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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 1
Understand and use the equation
average speed, v =

distance travelled, d
time taken, t

Recall that the units of speed are metres per second, m/s.
Recall that distancetime graphs for objects moving at constant speed are straight lines.
Understand that the gradient of a distancetime graph gives the speed.
Recall that distance travelled in a specified direction is called displacement; displacement
is a vector quantity.
Understand that velocity is speed in a specified direction. It is also a vector quantity.
Understand and use the equation
acceleration = change in velocity or a = (v u)
time taken
t
2

Recall that the units of acceleration are metres per second squared, m/s .
Understand that acceleration is a vector.
Understand that velocitytime graphs of objects moving with constant velocity are
horizontal straight lines.
Understand that the gradient of a velocitytime graph gives acceleration; a negative
gradient (graph line sloping down to the right) indicates deceleration.
Work out the distance travelled from the area under a velocitytime graph.
Understand and use the equation
average velocity = initial velocity + final velocity
2
Explain how to use ticker tape to measure speed.

or u + v
2

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 2
Recall that forces are pushes and pulls, and that they can change the way an object is
moving, or change the shape of an object.
Recognise the following types of force: reaction, weight (gravitational), upthrust, friction,
drag, magnetic and electrostatic.
Recall that force is a vector and is measured in newtons (N).
Recall that more than one force may act on an object.
Understand that if the forces on an object are balanced, or if no force is acting on the
object, the way it is moving will not change.
Recall that if the forces acting on an object are unbalanced, the way it is moving will
change.
Recognise that friction is a force that acts to oppose the motion of an object.
Recognise that friction acts when an object moves through a liquid or gas.
Explain that friction is essential in certain situations, but in others it wastes energy and
causes wear.
Describe how the extension of a spring or a wire changes when you apply forces to it.
Recall that Hookes Law describes what happens to a spring or wire before it has been
stretched to its elastic limit.
Describe how rubber bands stretch when a force is applied to them.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 3
Recall that when an unbalanced force acts on an object along the line in which the object
is moving, then the object will accelerate (or decelerate if the force acts in the opposite
direction to that of the motion of the object).
Recall that, for a particular object, the bigger the unbalanced force acting on it, the bigger
the acceleration.
Recall that if the same force is applied to objects of different mass, then the more massive
the object, the smaller its acceleration will be.
Recall and use the equation
force = mass acceleration, F = m a, rearranging it as necessary.
Understand that the stopping distance for a moving vehicle is the sum of the thinking
distance and the braking distance.
Explain that the thinking distance is the time before the brakes are applied, and that it can
be affected by tiredness, drugs and poor visibility.
Recall that the distance travelled while thinking depends on the speed of the vehicle.
Recall that the braking distance is the distance travelled by the vehicle after the brakes
have been applied.
Explain that the braking distance (and therefore the stopping distance) is affected by
brake and tyre condition and the condition of the road surface.
Appreciate that the mass of a vehicle will also affect its braking distance.
Recall and use the relationship
weight = mass acceleration due to gravity (W = m g)
Recall that all objects fall with the same acceleration in the absence of air resistance.
Explain that objects falling through liquids and gases experience a drag force that
increases with their speed.
Understand that a falling object reaches terminal velocity because the drag force on the
object balances its weight.
Understand that the drag force also depends on the shape of the falling object; objects
must be smooth or streamlined to reduce drag.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 4
Recall that the momentum of a moving object is found by multiplying its mass by its
velocity.
Recall that momentum is a vector quantity it has direction as well as size.
Understand that when objects collide they exert equal forces on each other but in
opposite directions and that this causes the momentum change for each body to be the
same but opposite in direction.
Calculate the momentum of bodies before and after collisions in a straight line.
Understand that in collisions or explosions the total momentum of the moving objects is
the same before and after the collision or explosion, provided no external forces are
acting.
Explain that kinetic energy is conserved in perfectly elastic collisions, but normally the
total kinetic energy of bodies after a collision will be less than before (because collisions
are usually not perfectly elastic so kinetic energy is converted into sound, heat, and so
on).
Recall that when colliding objects stick together the collision is described as inelastic.
Understand that momentum conservation is used to drive spacecraft using rockets.
Recall and use the equation

force = change in momentum

time taken

Use ideas about momentum to explain some safety features in cars.

