Master GCSE AQA Physics with our interactive study cards designed for effective learning. These flashcards use proven spaced repetition techniques to help you memorize key concepts, definitions, and facts. Perfect for students, professionals, and lifelong learners seeking to improve knowledge retention and ace exams through active recall practice.
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Speed = distance divided by time
Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only). Velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).
The rate of change of velocity. Acceleration = change in velocity divided by time taken.
The object is stationary.
The speed of the object.
The acceleration of the object.
The distance travelled.
An object remains at rest or continues at constant velocity unless acted upon by a resultant force.
Force = mass x acceleration (F = ma)
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Forces always act in pairs on different objects.
The tendency of an object to remain at rest or continue moving at constant velocity. It depends on the object's mass.
Weight = mass x gravitational field strength (W = mg)
10 N/kg (9.8 N/kg more precisely)
Mass is the amount of matter in an object (kg) and does not change. Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object (N) and varies with location.
The sum of thinking distance and braking distance.
Speed of the vehicle and reaction time of the driver (affected by tiredness alcohol drugs).
Speed of the vehicle condition of tyres condition of brakes and road surface conditions.
Momentum = mass x velocity (p = mv). It is measured in kg m/s.
In a closed system the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after the collision.
Kinetic energy = 0.5 x mass x velocity² (KE = ½mv²)
GPE = mass x gravitational field strength x height (GPE = mgh)
Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred from one form to another.
Work done = force x distance (W = Fd). Measured in joules (J).
The rate of energy transfer or work done. Power = energy transferred divided by time (P = E/t). Measured in watts (W).
Efficiency = useful output energy transfer divided by total input energy transfer (x 100 for percentage).
One joule per second (1 W = 1 J/s)
Kinetic gravitational potential elastic potential thermal chemical nuclear and magnetic.
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C. Equation: Q = mcΔT
The energy required to change the state of 1 kg of a substance without changing its temperature.
Conduction is heat transfer through solids via particle vibration. Convection is heat transfer through fluids via convection currents. Radiation is heat transfer by infrared electromagnetic waves requiring no medium.
Wave speed = frequency x wavelength (v = fλ)
The number of complete waves passing a point per second. Measured in hertz (Hz).
The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest position.
The distance between two successive identical points on a wave (e.g. crest to crest).
In transverse waves the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. In longitudinal waves the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
Light waves or any other electromagnetic wave.
Sound waves.
3 x 10⁸ m/s
Radio waves microwaves infrared visible light ultraviolet X-rays and gamma rays.
They are inversely proportional — as frequency increases wavelength decreases (wave speed stays constant).
The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (both measured from the normal).
When a wave hits a boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle and is completely reflected back into the medium.
Broadcasting (TV and radio) and communication.
Satellite communication and cooking food.
Thermal imaging remote controls and optical fibres.
Detecting forged bank notes sterilisation and fluorescent lamps.
Medical imaging (seeing bones) and security scanners.
Killing cancer cells (radiotherapy) and sterilising medical equipment.
A small dense positively charged nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons in shells.
A model in which the atom has a tiny dense positive nucleus surrounded by electrons in mostly empty space. Proposed following Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment.
That the atom has a small dense positively charged nucleus because most alpha particles passed straight through but a few were deflected at large angles.
The spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable nucleus.
A particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (identical to a helium nucleus). It has a charge of +2.
A fast-moving electron emitted from the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton. It has a charge of -1.
A high-frequency electromagnetic wave emitted from the nucleus. It has no mass or charge.
Alpha is stopped by a few cm of air or paper. Beta is stopped by a few mm of aluminium. Gamma is reduced by several cm of lead or metres of concrete.
Alpha is the most ionising. Beta is moderately ionising. Gamma is the least ionising.
The time taken for half the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay or for the activity to halve.
The number of radioactive decays per second. Measured in becquerels (Bq).
Low-level ionising radiation present at all times from natural sources (rocks food cosmic rays) and some artificial sources.
The splitting of a large unstable nucleus (e.g. uranium-235) into two smaller nuclei releasing energy and neutrons.
The joining of two small nuclei (e.g. hydrogen isotopes) to form a larger nucleus releasing large amounts of energy.
It requires extremely high temperatures and pressures to overcome the electrostatic repulsion between nuclei.
Renewable resources (e.g. wind solar) are replenished naturally and will not run out. Non-renewable resources (e.g. fossil fuels nuclear) will eventually run out.
Solar wind and hydroelectric power (also tidal wave and geothermal).
They produce carbon dioxide when burned contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. They also produce other pollutants.
Charge = current x time (Q = It). Measured in coulombs (C).
Voltage = current x resistance (V = IR) — Ohm's Law.
In a series circuit components are connected in a single loop and current is the same throughout. In a parallel circuit components are connected in separate branches and voltage is the same across each branch.
Total resistance increases — you add the individual resistances together.
Total resistance decreases — it is less than the smallest individual resistance.
A conductor where the current is directly proportional to the voltage at constant temperature (resistance is constant).
Current flows in only one direction. The diode has very high resistance in the reverse direction.
Resistance decreases as light intensity increases.
Resistance decreases as temperature increases.
Power = voltage x current (P = VI) or Power = current² x resistance (P = I²R)
Energy = power x time (E = Pt) or Energy = voltage x current x time (E = VIt)
A system of cables and transformers that distributes electricity from power stations to homes and businesses across the country.
To reduce the current and therefore reduce energy lost as heat in the cables improving efficiency.
It increases the voltage (and decreases the current) of an alternating current.
It decreases the voltage (and increases the current) of an alternating current before electricity enters homes.
Vs/Vp = Ns/Np (secondary voltage divided by primary voltage equals secondary turns divided by primary turns)
A region around a magnetic material or current-carrying conductor in which a magnetic force is experienced.
When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field it experiences a force. This is used in electric motors.
Fleming's left-hand rule — the thumb points in the direction of force (motion) the index finger points in the direction of the magnetic field and the middle finger points in the direction of conventional current.
The production of a voltage (and current if the circuit is complete) when a conductor moves through a magnetic field or when the magnetic field through a coil changes.
When a conductor moves relative to a magnetic field a potential difference is induced. This is used in generators.
Fleming's right-hand rule.
AC (alternating current) repeatedly reverses direction. DC (direct current) flows in one direction only.
50 Hz and 230 V
Live wire (brown) neutral wire (blue) and earth wire (green and yellow stripes).
It is a safety wire that carries current to earth if the appliance develops a fault preventing electrocution.
It melts and breaks the circuit if the current exceeds a safe level protecting the appliance and wiring.
Pressure = force divided by area (P = F/A). Measured in pascals (Pa).
Pressure = density x gravitational field strength x depth (P = ρgh)
The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied as long as the elastic limit is not exceeded. F = ke where k is the spring constant.
The point beyond which a material will not return to its original shape when the force is removed (it is permanently deformed).
Moment = force x perpendicular distance from the pivot (M = Fd). Measured in newton-metres (Nm).
For a system in equilibrium the sum of clockwise moments about a pivot equals the sum of anticlockwise moments.
Scalar quantities have magnitude only (e.g. speed distance mass). Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction (e.g. velocity force displacement).
The single force that has the same effect as all the individual forces acting on an object combined.
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