Combined Science — Physics

Science 0653 — specification explorer

All 86 specification statements from the official Cambridge International specification, as printed.

Paper/unit applicability has not been derived for this course yet — the statements below are the parsed specification, as printed.

1. Motion

1. Length and time

P1.1.1Use and describe the use of rules and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume
P1.1.2Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital, for measuring an interval of time
P1.1.3Obtain an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of a pendulum)

2. Motion

P1.2.1Define speed and calculate average speed from total distance total time
P1.2.2Plot and interpret a speed–time graph and a distance-time graph
P1.2.3
Recognise from the shape of a speed–time graph when a body is: and deceleration are related to changing speed including qualitative analysis of the gradient of a speed–time graph:
- at rest
- moving with constant speed
- moving with changing speed
P1.2.4Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to work out the distance travelled for motion with constant acceleration
P1.2.5Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph
P1.2.6Recognise linear motion for which the acceleration is constant and calculate the acceleration
P1.2.7Recognise motion for which the acceleration is not constant

3. Mass and weight

P1.3.1Distinguish between mass and weight
P1.3.2Know that the Earth is the source of a gravitational field mass and is measured in N / kg
P1.3.3Describe, and use the concept of, weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass

4. Density

P1.4.1Recall and use the equation r =
P1.4.2Describe an experiment to determine the density of a liquid and of a regularly shaped solid and make the necessary calculation
P1.4.3Describe the determination of the density of an irregularly shaped solid by the method of displacement and make the necessary calculation

5. Effects of forces

P1.5.1Describe how forces may change the size, shape and motion of a body surfaces which impedes motion and results in heating along the same line a body it either remains at rest or continues at constant speed in a straight line
P1.5.2Plot and interpret extension–load graphs and describe the associated experimental procedure
P1.5.3State Hooke’s law and recall and use the expression F = k x , where k is the spring constant
P1.5.4Recognise the significance of the term ‘limit of proportionality’ for an extension–load graph

6. Pressure

P1.6.1Relate qualitatively pressure to force and area, using appropriate examples
P1.6.2Recall and use the equation p = F / A

2. Work, energy and power

1. Work

P2.1.1Relate (without calculation) work done to the magnitude of a force and distance moved in the direction of the force
P2.1.2Recall and use W = Fd = Δ E

2. Energy

P2.2.1Demonstrate an understanding that work done = energy transferred
P2.2.2Demonstrate understanding that an object may have energy due to its motion (kinetic energy, KE) or its position (potential energy, PE) and that energy may be transferred and stored
P2.2.3Give and identify examples of changes in kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical potential, elastic potential (strain), thermal, sound and electrical potential energy that have occurred as a result of an event or process events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical working), by electric currents (electrical working), by heating and by waves simple examples
P2.2.4Recall and use the expressions KE = ½ mv and gravitational potential energy (GPE) = mgh or change in GPE = mg Δ h

3. Power

P2.3.1Relate (without calculation) power to work done and time taken, using appropriate examples
P2.3.2Recall and use the equation P = Δ E / t in simple systems, including electrical circuits

4. Energy resources

P2.4.1Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
P2.4.2
Describe how electricity or other useful forms of energy may be obtained from: in tides, and in water behind hydroelectric dams panels):
- chemical energy stored in fuel
- water, including the energy stored in waves,
- geothermal resources
- nuclear fission
- heat and light from the Sun (solar cells and
- wind energy
P2.4.3Give advantages and disadvantages of each method in terms of renewability, cost, reliability, scale and environmental impact
P2.4.4Understand that the Sun is the source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal
P2.4.5Understand that the source of tidal energy is mainly the moon
P2.4.6Show an understanding that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun

3. Thermal physics

1. Simple kinetic molecular model of matter

P3.1.1State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation, and motion of the molecules the temperature of a gas, liquid or solid in terms of the motion of its particles measure temperature on the Celsius scale point , and recall the melting and boiling points for water more-energetic molecules from the surface of a liquid the liquid
P3.1.2Relate the properties of solids, liquids and gases to the forces and distances between the molecules and to the motion of the molecules temperature, surface area and draught over a surface influence evaporation

2. Matter and thermal properties

P3.2.1Describe qualitatively the thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases at constant pressure
P3.2.2Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion P3.3.1 Conduction

