Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) Syllabus

Physics (0625) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physics (0625) in Cambridge IGCSE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Motion, Forces and Energy

   5 topics

   • Describing motion
     • Speed, velocity and acceleration
     • Distance-time and speed-time graphs
     • Acceleration of free fall
   • Forces and their effects
     • Newton's laws of motion
     • Resultant forces and equilibrium
     • Friction and air resistance
   • Turning effects and momentum
     • Moments and the principle of moments
     • Centre of mass and stability
     • Momentum and impulse
   • Energy, work and power
     • Energy stores and transfers
     • Kinetic and gravitational potential energy
     • Efficiency and energy resources
   • Pressure
     • Pressure in solids
     • Pressure in liquids and gases
2. 2

   Thermal Physics

   3 topics

   • Kinetic particle model
     • States of matter and particle arrangement
     • Brownian motion and gas pressure
   • Thermal properties
     • Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
     • Specific heat capacity
     • Specific latent heat and changes of state
   • Transfer of thermal energy
     • Conduction
     • Convection
     • Radiation and its applications
3. 3

   Waves

   4 topics

   • General properties of waves
     • Transverse and longitudinal waves
     • Wavelength, frequency and the wave equation
     • Reflection, refraction and diffraction
   • Light
     • Reflection in plane mirrors
     • Refraction and refractive index
     • Total internal reflection and lenses
   • Electromagnetic spectrum
     • Regions and properties of the spectrum
     • Uses and dangers of EM radiation
   • Sound
     • Production and transmission of sound
     • Speed of sound and ultrasound
4. 4

   Electricity and Magnetism

   4 topics

   • Static and current electricity
     • Charging by friction and electric fields
     • Current, charge and electromotive force
   • Circuits
     • Series and parallel circuits
     • Resistance and Ohm's law
     • Potential difference and energy in circuits
   • Electrical safety and energy
     • Fuses, circuit breakers and earthing
     • Electrical power and energy cost
   • Magnetism and electromagnetism
     • Magnetic fields and electromagnets
     • Motor effect and electromagnetic induction
     • Transformers
5. 5

   Nuclear and Space Physics

   4 topics

   • Atomic structure
     • The nuclear model of the atom
     • Isotopes and nuclide notation
   • Radioactivity
     • Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
     • Half-life and decay
     • Safety and uses of radioactivity
   • Earth and the Solar System
     • Earth, Sun and Moon motion
     • The Solar System and orbits
   • Stars and the Universe
     • Life cycle of stars
     • Galaxies, redshift and the Big Bang

Physics (0625) flashcards for Cambridge IGCSE

24 of 72 cards from the Physics (0625) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define speed and state its equation in terms of distance and time.

   Speed is the distance travelled per unit time. $$\text{speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}} \quad v = \frac{s}{t}$$ measured in $\text{m/s}$.

2. What is the difference between speed and velocity?

   Speed is a scalar (magnitude only); velocity is a vector (speed in a stated direction). Velocity is the rate of change of displacement.

3. State the equation for acceleration.

   Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. $$a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} = \frac{v - u}{t}$$ measured in $\text{m/s}^2$, where $u$ is initial and $v$ is final velocity.

4. On a distance–time graph, what does the gradient (slope) represent? What about a horizontal line?

   The gradient equals the speed. A horizontal (flat) line means the object is stationary; a steeper line means a greater speed.

5. On a speed–time graph, what do the gradient and the area under the line represent?

   The gradient equals the acceleration; the area under the line equals the distance travelled.

6. State the approximate acceleration of free fall $g$ near the Earth's surface.

   $$g \approx 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2 \quad (\text{often taken as } 10\ \text{m/s}^2)$$ directed downwards.

7. What is meant by terminal velocity?

   The constant maximum velocity reached by a falling object when the upward drag (air resistance) equals the downward weight, giving zero resultant force and zero acceleration.

8. State Newton's first law of motion.

   An object stays at rest or continues at constant velocity (constant speed in a straight line) unless acted on by a resultant external force.

9. State the equation linking resultant force, mass and acceleration (Newton's second law).

   $$F = ma$$ where $F$ is the resultant force in newtons ($\text{N}$), $m$ is mass in $\text{kg}$ and $a$ is acceleration in $\text{m/s}^2$.

10. State Newton's third law of motion.

    When body A exerts a force on body B, body B exerts an equal and opposite force on body A. The two forces act on different objects.

11. What is the difference between mass and weight, and give the equation for weight?

    Mass is the amount of matter ($\text{kg}$), constant everywhere. Weight is the gravitational force on a mass ($\text{N}$): $$W = mg$$

12. Define the moment of a force and give its equation.

    A moment is the turning effect of a force about a pivot. $$\text{moment} = F \times d$$ where $d$ is the perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force, measured in $\text{N\,m}$.

13. State the principle of moments for an object in equilibrium.

    For a body in equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments about any pivot equals the sum of the anticlockwise moments. $$\sum M_{\text{cw}} = \sum M_{\text{acw}}$$

14. What two conditions must be met for an object to be in equilibrium?

    The resultant force is zero (no net force in any direction) and the resultant moment about any point is zero.

15. Define the momentum of a moving object and give its equation.

    Momentum is mass multiplied by velocity. $$p = mv$$ measured in $\text{kg\,m/s}$; it is a vector quantity.

16. State the principle of conservation of momentum.

    In a closed system (no external resultant force), the total momentum before a collision or explosion equals the total momentum after. $$m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 = m_1v_1 + m_2v_2$$

17. How is resultant force related to rate of change of momentum (impulse)?

    $$F = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t} = \frac{mv - mu}{t}$$ Force equals the rate of change of momentum; impulse $= Ft = \Delta p$.

18. State Hooke's law and give the equation for a spring.

    Extension is directly proportional to the load applied, up to the limit of proportionality. $$F = kx$$ where $k$ is the spring constant and $x$ is the extension.

19. Define work done and give its equation.

    Work is done when a force moves its point of application along its direction. $$W = Fd$$ measured in joules ($\text{J}$); $1\ \text{J} = 1\ \text{N\,m}$.

20. State the equations for gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.

    $$E_p = mgh \qquad E_k = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^{2}$$ both measured in joules ($\text{J}$).

21. State the principle of conservation of energy.

    Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred from one store or form to another. The total energy of a closed system is constant.

22. Define power and give its two equations.

    Power is the rate of doing work or transferring energy. $$P = \frac{W}{t} = \frac{E}{t}$$ measured in watts ($\text{W}$); $1\ \text{W} = 1\ \text{J/s}$.

23. Give the equation for efficiency as a percentage.

    $$\text{efficiency} = \frac{\text{useful energy output}}{\text{total energy input}} \times 100\%$$ equivalently using useful power output over total power input.

24. Define pressure and give its equation.

    Pressure is force per unit area acting normal to a surface. $$p = \frac{F}{A}$$ measured in pascals ($\text{Pa}$); $1\ \text{Pa} = 1\ \text{N/m}^2$.

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