Specification points

Cambridge Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625

401 points in 6 topics, with Cambridge's codes and titles.

Grade boundaries·Cambridge command words

Codes and titles are read by a script from Cambridge's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Cambridge’s specification.

1 Motion, forces and energy

1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques
1.1.1 Measuring length and volume
1.1.2 Measuring time intervals
1.1.3 Averages from multiple measurements
1.1.4 Scalars and vectors (Supplement)
1.1.5 Scalar quantities (Supplement)
1.1.6 Vector quantities (Supplement)
1.1.7 Resultant of two perpendicular vectors (Supplement)
1.2 Motion
1.2.1 Speed
1.2.2 Velocity
1.2.3 Average speed
1.2.4 Distance–time and speed–time graphs
1.2.5 Describing motion from graphs
1.2.6 Speed from distance–time gradient
1.2.7 Distance from area under speed–time graph
1.2.8 Acceleration of free fall
1.2.9 Acceleration (Supplement)
1.2.10 Constant and changing acceleration (Supplement)
1.2.11 Acceleration from speed–time gradient (Supplement)
1.2.12 Deceleration (Supplement)
1.2.13 Falling objects and terminal velocity (Supplement)
1.3 Mass and weight
1.3.1 Mass
1.3.2 Weight
1.3.3 Gravitational field strength
1.3.4 Comparing weights with a balance
1.3.5 Weight as effect of a gravitational field (Supplement)
1.4 Density
1.4.1 Density
1.4.2 Measuring density
1.4.3 Floating from density
1.4.4 Liquids floating on liquids (Supplement)
1.5 Forces
1.5.1 Effects of forces
1.5.1.1 Forces changing size and shape
1.5.1.2 Load–extension graphs
1.5.1.3 Resultant of forces along a line
1.5.1.4 Newton's first law
1.5.1.5 Resultant force changing velocity
1.5.1.6 Solid friction
1.5.1.7 Drag in liquids
1.5.1.8 Air resistance
1.5.1.9 Spring constant (Supplement)
1.5.1.10 Limit of proportionality (Supplement)
1.5.1.11 Force equals mass times acceleration (Supplement)
1.5.1.12 Circular motion (Supplement)
1.5.2 Turning effect of forces
1.5.2.1 Moment of a force
1.5.2.2 Calculating moments
1.5.2.3 Principle of moments with one force each side
1.5.2.4 Equilibrium
1.5.2.5 Principle of moments in general (Supplement)
1.5.2.6 Experiment on equilibrium of moments (Supplement)
1.5.3 Centre of gravity
1.5.3.1 Centre of gravity
1.5.3.2 Finding the centre of gravity of a lamina
1.5.3.3 Centre of gravity and stability
1.6 Momentum
1.6.1 Momentum (Supplement)
1.6.2 Impulse (Supplement)
1.6.3 Conservation of momentum (Supplement)
1.6.4 Force as rate of change of momentum (Supplement)
1.7 Energy, work and power
1.7.1 Energy
1.7.1.1 Energy stores
1.7.1.2 Energy transfers between stores
1.7.1.3 Conservation of energy
1.7.1.4 Kinetic energy (Supplement)
1.7.1.5 Gravitational potential energy (Supplement)
1.7.1.6 Conservation of energy and Sankey diagrams (Supplement)
1.7.2 Work
1.7.2.1 Work done and energy transferred
1.7.2.2 Mechanical work
1.7.3 Energy resources
1.7.3.1 Energy resources and electricity generation
1.7.3.2 Pros and cons of energy resources
1.7.3.3 Efficiency of energy transfer
1.7.3.4 The Sun as main energy source (Supplement)
1.7.3.5 Nuclear fusion in the Sun (Supplement)
1.7.3.6 Research into fusion power (Supplement)
1.7.3.7 Efficiency equations (Supplement)
1.7.4 Power
1.7.4.1 Power
1.8 Pressure
1.8.1 Pressure
1.8.2 Pressure, force and area
1.8.3 Pressure in liquids
1.8.4 Liquid pressure equation (Supplement)