Recall that for every force (action) there is an equal and opposite force (the reaction
force).

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 5
Understand that forces can have a turning effect or moment on a body.
Recall that the moment of a force is given by
force perpendicular distance from force to pivot
Understand and apply the condition for balance to an object:
anticlockwise acting moments = clockwise acting moments
Explain what is meant by centre of gravity.
Find the centre of gravity of regularly and irregularly shaped sheets of material by simple
experiment.
Appreciate that stable objects have low centres of gravity and wide bases.
Understand that when a heavy object is resting on a beam, the upwards forces at the
ends of the beam depend on the position of the object.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 6
Recall that the Earth is one of eight planets in the Solar System, and that the Earth and
some of the other planets have moons orbiting them.
Explain what gravitational field strength means, and recall that it is different on other
planets and moons. Explain that gravitational force causes the planets and comets to orbit
the Sun, and causes moons and artificial satellites to orbit other planets.
Describe how the orbit of a comet is different from the orbit of a planet.
Recall and use the equation for orbital speed:
orbital speed = 2 orbital radius
time period
Recall that the Solar System is part of the Milky Way galaxy, and that the Universe is a
large collection of billions of galaxies.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 7
Realise the dangers of using mains electricity incorrectly.
Understand the steps taken to protect users from electric shocks for example, use of
insulators, earthing, fuses, circuit breakers and double insulation.
Understand that a current can cause an energy transfer, and give some examples of
domestic uses of the heating effect.
Understand the phrase power rating when applied to an electrical appliance and be able
to use the equation P = I V to determine the correct fuse to use with an appliance.
Use the equation E = I V t to calculate the total energy transferred by an appliance.
Recall and explain the difference between alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc).

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 8
Identify some materials that are electrical conductors and some that are electrical
insulators.
Recall that there are two types of electrical charge positive and negative.
Understand that objects that are uncharged contain equal numbers of positive and
negative charges.
Understand how the transfer of electrons between objects can cause them to become
charged: objects that gain electrons become negatively charged and objects that lose
electrons become positively charged.
Recall that opposite charges attract and similar charges repel, and use these ideas to
explain how an electroscope works.
Recall how electrostatic charge can cause explosions when fuelling aircraft and tankers,
and how this problem can be avoided.
Recall some uses of static electricity, including electrostatic paint spraying, inkjets,
photocopiers and electrostatic smoke precipitators.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 9
Understand how the proportion of free electrons in a material determines whether a
material is a conductor or an insulator.
Recall that current is a flow of charge.
Understand and use the equation Q = I t
Recall that the voltage between two points is the number of joules of energy converted
when 1 C of charge flows between them.
Recall that in series circuits: (a) there is only one path for the current to follow, (b) the
current is the same everywhere, and (c) the current depends on the applied voltage and
on the number and nature of other components.
Recall the different characteristics of series and parallel circuits, and explain why they are
suitable for different applications.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 10
Describe qualitatively the effect of changing resistance on the current flowing in a circuit.
Understand that the size of the current that passes through a component depends upon
the voltage across the component and its resistance, and use the equation V = I R
Recall the special properties of thermistors, light-dependent resistors and diodes.
Describe an experiment to obtain voltage and current measurements for a number of
components, construct I V graphs and then interpret the shapes of these graphs.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 11
Recall that waves carry energy and information from place to place, but not matter.
Describe the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.
Recall examples of transverse and longitudinal waves.
Recall the meaning of amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period of a wave.
Use the relationship f = 1
T
Use the relationship v = f
Recall that all waves can be reflected, refracted and diffracted.
Explain that diffraction of a wave is most pronounced when the wavelength of the wave
and the size of the aperture through which it is travelling are the same.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 12
Understand that the electromagnetic spectrum is a family of waves, which includes radio
waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet waves, X-rays and gamma
rays.
Recall those properties that are common to all waves in the spectrum.
Recall the order in which these waves appear in the spectrum and relate this to their
wavelengths and frequencies.
Recall some of the uses of these waves.
Recall some of the dangers associated with exposure to certain types of radiation.
Recall that waves can be used to carry information.
Understand the difference between analogue and digital signals.
Describe the advantages of using digital signals rather than analogue signals.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 13
Recall that light waves are transverse waves that can be reflected, refracted and
diffracted.
Describe how light is reflected from a plane surface so that the angle of incidence is equal
to the angle of reflection.
Draw ray diagrams to show how an image is created in a plane mirror.
Recall that light bends towards the normal as it enters an optically denser medium, and
bends away from the normal when it enters an optically less dense medium.
Recall and use the equation n =

