Waves (part 1)
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
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Describe what a wave is
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Describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves
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Define the terms wavelength, amplitude, period and frequency
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Recall and use the equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength
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Describe two experiments to measure wave speed; using a stretched piece of elastic and a ripple tank
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State each type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum including properties unique to each type and common to all types
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State uses of each type of electromagnetic radiation
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State and explain which electromagnetic radiation types are dangerous to humans and how to mitigate these dangers
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State the primary colours of light and how these mix together to form the secondary colours
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Describe the effect of filters on light and state the colour different objects will appear under different colours of light
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Describe the relationship between wavelength of electromagnetic radiation and temperature
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Describe what is meant by black body radiation
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Describe a practical to demonstrate how radiation varies with surface type.
Forces and motion (part 1)
By the end of this topic you should be able to:​
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State the difference between contact and non-contact forces and give examples of each
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Draw free body diagrams showing the forces acting on objects
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Recall and use the equation linking work done, force and distance
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Define Hooke's law and describe an experiment to demonstrate this
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Recall and use the equation linking force, extension and the spring constant
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Describe the difference between elastic and plastic deformation
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Describe the difference between mass and weight and what is meant by the centre of mass
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Recall and use the equation linking moment, force and distance
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Describe the principle of moments and use this to solve problems involving moments
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Describe how levers and gears use the principle of moments to work to as "force multipliers"
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Describe the difference between a scalar and vector quantity
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Describe the difference between distance and displacement and speed and velocity
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Recall and use the equation linking speed, distance and time
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Analyse distance-time and displacement-time graphs and obtain speed/velocity from these
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Recall and use the equation link acceleration, change in velocity and time taken
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Analyse speed-time and velocity-time graphs and obtain acceleration from these
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Use the equation linking initial velocity, final velocity, displacement and acceleration
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Describe what is meant by terminal velocity and explain how the forces on an object change as it falls
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Define thinking, braking and stopping distance and explain the factors which would affect each of these.
Electricity (part 1)
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
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Describe how charge builds up on objects through transfer of electrons
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Explain if two charged objects will attract or repel each other
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Draw the electric fields around single charged spheres and two attracting/repelling spheres
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Describe how electric shocks and sparking occurs
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Define current and describe how you would measure this in a circuit
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Recall and use the equation linking charge, current and time
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Define potential difference and describe how you would measure this in a circuit
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Recall and use the equation linking energy, charge and voltage
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Describe the difference between a series and parallel circuit and how current and voltage vary in both of these
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Describe the difference between ac and dc, including typical power sources of each type of current
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State the voltage and frequency of UK mains electricity
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State the colours and positioning of the wires that make up a plug and describe the function of each for these wires
Atomic structure and radioactivity
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
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Describe the stages in the development of atomic theory including the work and discoveries of Democritus, Dalton, Thompson, Rutherford, Chadwick and Bohr
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State the features of the modern atomic model including properties of protons, neutrons and electrons
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State the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
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Write decay equations for each type of radioactive decay
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Describe what is meant by a half life and how to find this from graphs
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State what is meant by background radiation and name sources of this
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Describe how radiation dose is measured in sieverts
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Explain the dangers to humans from radiation including the relative danger of each type of radiation and how to protect against these
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Explain various uses of radiation for example gamma cameras and radioactive tracers in hospitals
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Describe the process of nuclear fission including chain reactions and the main features of a nuclear fission reactor
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Describe the process of nuclear fusion in stars
Space Physics
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
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Describe the scale and structure of the universe and define features of the universe including galaxies, stars, planets, dwarf planets, comets, asteroids and natural satellites
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Describe the structure of out solar system and explain why objects orbit others including the forces involved
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Describe the stages in the life cycle of a star including normal size stars and massive stars. This should include knowing the properties of each of the following stages; stellar nebula, main sequence star, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf, supernova, neutron star, black hole.
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Explain the doppler effect and red shift and link this to Hubble's observed motion fo galaxies to provide evidence for the expansion of the universe.
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Describe what is meant by the big bang theory and give evidence for this