2 Thermal physics

2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter
2.1.1 States of matter
2.1.1.1 Properties of solids, liquids and gases
2.1.1.2 Changes of state
2.1.2 Particle model
2.1.2.1 Particle structure of states
2.1.2.2 Particle motion, temperature and absolute zero
2.1.2.3 Gas pressure from particle collisions
2.1.2.4 Evidence for the kinetic particle model
2.1.2.5 Brownian motion
2.1.2.6 Particle forces and properties of matter (Supplement)
2.1.2.7 Gas pressure as force per unit area (Supplement)
2.1.2.8 Microscopic particles moved by molecules (Supplement)
2.1.3 Gases and the absolute scale of temperature
2.1.3.1 Gas pressure, temperature and volume
2.1.3.2 Kelvin and Celsius
2.1.3.3 Boyle's law (Supplement)
2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
2.2.1.1 Thermal expansion
2.2.1.2 Applications of thermal expansion
2.2.1.3 Relative expansion of solids, liquids and gases (Supplement)
2.2.2 Specific heat capacity
2.2.2.1 Temperature and internal energy
2.2.2.2 Temperature and average kinetic energy (Supplement)
2.2.2.3 Specific heat capacity (Supplement)
2.2.2.4 Measuring specific heat capacity (Supplement)
2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation
2.2.3.1 Melting and boiling
2.2.3.2 Melting and boiling points of water
2.2.3.3 Condensation and solidification
2.2.3.4 Evaporation
2.2.3.5 Evaporative cooling
2.2.3.6 Boiling versus evaporation (Supplement)
2.2.3.7 Factors affecting evaporation (Supplement)
2.2.3.8 Cooling by evaporation (Supplement)
2.3 Transfer of thermal energy
2.3.1 Conduction
2.3.1.1 Thermal conductors and insulators
2.3.1.2 Mechanisms of thermal conduction (Supplement)
2.3.1.3 Poor conduction in fluids (Supplement)
2.3.1.4 Intermediate thermal conductors (Supplement)
2.3.2 Convection
2.3.2.1 Convection
2.3.2.2 Explaining convection
2.3.3 Radiation
2.3.3.1 Thermal radiation
2.3.3.2 Radiation needs no medium
2.3.3.3 Surface colour and texture and infrared
2.3.3.4 Constant temperature and energy balance (Supplement)
2.3.3.5 Energy imbalance and temperature change (Supplement)
2.3.3.6 Earth's temperature and radiation balance (Supplement)
2.3.3.7 Experiments on infrared emitters (Supplement)
2.3.3.8 Experiments on infrared absorbers (Supplement)
2.3.3.9 Rate of emission, temperature and surface area (Supplement)
2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer
2.3.4.1 Everyday applications of thermal transfer
2.3.4.2 Complex applications of thermal transfer (Supplement)

3 Waves

3.1 General properties of waves
3.1.1 Waves transfer energy, not matter
3.1.2 Wave motion
3.1.3 Features of a wave
3.1.4 Wave speed equation
3.1.5 Transverse waves
3.1.6 Longitudinal waves
3.1.7 Reflection, refraction and diffraction
3.1.8 Ripple tank demonstrations
3.1.9 Diffraction through a gap (Supplement)
3.1.10 Diffraction at an edge (Supplement)
3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection of light
3.2.1.1 Normal and angles of incidence and reflection
3.2.1.2 Images in a plane mirror
3.2.1.3 Law of reflection
3.2.1.4 Constructions for plane mirrors (Supplement)
3.2.2 Refraction of light
3.2.2.1 Normal and angles of incidence and refraction
3.2.2.2 Refraction through transparent blocks
3.2.2.3 Light passing between media
3.2.2.4 Critical angle
3.2.2.5 Total internal reflection
3.2.2.6 Refractive index (Supplement)
3.2.2.7 Snell's law (Supplement)
3.2.2.8 Refractive index and critical angle (Supplement)
3.2.2.9 Optical fibres (Supplement)
3.2.3 Thin lenses
3.2.3.1 Converging and diverging lenses
3.2.3.2 Focal length and principal focus
3.2.3.3 Ray diagrams for real images
3.2.3.4 Describing images
3.2.3.5 Virtual images
3.2.3.6 Ray diagrams for virtual images (Supplement)
3.2.3.7 Magnifying glass (Supplement)
3.2.3.8 Correcting long and short sight (Supplement)
3.2.4 Dispersion of light
3.2.4.1 Dispersion of light
3.2.4.2 Colours of the visible spectrum
3.2.4.3 Monochromatic light (Supplement)
3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum
3.3.1 Regions of the electromagnetic spectrum
3.3.2 Speed of electromagnetic waves
3.3.3 Uses of electromagnetic waves
3.3.4 Harmful effects of electromagnetic radiation
3.3.5 Satellite communication with microwaves
3.3.6 Speed of light value (Supplement)
3.3.7 Electromagnetic radiation in communication systems (Supplement)
3.3.8 Digital and analogue signals (Supplement)
3.3.9 Sound as digital or analogue signal (Supplement)
3.3.10 Benefits of digital signals (Supplement)
3.4 Sound
3.4.1 Production of sound
3.4.2 Sound as a longitudinal wave
3.4.3 Range of human hearing
3.4.4 Sound needs a medium
3.4.5 Speed of sound in air
3.4.6 Measuring the speed of sound
3.4.7 Loudness and pitch
3.4.8 Echoes
3.4.9 Ultrasound
3.4.10 Compression and rarefaction (Supplement)
3.4.11 Speed of sound in different media (Supplement)
3.4.12 Uses of ultrasound (Supplement)

