IGCSE PHYSICS 2025
1. Speed
- Definition: Distance an object travels in a given time (m/s or km/s).
- Characteristic: Speed is a scalar quantity, indicating only magnitude.
2. Velocity
- Definition: Speed in a specific direction (displacement / time).
- Characteristic: Velocity is a vector quantity, encompassing both speed and direction.
3. Acceleration
- Definition: Rate of change of velocity (m/s²) (change in velocity / time).
4. Distance-Time Graphs
- Speed Interpretation: Gradient represents speed.
, - Velocity Changes: Curved lines indicate changing velocity (acceleration or deceleration).
5. Speed-Time Graphs
- Acceleration Interpretation: Gradient indicates acceleration.
- Distance Measurement: Area under the line represents distance.
- Constant Speed: Horizontal line indicates constant speed (though velocity can still change).
6. Acceleration Due to Gravity
- Description: Objects in free fall near Earth experience a constant acceleration (9.8 m/s²) due to
gravity.
- Air Resistance: Slows down objects.
- Terminal Velocity: Reached when gravitational force equals air resistance (no net force acting).
7. Mass and Weight
, - Mass: Measure of the amount of matter in an object, with all masses exhibiting inertia.
- Weight: Gravitational force acting on mass.
8. Density
9. Forces
- Effects: Can change the shape and accelerate an object.
10. Effect of Forces on a Spring (Changing Shape)
- Experimental Procedure: Steps to measure and plot spring extension against force.
- Graph Annotation: Shows direct proportionality of extension to force until the limit of
proportionality is reached.
11. Hooke's Law
, - Statement: Extension of a spring is directly proportional to the applied force, within the limit of
proportionality.
- Formula: F = kx (force = spring constant × extension).
12. Force, Mass, and Acceleration
13. Centripetal Force
- Definition: Force that directs an object into circular motion, acting perpendicular to the direction of
travel toward the center of the orbit.
- Characteristic: Does not perform work as it does not move in the direction of force application.
- Acceleration: Constantly changes in direction.
CF INCREASES IF:
1. Speed
- Definition: Distance an object travels in a given time (m/s or km/s).
- Characteristic: Speed is a scalar quantity, indicating only magnitude.
2. Velocity
- Definition: Speed in a specific direction (displacement / time).
- Characteristic: Velocity is a vector quantity, encompassing both speed and direction.
3. Acceleration
- Definition: Rate of change of velocity (m/s²) (change in velocity / time).
4. Distance-Time Graphs
- Speed Interpretation: Gradient represents speed.
, - Velocity Changes: Curved lines indicate changing velocity (acceleration or deceleration).
5. Speed-Time Graphs
- Acceleration Interpretation: Gradient indicates acceleration.
- Distance Measurement: Area under the line represents distance.
- Constant Speed: Horizontal line indicates constant speed (though velocity can still change).
6. Acceleration Due to Gravity
- Description: Objects in free fall near Earth experience a constant acceleration (9.8 m/s²) due to
gravity.
- Air Resistance: Slows down objects.
- Terminal Velocity: Reached when gravitational force equals air resistance (no net force acting).
7. Mass and Weight
, - Mass: Measure of the amount of matter in an object, with all masses exhibiting inertia.
- Weight: Gravitational force acting on mass.
8. Density
9. Forces
- Effects: Can change the shape and accelerate an object.
10. Effect of Forces on a Spring (Changing Shape)
- Experimental Procedure: Steps to measure and plot spring extension against force.
- Graph Annotation: Shows direct proportionality of extension to force until the limit of
proportionality is reached.
11. Hooke's Law
, - Statement: Extension of a spring is directly proportional to the applied force, within the limit of
proportionality.
- Formula: F = kx (force = spring constant × extension).
12. Force, Mass, and Acceleration
13. Centripetal Force
- Definition: Force that directs an object into circular motion, acting perpendicular to the direction of
travel toward the center of the orbit.
- Characteristic: Does not perform work as it does not move in the direction of force application.
- Acceleration: Constantly changes in direction.
CF INCREASES IF:
