Grade 10 CIE Physics 0625 Objectives

• Recognise that a force may produce a change in size and shape of a body
  
• Plot and interpret extension–load graphs and describe the associated experimental procedure
  
• Describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body
  
• Find the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same line
  
• Recognise that if there is no resultant force on a body it either remains at rest or continues at constant speed in a straight line
  
• Understand friction as the force between two surfaces which impedes motion and results in heating
  
• Recognise air resistance as a form of friction
  

• State Hooke’s Law and recall and use the expression F = k x, where k is the spring constant
  
• Recognise the significance of the ‘limit of proportionality’ for an extension–load graph
  
• Recall and use the relationship between force, mass and acceleration (including the direction), F = ma
  
• Describe qualitatively motion in a circular path due to a perpendicular force (F = mv²/r is not required)
  

• Describe the moment of a force as a measure of its turning effect and give everyday examples
  
• Understand that increasing force or distance from the pivot increases the moment of a force
  
• Calculate moment using the product force × perpendicular distance from the pivot
  
• Apply the principle of moments to the balancing of a beam about a pivot
  

• Apply the principle of moments to different situations
  

• Recognise that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant turning effect, a system is in equilibrium
  

• Perform and describe an experiment (involving vertical forces) to show that there is no net moment on a body in equilibrium
  

• Perform and describe an experiment to determine the position of the centre of mass of a plane lamina
  
• Describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of mass on the stability of simple objects
  

• Understand that vectors have a magnitude and direction
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between scalars and vectors and give common examples
  
• Determine graphically the resultant of two vectors
  

• Identify changes in kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear and internal energy that have occurred as a result of an event or process
  
• Recognise that energy is transferred during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical working), by electrical currents (electrical working), by heating and by waves
  
• Apply the principle of conservation of energy to simple examples
  

• Recall and use the expressions kinetic energy = ½mv² and change in gravitational potential energy = mg∆h
  
• Apply the principle of conservation of energy to examples involving multiple stages
  
• Explain that in any event or process the energy tends to become more spread out among the objects and surroundings (dissipated)
  

• Describe how electricity or other useful forms of energy may be obtained from:
  
  • chemical energy stored in fuel
    
  • water, including the energy stored in waves, in tides, and in water behind hydroelectric dams
    
  • geothermal resources
    
  • nuclear fission
    
  • heat and light from the Sun (solar cells and panels)
    
  • wind
    
• Give advantages and disadvantages of each method in terms of renewability, cost, reliability, scale and environmental impact
  
• Show a qualitative understanding of efficiency
  

• Understand that the Sun is the source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal
  
• Show an understanding that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun
  
• Recall and use the equations:
  
  • efficiency = (useful energy output)/(energy input) × 100%
    
  • efficiency = (useful power output)/(power input) × 100%
    

• Demonstrate understanding that work done = energy transferred
  
• Relate (without calculation) work done to the magnitude of a force and the distance moved in the direction of the force
  

• Recall and use W = Fd = ∆E
  

• Relate (without calculation) power to work done and time taken, using appropriate examples
  

• Recall and use the equation P = ∆E / t in simple systems
  

• State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases
  

• Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of the molecules
  
• Interpret the temperature of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules
  
• Describe qualitatively the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules
  
• Show an understanding of the random motion of particles in a suspension as evidence for the kinetic molecular model of matter
  
• Describe this motion (sometimes known as Brownian motion) in terms of random molecular bombardment
  

• Relate the properties of solids, liquids and gases to the forces and distances between molecules and to the motion of the molecules
  
• Explain pressure in terms of the change of momentum of the particles striking the walls creating a force
  
• Show an appreciation that massive particles may be moved by light, fast-moving molecules
  

• Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of more-energetic molecules from the surface of a liquid
  
• Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling of the liquid
  

• Demonstrate an understanding of how temperature, surface area and draught over a surface influence evaporation
  
• Explain the cooling of a body in contact with an evaporating liquid
  

• Describe qualitatively, in terms of molecules, the effect on the pressure of a gas of:
  
  • a change of temperature at constant volume
    
  • a change of volume at constant temperature
    

• Recall and use the equation pV = constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature
  

• Describe qualitatively the thermal expansion of solids, liquids, and gases at constant pressure
  
• Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion
  

• Explain, in terms of the motion and arrangement of molecules, the relative order of the magnitude of the expansion of solids, liquids and gases
  

• Appreciate how a physical property that varies with temperature may be used for the measurement of temperature, and state examples of such properties
  