3. Thermal processes

P3.3.1Recognise and name typical good and bad thermal conductors
P3.3.1aRecognise convection as the main method of energy transfer in fluids illustrate convection in liquids and gases (fluids) P3.3.3 Radiation
P3.3.1bRecognise radiation as the method of energy transfer that does not require a medium to travel through
P3.3.1cIdentify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of conduction, convection and radiation
P3.3.2Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good and bad thermal conductors P3.3.2 Convection
P3.3.2aIdentify infrared radiation as the part of the electromagnetic spectrum often involved in energy transfer by radiation P3.3.4 Consequences of energy transfer
P3.3.3Explain conduction in solids in terms of molecular vibrations and transfer by electrons or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of radiation
P3.3.4Interpret and describe experiments to investigate the properties of good and bad emitters and good and bad absorbers of infrared radiation

4. Properties of waves, including light and sound

1. General wave properties

P4.1.1Demonstrate understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
P4.1.2Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes and springs and by experiments using water waves
P4.1.3
State the meaning of speed , frequency , wavelength and amplitude P4.2.1 Reflection of light:
- reflection at a plane surface
- refraction due to a change of speed
P4.1.4Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples in speed as a wave moves from one medium to another

2. Light

P4.2.1Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and give its characteristics
P4.2.1aInterpret and describe an experimental demonstration of the refraction of light P4.2.3 Thin converging lens
P4.2.1bDescribe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light
P4.2.2Recall and use the law angle of incidence i = angle of reflection r recognising these angles are measured to the normal
P4.2.2aUse the terms principal focus and focal length
P4.2.3Perform simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors P4.2.2 Refraction of light
P4.2.3aDraw ray diagrams for the formation of a real image by a single lens
P4.2.4Use and describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass

3. Electromagnetic spectrum

P4.3.1Describe the main features of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of frequency, from radio waves to gamma radiation ( γ )
P4.3.2
State that all electromagnetic waves travel with the same high speed in a vacuum and approximately the same in air in all the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including: waves) (microwaves) televisions and intruder alarms (infrared) regarding the use of microwaves and X-rays the Sun or from tanning lamps:
- radio and television communications (radio
- satellite television and telephones
- electrical appliances, remote controllers for
- medicine and security (X-rays)
P4.3.3State that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 10 m / s

4. Sound

P4.4.1Describe the production of sound by vibrating sources frequencies for a healthy human ear is 20 Hz to to transmit sound waves determine the speed of sound in air, including calculation amplitude and frequency produce an echo
P4.4.2Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves
P4.4.3Describe the transmission of sound waves in air in terms of compressions and rarefactions in gases and faster in solids than in liquids

5. Electrical quantities

1. Electric charge

P5.1.1State that there are positive and negative charges
P5.1.2State that unlike charges attract and that like charges repel
P5.1.3Describe and interpret simple experiments to show the production and detection of electrostatic charges by friction
P5.1.4State that charging a body involves the addition or removal of electrons
P5.1.5Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples

2. Current, potential difference and electromotive force (e.m.f)

P5.2.1Demonstrate understanding of current , potential differenc e, e.m.f . and resistance
P5.2.2State that current is related to the flow of charge electrons circuit component is measured in volts voltmeter, both analogue and digital electrical source of energy is measured in volts
P5.2.3Know and use the formula Q = I t
P5.2.4Show understanding that a current is a rate of flow of charge and recall and use the equation

3. Resistance

P5.3.1State that resistance = p.d. / current and understand qualitatively how changes in p.d. or resistance affect current
P5.3.2Recall and use the equation R = V / I
P5.3.3Recall and use quantitatively the proportionality between resistance and length, and the inverse proportionality between resistance and cross- sectional area of a wire

6. Electric circuits

1. Circuit diagrams

P6.1.1Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing sources, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), lamps, ammeters, voltmeters and fuses (Symbols for other common circuit components will be provided in questions)

2. Series and parallel circuits

P6.2.1Understand that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same
P6.2.2Calculate the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series the source is larger than the current in each branch resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself parallel in a circuit
P6.2.3Recall and use the fact that the sum of the p.d.s across the components in a series circuit is equal to the total p.d. across the supply source is the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit resistors in parallel

3. Electrical energy

P6.3.1Recall and use the equations P = I V and E = I Vt

4. Dangers of electricity

P6.4.1
Identify electrical hazards including:
- damaged insulation
- overheating of cables
- damp conditions
P6.4.2State that a fuse protects a circuit
P6.4.3Explain the use of fuses and choose appropriate fuse ratings