sin i
sin r

Recall the conditions under which total internal reflection takes place.
Recall and use the equation sin c = 1
n
Describe experiments to investigate the refraction of light, including finding the refractive
index and the critical angle.
Describe several applications of total internal reflection, including optical fibres and
prisms.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 14
Recall that sound waves are longitudinal waves that can travel through solids, liquids and
gases; like other waves, they can be reflected and diffracted.
Describe how to measure the speed of sound in air.
Understand that sounds are produced when objects vibrate.
Understand that the greater the amplitude of the vibration the louder the sound.
Understand that the higher the frequency of the vibration the higher the pitch.
Describe the amplitudes and frequencies of sounds as shown on a cathode ray
oscilloscope.
Understand that humans have an audible range, or hearing range; sounds with
frequencies higher than this range are called ultrasounds.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 15
Recognise that energy exists in the following forms: heat (thermal), light, electrical, sound,
movement (kinetic), chemical, nuclear, and potential (stored) as both gravitational and
elastic potential energy.
Understand how energy may be converted from one form to another.
Recall that energy is conserved.
Appreciate that energy conversions usually involve some energy being converted to
unwanted forms or being transferred to places other than where it is needed.
Draw Sankey diagrams for a variety of everyday and scientific situations.
Carry out efficiency calculations using
efficiency = useful energy output from the system
total energy input to the system

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 16
Understand that heat energy is transferred from places at high temperature to places at
lower temperature.
Describe how heat can be transferred by conduction, convection and radiation.
Understand how heat transfer by these processes can be reduced by using insulation.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 17
Recall and apply the relationship work done = force distance
Understand that doing work involves the transfer of energy.
Understand that the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of an object is increased when it
is moved against the pull of gravity.
Calculate the increase in GPE using the formula GPE = mgh
Recall that moving objects possess kinetic energy (KE) and calculate KE using
2
KE = mv
Appreciate that, as an object falls, gravity does work on the object converting its GPE into
KE.
Explain that power is the rate of doing work or converting energy, and carry out power
calculations using
power = work done
time

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 18
Understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Appreciate that fossil fuels (natural gas, oil and coal) cannot be replaced once used and
all produce greenhouse gases and other pollution when burned.
Understand what is meant by clean energy resources.
Recall the following sources of renewable energy wood, wind, the Sun, waves, water
and geothermal energy.
Understand that different types of power station can respond to changes in the demand
for electricity at different rates.
Appreciate the many different cost considerations in the choice of a power station; these
include the cost of fuel, the cost of building, maintaining and decommissioning the power
station, and the effect of the power station on the environment.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different energy resources.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 19
Recall and use the relationship between density, mass and volume, = m
V
Describe how to work out the density of a material.
Recall and use the relationship between pressure, force and area, p = F
A
Recall that the pressure at a point in a liquid or gas acts equally in all directions.
Recall and use the equation for calculating pressure difference in a liquid or gas,
p=hg

