GCSE Physics 100qs

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key GCSE Physics topics from the provided notes.

What is the relationship between work done, force and distance moved?

Work done = force × distance moved (W = F × d).

What are the units of work?

Joules (J).

What are the units of energy?

Joules (J).

What are the units of distance?

Metres (m).

What are the units of force?

Newtons (N).

Which scientific law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed?

The law of conservation of energy.

What is the relationship between gravitational potential energy, mass, gravitational field strength and height?

E_g = mgh (gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height).

What is the definition of a vector quantity?

A quantity with magnitude and direction.

What is the definition of a scalar quantity?

A quantity with magnitude only.

What are the units of speed (or velocity)?

Metres per second (m/s).

What is the relationship between kinetic energy, mass and velocity?

Kinetic energy = 1/2 mv².

What is the efficiency equation?

Efficiency = useful output / total input (energy or power).

What type of energy is stored in a stretched spring or rubber band?

Elastic potential energy.

Rearrange the power equation for time

Time = energy transferred / power (t = E / P).

What is the relationship between power, energy transferred and time?

Power = energy transferred / time (P = E / t).

What unit is equivalent to 1 Joule per second?

Watt (W).

What are four non-renewable energy resources?

Oil, coal, gas, nuclear.

What are five renewable energy resources?

Any five: wind, biofuel, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal (also solar or wave).

The temperature of the Sun is 6000K. What does the K Kelvin stand for?

Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature, named after Lord Kelvin.

When is the speed of a comet at a minimum?

When it is furthest from the Sun (aphelion).

When is the speed of a comet at a maximum?

When it is closest to the Sun (perihelion).

What is a black hole?

A region of space with gravity so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.

What two possible outcomes could exist after a supernova explosion?

A black hole or a neutron star.

Which star follows a white dwarf?

A black dwarf.

Which star follows a planetary nebula?

White dwarf.

Which star follows a red giant?

Planetary nebula.

Which star follows a main sequence star, for stars similar size to our Sun?

Red giant.

What reaction allows stars to emit light?

Nuclear fusion.

What is a protostar?

A collapsed nebula.

What is a nebula?

A cloud of dust and gas.

What is a supernova?

An exploding star which can outshine a whole galaxy.

What is a black hole?

A region of space with gravity so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.

What two possible outcomes could exist after a supernova explosion?

A black hole or a neutron star.

What star colour is the coolest: yellow or blue?

Yellow.

What colour is the hottest star: red or blue?

Blue.

What do we call the temperature at which a substance changes from solid to liquid?

Melting point.

What do we call the temperature at which a substance changes from liquid to gas?

Boiling point.

When a substance is heated, if its temperature rises, what type of energy do its particles gain?

Kinetic energy.

What happens to the density of a fluid as it gets hot?

It decreases.

What happens to the density of a fluid as it cools down?

It increases.

What are the units of 'activity' for a radioisotope?

Becquerel (Bq).

What are the three types of ionising radiation?

Alpha, beta, gamma.

What is the structure of an alpha particle?

2 protons and 2 neutrons.

What is the structure of a beta particle?

1 electron.

Which type of ionising radiation is the most ionising?

Alpha.

Which type of ionising radiation is the most penetrating?

Gamma.

What do we call the average time it takes for half of the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay?

Half-life.

What type of ionising radiation is most commonly used for thickness monitoring?

Beta.

What is the penetrating ability of each type of ionising radiation in air?

Alpha – least penetrating; Beta – more penetrating; Gamma – most penetrating (unlimited).

What type of ionising radiation is most commonly used for tracers in medicine?

Gamma.

Which type of ionising radiation is most commonly used in household smoke detectors?

Alpha.

What do we call the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation?

Irradiation.

What do we call the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials?

Contamination.

What process splits large nuclei into two daughter nuclei and 2 or 3 neutrons?

Nuclear fission.

What process joins two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?

Nuclear fusion.

What is the difference between a vector and a scalar?

Vectors have magnitude and direction; scalars have magnitude only.

What are three examples of non-contact forces?

Gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic forces.

What type of force opposes the motion of an object?

Friction (or drag).

What are typical walking, running and cycling speeds?

Walking - 1.5 m/s; Running - 3 m/s; Cycling - 6 m/s.

What is the approximate speed of sound in air?

330 m/s.

What is the relationship between resultant force, mass and acceleration?

Resultant force = mass × acceleration.

What is the relationship between weight, mass and gravitational field strength?

Weight = mass × gravitational field strength.

What is the relationship between speed, distance and time?

Speed = distance / time.

How can you determine the speed from a distance-time graph?

Gradient = speed.

How can you determine the acceleration from a velocity-time graph?

Gradient = acceleration.

How can you determine the distance travelled from a velocity-time graph?

Area under the curve = distance travelled.

How can you determine the acceleration at a certain time?

Find the gradient of a tangent line from a velocity-time graph.

What are the units for acceleration?

m/s².

What are the units for momentum?

kg m/s.

What do we mean by the word 'vacuum' as used in a vacuum flask?

A region of space with no particles.

Why do birds ruffle their feathers when the weather is cold?

To trap air for insulation.

What do we call the frictional force experienced by an object falling through air?

Air resistance (or drag).

What is the term used to describe a falling object when the weight is balanced by the air resistance?

Terminal velocity.

What do we call the point on a force-extension graph when the graph begins to curve?

Limit of proportionality.

What is the relationship between thinking distance, braking distance and stopping distance?

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.

Which type of wave oscillates parallel to the direction of energy transfer?

Longitudinal.

Which type of wave oscillates perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer?

Transverse.

What is the definition of wave speed?

The distance travelled by the wave per second.

What is the definition of frequency?

The number of cycles per second.

Which electromagnetic wave is used to check luggage at an airport?

X-rays.

Which electromagnetic wave is used to tan the skin on a sun bed?

Ultraviolet.

Which electromagnetic wave can bounce off the ionosphere so is used to transmit information across a country?

Radio waves.

Which electromagnetic wave is emitted by a space satellite?

Microwaves.

Which electromagnetic wave is emitted by a mobile phone?

Microwaves.