1

Syllabus Summary for IGCSE-2 Physics (0625)

(2023-2025)

Topic 1: Motion, forces and energy

1 Time period(T) The time required to complete one Unit: seconds (s)
oscillation or cycle.
2 frequency (f) Frequency is the number of Unit: hertz (Hz)
oscillations/cycles produced by a
source per second.
Frequency = 1/Time period (f = 1/T)
3 For constant motion: v= S ‘v’ is the velocity in m/s, ‘S’ is the distance or
t displacement in meters and ‘t’ is the time in
v avg = Total distance /total time seconds
v avg =(v+u)/2 u is the initial velocity, v is the final velocity
4 For acceleration ‘a’ a= v-u also v=u+at u is the initial velocity, v is the final velocity
rate of change of velocity t and t is the time.
deceleration: rate of slowing down or decrease
in velocity per unit time
5 Graph Area of a rectangular shaped graph = In distance-time graph gradient of the graph
base × height. gives speed or velocity of the object.
Area of triangular shaped graph = In velocity-time graph the area under the
0.5 × base × height graph is the total distance covered by an
Gradient or slope=Rise/Run object.
Or. (Y2-Y1)/(X2-X1) In velocity-time graph gradient of the graph
gives acceleration.
6

7 Weight and mass W=m× g w is the weight in newton (N), m is the mass in
kg and g is acceleration due to gravity
g= 9.8 m/s2
8 Density ‘ρ’ in kg/m3 ρ=m/V m is the mass and V is the volume
g/cm3. g/dm3 an object floats: ρliquid is greater than ρobject
an objects Sinks: ρliquid is less than ρobject
9 Volume (cube or cuboid) , V= l×w×h L is length in meters, W is width in meters and
Volume (cylinder) in m3 h is height in meters
r is the radius & h is height
V=πr 2
h
 2

10 Force F in newton (N) F=m × a m is the mass in kg and a is the acceleration (F

is resultant force)
11 Terminal Velocity Weight of an object (downward) =Air resistance (upwards) , Resultant Force = 0
12 Scalar quantities are specified with Examples:
the magnitude or size alone Scalars: Distance, time, mass, speed, energy, temperature
Vector quantities are characterized
by the presence of both magnitude Vectors: Displacement, velocity, force, weight, momentum, acceleration, electric
as well as direction field strength, gravitational field strength
13 Two vectors acting in the same Two vectors acting in parallel but calculation or graphically, the resultant
direction (parallel) opposite directions of two vectors at right angle

For direction use:

Tan!=a/b
! = Tan-1(a/b)
14 Hooke’s Law F=k × x F is the force, x is the extension in meters
Stretching force is directly x=extended length – original or and k is the spring constant.
proportional to extension unstretched length

15 Momentum momentum = mass × velocity, m is the mass and v is the velocity

units: Kgm/s or gm/s or N-s p = mv
16 Law of conservation of momentum: Two objects collide and separate u1& u2 is the initial velocities, v1 & v2 is the
In the absence of external forces Sum ofMomentumbefore collision = Sum of final velocities
(such as friction), the total Momentumafter collision m1 & m2 are masses of the two objects
momentum of a system remains the (p1 + p2) before collision = (p1 + p2) after
collision m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2
same.
Two objects collide and stick together
Sum of Momentum before collision = Sum of
Momentum after collision
(p1 + p2) before collision = (p1 + p2) after
collision
m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+ m2) v
17 impulse impulse = Ft or impulse = mv – mu F is the force, u is the initial velocity, v is
units: Kgm/s or gm/s or N-s Ft = mv – mu the final velocity and t is the time.
18 Moment of a force in Nm. Moment of a force= F × ⊥d F is the force and d is the perpendicular
distance from the pivot
19 Law of moment & conditions of Sum of clockwise moments = Sum of anti-clockwise moments
equilibrium: Σ(F1 × ⊥d1)=Σ( F2×⊥ d2)
Sum of upward forces= Sum of downward forces
20 Motion in a circular path As direction is continuously Required Centripetal Force will :
(Centripetal Force) changing so velocity is changing Increase when mass increases
hence the object is accelerating Increase when velocity increases
Directions: Increase when radius decreases
Force & Acceleration: always
towards the center
Velocity: at right angle to the circle
 3

