Paper 2 Overview

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

  Energy, forces, electricity, magnetism, particles
• What is the law of conservation of energy?

  Total energy in interactions is always conserved
• What are the different stores of energy?

  Kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential, thermal
• How is kinetic energy calculated?

  Kinetic energy is calculated with $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 (GPE) calculated?

  GPE is calculated with $e =$$mgh$
• What is elastic potential energy associated with?

  Elastic potential energy is found in springs
• How is elastic potential energy calculated?

  Elastic potential energy is calculated with $e =$$\frac{1}{2} k e^2$
• What does thermal energy change indicate?

  It indicates particles moving faster
• What is specific heat capacity (SHC)?

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

  Change in thermal energy is $e =$$mc\Delta T$
• What is chemical potential energy?

  Energy stored in food or fuels
• What must happen for energy to be transferred in a system?

  Energy must transfer between objects or stores
• What is a closed system?

  No energy is lost or gained from surroundings
• How can gravitational potential energy (GPE) be equated to kinetic energy (K)?

  GPE lost equals K gained in a fall
• How can you rearrange the kinetic energy equation to find speed?

  Speed is $V =$$\sqrt{\frac{2K}{m}}$
• What happens to energy in a non-closed system?

  Energy is lost to the surroundings
• What is work done in physics?

  Work done is energy transferred by a force
• What is the equation for work done when lifting an object?

  Work done equals $mgh$
• What does Hooke's Law state?

  Force equals spring constant times extension
• What is the unit for spring constant?

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

  Doubling force doubles extension
• What is the energy stored in a spring?

  Energy is $e =$$\frac{1}{2} k e^2$
• What is the principle of moments?

  Moments clockwise equal moments anticlockwise
• How is pressure defined in physics?

  Pressure is force divided by area
• What is the unit for pressure?

  Newtons per meter squared
• How does pressure change with depth in water?

  Pressure increases with greater depth
• What is the equation for calculating pressure in a fluid?

  Pressure is $p =$$\rho g h$
• 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?

  Add more gas or raise the temperature
• What happens to atmospheric pressure with altitude?

  Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude
• What is electricity in physics?

  Electricity is the flow of charge
• What do electrons do in an electric circuit?

  Electrons carry energy from source to component
• What is the symbol for a cell in a circuit diagram?

  A long line and a short line
• What is the symbol for a battery in a circuit diagram?

  Several cells connected in line
• How are wires represented in circuit diagrams?

  Wires are represented by straight lines
• What is the purpose of a lamp in a circuit?

  A lamp converts electrical energy to light
• What happens to energy in a circuit?

  Energy is released as another type of energy
• What is the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance?

  Voltage equals current times resistance