GCSE Physics 8463 - Flashcards Review (Video Notes)

200 practice flashcards covering key concepts, formulas, definitions, and typical tasks from the GCSE Physics content provided.

What is acceleration?

Acceleration = change in velocity divided by time taken (a = Δv/Δt).

What is velocity?

Velocity is speed in a given direction; it is a vector quantity.

What is speed?

Speed is the rate of change of distance; it is a scalar quantity.

What is distance?

Distance is how far an object moves, a scalar quantity.

What is displacement?

Displacement is the straight-line distance from start to finish in a given direction; a vector quantity.

What is a force?

A push or pull that can change an object's motion; a vector quantity.

What is work done?

Work done = force × distance moved along the line of action (W = F × s); unit: joules (J).

What is power?

Power = energy transferred ÷ time or = work ÷ time (P = E/t = W/t).

What is density?

Density ρ = mass ÷ volume (ρ = m/V).

What is energy?

Energy is the ability to do work; it exists in various energy stores and transfers between stores.

What is energy transfer?

Energy moving from one store to another via heating, work, or other processes.

What is gravitational potential energy Ep?

Ep = m × g × h.

What is kinetic energy Ek?

Ek = 0.5 × m × v².

What is elastic potential energy Ee?

Ee = 0.5 × k × e² (assuming limit of proportionality is not exceeded).

What is specific heat capacity?

c is the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C; formula: ΔE = m c Δθ.

What is latent heat?

Energy required to change state without a temperature change. Specific latent heat L is energy per kg.

What is the equation for energy change in heating?

Change in thermal energy ΔE = m × c × Δθ.

What is the equation for power in terms of resistance?

Power P = I² × R.

What is the equation for power in terms of voltage and current?

P = V × I.

What is the equation for power in terms of energy and time?

P = E ÷ t.

What is the equation for charge flow?

Charge flow Q = I × t.

What is the equation for potential difference (voltage) in a resistor?

V = I × R.

What is the equation for potential difference in a circuit?

V = I × R (Ohm's law for a component).

What is the equation for charge flow in joules?

E = P × t or E = Q × V depending on context.

What is the equation for density in terms of mass and volume (HT)?

ρ = m ÷ V.

What is the wave speed equation?

v = f × λ (wave speed equals frequency times wavelength).

What is the equation for distance travelled with constant speed?

s = v × t.

What is the equation for acceleration from velocity change?

a = Δv ÷ t.

What is the equation for momentum (HT)?

p = m × v.

What is the equation for final velocity from initial velocity with acceleration?

v² − u² = 2 a s.

What is the equation for stopping distance?

Stopping distance isThinking distance + braking distance; depends on speed and braking force.

What is the unit of magnetic flux density?

Tesla (T).

What is the unit of electric charge?

Coulomb (C).

What is the unit of energy?

Joule (J).

What is the unit of power?

Watt (W).

What is the unit of resistance?

Ohm (Ω).

What is the unit of density?

kg/m³.

What is the unit of velocity?

Metres per second (m/s).

What is the unit of force?

Newton (N).

What is the unit of area?

Square metres (m²).

What is the unit of time?

Second (s).

What is the unit of temperature used in energy equations?

Degrees Celsius (°C) or Kelvin (K); specific heat capacity uses °C in symbol, but SI can use K for calculations.

What does the term 'conservation of energy' mean?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it is conserved through transfers and stores.

What is the density equation used to determine density of a regular object?

Density = mass ÷ volume; volume for regular shapes from measurements.

What is the density equation used to determine density of irregular objects?

Density = mass ÷ volume; volume found by displacement method.

What is the equation for gravitational potential energy in terms of height?

Ep = m × g × h.

What is the equation for elastic potential energy of a spring?

Ee = 0.5 × k × e².

What is the equation for kinetic energy?

Ek = 0.5 × m × v².

What is the equation for work done by a force?

W = F × d.

What is the equation for density in terms of mass and volume?

ρ = m ÷ V.

What is the equation for pressure in a fluid?

p = F ÷ A.

What is the equation for pressure at a depth in a liquid (HT)?

p = h × ρ × g.

What is the equation for the rate of energy transfer in a circuit device?

Power transfer relates to P = V × I and P = I² × R.

What is the equation for the speed of waves in a medium?

v = f × λ.

What is the equation for the Doppler-like relation for red shift (conceptual)?

Red-shift indicates galaxies moving away; not a simple equation here, but relates to expansion of universe.