21 Center of gravity/center of mass Center of gravity of an object is the The objects will be stable as long as
point at which the whole weight of • line of action of the objects lies
the object seems to act. within the base of the object.
(Vertical line drawn from the
Incase of uniform ruler or rod center of gravity should fall with
weight is always in the center in the base of support)
• The object should have a wider
base
• Center of gravity of the object
should be as low as possible

22 Work done W joules (J) W=F× d F is the force and d is the distance
covered by an object in the direction of
force
23 Kinetic Energy K.E in joules (J) K.E=1 ×m×v2 m is the mass(kg) and v is the velocity
2 (m/s)

24 Potential Energy P.E in joules (J) P.E=m ×g×h m is the mass (kg) and g is the
acceleration due to gravity and h is the
height from the ground.
25 Law of conservation of energy Loss of P.E=Gain in K.E h= v2/2g
m ×g×h = = 1 ×m×v2 v=(2gh)1/2
2 Radiation from the Sun is the main source
of energy for all our energy resources
except geothermal, nuclear and tidal
26 Power in watts (W) P=Work done or Power is the rate of doing work
Time taken
Energy transfer
Time taken
27 (%) efficiency (%) efficiency =
(useful energy output) (× 100%)
(total energy input)

(%) efficiency =
(useful power output) (× 100%)
(total power input)
28 Pressure p in pascal (Pa) p =F/A F is the force in newton(N) and A is the
area in m2
29 Pressure p due to liquids p= ρ×g×h ρ is the density in kg/m3, g is the
acceleration due to gravity and h is the
height or depth of liquid in meters.

Thermal Physics
1 Pressure and volume pV=constant p1 and p2 are the two pressures in Pa and V1
relationship (Boyle’s law) and V2 are the two volumes in m3
(Boyle’slaw) p1 × V1 = p2 × V2
 4

2 Pressure Law For a fixed mass of gas, at a constant

volume, the pressure (p) is directly
proportional to the absolute
temperature (T).
3 Charles Law For a fixed mass of gas, at a constant
pressure, the volume (V) is directly
proportional to the absolute temperature
(T).

4 Specific Heat Capacity: SHC = E… SHC is the specific heat capacity in J/kgoC, E
The amount of heat m× Δθ is the total heat in joules (J),
required to raise the m is the mass in kg and
temperature of 1 kg mass Δθ is the change in temperature
by 1oC.
5 Conversion of
temperatures between T (in K) = θ (in °C) + 273
kelvin and degrees Celsius

6 absolute zero, where the (−273 °C) there is a lowest possible temperature (−273
particles have least kinetic °C), known as absolute zero, where the
particles have least kinetic energy
7 Fixed points of a Lower fixed point
thermometer the melting point 0 oC of a mixture of
pure ice and water.
Upper fixed point
the boiling point 100 oC from a steam of
pure boiling water at normal atmospheric
pressure.
8 Evaporation process in which the most energetic Factors that affect:
particles from the surface of the liquid The temperature of the liquid
turns into vapor. When the particles The surface area of the liquid
escape the average energy of the particles The wind speed
reduces and so the liquid starts to cool
down.
9 Thermal or heat transfer In solid => conduction
process In liquid and gas => convection and also
convection current
In vacuum => radiation
10 Emitters and Radiators Dull black surface = good emitter of
radiation, good radiator, bad reflector of
radiation
Bright shiny surface = poor emitter, poor
radiator, good reflector of radiation
11 Conductors &Insulators Conductors Insulators
are materials that permit electrons to flow are materials that impede the free flow of
freely from particle to particle electrons from atom to atom and molecule to
examples: copper, silver, aluminum molecule
examples: wood, glass, plastic
 5

Waves, light and sound

1 Wave length (lambda λ) Distance between two consecutive crests Unit: m, cm, micrometers, Km
or two consecutive troughs.
2 Amplitude is the maximum displacement from mean Unit: m, cm, micrometers
position or distance of points on a wave
measured from its equilibrium position

3 Time Period (T). Time require to complete one oscillation Unit: s

(T=1/f) or cycle.

