G3 Pure Physics / O‑Level Physics
Work through the G3 Physics and O-Level Physics topics in order, with practical skills, focused practice and course revision.
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G3 Pure Physics and O-Level Physics cover the same physics, so both courses use the same lessons in the same order. Each topic page takes you through its lessons, with worked examples and checks along the way, and then on to practice.
If you are starting the course, begin with Measurement and work through the topics in order: later topics build on earlier ones. If you are revising, go straight to the topic you need.
Measurement
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Learning goals
- Represent a physical quantity with a numerical magnitude and unit
- Recall the six prescribed SI base quantities and their units
- Use the prescribed SI prefixes from nano to tera
- Compare orders of magnitude from a typical atom to the Earth
- Select and justify measuring instruments by range and precision
- Distinguish scalar and vector quantities and give examples
- Add two vectors graphically to determine a resultant
- State what speed means
- State what velocity means, including its direction
- Calculate average speed from total distance and total time
- Calculate acceleration as change in velocity divided by time taken
- State what uniform acceleration means
- Interpret examples of non-uniform acceleration
- Plot and interpret displacement–time and velocity–time graphs in one dimension
- Deduce rest and uniform or non-uniform velocity from a displacement–time graph
- Deduce rest, uniform velocity and uniform or non-uniform acceleration from a velocity–time graph
- Use signed area under a velocity–time graph to determine displacement
- Recall constant free-fall acceleration near Earth as approximately 10 m/s²
- Distinguish contact forces from non-contact forces
- State that mass measures the amount of matter in a body
- Describe a gravitational field as a region where a mass experiences gravitational force
- Define gravitational field strength as gravitational force per unit mass
- Apply weight = mass × gravitational field strength
- Distinguish mass from weight
- Describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body
- Describe ways a force may change motion
- Identify action–reaction pairs on interacting bodies
- Draw free-body diagrams for force systems in at most two dimensions
- Solve three-force static equilibrium graphically
- Apply resultant force = mass × acceleration
- Relate mass to resistance to change in motion
- Explain the effects of friction on motion
- Describe falling with and without air resistance, including terminal velocity
- Describe a moment as a force's turning effect in everyday examples
- Apply moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot
- Apply the principle of moments to new situations and problems
- Treat the weight of a body as acting at a single point, its centre of gravity
- Explain qualitatively how centre-of-gravity position affects stability
- Define pressure as force per unit area
- Apply pressure = force ÷ area
- Explain pressure transmission in a hydraulic press
- Apply density = mass ÷ volume
- Apply liquid-column pressure = height × density × gravitational field strength
- Explain how liquid-column height measures atmospheric pressure
- Explain how a manometer measures pressure difference
- Recognise kinetic, potential, nuclear and internal energy stores
- Describe mechanical energy transfer by a force acting over a distance
- Describe electrical energy transfer by an electric current
- Describe energy transfer by heating due to a temperature difference
- Describe energy transfer by electromagnetic and mechanical waves
- Recall and apply Ek = ½mv² in new situations
- Recall and apply Ep = mgh near the Earth's surface in new situations
- State and apply the principle of conservation of energy
- Recall and apply work done = force × distance moved in the force direction
- Recall and apply power = energy transfer / time taken
- Calculate efficiency as useful energy output / total energy input
- Evaluate prescribed electricity-generation resources by efficiency, cost, reliability and environmental impact
- Compare physical properties of solids, liquids and gases
- Explain state properties using particle arrangement, motion, forces and separation
- Infer random molecular motion from a Brownian-motion experiment
- Relate temperature rise to increased average kinetic energy of particles
- Explain gas pressure using particle collisions with container walls
- Explain heating from higher to lower temperature until thermal equilibrium
- Describe conduction in solids through particle vibration and mobile electrons
- Describe convection in fluids through density changes and bulk motion
- Explain that energy transfer by electromagnetic radiation needs no material medium
- Explain how surface colour, texture, temperature and area affect radiation transfer rate
- Apply conduction, convection and radiation in everyday systems
- Describe internal energy as the total kinetic energy of the particles' random motion plus the total potential energy between them
- Apply energy transferred = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
- Describe melting, solidification, boiling and condensation as energy transfers without a change in temperature
- Apply energy transferred for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat
- Explain latent heat using particle behaviour