• Recognise the need for and identify fixed points
  
• Describe and explain the structure and action of liquid-in-glass thermometers
  

• Demonstrate understanding of sensitivity, range and linearity
  
• Describe the structure of a thermocouple and show understanding of its use as a thermometer for measuring high temperatures and those that vary rapidly
  
• Describe and explain how the structure of a liquid-in-glass thermometer relates to its sensitivity, range and linearity
  

• Relate a rise in the temperature of a body to an increase in its internal energy
  
• Show an understanding of what is meant by the thermal capacity of a body
  

• Give a simple molecular account of an increase in internal energy Recall and use the equation thermal capacity = mc
  
• Define specific heat capacity
  
• Describe an experiment to measure the specific heat capacity of a substance
  
• Recall and use the equation change in energy = mc∆T
  

• Describe melting and boiling in terms of energy input without a change in temperature
  
• State the meaning of melting point and boiling point
  
• Describe condensation and solidification in terms of molecules
  

• Distinguish between boiling and evaporation
  
• Use the terms latent heat of vaporisation and latent heat of fusion and give a molecular interpretation of latent heat
  
• Define specific latent heat
  
• Describe an experiment to measure specific latent heats for steam and for ice
  
• Recall and use the equation energy = ml
  

• Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good and bad thermal conductors
  

• Give a simple molecular account of conduction in solids including lattice vibration and transfer by electrons
  

• Recognise convection as an important method of thermal transfer in fluids
  
• Relate convection in fluids to density changes and describe experiments to illustrate convection
  

• Identify infrared radiation as part of the electromagnetic spectrum
  
• Recognise that thermal energy transfer by radiation does not require a medium
  
• Describe the effect of surface colour (black or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of radiation
  

• Describe experiments to show the properties of good and bad emitters and good and bad absorbers of infrared radiation
  
• Show understanding that the amount of radiation emitted also depends on the surface temperature and surface area of a body
  

• Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of conduction, convection and radiation
  

• Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror, and give its characteristics
  
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence = angle of reflection
  

• Recall that the image in a plane mirror is virtual
  
• Perform simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors
  

• Describe an experimental demonstration of the refraction of light
  
• Use the terminology for the angle of incidence i and angle of refraction r and describe the passage of light through parallel-sided transparent material
  
• Give the meaning of critical angle
  
• Describe internal and total internal reflection
  

• Recall and use the definition of refractive index n in terms of speed
  
• Recall and use the equation: (sin(i))/(sin(r))=n
  
• Recall and use n = 1/(sin(c))
  
• Describe and explain the action of optical fibres particularly in medicine and communications technology
  

• Describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light
  
• Use the terms principal focus and focal length
  
• Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a real image by a single lens
  
• Describe the nature of an image using the terms enlarged/same size/diminished and upright/ inverted
  

• Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a virtual image by a single lens
  
• Use and describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass
  
• Show understanding of the terms real image and virtual image
  

• Give a qualitative account of the dispersion of light as shown by the action on light of a glass prism including the seven colours of the spectrum in their correct order
  

• Recall that light of a single frequency is described as monochromatic
  

• State that there are positive and negative charges
  
• State that unlike charges attract and that like charges repel
  
• Describe simple experiments to show the production and detection of electrostatic charges
  
• State that charging a body involves the addition or removal of electrons
  
• Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples
  

• State that charge is measured in coulombs
  
• State that the direction of an electric field at a point is the direction of the force on a positive charge at that point
  
• Describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force
  
• Describe simple field patterns, including the field around a point charge, the field around a charged conducting sphere and the field between two parallel plates (not including end effects)
  
• Give an account of charging by induction
  
• Recall and use a simple electron model to distinguish between conductors and insulators
  

• State that current is related to the flow of charge
  
• Use and describe the use of an ammeter, both analogue and digital
  
• State that current in metals is due to a flow of electrons
  

• Show understanding that a current is a rate of flow of charge and recall and use the equation: I = Q / t
  
• Distinguish between the direction of flow of electrons and conventional current
  

• State that the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of an electrical source of energy is measured in volts
  

• Show understanding that e.m.f. is defined in terms of energy supplied by a source in driving charge round a complete circuit
  

• State that the potential difference (p.d.) across a circuit component is measured in volts
  
• Use and describe the use of a voltmeter, both analogue and digital
  

• Recall that 1 V is equivalent to 1 J / C
  

• State that resistance = p.d. / current and understand qualitatively how changes in p.d. or resistance affect current
  
• Recall and use the equation R = V / I
  
• Describe an experiment to determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter
  
• Relate (without calculation) the resistance of a wire to its length and to its diameter
  