4 Frequency (f) (f=1/T) Number of oscillations or cycles Number of oscillations or cycles completed in
completed in one sec.s one sec.
Unit: Hz or (per sec)
5 Wave equation v=f×λ
v = λ/T
6 Wave fronts

1.Longitudinal
7 Waves In a longitudinal wave, the oscillation of the
7 particle in a medium is parallel to the direction of
the wave propagation

2.Transverse
7 Waves A transverse wave is a wave in which the
8 oscillation of the particles in a medium is at right
angles to the direction of the wave propagation.

3.Seismic
9 waves Seismic waves are waves of energy that travel
9 through Earth’s layers, and are a result of
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, magma
movement, large landslides and large man-made
explosions

Primary Waves(P-Wave) Secondary Waves(S-Wave)

Fast moving longitudinal seismic waves Slow moving transverse seismic
waves
10 Laws of reflection Angle of incidence i = angel of reflection (<i =<r)
Incident ray, reflected ray and the normal all lie on the same plane
 6

11 Refraction From lighter to denser medium → light

bend towards the normal(<r will be
small)

From denser to lighter medium →light

bend away from the normal (<r will be
large)
12 Refractive index n n= (sin∠i) /(sin ∠r) to find the angle of refraction in more dense
medium n= (sin∠i) /(sin ∠r)
to find the angle of refraction in less dense
medium 1/n = (sin∠i) /(sin ∠r)
13 Refractive index n n=(speed of light in air or vacuum)/ Refractive index has no units it’s a ratio
(speed of light in medium) between two similar quantities.
14 Refractive index n n = 1/(sin c)
15 Image from a plane Virtual, upright, same size and laterally inverted, same distance from the mirror inside
mirror
16 Critical angle The critical angle is defined as the angle
of incidence that provides an angle of
refraction of 90-degrees. The light will be
refracted so that it goes along the surface
of the material.
17 Total internal When the angle of incidence of the light
reflection(TIR) ray is greater than the critical angle then
no refraction takes place. Instead, All the
light is reflected back into the denser
material. This is called Total Internal
Reflection(TIR).
<i =<r

Condition- 1.The light must be going from Condition- 2.The angle of incidence must be
a more dense medium towards a less greater than the critical angle.
dense medium.
18 Image from a convex lens When between F and optical center:
virtual, enlarge, upright
Example:magnifying glass
When between F & 2F: real, larger,
upside down(inverted) Example:projector
When at 2F: real, same size, upside
down(inverted). Example:photocopier
When beyond 2F: real, smaller, upside
down(inverted) Example:camera
19 Short-sightedness A person with short sight can see closeup
objects clearly but cannot form a clear
image of distant objects.
To correct this a diverging lens is used to
make the rays from the distant object
diverge. The eye is then able to form
a focused image.
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20 Long-sightedness A person with long sight can see distant

objects clearly but cannot form a clear
image of close objects.
To correct this a converging lens is used
to make the rays converge, allowing the
eye lens to form a focused image of close
objects.

21 Electromagnetic Spectrum

EM waves are transverse

waves that transfer energy
from the source of the
waves to an absorber.
They all travel with the
speed of light (3 x 108
m/s)

22 Typical uses and harms Uses Harms

radio waves; radio and television Radio waves: ; internal heating of body tissues
transmissions, blue tooth, astronomy, radio microwaves; internal heating of body cells
frequency identification (RFID) infrared; skin burns
microwaves; satellite television, mobile
visible: Bright visible light in into eyes can
phones (cell phones), microwave ovens
infrared; electric grills, short range
harm eyes
communications such as remote controllers ultraviolet; damage to surface cells and eyes,
for televisions, intruder alarms, thermal leading to skin cancer and eye conditions
imaging, optical fibres premature aging
visible light; vision, photography, X-rays and gamma rays; mutation or damage
illumination, optical fibres to cells in the body
ultraviolet; security marking, detecting fake
bank notes, sterilising water
X-rays; medical scanning, security scanners
gamma rays; sterilising food and medical
equipment, detection of cancer and its
treatment
23 Communications with Geostationary satellites are used for radio
Satellites and telecommunication broadcasting around
Geostationary satellites the world due to its high orbit
and polar orbiting (low Polar Satellites are used for monitoring the
weather, military applications, and taking
orbit) satellites are both
images of the Earth’s surface. The signals and
used for communicating images are much clearer due to the lower
information orbit however, there is limited use in any one
orbit because more than one satellites are
required for continuous operation
24 Dispersion: Splitting of .Colours of visible spectrum (light) VIBGYOR (from bottom-top) or ROYGBIV (from top-
white light in to its seven bottom)
colours Higher frequency more refraction or bending/more slowing down into the denser
medium.(Red has lowest frequency so least bending)
 8

