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Placeholder: Edexcel GCSE Physics Foundation | KnowledgeSet

Subjects
GCSE
Physics (Separate Science)
Edexcel
Placeholder: Edexcel GCSE Physics Foundation

GCSEEdexcel

Placeholder: Edexcel GCSE Physics Foundation

Explore the **Foundation-tier** requirements for Edexcel GCSE Physics (1PH0), including subject knowledge, practical understanding and the mathematical skills assessed at this tier.

1.1SI units for physical quantities

1.2Multiples and sub-multiples of units

1.3Unit conversions

1.4Significant figures and standard form

2.1Scalar quantities

2.2Vector quantities

2.3Differences between scalars and vectors

2.4Examples of scalar and vector quantities

3.1Gravitational potential energy equation

3.2Kinetic energy equation

3.3Energy transfer diagrams

3.4Conservation of energy

4.1Waves transferring energy and information

4.2Evidence that waves, not matter, travel

4.3Frequency and wavelength

4.4Amplitude, period, wave velocity and wavefront

5.1PReflection, refraction and total internal reflection

5.2PSpecular and diffuse reflection

5.3PColour, absorption and filters

5.4PLens power, focal length and shape

6.1Atomic structure and nuclear size

6.2Typical size of atoms and small molecules

6.3Isotopes, atomic number and mass number notation

6.4Nuclear charge, isotopes and neutron number

7.1PWeight and gravitational field strength on different planets

7.2PComponents of the Solar System

7.3PNames and order of the eight planets

7.4PChanging models of the Solar System

8.1Energy stores when systems change

8.2Energy transfer diagrams

8.3Conservation of energy in closed systems

8.4Ways to change the energy of a system

9.1Types of interactions and force pairs

9.2Vector and scalar quantities with examples

9.3Vector diagrams for resultant and equilibrium forces

10.1Atomic structure: protons, neutrons and electrons

10.2Standard circuit diagrams and component symbols

10.3Series and parallel circuits

2.5Velocity as speed in a direction

2.6Speed, distance and time equations

2.7Interpreting distance–time graphs

2.8Acceleration equation

2.9SUVAT equation for uniform acceleration

2.10Interpreting velocity–time graphs

2.11Measuring speed in the lab

2.12Typical everyday speeds

2.13Acceleration due to gravity and everyday accelerations

2.14Newton’s first law

2.15Newton’s second law

2.16Weight, mass and gravitational field strength

2.17Measuring weight

2.18Relationship between weight and gravitational field strength

2.19Core Practical: force, mass and acceleration

2.20Circular motion and changing velocity

2.21Centripetal force

2.22Inertial mass

2.23Newton’s third law and momentum conservation

2.24Momentum and its equation

2.25Momentum in collisions

2.26Force and change in momentum

2.27Measuring human reaction time

2.28Stopping distance, thinking distance and braking distance

2.29Factors affecting stopping distance

2.30Factors affecting reaction time

2.31Dangers of large decelerations and forces in crashes

2.32PEstimating emergency stopping distances at different speeds

2.33PBraking distance and initial velocity squared

3.5Changes in energy stores in different situations

3.6Energy conservation in closed systems

3.7Wasted energy and heating of surroundings

3.8Energy dissipation into less useful stores

3.9Reducing unwanted energy transfers

3.10Building insulation and rate of cooling

3.11Efficiency equation

3.12Improving efficiency

3.13Energy resources: renewable and non-renewable

3.14Patterns and trends in energy resource use

4.5Longitudinal and transverse waves

4.6Wave speed equations

4.7Measuring wave speed in air and water

4.8PCalculating depth or distance from wave velocity

4.9PReflection, refraction, transmission and absorption of waves

4.10Refraction at boundaries: speed and direction changes

4.11Wavelength-dependent absorption, transmission and reflection

4.12PSound–vibration conversion and the human ear

4.13PUltrasound

4.14PInfrasound

4.15PUses of ultrasound and infrasound

4.16PVelocity, frequency and wavelength across media

4.17Core Practical: measuring wave speed, frequency and wavelength

5.5PRay diagrams for converging and diverging lenses

5.6PReal and virtual images with lenses

5.7Transverse nature and speed of electromagnetic waves

5.8Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves

5.9Core Practical: refraction in glass blocks

5.10Main groupings of the electromagnetic spectrum

5.11Wavelength and frequency trends in the EM spectrum

5.12Visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum

5.13Wavelength-dependent interactions of EM waves with matter

5.14Effect of medium on electromagnetic wave velocity

5.15PEmission of radiation and temperature

5.16PEnergy balance and constant temperature

5.17PTemperature change when energy balance is unequal

5.18PEarth’s temperature and radiation balance

5.19PCore Practical: surface type and thermal radiation

5.20Frequency and potential danger of electromagnetic waves

5.21Harmful effects of different electromagnetic radiations

5.22Uses of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum

5.23Production and detection of radio waves in electrical circuits

5.24Atomic and nuclear changes as sources and absorbers of radiation

6.5Relative mass and charge of subatomic particles