- Describe wave generation by vibrating sources, ropes and springs
- Describe ripple-tank waves using wavefronts
- Explain that waves transfer energy
- Explain that wave energy transfer does not transfer matter
- Use amplitude, frequency and wavelength to describe wave motion
- Define and use wave speed and period and interpret wave graphs
- Recall and apply wave speed = frequency × wavelength
- Compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give examples
- Explain sound production by vibration and the need for a medium
- Describe sound using compressions and rarefactions
- Relate sound loudness to amplitude and pitch to frequency
- Explain reflected-sound echoes and use them to measure distance
- Explain ultrasound use in sonar and soft-tissue scanning
- State that all electromagnetic waves are transverse
- State that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in vacuum
- Order the seven electromagnetic-spectrum regions
- Relate spectrum order to wavelength and frequency
- State typical uses of radio waves
- State typical uses of microwaves
- State typical uses of infrared
- State typical uses of visible light
- State typical uses of ultraviolet
- State typical uses of X-rays
- State typical uses of gamma rays
- Describe hazardous heating effects of electromagnetic over-exposure
- Describe hazardous ionising effects on living cells and tissue
- Use the normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection
- Apply the law of reflection in constructions, measurements and calculations
- Use the normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction
- Apply sin i divided by sin r as a constant for a fixed pair of media
- Define refractive index as vacuum light speed divided by medium light speed
- Explain the critical angle
- Explain the conditions for total internal reflection
- Apply total internal reflection to optical fibres and state advantages
- Describe how a thin converging lens acts on a light beam
- Define the focal length of a converging lens
- Construct real and virtual image ray diagrams for a thin converging lens
- Describe lens images as real or virtual, magnified or diminished, and upright or inverted
- State that charges are positive or negative and are measured in coulombs
- State that like charges repel and unlike charges attract
- Describe an electric field as a region where charge experiences force
- Recall that the field lines of an isolated point charge give the direction of the force on a positive test charge
- Draw the directed electric field of an isolated point charge
- Interpret the electric-field pattern between two isolated point charges
- Draw the electric-field pattern between two isolated point charges
- Explain charging by rubbing as electron transfer
- Describe experiments that charge a conductor by induction
- Describe potential electrostatic-charging hazards
- Describe an electrostatic precipitator and transfer the principle
- State current as rate of charge flow measured in amperes
- Distinguish conventional current from electron flow
- Apply charge equals current multiplied by time
- Define source e.m.f. as work done per unit charge around a circuit
- Calculate total e.m.f. for sources in series
- Define component potential difference as work done per unit charge
- State resistance as potential difference divided by current
- Apply resistance equals potential difference divided by current
- Apply wire-resistance proportionalities for length and cross-sectional area
- Describe the effect of temperature on metallic resistance
- Sketch and interpret required current–voltage characteristics
- Recognise and interpret circuit symbols for cells, batteries, switches, lamps, LEDs, resistors, fuses, ammeters and voltmeters
- Draw circuit diagrams with cells, batteries, switches, lamps, LEDs, fixed and variable resistors, fuses, ammeters and voltmeters
- Recognise and interpret circuit symbols for D.C. and A.C. supplies, potentiometers, bells, light-dependent resistors and thermistors
- Draw circuit diagrams with D.C. and A.C. supplies, potentiometers, bells, light-dependent resistors and thermistors
- Apply the same-current rule in series circuits
- Apply the potential-difference sum in series circuits
- Apply current conservation at parallel junctions
- Apply equal potential difference across parallel branches
- Calculate effective resistance in series
- Calculate effective resistance in parallel
- Solve whole-circuit problems using consistent quantities
- Describe variable-potential-divider action
- Describe NTC thermistor action as an input transducer
- Describe light-dependent resistor (LDR) action as an input transducer
- Solve simple NTC and LDR potential-divider problems
- Explain electrical heating in common appliances
- Apply P = VI
- Apply E = VIt
- Calculate electrical energy and cost in kWh
- Identify the hazard from damaged insulation
- Identify the hazard from overheating cables
- Identify the hazard from damp conditions
- Explain how fuses and circuit breakers protect circuits
- Choose and justify an appropriate fuse rating
- Explain why metal casings are earthed
- Explain why double-insulated appliances do not need an earth wire
- State the meanings and roles of live, neutral and earth
- Describe the wiring of a mains plug
- Explain live-wire placement of switches, fuses and circuit breakers
- Describe induced magnetism
- Distinguish temporary and permanent magnets
- Determine magnetic-field direction with a compass or bar magnet
- Interpret bar-magnet field patterns
- Draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets
- Interpret the field pattern around a straight current-carrying wire
- Draw the magnetic field pattern around a straight current-carrying wire
- Interpret the field pattern around a current-carrying solenoid
- Draw the magnetic field pattern around a current-carrying solenoid
- Relate current magnitude and direction to magnetic field
- Describe electromagnet applications
- Describe experiments showing the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
- Describe magnetic force on a charged-particle beam
- Predict force reversal when current or field reverses
- Use Fleming’s left-hand rule
- Explain the turning effect on a current-carrying coil
- Explain how current and turns increase the turning effect
- Describe split-ring commutator action
- Describe the effect of winding a motor coil on a soft-iron cylinder
- Deduce that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f.
- Deduce that induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it
- Deduce factors affecting induced e.m.f. magnitude
- Describe a simple A.C. generator and slip rings
- Sketch a simple A.C. generator voltage–time graph
- Describe a simple iron-cored transformer
- Apply ideal-transformer equations
- Explain cable loss and high-voltage transmission
- Describe atomic composition
- Use proton number, nucleon number and isotope
- Use and interpret nuclide notation
- Explain random and spontaneous nuclear decay
- Describe alpha, beta-minus and gamma radiation
- Compare ionising effect and penetrating power
- Use nuclide equations for radioactive decay
- Explain background radiation
- Use half-life in tables and decay curves
- State radioactivity applications and hazards
- Evaluate uses and hazards using half-life and radiation properties
- Relate fission and fusion to nuclear-energy release
- Measurements of length, mass, temperature, time interval, volume of liquids/solids and force (e.g. weight) using appropriate instruments
- Determination of the resistance of a circuit component
Syllabus statements covered
- show an understanding that physical quantities typically consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
- recall the following base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)
- use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal sub-multiples and multiples of the SI units: nano (n), micro (µ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k), mega (M), giga (G), tera (T)
- show an understanding of the orders of magnitude of the sizes of common objects ranging from a typical atom to the Earth
- select and explain the use of appropriate measuring instruments to measure or determine physical quantities listed in “Summary of key quantities, symbols and units” taking into consideration the range and precision of the instrument
- state what is meant by scalar and vector quantities and give common examples of each
- add two vectors to determine a resultant by a graphical method
- state what is meant by speed and velocity
- calculate average speed = distance travelled / time taken
- state what is meant by uniform acceleration and calculate the value of acceleration using change in velocity / time taken
- interpret given examples of non-uniform acceleration
- plot and interpret a displacement-time graph and a velocity-time graph for motion in one dimension
- deduce from the shape of a displacement-time graph when a body is: (i) at rest (ii) moving with uniform velocity (iii) moving with non-uniform velocity
- deduce from the shape of a velocity-time graph when a body is: (i) at rest (ii) moving with uniform velocity (iii) moving with uniform acceleration (iv) moving with non-uniform acceleration
- calculate the area under a velocity-time graph to determine the displacement for motion with uniform velocity or uniform acceleration
- state that the acceleration of free fall for a body near to the Earth is constant and is approximately 10 m/s²
- identify and distinguish between contact forces (e.g. friction, air resistance, tension and normal force) and non-contact forces (e.g. gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic forces)
- state that mass is a measure of the amount of matter in a body
- state that a gravitational field is a region in which a mass experiences a force due to gravitational attraction
- define gravitational field strength, g, as gravitational force per unit mass placed at that point
- recall and apply the relationship weight = mass × gravitational field strength to new situations or to solve related problems
- distinguish between mass and weight
- apply Newton's Laws to: (i) describe the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on a body (ii) describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body (iii) identify action-reaction pairs acting on two interacting bodies (stating of Newton's Laws is not required)
- identify forces acting on a body and draw free body diagram(s) representing the forces acting on the body (for cases involving forces acting in at most two dimensions)
- solve problems for a static point mass under the action of three forces for two-dimensional cases by a graphical method
- recall and apply the relationship resultant force = mass × acceleration to new situations or to solve related problems
- show an understanding that mass is the property that resists change in motion of the body (inertia)
- explain the effects of friction on the motion of a body