25 Monochromatic light Visible light of single frequency

26 Speed of light In air: 3×108m/s
27 Sound wave are Longitudinal waves show areasof compression and rarefaction:
longitudinal waves compressions are regions of high pressure due to particles being close together
created by vibrating rarefactions are regions of low pressure due to particles being spread further apart
sources. A medium is
needed to transmit sound
waves.

28 Echo v=2×d
t
29 Properties of sound waves The Pitch of a sound is related to Ultrasound Sound having frequency
the frequency higher than 20,000 Hz Or above the
(Greater frequency = higher pitch) audible frequency of human

30 Speed of sound waves Audible Frequency Range The Loudness of a sound is related to the
(v=d/t) Lowest audible frequency: 20Hz wave’s amplitude
Air : 330-360 m/s (Greater amplitude = louder sound)
Water: 1500 m/s Highest audible frequency:
Concrete : 5000 m/s 20,000Hz or 20KHz
Steel: 6000 – 7000 m/s

31 Analogue and digital Analogue Signals Digital Signals

signals Continuous signals (varies in frequency and Discrete signals (consists of series of
A sound can be amplitude continuously) pulses which are either on or off)
transmitted as a digital or Human voice, natural sound, analogue Computers, optical drives, and other
analogue signal. electronic devices are a few examples electronic devices
The benefits of digital signaling includes
increased rate of transmission of data
and increased range due to accurate
signal regeneration
32 Diffraction is the spreading Gap is inversely related to diffraction
out of waves when they pass • Wider gap less diffraction or
through a gap spreading
• Narrow gap more diffraction
Diffraction is the most prominent when
the width of the slit is approximately
.
gap smaller than the
equal to the wavelength
wavelength(more spreading
or diffraction)
 9

Wavelength is directly related to Diffraction due to an edge

diffraction
• Small wavelength less diffraction
• Big wavelength more diffraction

Electricity and Magnetism

1 Ferrous or magnetic Ferrous or magnetic materials are Common magnetic materials include:
materials attracted by magnet and can be Iron, Steel, Nickel and Cobalt
magnetized

2 Hard & Soft Materials Magnetically soft materials (e.g. Iron & Magnetically hard materials (e.g. Steel is hard
nickel) are easy to magnetise and to magnetise and .demagnetise
demagnetise. Permanent magnets are made out of
Electromagnets are made out of magnetically hard materials, as we don’t want
magnetically soft materials, as we want them to lose their magnetism.
them to be able to easily gain and lose
their magnetism
3 Magnetic field

4 Magnetisation Method ‘Stroke’ method Electrical method using a DC

The steel bar/magnetic material is stroked When a large direct current(DC) is passed
with the same pole of the permanent through the solenoid, the unmagnetised steel
magnet from one end to the other end in bar will become magnetized after a while. The
one direction several times pole of the magnetized steel bar is determined
by Right Hand Grip Rule.
 10

5 Demagnetisation Method 1.Heating a piece of magnetised metal in a flame with magnet lying East-west direction
2.When a magnet is hammered with magnet lying East-west direction ,the vibrations caused
by the impact on the magnet randomize the magnetic molecules within the magnet, forcing
them out of order .
3.Electrical Method using an Alternative Current (a.c)
Connect the solenoid to an alternating current (a.c) supply. Place the magnet inside the
solenoid Switch on a.c supply. Slowly withdraw the magnet in East-West direction until it
is some distance away from the solenoid while a.c. current still on or slowly reduce the
current to zero.
6 The law of attraction and
Same/like/similar charges repel each other and
repulsion between
unlike/opposite/different charges attract each other.
electrostatic charges
7 The region around a charged particle within which a force would be exerted on other
Electric field
charged particles.
8

The direction of an
electric field at a point is
the direction of the force
on a positive charge at
that point.