4 Electricity and magnetism

4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
4.1.1 Magnetic poles and forces
4.1.2 Induced magnetism
4.1.3 Temporary and permanent magnets
4.1.4 Magnetic and non-magnetic materials
4.1.5 Magnetic fields
4.1.6 Field lines of a bar magnet
4.1.7 Direction of a magnetic field
4.1.8 Plotting magnetic field lines
4.1.9 Uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets
4.1.10 Magnetic forces from interacting fields (Supplement)
4.1.11 Field line spacing and field strength (Supplement)
4.2 Electrical quantities
4.2.1 Electric charge
4.2.1.1 Positive and negative charges
4.2.1.2 Attraction and repulsion of charges
4.2.1.3 Charging by friction experiments
4.2.1.4 Charging by electron transfer
4.2.1.5 Testing conductors and insulators
4.2.1.6 Electron model of conductors and insulators
4.2.1.7 Coulombs (Supplement)
4.2.1.8 Electric fields (Supplement)
4.2.1.9 Direction of an electric field (Supplement)
4.2.1.10 Electric field patterns (Supplement)
4.2.2 Electric current
4.2.2.1 Current as flow of charge
4.2.2.2 Using ammeters
4.2.2.3 Conduction in metals
4.2.2.4 Direct and alternating current
4.2.2.5 Current, charge and time (Supplement)
4.2.2.6 Conventional current and electron flow (Supplement)
4.2.3 Electromotive force and potential difference
4.2.3.1 Electromotive force
4.2.3.2 Unit of e.m.f.
4.2.3.3 Potential difference
4.2.3.4 Unit of p.d.
4.2.3.5 Using voltmeters
4.2.3.6 Equation for e.m.f. (Supplement)
4.2.3.7 Equation for p.d. (Supplement)
4.2.4 Resistance
4.2.4.1 Resistance
4.2.4.2 Measuring resistance
4.2.4.3 Resistance, length and cross-section
4.2.4.4 Current–voltage graphs (Supplement)
4.2.4.5 Resistance proportional to length, inverse to area (Supplement)
4.2.5 Electrical energy and electrical power
4.2.5.1 Energy transfer in circuits
4.2.5.2 Electrical power
4.2.5.3 Electrical energy
4.2.5.4 Kilowatt-hours and cost
4.3 Electric circuits
4.3.1 Circuit diagrams and circuit components
4.3.1.1 Circuit diagrams and components
4.3.1.2 Diodes and LEDs in circuits (Supplement)
4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits
4.3.2.1 Current in series circuits
4.3.2.2 Series and parallel circuits
4.3.2.3 Combined e.m.f. in series
4.3.2.4 Resistors in series
4.3.2.5 Current in parallel circuits
4.3.2.6 Resistors in parallel
4.3.2.7 Lamps in parallel
4.3.2.8 Current and p.d. rules in circuits (Supplement)
4.3.2.9 Current at junctions (Supplement)
4.3.2.10 Combined resistance of parallel resistors (Supplement)
4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components
4.3.3.1 P.d. and resistance at constant current
4.3.3.2 Variable potential divider (Supplement)
4.3.3.3 Potential divider equation (Supplement)
4.4 Electrical safety
4.4.1 Mains electricity hazards
4.4.2 Live, neutral and earth wires
4.4.3 Trip switches and fuses
4.4.4 Earthing and double insulation
4.4.5 Fuses in double-insulated appliances
4.5 Electromagnetic effects
4.5.1 Electromagnetic induction
4.5.1.1 Electromagnetic induction
4.5.1.2 Demonstrating electromagnetic induction
4.5.1.3 Factors affecting induced e.m.f.
4.5.1.4 Direction of induced e.m.f. (Supplement)
4.5.1.5 Directions of force, field and induced current (Supplement)
4.5.2 The a.c. generator
4.5.2.1 The a.c. generator (Supplement)
4.5.2.2 Generator output graphs (Supplement)
4.5.3 Magnetic effect of a current
4.5.3.1 Magnetic fields of wires and solenoids
4.5.3.2 Experiment on fields of wires and solenoids
4.5.3.3 Relays and loudspeakers
4.5.3.4 Field strength around wires and solenoids (Supplement)
4.5.3.5 Effect of current on magnetic fields (Supplement)
4.5.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor
4.5.4.1 Force on a current-carrying conductor
4.5.4.2 Directions of force, field and current (Supplement)
4.5.4.3 Force on charged particle beams (Supplement)
4.5.5 The d.c. motor
4.5.5.1 Turning effect on a coil
4.5.5.2 Electric motors (Supplement)
4.5.6 The transformer
4.5.6.1 Construction of a transformer
4.5.6.2 Primary, secondary, step-up and step-down
4.5.6.3 Transformer turns ratio
4.5.6.4 Transformers in power transmission
4.5.6.5 Advantages of high-voltage transmission
4.5.6.6 How a transformer works (Supplement)
4.5.6.7 Ideal transformer power equation (Supplement)
4.5.6.8 Power losses in cables (Supplement)

5 Nuclear physics

5.1 The nuclear model of the atom
5.1.1 The atom
5.1.1.1 Structure of an atom
5.1.1.2 Formation of ions
5.1.1.3 Alpha scattering and the nuclear model (Supplement)
5.1.2 The nucleus
5.1.2.1 Composition of the nucleus
5.1.2.2 Charges of subatomic particles
5.1.2.3 Proton number and nucleon number
5.1.2.4 Nuclide notation
5.1.2.5 Isotopes
5.1.2.6 Nuclear fission and fusion (Supplement)
5.1.2.7 Proton number and nuclear charge (Supplement)
5.1.2.8 Nucleon number and nuclear mass (Supplement)
5.2 Radioactivity
5.2.1 Detection of radioactivity
5.2.1.1 Background radiation
5.2.1.2 Sources of background radiation
5.2.1.3 Detecting ionising radiation
5.2.1.4 Count rate
5.2.1.5 Corrected count rate (Supplement)
5.2.2 The three types of nuclear emission
5.2.2.1 Random nature of emission
5.2.2.2 Alpha, beta and gamma emissions
5.2.2.3 Deflection of radiation in fields (Supplement)
5.2.2.4 Explaining ionising effects (Supplement)
5.2.3 Radioactive decay
5.2.3.1 Radioactive decay
5.2.3.2 Decay changes the element
5.2.3.3 Why isotopes are radioactive (Supplement)
5.2.3.4 Effects of decay on the nucleus (Supplement)
5.2.3.5 Decay equations (Supplement)
5.2.4 Half-life
5.2.4.1 Half-life
5.2.4.2 Half-life from uncorrected data (Supplement)
5.2.4.3 Choosing isotopes for applications (Supplement)
5.2.5 Safety precautions
5.2.5.1 Effects of ionising radiation on living things
5.2.5.2 Safe handling of radioactive materials
5.2.5.3 Safety precautions for ionising radiation (Supplement)

6 Space physics

6.1 The Earth and the Solar System
6.1.1 The Earth
6.1.1.1 Earth's rotation and day and night
6.1.1.2 Earth's orbit and the seasons
6.1.1.3 The Moon's orbit and phases
6.1.1.4 Average orbital speed (Supplement)
6.1.2 The Solar System
6.1.2.1 The Solar System
6.1.2.2 Rocky and gas planets and the accretion model
6.1.2.3 Gravitational field strength of planets
6.1.2.4 Light travel time in the Solar System
6.1.2.5 The Sun's mass and planetary orbits
6.1.2.6 Gravity keeping objects in orbit
6.1.2.7 Elliptical orbits (Supplement)
6.1.2.8 Interpreting planetary data (Supplement)
6.1.2.9 Sun's gravity and orbital speed with distance (Supplement)
6.1.2.10 Speed in elliptical orbits (Supplement)
6.2 Stars and the Universe
6.2.1 The Sun as a star
6.2.1.1 The Sun as a star
6.2.1.2 Nuclear fusion in stars (Supplement)
6.2.2 Stars
6.2.2.1 Galaxies and the Milky Way
6.2.2.2 The light-year (Supplement)
6.2.2.3 Life cycle of a star (Supplement)
6.2.3 The Universe
6.2.3.1 The Milky Way and the Universe
6.2.3.2 Redshift
6.2.3.3 Redshift of distant galaxies
6.2.3.4 Redshift, expansion and the Big Bang
6.2.3.5 Cosmic microwave background radiation (Supplement)
6.2.3.6 Origin of the CMBR (Supplement)
6.2.3.7 Galaxy speed from redshift (Supplement)
6.2.3.8 Galaxy distance from supernova brightness (Supplement)
6.2.3.9 The Hubble constant (Supplement)
6.2.3.10 Current value of the Hubble constant (Supplement)
6.2.3.11 Estimating the age of the Universe (Supplement)