GCSE PHYSICS UNIT 1
Revision and Exam
Practice
EXAM: THURSDAY 12TH JUNE 2014
In this booklet you will find all the points and subject
content needed to revise for Physics Unit 1. You will find
multiple questions throughout the booklet to test your
understanding of a certain topic. There are no answers.
You should know if it is right or wrong!
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AQA GCSE PHYSICS
REVISION NOTES/EXAM PRACTICE
EXAM: THURSDAY 12TH JUNE 2014
P1.1.1 INFARED RADIATION
 All objects EMIT and ABSORB infrared radiation
 The hotter the obect, the more infrared radiation it emits
(gives off)
 Dark/Matte surfaces are good absorbers of infrared
radiation however they are bad REFLECTORS of
radiation.
 Light and shiny surfaces are good reflectors of infrared
radiation but BAD absorbers.
GCSE Exam Question
A man drinks tea on a daily basis, he drinks out of a white cup.
Explain why having a black mug helps the tea stay warmer for
longer
(2 marks)
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P1.1.2- Kinetic Theory
 Kinetic theory is used to explain the
different states of matter
 The particles of solids, liquids and
gases have different amounts of
energy.
 We can make a substance change
between each of these by heating
or cooling them.
 In a SOLID, the particles vibrate around fixed positions so the solid
has a FIXED shape.
 In a LIQUID, the particles are in contact with each other but can
move about at random. They don’t have a fixed shape and can fit
the shape of their container
 In a GAS,the particles are usually far apart and move at random
much faster. NO FIXED SHAPE AND CAN FLOW.
GCSE EXAM QUESTION (4 MARKS)
Diagram 1
Diagram 1 shows the arrangement of particles of a solid
7a) One kilogram of gas has a much larger volume than 1 kilogram of a
solid
Use kinetic theory to explain why
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P1.1.3 Energy Transfer by heating
Conduction
 Conduction occurs mainly in solids.
 Most liquids and gases are poor conductors
 When 1 end of a solid is heated, the particles of the end gain
KINETIC energy and vibrate more. The energy is then passed to
the neighbouring particles and this way the enerfy is transferred by
the solid.
 This process occurs in metals. Metals are EXCELLENT
conductors.
 Metals have FREE ELECTRONS. When metals are heated their
free electrons gain kinetic energy and move through the metal.
They transfer their energy by colliding with other particles
 Poor conductors are called insulators. Materials like wool and fibre
glass are good insualtors because they contain trapped air.
GCSE QUESTION
Explain why saucepans are much more common with plastic handles
than metal handles. (3 marks)
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P1.1.4- Convection
 Convection occurs in fluids (liquids and gases).
 When a fluid is heated, it expands. The fluid then becomes less
dense and rises. The warm fluid is replaced by cooler/denser fluid.
Rule for Convection
Convection occurs when the more energetic particles move from
the hotter region to the cooler region and take their heat energy
with them
 The resulting CONVECTION CURRENTS transfer energy
throughout the fluid.
 Basically, convection currents are currents that result from
convection.
 The convection currents can be on a very small scale, such
as heating water in a beaker, or on a very large scale such
as heating the air above on land and sea.
DON’T FORGET!!
CONVECTION DOES NOT OCCUR IN SOLIDS!!!
GCSE EXAM QUESTION
In terms of the particle arrangements of solids and liquids
explain why convection CANNOT occur in solids.
(4marks)
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P1.1.5- Evaporation and Condensation
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Evaporation is the change of a liquid into a gas
Condensation is the change of a gas into a liquid
Particles in a liquid have different levels of energy
Evaporation occurs when the highest kinetic energy level particles
escape from the surface of the liquid, allowing the liquid to turn into
a gas
Factors that affect the rate of evaporation
 Increasing the surface area of the liquid
 Increasing temperature of the liquid
 Creating a draught of air across the liquids surface
 Condensation is when a gas turns into a liquid. This may take
place on cold surfaces such as windows and mirrors
 The rate of condensation is affected by: surface area and reducing
the surface temperature
Question
What effect would decreasing the surface area of a liquid have on
its rate of evaporation?
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P1.7 Energy Transfer by Design
The greater the temperature difference between an object and its
surroundings, the greater the rate at which that energy is
transferred.
The rate at which energy is transferred also depends on:
The materials that the object is in contact with
The objects shape
The objects surface area
 Sometimes we want to maximise the rate of energy transfer to
keep things cool. To do this we may use things that:
1. Are good conductors
2. Are painted dull black
3. Have the air flow around them maximised
Question
Why does painting an object dull black maximise the rate of energy
transfer?
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Sometimes we need to minimise the rate of energy transfer in
order for us to keep things warm.
