IGCSE Physics Notes
IGCSE Physics Notes
Code 0625/42
Day Tuesday
Duration 1h 15m
Session PM
Mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object at rest relative to the observer
In a U-tube manometer:
The height difference formed by the medium = difference in air pressure of the gases being tested.
F ∝v
F ∝ 1/r
F∝m
F = mv2 /r
F = ∆p/∆t
Kinetic energy = Ek
i. Kinetic energy
ii. G.P.E
v. Strain energy
Physics (Extended) 1
forces (mechanical work
done)
heating
Eg. Kinetic energy is reduced, and other forms of energy, such as thermal energy, is increased.
Infrared and other electromagnetic waves from the Sun are the source of wind energy
The random motion of microscopic particles in a suspension is evidence for the kinetic particle model of matter
Specific Heat Capacity: Energy required per unit mass per unit temperature increase
To demonstrate properties of good and bad thermal conductors - Wax and nail test with different material base rod
For an object to be at a constant temperature it needs to transfer energy away from the object at the same rate that it
receives energy
Comparing emitters of radiation: A metal cube is filled with boiling water which heats the surfaces to the same temperature.
A thermal detector is placed in turn at the same distance from each surface and the meter readings are compared.
It is a line on which the particles transmitting the wave are vibrating in phase (unison)
Seismic waves:
Two types
i. P-waves
Longitudinal
Faster
ii. S-waves
Transverse
Slower
Physics (Extended) 2
Can be:
✅ Reflected
✅ Absorbed
✅ Transmitted (Refraction)
➖ Change in direction as they move from one medium to another because of different densities of medium (layers
of earth).
➖ They curve because of constant bending through different mediums.
Only true for P-waves because S-waves cannot pass through liquid layers
➖
Transverse wave:
Refractive index, n, is the ratio of the speeds of a wave in two different regions
Consider the angle of incidence as angle of refraction when going backwards to refractive index given
Total Internal Reflection is reflection in a more dense medium where there is no refracted ray.
Between F and 2F - inverted - real - magnified Beyond 2F’ - projector - photograph enlarger
Physics (Extended) 3
at F - - upright - virtual - magnified Infinity (Beyond 2F) - to produce a parallel beam of light, e.g. a spotlight
Less than F - upright - virtual - magnified Behind the Object - magnifying glass
After refraction, wavelength and speed both decrease — frequency remains the same
Harmful effects:
Microwaves used in mobile communication because they can penetrate some walls, can be transmitted and recepted over
a short area
Bluetooth uses low energy radio or microwaves because they can pass through walls, but not for too long.
Optical fibres use visible light or IR because glass is transparent to them (the rays experience less resistance to
movement) and they can carry high speed data.
Diffraction of waves:
Wavelength Diffraction
Wavelength > Barrier gap size / Edge width No diffraction, only reflection
Important for high flying waves to reach lower lying receivers in hilly regions
Mountains act as barriers, they diffract the waves and make them reach longer distance and also lower because of
curved shape after diffraction
Physics (Extended) 4
Graph of a digital signal
Ultrasound is used in non-destructive testing of materials, medical scanning of soft tissue and sonar to calculate depth
In order to make out the information clearly, the signal needs to be transmitted with as little interference as possible
Due to accurate signal regeneration, the range of digital signals is larger than the range of analogue signals (they
can cover larger distances)
Extra data can be added so that the signal can be checked for errors
Background radiation is the radiation that we are exposed to generally in the environment because of several natural
sources such as radon in air, rocks and buildings, cosmic rays from atmosphere etc.
Physics (Extended) 5
Distance 5cm 15cm Several Metres
Travelled
Total time ÷ No. of half lives = Time for one half life
Decay equations:
A
ZX → A − 4 Z − 2 Y + 42 He
(or)
A
ZX → A − 4 Z − 2 Y + 42 α
0
A
ZX →A
Z +1Y + −1e
(or)
0
A
ZX →A
Z +1Y + −1β
0
A
ZX →A
Z X + 0γ
Half-life of an isotope is the time taken for half of the nuclei of isotope to decay
The direction of a magnetic field line is the same as the direction of the force a north pole will experience when placed in
the magnetic field line.
Direction of electric field is the same as the direction of force on positive charge
Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is the electrical work done by a source in moving 1C around a circuit
E(e.m.f.) = W /Q
Current-voltage graphs:
For filament lamp (Resistance increases with temperature → V increases faster than I):
Physics (Extended) 6
For diode (resistor with high resistance in one direction and low in the other):
To produce these graphs, a variable resistor is used (along with ammeter and voltmeter) to change the current to then
draw graph.