• Sketch and explain the current–voltage characteristic of an ohmic resistor and a filament lamp
  
• Recall and use quantitatively the proportionality between resistance and length, and the inverse proportionality between resistance and crosssectional area of a wire
  

• Understand that electric circuits transfer energy from the battery or power source to the circuit components then into the surroundings
  

• Recall and use the equations P = I V and E = I Vt
  

• Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing sources, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), heaters, thermistors, light-dependent resistors, lamps, ammeters, voltmeters, galvanometers, magnetising coils, transformers, bells, fuses and relays
  

• Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing diodes
  

• Understand that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same
  
• Give the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series
  
• State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch
  
• State that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself
  
• State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a lighting circuit
  

• Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several sources in series
  
• Recall and use the fact that the sum of the p.d.s across the components in a series circuit is equal to the total p.d. across the supply
  
• Recall and use the fact that the current from the source is the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit
  
• Calculate the effective resistance of two resistors in parallel
  

• Describe the action of a variable potential divider (potentiometer)
  
• Describe the action of thermistors and light-dependent resistors and show understanding of their use as input transducers
  
• Describe the action of a relay and show understanding of its use in switching circuits
  

• Describe the action of a diode and show understanding of its use as a rectifier
  
• Recognise and show understanding of circuits operating as light-sensitive switches and temperature-operated alarms (to include the use of a relay)
  

• Show understanding that a conductor moving across a magnetic field or a changing magnetic field linking with a conductor can induce an e.m.f. in the conductor
  
• Describe an experiment to demonstrate electromagnetic induction
  
• State the factors affecting the magnitude of an induced e.m.f.
  

• Show understanding that the direction of an induced e.m.f. opposes the change causing it
  
• State and use the relative directions of force, field and induced current
  

• Distinguish between d.c. and a.c.
  

• Describe and explain a rotating-coil generator and the use of slip rings
  
• Sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator
  
• Relate the position of the generator coil to the peaks and zeros of the voltage output
  

• Describe the construction of a basic transformer with a soft-iron core, as used for voltage transformations
  
• Recall and use the equation (Vp / Vs) = (Np / Ns)
  
• Understand the terms step-up and step-down
  
• Describe the use of the transformer in highvoltage transmission of electricity
  
• Give the advantages of high-voltage transmission
  

• Describe the principle of operation of a transformer
  
• Recall and use the equation Ip Vp = Is Vs ( for 100% efficiency )
  
• Explain why power losses in cables are lower when the voltage is high
  

• Describe the pattern of the magnetic field (including direction) due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids
  
• Describe applications of the magnetic effect of current, including the action of a relay
  

• State the qualitative variation of the strength of the magnetic field over salient parts of the pattern
  
• State that the direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole
  
• Describe the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and direction of the current
  

• Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing:
  
  • the current
    
  • the direction of the field
    

• State and use the relative directions of force, field and current
  
• Describe an experiment to show the corresponding force on beams of charged particles
  

• State that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect and that the effect is increased by:
  
  • increasing the number of turns on the coil
    
  • increasing the current
    
  • increasing the strength of the magnetic field
    

• Relate this turning effect to the action of an electric motor including the action of a split-ring commutator
  

• Describe the structure of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus and negative electrons
  

• Describe how the scattering of α-particles by thin metal foils provides evidence for the nuclear atom
  

• Describe the composition of the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons
  
• State the charges of protons and neutrons
  
• Use the term proton number Z
  
• Use the term nucleon number A
  
• Use the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation
  

A
‌‌ ‌‌ X
Z

• Use and explain the term isotope
  

• State the meaning of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
  
• Balance equations involving nuclide notation
  

• Demonstrate understanding of background radiation
  
• Describe the detection of α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays (β + are not included: β-particles will be taken to refer to β –)
  

• Discuss the random nature of radioactive emission
  
• Identify α-, β- and γ -emissions by recalling
  
  • their nature
    
  • their relative ionising effects
    
  • their relative penetrating abilities
    

NOTE: β+ are not included, β- particles will be taken to refer to β–

• Describe their deflection in electric fields and in magnetic fields
  
• Interpret their relative ionising effects
  
• Give and explain examples of practical applications of α-, β- and γ -emissions
  

• State the meaning of radioactive decay
  
• State that during α - or β -decay the nucleus changes to that of a different element
  

• Use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are emitted
  

• Use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves
  

• Calculate half-life from data or decay curves from which background radiation has not been subtracted
  

• Recall the effects of ionising radiations on living things
  
• Describe how radioactive materials are handled, used and stored in a safe way