In order to do this, we need to minimise the rate of energy transfer
by conduction, convection and radiation
We may use things that: are good insulators, are white and shiny,
prevent convection currents by trapping air in small pockets
GCSE Exam Question 6 Marks
*In this question you will be assessed on using good english, organising information clearly
and using specialist terms where appropriate.
The Diagram shows the structure of a vacuum flask
*Describe as fully as you can how the design of a vacuum flask keeps
liquid inside hot
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6 mark questions
There will be at least 1 6 mark question in the Physics paper.
You need to have a coherent understanding on how the examiners mark
these six mark questions so you can confidently tackle them in the
exam.
The 6 mark question you encountered on the above page is from the
June 2013 paper. Here is the mark scheme for it. Have a go at marking
it yourself!
1) First of all, the examiners will place your mark into a band. Level 1
Level 2 or Level 3. They will look for spelling mistakes, punctuation
and how well you convey your answer.
2) Then they will look for scientific points to back up your answer.
Here are some scientific points you could of used in your reponse.
Responses to 6 mark questions should be a mini essay type so you are
able to convey all the necessary information and scientific points the
question asks you.
The Classic Artic Fox
In your physics papers and many in the past, examiners have
threw in question of the artic fox. Questions to do with the artic fox
are normally ones like: “Describe adaptations of the artic fox which
reduce heat loss”
Adaptations of the Arctic Fox
Past Exam Question –June 2013
P1.1.8 Specific Heat Capacity
When we heat a substance, we transfer energy to it so the overall
temperature is increased.
The specific heat capacity is the amount of this energy required
to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of the substance by 1°C.
Different substances have different specific heat capacities.
The greater the SHC, the more energy required for each degree
temperature change
The greater the mass of a substance being heated the more enrgy
required for each degree temperature change. If we had a 2kg
piece of copper we would need to transfer twice the energy
needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of copper bu the same
amount.
Practice Question
1) The Specific Heat Capacity of water is 4200J/kg°C . How much
energy is needed to raise the temperature of 2kg of water by
1°C.
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PAST EXAMINATION QUESTION
Heating and Insulating buildings
This topic is a ‘How Science Works’ topic therefore it has something to
do with the Social/Economic/Environment.
Most people would like to minimise the rate of energy transfer out
of their homes to reduce fuel bills. (Economic/Environmental, less
money spent, less CO₂ emissions.)
Ways of insulating homes
Fibre glass loft insulation to reduce enrgy loss via conduction
Cavity wall insulation that traps air in small pockets to reduce
energy transfer by convection.
Double glazing windows to reduce energy transfer by
conduction through windows
Draught Proofing to reduce enrgy transfer by convection
Aluminium Foil behind radiators to reflect escaping heat back
into the room.
U Values
U Values measure how effective an insulator is. The lower the U
Value, better the insulator.
The U Value measures how much energy per second passes
through it.
Bump up your grade by being able to look at a table of U Values to
see which is a better insulator.
Using the table, which is the best insulator and why?
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Solar heating panels contain water that is heated by radiation from the sun. This
water may then be used to heat buildings or provide domestic/home use hot water.
Solar heating panels are cheap to run because they do not use fuel. This is
environmetnally beneficial as it does not produce Carbon Dioxide emissions which is
a common cause of global warming. However they are expensive to buy and install
and the water is not heated at night.
Opininated Questions
Opinionated questions ask your opinion of something as long as you can justify them
with valid scientific points.
Exam Question
Why do you think the copper pipes that contain the water in a solar heating panel are
often painted black?
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P1.2-Energy and Efficiency
Forms of Energy
C-Chemical(Nuclear)
H-Heat
E-Elastic Potential
Electrical
Kinetic
Y
S-Sound
Light
A
Gravitational Potential
Energy can be transferred from one form to another by
different processes.
Any object above the ground has gravitational potential
energy for example someone standing on a chair has
gravitational potential energy.
When energy is transferred from one form to another,
there is only a percentage of useful energy, there is
usually more wasted.
For example, the whole purpose of a light bulb is to
convert electrical energy into light energy however some
light bulbs only produce 10% useful light energy and 90%
wasted heat energy which disspiateds into the
surroundings.
List of Energy Transfers between Devices
Electrical devices convert ELECTRICAL ENERGY into
SOUND/LIGHT/HEAT, and there is obviously going to be
wasted heat .
Televisions convert electrical energy to LIGHT & SOUND
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Water can produce electricity. Water falls from the sky, converting
potential energy to kinetic energy. This energy is then used to
rotate the turbine of a generator to produce electricity. In this
process, the potential energy of water in a dam can be turned into
kinetic energy which can then become electric energy.
When playing pool, the cue ball is shot at a stationary 8 ball. The
cue ball has energy. When the cue ball hits the 8 ball, the energy
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transfers from the cue ball to the 8 ball, sending the 8 ball into
motion. The cue ball loses energy because the energy it had has
been transferred to the 8 ball, so the cue ball slows down.