- describe the motion of bodies with constant mass falling in uniform gravitational field with or without air resistance, including reference to terminal velocity
- describe the moment of a force about a pivot in terms of its turning effect and relate this to everyday examples
- recall and apply the relationship moment of a force (or torque) = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot to new situations or to solve related problems
- state the principle of moments for a body in equilibrium
- apply the principle of moments to new situations or to solve related problems
- show an understanding that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity
- describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of gravity on the stability of objects
- define pressure in terms of force and area
- recall and apply the relationship pressure = force / area to new situations or to solve related problems
- describe and explain the transmission of pressure in hydraulic systems with particular reference to the hydraulic press
- recall and apply the relationship density = mass / volume to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the relationship pressure due to a liquid column = height of column × density of the liquid × gravitational field strength to new situations or to solve related problems
- describe how the height of a liquid column may be used to measure the atmospheric pressure
- describe the use of a manometer in the measurement of pressure difference
- show an understanding that there are energy stores, e.g. kinetic, potential (gravitational, chemical, elastic), nuclear and internal, and that energy can be transferred from one store to another: (i) Mechanically (by a force acting over a distance) (ii) Electrically (by an electric current) (iii) By heating (due to a temperature difference) (iv) By propagation of waves (both electromagnetic and mechanical)
- recall and apply the relationships for kinetic energy (Ek = ½mv²) and gravitational potential energy near the Earth's surface (Ep = mgh) to new situations or to solve related problems
- state the principle of the conservation of energy and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the relationship work done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the relationship power = energy transfer / time taken to new situations or to solve related problems
- calculate the efficiency of an energy transfer using the formula efficiency = useful energy output / total energy input
- discuss the use of non-renewable energy resources such as fossil fuel and nuclear fuel, and renewable energy resources such as biofuel, wind, tides, hydropower, geothermal reservoirs and solar to generate electricity in terms of efficiency of energy transfer, cost, reliability and their environmental impact
- compare the physical properties of solids, liquids and gases
- use the kinetic particle model to describe the different states of matter (solids, liquids and gases), relating their physical properties to the arrangement and motion of the particles (e.g. molecules, atoms) and the forces and distances between particles
- infer from a Brownian motion experiment the evidence for the random movement of molecules in a liquid or gas
- relate the rise in temperature of a body to the increase in average kinetic energy of all the particles in the body
- explain the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its particles
- show an understanding that energy is transferred (by heating) from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is achieved between the two regions
- describe, in microscopic terms, how conduction occurs in solids (via vibration of atoms/molecules and movement of electrons)
- describe, in terms of density changes, how convection occurs in fluids
- explain that energy transfer by electromagnetic radiation does not require a material medium and that this rate of energy transfer to/from a body is affected by its: (i) surface colour and texture (ii) surface temperature (iii) surface area
- apply the concepts of conduction, convection and radiation in everyday examples
- describe internal energy as an energy store that is made up of the total kinetic energy associated with the random motion of the particles and the total potential energy between the particles in the system
- define heat capacity and specific heat capacity
- recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating) = mass × specific heat capacity x change in temperature to new situations or to solve related problems
- describe melting/solidification and boiling/condensation as processes of energy transfer without a change in temperature
- explain the difference between boiling and evaporation
- define latent heat and specific latent heat
- recall and apply the relationship energy transfer (by heating for a change of state) = mass × specific latent heat to new situations or to solve related problems
- explain latent heat in terms of behaviour of particles in a body
- sketch and interpret a cooling curve
- describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)
- show an understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
- define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation
- recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency × wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems
- compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each
- show an understanding that sound can be produced by vibrating sources and a medium is required for the transmission of sound.
- describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction
- relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency
- describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo, and how this may be used for measuring distances
- describe and explain how ultrasound is used, e.g. including sonar and medical scanning of soft tissue.
- state that all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel with the same speed in vacuum
- describe the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength and frequency
- state examples of typical uses of the following regions of the electromagnetic spectrum: (i) radio waves (e.g. radio and television communication, astronomy and RFID tags) (ii) microwaves (e.g. mobile (cell) phones, microwave oven and satellite television) (iii) infrared (e.g. infrared remote controllers, intruder alarms and thermal imaging) (iv) visible light (e.g. photography, optical fibres in medicine and telecommunications) (v) ultraviolet (e.g. sunbeds, bank note authentication and disinfecting water) (vi) X-rays (e.g. medical radiology, security screening and industrial defect detection) (vii) gamma (γ) rays (e.g. sterilising food, detection of cancer and its treatment)
- describe how over-exposure to electromagnetic waves can have hazardous effects (e.g. heating and ionising effects of radiation) on living cells and tissue.
- recall and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection to describe the reflection of light
- state that, for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection and use this principle in constructions, measurements and calculations
- recall and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction to describe the refraction of light
- recall and apply the relationship sin i / sin r = constant to new situations or to solve related problems
- define refractive index of a medium in terms of the ratio of speed of light in vacuum and in the medium
- explain the terms critical angle and total internal reflection
- apply total internal reflection to the use of optical fibres in telecommunication and medicine, stating the advantages of such use
- describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light
- define the focal length for a converging lens
- draw ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of real and virtual images of an object by a thin converging lens
- describe the characteristics of images (e.g. real/virtual, magnified/diminished, and upright/inverted) formed by a thin converging lens.
- state that there are positive and negative charges and that charge is measured in coulombs
- state that unlike charges attract and like charges repel
- describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force
- draw the electric field of an isolated point charge and recall that the direction of the field lines gives the direction of the force acting on a positive test charge
- draw the electric field pattern between two isolated point charges
- show an understanding that electrostatic charging by rubbing involves a transfer of electrons
- describe experiments to show electrostatic charging by induction
- describe examples where electrostatic charging may be a potential hazard
- describe the use of electrostatic charging in an electrostatic precipitator and apply the use of electrostatic charging to new situations.
- state that current is the rate of flow of charge and that it is measured in amperes
- distinguish between conventional current and electron flow
- recall and apply the relationship charge = current × time to new situations or to solve related problems
- state that the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of a source is the work done per unit charge by the source in driving charges around a complete circuit and that it is measured in volts
- calculate the total e.m.f. where several sources are arranged in series
- state that the potential difference (p.d.) across a component in a circuit is the work done per unit charge in driving charges through the component and that it is measured in volts
- state that resistance = p.d. / current
- apply the relationship R = V / I to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the relationship of the proportionality between resistance and the length and cross-sectional area of a wire to new situations or to solve related problems
- describe the effect of temperature increase on the resistance of a metallic conductor
- sketch and interpret the I-V characteristic graphs for a metallic conductor at constant temperature (ohmic conductor), for a filament lamp and for a semiconductor diode.
