IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017

(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Speed

Average speed is calculated using the equation =

Example:

A runner completes an 800m race in 2 min 30s after completing the first lap of 400m in 1min 10s. Find
her speed for the last 400m. (3marks)

Velocity

Is speed in a specific direction. Velocity =

Acceleration is the change of velocity in unit time, or =

Deceleration is negative acceleration.

Distance –time graphs : Show how an object’s distance change with time. The stepper the gradient of
a distance-time graph, the greater the speed.

Speed = the gradient of a distance-time graph

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Speed –time graphs: Show the speed of an object over time. The area under the speed-time graph is
the distance covered.

Acceleration occurs when speed changes. Acceleration = the gradient of a speed-time graph.

Example:

1. A car is moving in traffic and its motion is shown in figure 1.6

a) Choose from the following terms to describe the motion in parts A, B and C : acceleration,
deceleration, steady speed. (3 marks)

b) Work out the total distance covered. (5 marks)

c) Work out the acceleration in part C. (2 marks)

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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2. A bus accelerates at a constant rate from standstill to 15m/s in 12s. It continues at a constant speed
of 15 m/s for 8s.

a) Show this information on a speed-time graph

b) Use the graph to find the total distance covered.

c) Work out the average speed.

Mass and Weight

Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object: W=

Mass is the amount of matter in an object.

A balance actually compares ________________________. As mass determines weight, the balance

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Density

In order to measure density, you must determine _____________________________________.

Density =

Find density for a regular shape solid:

Find density for a irregularly shape solid:

Find density for a liquid:

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Example 1:

The mass of an empty measuring cylinder is 185g. When the measuring cylinder contains 400cm 3 of a
liquid, the total mass is 465g. Find the density of the liquid. (4marks)

Example 2:

A measuring cylinder containing 20cm3 of liquid is placed on a top pan balance, which reads 150g.
More liquid is poured into the cylinder up to the 140cm3 mark and the top pan balance now reads 246g.
A solid is gently lowered into the cylinder; the liquid rises to the 200cm3 mark and the top pan balance
reads to 411g. Work out:

a) The density of the liquid

b) The density of the solid.

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Forces

Forces can change the size and shape of a body. You must be able to describe an experiment to
measure the extension of a spring, a piece of rubber or another object with increasing load.

Extension-load graph:

Forces and change of motion

A resultant force gives an acceleration to an object.

If object stationary: it will gain speed

If object moving: It will gain or loose speed depending on the direction of the force.

Friction is a force opposing one surface that is moving or trying to move over another.

Air resistance is a form of friction. Friction results in heating.

Resultant Force, F = ma,

m= mass, a= acceleration in the direction of the force.

*When the force is perpendicular to motion, the object follows a circular path.

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Example 1:

An empty lift weighs 2000N. Four people enter the lift and their total weight is 3000N. After the button is
pressed to move the lift, the extension in the cable pulling up from the top of the lift is 4000N.

a) Work out the resultant force on the lift. (2 marks)

b) State how the lift moves. (2 marks)

c) Work out the resultant acceleration (take the weight of 1kg to be 10N) (4 marks)

Example 2:

A rocket of weight 1000N is propelled upwards by a thrust of 1800N. The air resistance is 500N.

a) Work out the resultant force on the rocket.

b) Describe with an appropriate calculation how this resultant force change the motion of the
rocket.

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Turning effect and equilibrium

The moment of a force is its turning effect. Unit is __________.

Moment = force x perpendicular distance from pivot.

An object is in equilibrium if there is no resultant turning effect and no resultant force.

Example 1:

A student carries out an experiment to balance a regular 4m long plank at its mid-point. A mass of 4kg
is placed 80cm to the left of the pivot and a mass of 3.2 kg is placed 100cm to the right of the pivot.
Explain, by working out the moments, whether the plank is balanced. [4 marks]

Example 2:

A see-saw has a total length of 4m and is pivoted in the middle. A child of weight 400N sits 1.4m from
the pivot. A child of weight 300N sits 1.8m from the pivot on the other side. A parent holds the end of
the see-saw on the same side as the lighter child. Work out the magnitude and direction of the force the
parent must exert to hold the see-saw level.

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Centre of mass

A body behaves __________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Example:

Explain why the model parrot will only stay on its perch if the bulldog clip is in place. [2 marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Scalars and Vectors

Scalar:

 Only have size (magnitude)

Vectors:

 Have direction and size(magnitude)

Example 1:

An aircraft flies at 900km/h heading due to south. There is a crosswind of 150km/h from the west.
Graphically, find the aircraft’s restaurant velocity.