9 Charging by contact When two materials are rubbed together loosely attached electrons transfer from the
surface of the material to the other.One of the rubbing material must be an insulator.
10 Electrostatic Induction Is a method to generate static electricity in a material by bringing an electrically charged
object near it. This causes the electrical charges to be redistributed in the material,
resulting in one side having an excess of either positive (+) or negative (−) charges.
11 Earthing: If object is negatively charged then taking If it is positively charged then make it gain
Earthing or grounding its electrons electrons
means making objects
neutral or uncharged

12 Current: Rate of flow of I=Q/t Unit for Charge(Q): Coulomb C

electrons in a conductor Unit for Current (I): Ampere A
13 Current In circuits the current always choose the easiest path (with least resistance).
Conventional direction of current is positive to negative terminal of the battery but
electrons flow from negative to positive terminal of the battery. Electrons are repelled from
negative terminal so their direction is opposite to conventional current direction
 11

14 Direct Current(DC) Alternating Current(AC)

Flow of electron in one Flow of electron in both directions of an
direction only. AC power supply

15 Electromotive Force Emf = _Work done by source__ Emf = _W__

(e.m.f.) charge Q
Unit: Volts (V)
1V=1J/C
16 Potential difference or Emf = _Work done by charge__ V = _W__
Voltage charge Q
Unit: Volts (V)
1V=1J/C
17 Cells connected in series When cells are connected in series , the total voltage across them is the sum of the voltage
of each cell.
18 Cells connected in When cells are connected in parallel , the total voltage across them is the same as that of
parallel the voltage of single cell.
19 Ohms law At constant temperature Voltage across
the resistor is directly proportional to
current,
V=IR

20 Voltage Energy per unit charge Unit: Volts (V)

V=E/Q 1V=1J/C
21 Resistance is directly proportional to the R is resistance in ohms (Ω)
Resistance length of conductor(R ∝ L) R ∝ 1/d2
Resistance is inversely proportional to the d=diameter
area of the conductor(R ∝ 1/A)
R ∝ 1/r2
22 Electrical Energy, work Power = Electrical energy or work =E/t Power dissipation
and power time Power loss = I2R
P= Vx I Power loss = V2/R
W or E = P x t = V x I x t Unit of power is watt(W) & Unit of energy is
Work = Charge x Voltage Joule(J)
W=QxV
23 Measuring Energy Usage E = energy (kWh), P = power (kW)&t = 1 kWh= 1000w x 3600s
Kilowatt-hour time (h) Cost = power × time × cost of 1kWh
E = Pxt
24 Circuit In series circuit→ the current stays the In parallel circuit → the voltage stays the
same there is only one path for the flow of same and current divides there is more than
electric current and voltage one path for the flow of electric current
divides(V=V1+V2+V3) (I=I1+I2+I3)
25 Resistance in series R=R1 + R2 + R3 In case of identical resistors
Rc=nR (where n is the number of resistors)
 or earth or ground

12
supply junction of conductors

wer supply + – lamp

26 Resistance in parallel For two resistors:R=(R1× R2)/( R1 + R2) In case of identical resistors
wer supply motor M Rc =R/n (where n is the number of resistors)

esistor generator G
27 Variable Resistor An electronic component that is used to vary the amount of current that flows through a
e resistor ammeter
circuit. A

28 Filament lamp The current through a filament lamp is

Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment

stor voltmeter not directly proportional V to the potential

difference. As the current increases, the
ependent
diode temperature
Electrical symbols of the filament in the lamp
r
increases. Since the filament is a metal,
thecellhigher temperature causes an increase
light-emitting diode switch
in resistance.
29 Thermistor: a temperature
tial divider
battery of cells
Cambridge IGCSE Physicsfuse
0625 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment
-dependent resistor
As the or earth or ground
ormer
temperature increases relay thecoil
rical symbolsresistance of
etising coil
thermistor decreases and
power supply junction of conductors
vice versa switch