- draw circuit diagrams with power sources (cell, battery, d.c. supply or a.c. supply), switches, lamps, resistors (fixed and variable), variable potential divider (potentiometer), fuses, ammeters and voltmeters, bells, light-dependent resistors, thermistors and light-emitting diodes
- state that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems
- state that the sum of the potential differences in a series circuit is equal to the potential difference across the whole circuit and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems
- state that the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit is equal to the current from the source and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems
- state that the potential difference across the separate branches of a parallel circuit is the same and apply the principle to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the formulae for the effective resistance of a number of resistors in series and in parallel to new situations or to solve related problems
- recall and apply the relevant relationships, including R = V / I and those for current, potential differences and resistors in series and in parallel circuits, in calculations involving a whole circuit
- describe the action of a variable potential divider (potentiometer)
- describe the action of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors and light-dependent resistors and explain their use as input transducers in potential dividers
- solve simple circuit problems involving NTC thermistors and light-dependent resistors.
- describe the use of the heating effect of electricity in appliances such as electric kettles, ovens and heaters
- recall and apply the relationships P = V I and E = V I t to new situations or to solve related problems
- calculate the cost of using electrical appliances where the energy unit is the kW h
- state the hazards of using electricity in the following situations: (i) damaged insulation (ii) overheating of cables (iii) damp conditions
- explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers in electrical circuits and of fuse ratings
- explain the need for earthing metal casings and for double insulation
- state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth
- describe the wiring in a mains plug
- explain why switches, fuses, and circuit breakers are fitted to the live wire.
- state the properties of magnets
- describe induced magnetism caused by placing magnetic material close to a strong magnet or within a current-carrying solenoid
- distinguish between temporary magnets (e.g. iron) and permanent magnets (e.g. steel) in terms of their properties and uses
- describe how a bar magnet (e.g. a compass) can be used to determine the direction of a magnetic field
- draw the magnetic field pattern around a bar magnet and between the poles of two bar magnets.
- draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and/or direction of the current
- describe the application of the magnetic effect of a current in electromagnets (e.g. circuit breakers)
- describe experiments to show the force on a current-carrying conductor, and on a beam of charged particles, in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing (i) the current (ii) the direction of the field
- deduce the relative directions of force, field and current when any two of these quantities are at right angles to each other using Fleming’s left-hand rule
- explain how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field (e.g. in a motor) experiences a turning effect and that the effect is increased by increasing (i) the number of turns on the coil (ii) the current
- describe the action of a split-ring commutator in a two-pole, single-coil motor and the effect of winding the coil on to a soft-iron cylinder.
- deduce from Faraday’s experiments on electromagnetic induction or other appropriate experiments: (i) that a changing magnetic field can induce an e.m.f. in a circuit (ii) that the direction of the induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it (iii) the factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f.
- describe a simple a.c. generator (rotating coil or rotating magnet) and the use of slip rings (where needed)
- sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator
- describe the structure and principle of operation of a simple iron-cored transformer as used for voltage transformations
- recall and apply the equations VP / VS = NP / NS and VPIP = VSIS to new situations or to solve related problems (for an ideal transformer)
- describe the energy loss in cables and deduce the advantages of high voltage transmission.