Example 2:

Speed and velocity are related quantities. Explain why speed is a scalar quantity and velocity is a
vector. Name two more scalar quantities and two more vectors. [6 marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Momentum

Momentum is a useful quantity to consider when bodies are involved in collision and explosions.

Unit: ___________________________

Momentum =

Impulse = Force x time

In an interaction, impulse exerted on a body = change of momentum.

Example 1:

A truck of mass 1800kg moving with a velocity of 4m/s to the right collides with a truck of mass 1200kg
moving with a velocity of 1m/s to the left. The truck of mass 1800kg has a velocity of 1.5m/s to the right
after the collision. Find the final velocity of the 800kg truck. [4 marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Energy

Energy can be transferred by forces, electrical currents, by heating and by waves.

Kinetic energy:

Gravitational potential energy:

Chemical energy:

Elastic (strain) Energy:

Nuclear Energy:

Internal Energy:

Sound Energy:

Geothermal Energy:

Light Energy:

Kinetic Energy =

Gravitational Potential Energy =

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Energy Sources

Renewable sources are not exhaustible

Non-renewable sources of energy are exhaustible.

Energy can only be transferred, not destroyed.

Type Advantages Disadvantages

Wave Energy

Tidal Energy

Hydroelectric

Geothermal

Nuclear Fission

Solar Cells/Panel

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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The sun is the source of all energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal. Energy is release
by nuclear fusion in the sun.

Example1:

A man winds up the spring of the clockwork radio shown in figure 1.17 using the muscles in his hand
and arm. The internal spring then unwinds to provide energy to power the radio.

a) State the form of energy stored in his muscles.

b) State the form of energy stored in the spring.

c) Name the component that transfer the energy from the spring into useful energy for the radio.

d) Name the process which transfers energy by the electrical currents in the circuits of the radio.

e) Name the form of useful output energy given out by the radio.

f) Most of the energy from the spring will eventually be turned into a form of energy that is not
useful. Name this form of energy.

Example 2:

A bungee jumper of mass 60kg jumps from a bridge tied to an elastic rope that becomes taut after he
falls 10m. Consider the jumper when he has fallen another 10m and is travelling at 15m/s.

a) State a form of energy that has been lost.

Example 3:

For each of the following two statements, give one strength and one weakness and write a conclusion.

a) A supporter of nuclear power states that is should be more widely use as there is no pollution.
[3marks]
b) A supporter of coal-fired power stations states that nuclear power plants cannot be controlled
and might explode like atomic weapons. [3marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Work, Power and Efficiency

Work is done ___________________________________________________

Work =

Power is the rate of doing work.

Power =

Efficiency of a device is the percentage of the energy supplied to it that is usefully transferred.

Efficiency =

Example 1:

The two cranes shown in figure 1.18 are lifting loads at a port. Crane A raises a load of 1000N to a
height of 12m in 10s. Crane B raises the same load of 1000N to the same height of 12m but takes 12s.

a) Compare, with reasons, the work done by the two cranes. [2 marks]

b) Compare with reasons the power of the two cranes. [2 marks]

c) Calculate the energy transferred and the power of each crane. [4 marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Example 2:

The racing car is travelling along a straight part of a race track at a constant speed of 95m/s. The power
delivered to the driving wheels is 500kW.

a) Calculate the total resistive force caused by friction and air resistance, [3marks]

b) Calculate the total work done against this force during the final 600m of the straight when the
car is travelling at constant velocity. [2 marks]

c) On the next lap, a fault develops and the rear wing jams out. The air resistance increases
considerably. State and explain any change in the power that would be required to maintain the
same speed as in the previous lap. [4 marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
(CHAPTER 1: GENERAL PHYSICS)

Pressure

The unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa). A force of 1N on an area of 1m2 exerts a pressure of 1 Pa.

Pressure=

A barometer is __________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Liquid Pressure:

Example 1:

Some students are playing a ball game in the sea and the ball is pushed 60cm below the surface of the
water. Density of seawater = 1.025 x density of freshwater.

a) Compare, with reasons, the pressure on a point on the ball 60cm below the surface of the sea
with the pressure just below the surface. [2marks]

b) Compare, with reasons, the pressure on the ball 60cm below the surface of the sea with the
pressure 60cm below the surface of a freshwater lake. [2marks]

c) Calculate the pressure on a point on the ball 60cm below the surface of the sea (density of
freshwater = 1000kg/m3 ; take g= 10m/s2). [2marks]

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 IGCSE PHYSICS STUDY AND REVISION GUIDE 2017
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Example 2:

An aeroplane passenger buys a plastic bottle of water during a flight. She drinks most of the water and
closes the cap. After landing, she sees that the bottle has changed shape.

a) Draw the new appearance of the bottle. [1 marks]

b) Explain why the bottle has this new shape. [2marks]

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