A variable potential divider reduces the voltage from a source, variably (you can choose how much output voltage you
want).
If in a circuit containing a diode, the current flowing in both directions from an alternating source, passes through a
component in one direction, the graph of voltage in the component looks like this:
Physics (Extended) 7
Symbols:
V1 + V2 = V
R1 + R2 = R
Voltage in parallel circuit is same throughout, current is divided based on resistance.
I1 + I2 = I
1/R1 + 1/R2 = 1/R
In a parallel circuit, all lamps are equally bright. If one breaks, rest will still work. You can also add individual switches to
each bulb.
Physics (Extended) 8
Mains circuit consists of live wire (brings in electrical current), neutral wire (takes out current) and earth wire (connects to
body of appliance and takes away electrical current to ground in case of breaking of insulation)
Fuse connected to live wire to stop current from entering if it is too big
Inducing magnetism:
Magnetising -
4. Hammering while in magnetic field (magnetic field going in north-south direction of magnet)
Demagnetising -
1. Hammer magnet while not in magnetic field. If in magnetic field, then place in east-west direction of magnet
Physics (Extended) 9
2. Heat magnet
Iron - soft magnetic material. Less time to magnetise, stays for shorter time.
The direction of the induced electromotive force (e.m.f.) opposes the change which produces it.
Magnet moving in electric field or conductor moving in magnetic field or conductor in changing magnetic field induces e.m.f
Physics (Extended) 10
A.C. generator:
Slip ring is there to prevent the wire of the coil from tangling and also to ensure that the terminals are the same
throughout.
Graph:
In a solenoid:
In a wire:
Physics (Extended) 11
A current carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force and hence moves.
Motor:
Split-ring commutator used to swap negative and positive connections every half turn so that direction of
current swaps and the force on the coil is always in the same direction.
Without split-ring commutator, it would oscillate back and forth and would be useless.
Soft-iron core is used in a transformer to reduce losses because it can easily magnetise and de-magnetise transferring the
magnetic field.
VP /Vs = NP /NS
For 100% efficient transformer:
IP VP = IS VS
Electricity is transmitted with high-voltage to reduce power losses because:
In P = IV , V α 1/I
and
H0 = 2.2 ∗ 10− 18 /s
Write all whole number answers or extremely long answers which have a larger whole number part (>1000) with 2 s.f.
accuracy
Kinetic energy decreases because it is lost as other forms of energy, as these other forms of energy increase.
When referring to limit of proportionality (L.O.P.) always refer to load as being proportional to extension, instead of force.
Physics (Extended) 12
Questions to remember
1. The motor M also needs to run on the same 12V car battery, but the relay has to turn it on
The first two resistors are connected in series. The first two series resistors, are connected to the third resistor in parallel. The parallel connection of
the three resistors is connected to the third resistor in series.
3. Consider moment from the pivot of rope, to connection on human. Consider the distances as forces and calculate using
sin.
Physics (Extended) 13
Lucius tables:
Approx Approx
Type of
Wavelength Wavelength Uses Extra Danger Mnemonic Mnem
Radiation
Range Range / m
Radio and
Television
Radio / Radio Longest
1 m - km > 0.1 Transmissions Romeo’s Ragin
Waves Wavelength
(Sound, Pictures)
and Astronomy
international
telecommunications
and direct
Internal heating
Microwaves 0.01mm - 1 cm 0.1 to 10 ^ -3 broadcast satellite Majorly Martia
of body cells
television,
microwave ovens,
Radar Detection
Electric grills, short
range
communications,
intruder alarms,
10 ^ -3 to 7 * 10 Radiant Heat,
Infra-Red 0.7µm - 0.01mm
^ -7
thermal imaging,
optical fibres,
℃
500 , Red Hot
Skin Burns Injured Invad
satellite weather
forecasting, drying
paints
Red: 0.0007 mm Vision,
4*10^-7 to
Light Violet: Photography, Sun Leg Venus
7*10^-7
0.0004mm Illumination
security marking, Damage to
High exposure is
detecting fake bank surface cells
Ultraviolet 0.1µm - 0.4µm 10 ^ -7 to 10 ^ -8 harmful, Mercury Used Using
notes, sterilising and eyes, skin
Lamp
water, cancer
Absorbed by
living cells,
medical scanning, Mutation,
X-Rays 1nm - 0.1µm 10^-8 to 10^-13 cannot pass X-ray X-Ray
security scanners Damage to cells
through metals,
X-Ray Tube
Physics (Extended) 14
Approx Approx
Type of
Wavelength Wavelength Uses Extra Danger Mnemonic Mnem
Radiation
Range Range / m
Physics (Extended) 15