel
• What is the role of renewable energy sources?

  They harness energy from the environment
• What is electricity?

  The flow of charge or charges
• What does potential difference (PD) measure?

  Energy transferred per coulomb of charge
• How is potential difference measured?

  With a voltmeter
• What does current measure?

  The rate of flow of charge
• What is the equation for current?

  $I =$$\frac{Q}{t}$
• What is resistance in a circuit?

  It resists the flow of charge
• How does resistance affect current in a circuit?

  Higher resistance results in lower current
• What does Ohm's law state?

  $V =$$I \cdot R$
• How can resistance be calculated from an IV graph?

  By rearranging Ohm's law
• What does a curved IV graph indicate?

  Resistance is changing
• What is the relationship between PD and current in a resistor?

  They are directly proportional.
• What does a straight line graph of PD and current indicate?

  It shows constant resistance in a resistor.
• What happens to the graph if the battery is reversed?

  Negative values for both, still a straight line.
• What does the gradient of the line in a V-I graph represent?

  It shows the resistance of the resistor.
• What is the equation for resistance according to Ohm's Law?

  V = I × R
• How can you find the resistance from an IV graph?

  Use the formula R = V / I.
• What happens to the graph when using a bulb instead of a resistor?

  The graph becomes curved, indicating changing resistance.
• Why does the resistance of a metal filament change with increased PD?

  Higher PD causes more collisions, increasing resistance.
• What is the structure of metals that affects their resistance?

  They consist of a lattice of ions and delocalized electrons.
• What is the effect of increased current on metal resistance?

  Resistance increases due to more collisions.