Kelly ran across the room and bumped into her brother, pushing
him to the floor. The kinetic energy she possessed because of her
movement was transferred to her brother, causing him to move.
When a moving car hits a parked car and causes the parked car to
move, energy is transferred from the moving car to the parked car.
When playing the lawn game bocce ball, a small ball is thrown with
the intention of hitting larger balls and causing them to move.
When a larger ball moves because it was hit by the small ball,
energy is transferred from the small ball to the larger one.
When you push a book across the table, the energy from your
moving arm is transferred from your body to the book, causing the
book to move.
A cat sitting on the highest branch of a tree has what is known as
potential energy. If he falls off the branch and falls to the ground,
his potential energy is now being converted into kinetic energy.
When kicking a football that is sitting on the ground, energy is
transferred from the kicker’s body to the ball, setting it in motion.
Sam was rearranging furniture, and needed help to push the heavy
sofa. His brother came over, and together they were able to lift the
sofa onto sliders. This made it easy to push the sofa across the
room. When Sam and his brother pushed the sofa and it slid
across the wood floor, energy was transferred from the men to the
piece of furniture.
A fly ball hits a window in a house, shattering the glass. The
energy from the ball was transferred to the glass, making it shatter
into pieces and fly in various directions.
Two football players collided on the field, and both went flying
backwards. Energy was transferred from each player to the other,
sending them in the opposite direction from which they had been
running.
Claire threw the ball and it hit her mother’s vase, knocking it over.
Energy was transferred from the moving ball to the stationary
vase, causing the vase to move.
Fingers hitting piano keys transfer energy from the player’s hand to
the keys.
Billy hit the punching bag, transferring energy from his arm to the
stationary bag.
The dog ran in into the Christmas tree and knocked it over. Energy
was transferred from the moving dog to the stationary tree,
causing the tree to move.
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When the car hit the road sign, the sign fell over. Energy was
transferred from the moving car to the stationary sign, causing the
sign to move. No energy was lost in the transfer.
Potential energy of oil or gas is changed into energy to heat a
building.
When a bowling ball knocks over pins that had been standing still,
energy is transferred from the ball to the pins. No energy is lost.
Beth hit the wall so hard that she put a hole in it. Energy was
transferred from Beth’s body to the drywall, causing it to move.
When the car hit the curb it broke apart. Energy from the moving
car was transferred to the non-moving cement, causing it to move.
P1.2.2- The Conservation of Energy
As you should know energy CAN NOT BE CREATED OR
DESTROYED only transferred.
This means that the total amount of energy is always the
same. This is called the ruel of the CONSERVATION OF
ENERGY and it applies to ALL energy transferrs.
P1.2.3- Useful Energy
A machine is something that transfers energy from one place to
another
The energy we get out of a machine consists of :
Useful energy which is transferred to the place we want and in the
form we want it
Wasted energy energy that is not usefully transferred or we do not
need.
Energy is often wasted in a machine because of friction of the
moving parts of a machine. This friction/energy warms up the
machine and the surroundings.
Question
Why should we talk about energy being wasted and not lost?
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P1.2.4- Energy and Efficiency
Energy is measured in J (JOULES) and this applied to all forms of
energy
The energy that is supplied to a machine is often called the input
energy, from the conservation of energy we know that:
Input energy=useful energy transferred+energy wasted
The less energy wasted makes a device/machine more efficient
We can calculate the efficiency of any appliance that supplies
energy
Formula for efficiency
EFFICIENCY=
USEFUL ENERGY
TRANSFERRED
TOTAL ENERGY SUPPLIED
(X100%)
Practice Question
In a light bulb for every 25 joules of energy that are supplied to the bulb,
5 joules are usefully transferred into light energy. Calculate the efficiency
of the bulb
5j useful
25j
20j
useful
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The efficiency can either be left as a fraction or be turned into a
percentage by multiplying it by 100.
No appliance except an electric heater can be 100% efficient. This
is because all the electric energy transferred into the device is
transferred as heat to the surroundings.
SANKEY DIAGRAMS
Sankey diagrams illustrate how much input energy is
transformed into different types of energy
The wider the arrow the more energy it shows
So the width of the arrow shows the amount of energy
An exam question may ask you to calculate energies
using the sankey diagram
In order for us to work this out, each square in an arrow
is worth 1 joule of energy. So if an arrow is 8 squares
wide, it is worth 8 joules of energy.
Electrical Appliances
Electrical Appliances transfer electrical energy into whatever
form of energy we want.
Common electrical appliances include:
Lamps- to produce light
Speakers to produce sound
Televisions to produce light and sound energy
Kettles- to produce heat energy
Many appliances transfer energy by heating such as a kettle
which transfers electrical enrgy into sound and heat energy.
Heat energy is the useful however the sound is the wasted.
Appliances should be designed to waste as little energy as
possible.