30 Diode: a component that

y of cells d.c. power supply + – lamp
only allows a current in Light Emitting Diode (LED)
age 47
one direction also called earth
aor groundwww.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse
a.c. power supply motor M
LED is a types of diodes that emits light
or
rectifier
fixed resistor generator G

supply variable resistor

junction of conductors ammeter A

wer supply + – lamp

thermistor voltmeter V
wer supply motor M

31 Light Dependent Resistor light-dependent

diode
esistor generator G
(LDR) resistor
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus for 2020 and 2021. Appendix
The resistance of an LDR
e resistor A
changes depending on ammeter heater light-emitting diode

the light intensity on it

stor As the light voltmeter potential divider V fuse divider
potential oscilloscope

intensity increases the

ependent resistance of an diode transformer
relay coil
relay coil
AND gate
r
LDR decreases and vice
versa magnetising coil
light-emitting diode
transformer OR gate

32 Potential divider A potential divider splits the potential diode V1 = R1 NAND gate

ial divider fuse

difference of a power source between two V 2. R2
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Details of the assessment

components light-emitting
diode
NOR gate

33 Electrical hazards
relay Back
Damaged
coil to contents page
insulation,Overheating of cables and excessive current,
xidneppA .1202 dna 0202 rof suballys 5260 scisyhP ESCGI egdirbmaC
Damp
47
conditions
ormer Electrical symbols www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse
34 Electrical Safety Double insulation this means they have Fuse
fuse
When current NOT gate
cell switch
tising coil a plastic insulating case and therefore do exceeds its design rating value. The wire will
battery of cells
not require an earth wire connect to them overheat and epocsollicso thus
melt, redivid laitnetop

or earth or ground
opening the electrical circuit.
Earthing appliances with metal cases etag DNA lioc yaler

age usually contain an earth 47wire. If there is a

www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse
Circuit breaker or trip switch forces a
power supply
fault in the appliance, a large current flows circuit to openeta(switch-off)
junction of conductors
g RO
when an extremelyremrofsnart
d.c. power supply + – from the live wire to the earth wire.
lamp high level of current flows through the circuit
a.c. power supply M motor
Always choose e t a g DNappropriate
AN fuse ratings and trip edoid
fixed resistor G generator
switch settings.
gnittime-thgil
etag RON
edoid
variable resistor ammeter A

thermistor voltmeter V etag TON esuf

light-dependent
diode
resistor
pply junction of conductors

13
r supply + – lamp

35 Magnetic effects of Field around a wire Every electric current

r supply current creates a magnetic
motor field around it. M
The magnetic field lines form concentric
circles around the wire.
stor The direction ofgenerator
the field is given by the G
right-hand grip rule
The strength and direction of the
field depend on the size and direction of the
esistor current. ammeter A

36 The magnetic field around How can you increase the magnetic field
a solenoid looks the same strength of a solenoid?
or as the magnetic field 1. Increasing the current flow
voltmeter V
around a bar magnet: 2. Increasing the number of
coils/curls/turns of wire
3. Using a soft iron
endent 4. Decreasing the length of the solenoid
diode

37 Relay A relay is a device which uses a low current

light-emitting
circuit to switch diode
a high current circuit on or
off. For example, a very big relay is used in
cars for switching the starter motor,
because it draws a very big current
divider fuse

switch

mer relay coil

38 The Motor Effect

earth or ground
The force on the wire is increased if:
When the current carrying • The current is increased
ing coil
wire is placed at right • A stronger magnet is used
angle to the magnetic field • The length of the wire in the field is
then it will experience a increased
electric bell
force at right angles to The direction of this force depends on:
both the current direction • The direction of the Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
buzzer
and field lines. magnetic field
• The direction of the
microphone current. www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 47
• Reversing either of the above will
loudspeaker
reverse the direction of the force.

39
motor M The current creates a magneticfield around
DC Motor the coil,
turning effect Gor force can which interacts/cut the field of the magnets,
generator
be increased by: exerting a force on the coil,
Increasing the current in in accordance with the Fleming’s left-hand
ammeter the coil. A rule.This pushes one side of the coil up and
the other side down, causing it to spin.
Increasing the strength of The commutator:
voltmeter V
the magnetic field. Reverses the direction of the current in the
coil every half turn.
galvanometer This reverses the direction of the forces,
Adding more turns to the which keeps the coil spinning.
coil.