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 20
Understand that matter is made up of particles (molecules or atoms) that are in
continuous motion.
Recall the arrangement of particles in the three states of matter.
Appreciate that the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance increases with
temperature.
Recall that gases exert a pressure because of the collisions that gas particles make with
other matter.
Understand that when you change the volume of a gas without changing the temperature
its pressure changes because the particles hit the walls of the container at a different rate.
Explain the changes in pressure and volume of a gas as the gas temperature changes in
terms of the motion of the particles of the gas.
Understand the reasons we believe that there is an absolute zero of temperature and
know how to convert Celsius temperature to absolute or kelvin temperature.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 21
Recall that magnets repel and attract other magnets and attract magnetic materials.
Understand that magnetically hard and magnetically soft materials have different
properties.
Sketch and explain the magnetic field patterns for bar magnets.
Recall that magnetism can be induced in some materials when they are placed in a
magnetic field.
Recall that a current flowing in a wire or coil produces a magnetic field.
Sketch the magnetic field around a wire, a flat coil and a solenoid.
Describe some applications of electromagnetism.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 22
Understand why a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a
force.
Recall and use Flemings left-hand rule to predict the direction of the force and
consequent movement.
Recall that the size of the force can be increased by increasing the strength of the
magnetic field or the size of the current flowing in the wire.
Explain how electromagnetic effects are used in the simple dc motor.
Understand that when a wire cuts through a magnetic field, or vice versa, a voltage is
induced across the wire; if the wire is part of a complete circuit this induced voltage will
cause a current to flow.
Recall that the size of the induced voltage increases as the rate at which the magnetic
field lines are being cut increases.
Explain how electricity can be generated by rotating a coil in a magnetic field or rotating a
magnet inside a coil of wire.
Recall and explain the structure of a transformer.
Recall that when an ac voltage is applied to the primary coil of a transformer an ac voltage
is produced across the secondary coil.
Recall and use the relationships Vp = np and VpIp = Vs Is
Vs
ns
Describe the use of transformers in the large-scale transmission of electrical energy.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 23
Compare the mass and charge of electrons, protons and neutrons.
Understand the terms atomic number and mass number and be able to use and interpret
notation for a nucleus using these numbers.
Recall that the same element may exist in the form of several different isotopes.
Appreciate that some isotopes are unstable because of the proportion of protons to
neutrons in their nuclei and that the way they decay depends on this.
Recall that radioactive nuclei may emit three different types of ionising radiation alpha,
beta and gamma.
Describe the different properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation considering ionising
and penetrating power.
Balance nuclear transformation equations with respect to mass number and atomic
number.
Understand that alpha and beta decay result in a nucleus of one element transforming
into another.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 24
Recall that the becquerel is a measure of the rate of nuclear decay.
Describe different methods of detecting ionising radiation.
Be aware of background radiation and describe its different sources.
Understand that radioactive decay is a random process.
Model radioactive decay processes and understand the limitations of such models.
Understand and be able to measure the half-life of a radioisotope.
Carry out calculations involving half-life.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 25
Be aware of the various medical applications of radioactive isotopes.
Recall that some isotopes are used in diagnosis, either by imaging particular parts of the
body or by showing whether an organ is working properly by the rate at which it processes
particular chemicals.
Recall that some isotopes are used to destroy diseased cells in the treatment of illness.
Be aware of the industrial uses of radioactive isotopes in tracing the movement of liquids
and gases, identifying leaks and gauging.
Understand the principles of dating organic materials and minerals using radioisotopes.
Recall the health hazards presented by different types of radiation from radioisotopes and
understand the need to monitor exposure.
Appreciate the need for appropriate handling techniques and methods of disposal.

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IGCSE Physics
Chapter 26
Describe the results of Geiger and Marsdens experiments with gold foil and alpha
particles.
Describe Rutherfords model and how it can account for Geiger and Marsdens results.
Describe the factors that affect the deflection of alpha particles by a nucleus.
Describe how uranium-235 undergoes fission and how a chain reaction can occur.
Explain what moderators and control rods are used for in nuclear power stations.

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