Physics Paper 2

• What topics does AQA GCSE Physics Paper 2 cover?

  Forces, waves, magnetism, and space
• What is a force?

  A push or pull on an object
• What are the two types of forces?

  Contact and non-contact forces
• What is the significance of electrostatic repulsion in contact forces?

  It explains why contact forces occur
• What is a normal contact force?

  The force exerted perpendicular to a surface
• How can forces be represented?

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

  The magnitude of the force
• What is a resultant force?

  The overall force acting on an object
• How do you find the resultant force when two forces act in opposite directions?

  Add the vectors, making one negative
• How do you find the resultant force of two vectors at right angles?

  Use Pythagoras' theorem
• What is Newton's first law of motion?

  An object remains at rest or constant velocity unless acted on
• What is a scalar quantity?

  A quantity with magnitude only
• What is weight?

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

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

  9.8 N/kg
• What must be true for forces to be balanced?

  The upward force equals the downward force
• What does lifting an object at constant speed require?

  A force equal to its weight
• How is work done calculated?

  Work done = force × distance moved
• What is gravitational potential energy (GPE)?

  Energy gained when an object is lifted
• How is GPE calculated?

  GPE = mass × gravitational field strength × height
• What does Hooke's law state?

  Force = spring constant × extension
• What is the unit for spring constant?

  Newtons per meter (N/m)
• What does it mean for force and extension to be directly proportional?

  Doubling one doubles the other
• What is the energy stored in a spring formula?

  Energy = ½ × k × e²
• What is a moment in physics?

  A turning force around a pivot
• How is moment calculated?

  Moment = force × distance to pivot
• What is the unit for moment?

  Newton meters (N·m)
• What happens when moments are balanced?

  The object does not turn
• What is pressure in physics?

  How concentrated a force is
• How is pressure calculated?

  Pressure = force / area
• What is the unit for pressure?

  Pascals (Pa)
• Why does pressure increase with depth in water?

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

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

  1,000 kg/m³
• What causes gas pressure?

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

  By adding more gas or reducing volume
• What happens to atmospheric pressure with altitude?

  It decreases with higher altitude
• How is speed measured?

  In meters per second (m/s)
• What is the difference between speed and velocity?

  Velocity includes direction; speed does not
• How is speed calculated?

  Speed = distance / time