Paper 1 Summary

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

  Energy, electricity, particles, atomic structure
• What is energy described as in physics?

  Energy is an idea that predicts interactions
• What does the law of conservation of energy state?

  Total energy in interactions is conserved
• What is the unit of energy?

  Joules
• How is kinetic energy calculated?

  $e =$$\frac{1}{2} mv^2$
• What happens to kinetic energy as an object's speed increases?

  Kinetic energy increases with speed
• How is gravitational potential energy calculated?

  $e =$$mgh$
• What does gravitational potential energy depend on?

  Mass, height, and gravitational field strength
• What does the equation for elastic potential energy look like?

  $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?

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

  No energy is lost or gained from surroundings
• How is energy transferred in a roller coaster scenario?

  Gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic energy
• How can we find speed from gravitational potential energy?

  Use $v =$$\sqrt{2gh}$
• What does work done against air resistance indicate?

  Energy is lost to surroundings
• What is the equation for power?

  $P =$$\frac{E}{t}$
• What does a power supply of 200 watts indicate?

  Uses 200 joules per second
• How do you calculate energy used in a minute?

  $E =$$P \times t$
• What is efficiency in energy systems?

  Ratio of useful energy output to input
• How is efficiency calculated?

  $\text{Efficiency} =$$\frac{\text{Useful energy out}}{\text{Total energy in}}$
• What happens to energy efficiency when insulation is improved?

  Less energy is lost to surroundings
• What are finite energy sources?

  Sources that cannot be replenished
• What is an example of a renewable energy source?

  Wind power
• What does electricity represent in physics?

  Flow of charge carrying energy
• What is the symbol for a battery in a circuit diagram?

  Two parallel lines
• What is the role of a complete circuit?

  Allows charge to flow continuously
• How does current flow in a circuit?

  From positive to negative terminal
• What does potential difference measure?

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

  $V =$$\frac{E}{Q}$
• What is the unit for current?

  Amperes
• How is current calculated?

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

  Opposition to the flow of current
• What does Ohm's law state?

  Voltage equals current times resistance
• How does a resistor affect current in a circuit?

  It reduces the flow of current
• What does a straight line on an IV graph indicate?

  Constant resistance in the component
• How does the resistance of a bulb change with current?

  Resistance increases as current increases
• What is the equation for resistance?

  $R =$$\frac{V}{I}$
• How can resistance be determined from an IV graph?

  By selecting a point and using Ohm's law
• What does a curved IV graph for a bulb indicate?

  Resistance changes with current