- describe the composition of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus (with protons and neutrons) and negatively charged electrons
- use the terms proton (atomic) number Z, nucleon (mass) number A and isotope
- use and interpret the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation ᴬZX
- show an understanding that nuclear decay is a random and spontaneous process whereby an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation
- show an understanding of the nature of alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation (including ionising effect and penetrating power) [β-particles are assumed to be β– particles only]
- use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when radioactive emissions occur
- show an understanding of background radiation
- use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves
- discuss the applications (e.g. medical and industrial uses) and hazards of radioactivity based on: (i) half-life of radioactive materials, (ii) penetrating abilities and ionising effects of radioactive emissions
- state the meaning of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission and relate these nuclear processes with the release of energy from nuclear fuels (recall of the energy-mass equivalence and details of technologies in nuclear power plants are not required).
- Measurements of length, time interval, volume, mass and weight, temperature, current and voltage using the listed instruments
- Determination of the density of a liquid, or of a regularly or irregularly shaped solid that sinks in water
- Determination of the value of the acceleration of free fall
- Investigation of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces
- The principle of moments
- Determination of the position of the centre of gravity of a plane lamina
- Investigation of the factors affecting transfer of energy by thermal processes
- Determination of heat capacities of materials
- Latent heat of substances
- The law of reflection
- Determination of the position and characteristics of an optical image formed by a plane mirror or a thin converging lens
- The refraction of light through glass blocks
- The principle of total internal reflection
- The focal length of lenses
- Determination of the speed, wavelength and frequency of waves
- Determination of the resistance of a circuit
- Investigation of the magnetic effect of current in a conductor
- Investigation of the effects of electromagnetic induction
Topics
Work through the topics in order, or open the one you are revising.
Measurement and mechanics
5 topics · 50 published lessons
- Measurement11 published lessonsSI units and prefixes, measuring instruments, measurement errors, scalars and vectors.
- Kinematics9 published lessonsDistance and displacement, speed and velocity, acceleration, motion graphs, free fall and equations of motion.
- Forces and turning effects16 published lessonsForces and free-body diagrams, Newton's laws, friction, terminal velocity, moments, centre of gravity and stability.
- Pressure6 published lessonsDensity, pressure on surfaces and in liquids, hydraulic systems, barometers and manometers.
- Work, energy and power8 published lessonsEnergy stores and transfers, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, work, power, efficiency and energy resources.
Thermal physics, waves and light
4 topics · 35 published lessons
- Thermal physics16 published lessonsThe particle model, internal energy, thermal transfer, heat capacity, changes of state, latent heat and thermometers.
- General wave properties8 published lessonsWave motion, wave quantities, transverse and longitudinal waves, sound, echoes and ultrasound.
- Electromagnetic spectrum3 published lessonsProperties and order of electromagnetic waves, their applications and their hazards.
- Light8 published lessonsReflection, plane mirrors, refraction, total internal reflection, optical fibres and converging lenses.
Electricity and magnetism
5 topics · 45 published lessons
- Static electricity6 published lessonsCharging by rubbing, conductors and insulators, induction, electric fields, electrostatic hazards and applications.
- Current electricity8 published lessonsCurrent, e.m.f., potential difference, resistance and I–V characteristics.
- D.C. circuits7 published lessonsCircuit symbols, series and parallel circuits, effective resistance, potential dividers and sensors.
- Practical electricity7 published lessonsElectrical power, energy and cost, electrical hazards, fuses, circuit breakers, earthing and mains wiring.
- Magnetism and electromagnetism17 published lessonsMagnets and magnetic fields, electromagnets, the motor effect, electromagnetic induction, generators and transformers.
Radioactivity
1 topics · 10 published lessons
Practical skills
1 topics · 6 published lessons
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Beyond the syllabus: optional enrichment that does not count towards your progress.
Course guides
G3 Pure Physics or O-Level Physics?
The lessons are the same for both. The two courses differ only in their examination papers and practical arrangements. G3 Pure Physics students should follow their school’s instructions for these, and O-Level Physics students can use the mock papers and revision resources labelled for the O-Level papers.
Revision guides
- Exam skills: units, significant figures, graphs and command words.
- Problem-solving tips: a reliable way to set out a calculation or an explanation.
- Revision plan: a twelve-week plan that covers every topic before the examinations.