Back to contents page

 14

40 Electromagnetic When the magnet is moved “towards” the

Induction coil, the pointer will deflect away from its
When there is a relative centre position in one direction only.
movement between the When the magnet stops moving and is held
conductor and a magnetic stationary the needle of the galvanometer
field, EMF is induced. returns back to zero as there is no physical
movement of the magnetic field.
When the magnet is moved “away” from the
coil in the other direction, the needle of the
galvanometer deflects in the opposite
direction with regards to the first indicating
a change in polarity.
41 Factors Affecting the Induced EMF will increase by:
magnitude of induced Moving the wire (or magnet) faster.
EMF Using a stronger magnet (increasing the
number of field lines).
Adding more turns to a coil (assuming a
coil is being used, and not just a wire).
42 Lenz’s Law ” the direction of an induced emf always
opposes the change in the circuit or
magnetic field that produces it”

43 Fleming’s Right Hand

Rule

44 AC Generator .
As the coil rotates, it cuts through the
G
magnetic field lines. This induces an
EMF between the end of the coil(which can
A.C. generator is an then create a current).
electromagnetic device Slip rings, attached to the ends of the coil,
whichAtransforms transfer the current to metal brushes whilst
mechanical energy into allowing the coil to rotate freely.
electrical energy Each ring is connected to one end of the coil
wire and is electrically connected to the
external circuit via the conductive carbon
V brushes
45 The size of this EMF can The induced EMF is greatest when the coil
be increased by: is horizontal, as in this position it cuts
Turning the coil faster through the field at the fastest rate.
The EMF is smallest when the coil is
Increasing the strength of vertical, as in this position it will not be
the magnetic field cutting through field lines.

Adding more turns to the

coil.
Back to contents page
us
potential divider oscilloscope

relay coil AND gate

15 Supplement
composition
46 transformer
Transformer
of the nucleus in terms
When an alternating current is supplied to
the primary coil, a changing magnetic field
OR gate
Step-down transformer

nd neutrons
A transformer is an
diode
electrical device that can
is produced by the primary coil.
This magnetic field passes through the soft NAND gate

be used to increase or iron core and through the secondary coil.

decrease the voltage of an
light-emitting
diode
alternating current.
NORand
secondary coil Describe the pro
The changing magnetic field cuts the
gate induces an EMF. 6
This EMF is also alternating and has the

47 fuse
The Transformer NOT gate
nuclear fusion as
same frequency as the original current.
If a transformer is 100% efficient:
Equation
to include the nu
48
description of m
Electricity is transmitted at high voltage and supplied to homes and buildings at low voltage.

Reducing the current can create huge reductions in energy lost to the surroundings throughvalues
2
Heat energy wastage through electrical resistance is proportional to the square of the current, P = I R.
resistance.

ative charges of protons, Nuclear Physics

neutrons
1 Atomic model An atom is electrically neutral when number Neutron 01n Electron-10e
s as +1, 0 and –1 respectively
of electrons = number of protons
Proton 11p
2
Ion: Atoms can lose or if an atom loses one or more electrons, it The process of gaining and loosing electrons is

erms proton number (atomic 7 Know the relatio

gain electrons to form becomes a positively charged ion called ionization.
charged particles if an atom gains one or more electrons, it
called ions. becomes a negatively charged ion
nd3 nucleon number (mass number) A
scattering of alpha (α)
particles by a sheet of thin
Observation
1. Most of the alpha particles did pass 1.
number and the
Conclusion
The atom being mostly empty space.

to calculate the number of neutrons

metal straight through the foil
2. A small number of alpha particles
2. There is a concentration of positive
charge in the atom, so the positive
were deflected by large angles (> alpha particles were being repelled by
40°) as they passed through the foil the positive charges.
3. A very small number of alpha 3. The positive charge and mass are
particles came straight back off the
8 Know the relatio
concentrated in a tiny volume inside
foil. the atom.
ack to contents page www.cambridgeinternational.org/igcse 33

number and the

4 A Mass Number/Nucleon Number (A):A = Number of neutron (N) = A - Z
ide notation
Atomic Notation ZX
number of protons + number of neutrons
Atomic Number (Z):
A β-particle is emitted from nucleus of an atom
when a neutron changes into a proton.
• Z = number of protons
is meant by an isotope and state 15

37 Uranium-235 can undergo nuclear fission in many ways.

• Z = number of electrons

ent may have more

5 Nuclear Fission.
A 1
0n 92
than
56
into two one
36
isotope
The process of splitting up of a heavy
Which equation correctly shows a possible fission reaction for uranium-235?