What is the equation for gravitational force near Earth (weight)?

Weight W = m × g.

What is the equation for the moment of a force?

M = F × d (moment = force × perpendicular distance to pivot).

What is the equation for a simple lever’s balance condition?

For balance, total clockwise moment equals total anticlockwise moment.

Fill in the blank: The energy change in heating two objects with the same mass and temperature change uses the formula ΔE = __.

m × c × Δθ.

Fill in the blank: The energy stored in a moving object is called __ energy.

Kinetic energy (Ek).

Fill in the blank: The energy stored when a stretched spring is under tension is called __ energy.

Elastic potential energy (Ee).

Fill in the blank: Equation for energy transferred by electrical work is E = __.

P × t or E = W.

Fill in the blank: The equation for current flow given Q = I × t relates current to __ and time.

charge (Q).

Question: What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

Scalar has magnitude only; vector has both magnitude and direction.

Question: What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is scalar (magnitude only); velocity is speed with direction (vector).

Question: What is the Practical 1 focus in energy?

Investigation to determine specific heat capacity of materials.

Question: What is the practical for thermal insulation effectiveness (physics only)?

Practical 2 to test different insulating materials.

Question: What is the National Grid?

A system of cables and transformers linking power stations to consumers; designed for efficient energy transfer.

Question: What is a transformer intended to do?

Change the voltage (potential difference) while transferring power; step-up or step-down.

Question: What is the basic rule for series circuits regarding current and voltage?

Same current through each component; total voltage is shared.

Question: What is the basic rule for parallel circuits regarding current and voltage?

Voltage is the same across each component; total current is the sum of branch currents.

Question: What is a half-life?

Time it takes for the number of undecayed nuclei to halve (or count rate to halve).

Question: What is radioactive decay?

Random process by which unstable nuclei emit particles to become more stable.

Question: What is a beta particle?

Beta particle (β) is a high-speed electron emitted from the nucleus.

Question: What is an alpha particle?

Alpha particle (α) is a helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons).

Question: What is gamma radiation?

Gamma (γ) is high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.

Question: What is attenuation?

Not explicitly in the notes, but relates to shielding/penetration of radiation; used in context of radiation types.

Question: What is a closed system in momentum discussions?

A system where total momentum before equals total momentum after (momentum conservation).

Question: What is the role of internal energy in a gas?

Internal energy relates to kinetic and potential energy of particles; changes with heating or compression.

Question: Define the term 'upthrust'.

Upthrust is the net upward force on a submerged object due to pressure difference.

Question: What describes a lens that forms real and virtual images?

A convex lens can produce real or virtual images depending on object distance.

Question: What is angular magnitude vs. angular units?

Angular measures are in degrees; used in optics and rotation contexts.

Question: What is the formula for density in terms of mass and volume?

ρ = m / V.

Question: What is the definition of efficiency in energy transfer?

Efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer (or Pout ÷ Pin).

Fill in the blank: The equation for pressure in a fluid is p = __.

F / A

Question: What is the relationship between force and acceleration in Newton's Second Law?

F = m × a.

Question: What is a common unit for energy in SI?

Joule (J).

Question: What is the purpose of a Hertzian lens?

Not specifically in notes; optics context references lenses and magnification.

Fill in the blank: For a current through a conductor, V = I × R is Ohm's law. The symbol for resistance is .

R

Question: What is the equation for force due to a magnetic field on a current-carrying wire?

F = B × I × l (force = magnetic flux density × current × length).

Question: What is the MS (Mathematical Skills) emphasis in this spec?

Significant figures, graphs, algebra, and data handling.

Question: What is required practical activity 9 (physics only)?

Investigate the reflection of light by surfaces and refraction by different substances.

Question: What is the unit of electric charge flow rate?

Coulombs per second (ampere, A).

Question: What is the equation for the energy transferred by charging a capacitor (contextual flash): E = Q × V.

E = Q × V.

Question: What is the principle behind static electricity?

Charge transfer via rubbing; opposite charges attract, like charges repel.

Question: What is a key idea about models in physics?

Use of models to explain and predict physical phenomena (e.g., particle model, wave model).

Fill in the blank: The speed of sound in air is approximately _ m/s at room conditions.

330

Question: What is the unit for specific latent heat?

J/kg.

Question: What does Ohm's law relate?

Voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit component (V = I × R).

Question: What is the definition of terminal velocity in fluids?

Constant speed achieved when drag force balances weight; net force becomes zero.