697209-2026-2028-syllabus

Speed: Defined as distance travelled per unit time.
- Use the equation: v = s/t.
Velocity: Speed in a given direction.
Average Speed: Calculated using the equation: average speed = total distance travelled / total time taken.
Graphs:
- Sketch, plot, and interpret distance-time and speed-time graphs.
Motion Analysis: Determine from data/graphs:
- (a) At rest
- (b) Moving with constant speed
- (c) Accelerating
- (d) Decelerating
Calculating Speed from Graphs: Determine speed from the gradient of straight-line sections of distance-time graphs.
Area under Graph: Calculate the area under speed-time graph to find distance travelled for constant speed or acceleration.
Acceleration of Free Fall: Approximate constant value near Earth's surface: g ≈ 9.8 m/s².
Acceleration: Defined as change in velocity per unit time with the equation: a = ∆v/∆t.
Acceleration Analysis: Using speed-time graphs, identify:
- (a) Constant acceleration
- (b) Changing acceleration
Gradient of Speed-Time Graphs: Calculate acceleration from the gradient.
Deceleration: Recognized as negative acceleration for calculations.
Falling Objects: Describe motion in a uniform gravitational field with/without resistance, including terminal velocity.

Mass: Measure of the quantity of matter in an object at rest relative to the observer.
Weight: Gravitational force on an object with mass.
Gravitational Field Strength: Defined as force per unit mass, with the equation: g = W/m (equivalent to acceleration of free fall).
Weight Comparison: Weights and masses can be compared using a balance.
Weight Concept: Effect of a gravitational field on mass.

Density: Defined as mass per unit volume, use the equation: ρ = m/V.
Density Determination: Methods to determine density for:
- Liquid
- Regularly shaped solid
- Irregularly shaped solid (volume by displacement).
Floating and Sinking: Determine whether an object floats based on density data.
Comparative Density of Liquids: Determine whether one liquid will float on another given their densities.

Forces Effects: Forces can change the size and shape of an object.
Load-Extension Graphs: Sketch, plot, and interpret load-extension graphs for elastic solids.
Resultant Forces: Calculate the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same line.
Newton's First Law: An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a resultant force.
Resultant Force and Velocity: A resultant force can change velocity by altering speed/direction.
Spring Constant: Defined as force per unit extension; equation: k = F/x.
Limit of Proportionality: Understand and identify the limit of proportionality on load-extension graphs.
Newton's Second Law: Recall and use the equation: F = ma (force and acceleration directed the same).
Circular Motion: Describe motion in a circular path due to perpendicular force, noting:
- (a) Speed increases as force increases with constant mass and radius.
- (b) Radius decreases if force increases with constant mass and speed.
- (c) Increased mass requires increased force to maintain speed/radius.

Moment of a Force: Measure of its turning effect; daily examples provided.
Moment Equation: Defined as moment = force × perpendicular distance from pivot.
Principle of Moments: Apply to situations with equal forces around a pivot (e.g., balancing beams).
Equilibrium: No resultant force or moment indicates an object is in equilibrium.

Centre of Gravity: Defined as the average position of weight distribution in an object.
Identifying Centre of Gravity: Experiment to find the centre of gravity of irregularly shaped plane lamina.
Stability: Effects of the centre of gravity on the stability of objects described qualitatively.

Momentum: Defined as mass times velocity with the equation: p = mv.
Impulse: Defined as force times the time for which the force acts, equations: impulse = F∆t = ∆(mv).
Conservation of Momentum: Apply to solve simple problems in one dimension.
Resultant Force: Change in momentum per unit time, equation: F = ∆p/∆t.

Types of Energy: Kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear, electrostatic, and internal (thermal).
Energy Transfer: Describes energy transfer between stores via forces, electrical currents, heating, and waves.
Conservation of Energy: Principle illustrated through examples, including flow diagrams.
Kinetic Energy Equation: E_k = 1/2 mv².
Gravitational Potential Energy Change: ∆E_p = mg∆h.
Conservation in Complex Systems: Apply conservation of energy principle to complex examples, including Sankey diagrams.

Energy Generation: Useful energy generation from:
- Fossil fuels (chemical energy)
- Biofuels (chemical energy)
- Hydroelectricity (energy from water, tides, waves)
- Geothermal resources
- Nuclear fuel
- Solar energy (light and thermal).
Advantages/Disadvantages: Discuss renewability, availability, reliability, scale, and environmental impact.
Efficiency: Understand the concept of efficiency in energy transfer.
Main Energy Source: Radiation from the Sun as the main source of energy, except for geothermal, nuclear, and tidal.
Nuclear Fusion: Research ongoing into using nuclear fusion for large-scale energy production.
Efficiency Equations:
- (a) % efficiency = (useful energy output / total energy input) × 100%
- (b) % efficiency = (useful power output / total power input) × 100%

Power Definition: Defined as work done per unit time or energy transferred per unit time.
- Use the equations:
- (a) P = W/t
- (b) P = ∆E/t.

Pressure Definition: Defined as force per unit area, with the equation: p = F/A.
Pressure Variation: Describing how pressure varies with force and area with practical examples.
Depth and Density: Qualitative understanding of pressure changes with depth and liquid density.
Pressure Change Equation: Recall and use: ∆p = ρg∆h.

Distinguishing Properties: Properties that distinguish solids, liquids, and gases are known.
Change of State Terms: Knowledge of terms for changes between states of matter (excluding gas to solid and solid to gas transfers).