nucleus lighter nuclei

+ 235U → 141Ba + 92Kr +
is known 301n
as nuclear fission
1 + 235U → 91Sr + 144Xe +
B
0n 92 38 54 201n The energy released can pass on to other
1 + 235U → 95Rb + 136Cs + 301n
components in the nuclear reactor, which
0n
C
92 37 55
is used to heat water to drive the turbines
D 1
0n
+ 235U → 87Br + 146La +
92 35 57 401n that turn the generators.
38 A radioactive material has a half-life of 20 days.

A sample of the material contains 8.0 × 1010 atoms.

How many atomic nuclei have decayed after 60 days?

A 1.0 × 1010 B 4.0 × 1010 C 6.0 × 1010 D 7.0 × 1010

39 A thin sheet of paper is placed between a radioactive source and a radiation detector. The count
rate falls to a very low reading.

paper

detector

counter
source
 16

6 Nuclear Fusion The process of joining of two (small)

light nuclei together to make one heavy
nucleus is called Nuclear Fusion.
Fusion reactions occur in stars where two
hydrogen nuclei fuse together under high
temperatures and pressure to form a
nucleus of a helium isotope.
7 Radioactive Decay: Random Spontaneous
radioactive decay is a It is not possible to say when a particular It occurs all of a sudden in a radioactive nucleus
change in an unstable nucleus will decay. It may happen without on its own and cannot be controlled by external
nucleus that can result in any pattern. conditions like temperature and pressure.
the emission of α-particles
or β-particles and/or &-
radiation
8 Background Radiation Background radiation is the radiation from 1. radon gas (in the air)
the environment to which we are exposed all 2. rocks and buildings
the time. 3. food and drink
This exposure comes from a mixture of
natural and man-made sources.
4. cosmic rays
5. medical

9 Alpha (') Beta (() Gamma ())

Helium nucleus (2P+2n) High energy electron Electromagnetic radiation /No Mass
Have charge +2 Have charge -1(1 e-) Have charge 0
Speed 3x107 m/s Speed 2.9x108 m/s Speed 3x108 m/s
Low penetrating power Moderate penetrating power High penetrating power
High ionizing power Moderate ionizing power Low ionizing power
5-6 cm range in air Approx. few meters range in air Much farther/Infinite in air
Can be stopped by Can be stopped by plastic/glass/thin Can be stopped by lead/concrete
paper/skin Al(2mm) Cannot be deflected by electric and magnetic
Can be deflected by electric and magnetic field
Can be deflected by
field
electric and magnetic field
10

11 Uses of radiation Beta (() Gamma ())

Alpha (') • Industrial Tracers • Kill bacteria by sterilization
• Quality control
 17

• Smoke detectors Cancer treatment, Medical field/tracers in

medicine
•
• Food irradiation/preservation
• Leakage detection

12 Half life is the time taken

by half of the unstable
nuclei in a sample to
decay.
The values of half-lives
can vary from a fraction
of a second (highly
unstable) to millions of
years (relatively much
more stable)

13 Background Radiation • Always keep a safe distance from the

Always start by measuring source which emit radiation. Never
background radiation bring them close to the eyes to observe. Use
(with no sources present) safety glasses/goggles.
– this is called • Radiation from a nuclear reactor should
your background count. be shielded by thick concrete walls.
Then carry out your • Radioactive samples in the lab must be
experiment. kept in a locked lead container.
Subtract the background • People who work with radioactive
sources must wear a radiation badge,
count from each of your
which monitors the level of radiation absorbed
readings, in order to give
in their bodies.
a corrected count.
• Avoid direct contact with the radioactive
14 Safety Precautions from Radiation are very harmful for life. They source by using forceps, tongs and
Radioactive Materials can cause mutations in living organisms gloves.
(damage cells and tissue). • Wear protective clothing (Lead Apron,
There are many safety precautions to safety glasses and gloves)
minimize the dangers from radiations. • Remote operating scanners should be
used so that the distance between the
source and operator could increase.
 18

Space Physics
Hard copy of the handouts provided
Soft copy uploaded on Microsoft Teams--->Class Materials