6.6Charge neutrality in atoms

6.7Electron orbits and energy levels

6.8Electron transitions and electromagnetic radiation

6.9Formation of positive ions by electron loss

6.10Types of nuclear radiation and unstable nuclei

6.11Ionising nuclear radiations

6.12Background radiation

6.13Origins of background radiation from Earth and space

6.14Detecting and measuring radioactivity

6.15Nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation

6.16Penetration and ionisation of alpha, beta and gamma

6.17Development of the nuclear model of the atom

6.18β⁻ decay: neutron to proton and electron

6.19β⁺ decay: proton to neutron and positron

6.20Changes to atomic and mass number in nuclear decay

6.21Gamma emission after nuclear decay

6.22Balancing nuclear equations for mass and charge

6.23Decrease in activity of a radioactive source over time

6.24Unit of activity: the Becquerel

6.25Definition of half-life

6.26Random decay and predicting activity using half-life

6.27Half-life calculations and decay graphs

6.28PPractical uses of radioactivity

6.29Dangers of ionising radiation and tissue damage

6.30PHalf-life, risk and radiation safety

6.31Radiation safety precautions for patients and staff

6.32Contamination versus irradiation

6.33PInternal and external radiotherapy for tumours

6.34PRadioisotopes in medical diagnosis (PET and tracers)

6.35PNeed for local production of PET isotopes

6.36PPros and cons of nuclear power for electricity

6.37PEnergy from nuclear reactions: fission, fusion and decay

6.38PNuclear fission of U-235 and chain initiation

6.39PControlled nuclear chain reactions

6.40PModerators and control rods in nuclear reactors

6.41PUsing reactor heat to generate electricity

6.42PRadioactivity of nuclear fission products

6.43PNuclear fusion as the energy source for stars

6.44PDifferences between nuclear fusion and fission

6.45PTemperature, pressure and electrostatic repulsion in fusion

6.46PChallenges of practical and economic fusion power

7.5POrbits of moons, planets, comets and satellites

7.6PGravity and changing velocity in circular orbits

7.7PRadius and speed in stable orbits

7.8PComparing Steady State and Big Bang theories

7.9PEvidence for the Big Bang: red-shift and CMB

7.10PBig Bang as the accepted model of the Universe

7.11PDoppler effect: frequency and wavelength changes

7.12PRed-shift in light from distant galaxies

7.13PRed-shift as evidence for an expanding Universe

7.14PRed-shift in Steady State vs Big Bang models

7.15PCMB radiation and support for the Big Bang

7.16PLife cycle of a Sun-like star

7.17PGravity–thermal balance in a star’s life cycle

7.18PLife cycle of stars more massive than the Sun

7.19PObserving the Universe and space telescopes

8.5Measuring work done by a force

8.6Work done equation

8.7Energy changes from work done by forces

8.8Gravitational potential energy calculations

8.9Kinetic energy calculations

8.10Energy dissipation in system changes

8.11Wasteful mechanical processes and heating

8.12Definition and examples of power

8.13Power equation using work done and time

8.14Watt as joule per second

8.15Efficiency equation for energy transfers

Free body force diagrams

9.5Resultant and balanced forces on objects

9.6PForces causing rotation

9.7PMoment of a force calculation

9.8PPrinciple of moments and rotational equilibrium

9.9PLevers and gears transmitting rotational effects

9.10Reducing unwanted energy transfer with lubrication

Voltmeter connection and measuring potential difference

10.5Potential difference as energy per unit charge

10.6Energy transfer equation E = QV

10.7Ammeter connection and measuring current

10.8Electric current as rate of charge flow

10.9Charge equation Q = I t

10.10Current in closed circuits with a source

10.11Conservation of current at circuit junctions

10.12Effect of resistance and variable resistors on current

10.13Ohm’s law V = I R

10.14Resistance in series and parallel combinations

10.15Calculations in series circuits

10.16Designing series circuits for measurements

10.17Core Practical: V–I–R relationships and series/parallel circuits

10.18Current–voltage graphs for different components

10.19LDR resistance and light intensity

10.20Thermistor resistance and temperature

10.21Using circuits to investigate component resistance

10.22Heating effect of current in resistors

10.23Energy dissipation due to electrical resistance

10.24Microscopic explanation of heating in resistors

10.25Reducing energy loss with low-resistance wiring

10.26Uses and drawbacks of the heating effect of current

10.27Energy transfer equation E = I V t

10.28Power as rate of energy transfer

10.29Power equation P = E / t

10.30Power transfer in circuit components

10.31Electrical power equations P = IV and P = I²R

10.32Energy transfers in domestic electrical devices

10.33Direct vs alternating voltage

10.34Direct current from cells and batteries

10.35Alternating current and changing direction

10.36UK domestic mains supply values

10.37Functions of live and neutral wires

10.38Earth wire, fuses and circuit breakers

10.39Why switches and fuses are in the live wire

10.40Potential differences of live, neutral and earth wires

10.41Dangers of live-to-earth connections

10.42Power ratings and energy changes in appliances