P1.3.2- Electrical Power
The rate at which energy is transferred is known as the
POWER of the appliance
The unit of power is WATTS (W). An appliance with a
power of 1 watt transfers 1 joule of electrical enerrgy to
other forms of energy every second
A watt is too small of a unit to be useful so power may
also be given in kilowatts (kW)
1 kW = 1000w
Power is given by the equation p=E/T
P=power in watts (w)
E= energy in joules (j)
T= Time taken (in seconds) for the energy to be
transferred
Power is the energy per second transferred or supplied.
Equation
EFFICIENCY=USEFUL POWER OUT
TOTAL POWER IN (X100%)
Practice Question
An electric motor transfers 48 kJ of electrical energy into
kinetic energy in 2 minutes. What is the useful power
output of the motor?
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P1.3.3- Using Electrical Energy
Companies that supply mains electricity charge customers
for the amount of electrical energy used. Because of the
large numbers involved, the joule j. The amount of energy
used is measured in killowat hours (kWh)
A killowatt hour is the amount of energy that is transferred
by a one-killowatt aappliance for an hour
The amount of energy transferred to a mains appliance can be
found using this equation:
E=pxt
E= is the energy transferred in killowatt hours, kWh
P= Power of the appliance
T= time taken (hours) for the energy to be transferred
The electricity meter in a house records the number of
kWh of energy used. If the previous meter reading is
subtracted from the current reading, the electrical energy
used between the readings can be calculated.
The cost of electrical energy supplied is found using this
equation
Question
P1.3.4- Cost Effectivness Matters! (HSW)
In order to compare the cost effectivness of different appliances we must
consider a number of different costs
These include:
The cost of buying the appliance.
The cost of installing the appliance
The running costs
The maintenance costs
Environmental costs
The interest charged on a loan to buy the appliance
Many households want to reduce their energy bills. In order for them to
do this, they need to buy new more efficient appliances.
They could also install materials designed to reduce energy wastage.
PAYBACK time is the time it takes for an appliance or installation to pay
for itself interms of energy savings.
REDUCING HEAT LOSS FROM THE HOME
HEAT EXCHANGER
A heat exchanger costs £1000 to install
The annual savings are £100
What is the payback time?
Easy way to do this is to divide the cost of installation by the
annual savings
£1000 /£100= 10
P1.4- Fuel for electricity
 The most common way of generating electricity is by
burning fossil fuels.
 Generation electricity by nuclear power for example
produces a lot of energy however one day they will
eventually run out and they also produce greenhouse
gases which are harmful to the envrionment.
Non renewable energy resources
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear fuels
All non renewable energy resources will eventually run out
They all harm the environment
However they give us the most out of our energy.
Energy sources can be used to heat water in power stations
(Most fossil fuels (coal,oil and gas) work in the same way.
DISADVANTAGES OF FOSSIL FUELS (coal)
1) Fossil fuels are limited resources therefore they will eventually run
out, forcing us to use renewable enrgy resources
2) When fossil fuels are burnt to produce energy, they release carbon
dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other green house gases which
contribute to global warming
3) S0₂ causes acid rain, which could potentially ruin building
structures
4) S0₂ poses a risk for breathing/living creatures
NUCLEAR POWER
The main nuclear powers that we use are uranium and plutonium.
Unlike coal, they aren’t burnt to produce energy, they instead undergo nuclear
fission reactions. This is where the nuclei atoms are split to produce their
energy therefore they do not release greenhouse gases such as Carbon
Dioxide
The rest of the process of generating electricity is then identical to the process
using fossil fuels. The heat energy is used to boil water. The kinetic energy in
the expanding steam spins turbines, which then drive generators to produce
electricity
Advantages
Unlike fossil fuels, they do not release the harmful greenhosue gases
such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide
They produce A LOT of energy
Disadvantages
They are non renewable therfore they will eventually run out
If there is an accident, lots of radioactive material could be released
into the environment, posing a serious cancerous risk from all of the
radiation. This will cause massive disruption as the radioactive material
would have to be kept underground a stored for 1000’s of years for it to
become unreactive
*As fossil fuels are running out at a rapid pace, we need to start using a range
of renewable ways to produce our energy which will aslo help to conserve the
environment
Wind Power
Wind is produced due to GIANT convection currents in the atmosphere of the
Earth, which are driven by heat energy from the Sun.
The KINETIC ENERGY in the wind is a renewable energy resource
Have a go at describing the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES yourself!
Advantages
Disadvantages
Biofuels
Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are used mainly for transport
needs. Ethanol is produced by the sugar cane when being used as a
bio fuel.
Advantages
They are renewable
which means they
will never run out
They are carbon
neutral
Tidal Waves
Disadvantages
They produce CO₂
when burnt
There is a chance of
crop failure therefore
it is an unreliable way
of renewable energy