Specification points

Cambridge Cambridge O Level Physics 5054

353 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 lengths precisely
1.1.2 Measuring volume with a measuring cylinder
1.1.3 Measuring time intervals
1.1.4 Averages from multiple measurements
1.1.5 Scalars and vectors
1.1.6 Scalar quantities
1.1.7 Vector quantities
1.1.8 Resultant of two perpendicular vectors
1.2 Motion
1.2.1 Speed and velocity
1.2.2 Speed equation
1.2.3 Average speed
1.2.4 Acceleration
1.2.5 Uniform and non-uniform acceleration
1.2.6 Deceleration
1.2.7 Distance–time and speed–time graphs
1.2.8 Motion from distance–time graphs
1.2.9 Motion from speed–time graphs
1.2.10 Acceleration of free fall
1.2.11 Speed from distance–time gradient
1.2.12 Distance from area under speed–time graph
1.2.13 Acceleration from speed–time gradient
1.3 Mass and weight
1.3.1 Mass
1.3.2 Inertia
1.3.3 Comparing masses with a balance
1.3.4 Measuring mass
1.3.5 Measuring weight
1.3.6 Gravitational field strength
1.3.7 Gravitational fields
1.4 Density
1.4.1 Density
1.4.2 Measuring density
1.5 Forces
1.5.1 Balanced and unbalanced forces
1.5.1.1 Types of force
1.5.1.2 Free-body diagrams
1.5.1.3 Newton's first law
1.5.1.4 Force changing velocity
1.5.1.5 Resultant of forces along a line
1.5.1.6 Force equals mass times acceleration
1.5.1.7 Newton's third law
1.5.1.8 Newton's third law force pairs
1.5.2 Friction
1.5.2.1 Friction
1.5.2.2 Motion with and without drag
1.5.2.3 Terminal velocity
1.5.2.4 Thinking, braking and stopping distance
1.5.2.5 Factors affecting stopping distance
1.5.3 Elastic deformation
1.5.3.1 Forces changing size and shape
1.5.3.2 Spring constant
1.5.3.3 Load–extension graphs
1.5.3.4 Limit of proportionality
1.5.4 Circular motion
1.5.4.1 Circular motion
1.5.5 Turning effect of forces
1.5.5.1 Moment of a force
1.5.5.2 Calculating moments
1.5.5.3 Principle of moments
1.5.5.4 Experiment on the principle of moments
1.5.6 Centre of gravity
1.5.6.1 Centre of gravity
1.5.6.2 Centre of gravity with a plumb line
1.5.6.3 Centre of gravity and stability
1.6 Momentum
1.6.1 Momentum
1.6.2 Impulse
1.6.3 Conservation of momentum
1.6.4 Force as rate of change of momentum
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
1.7.1.5 Gravitational potential energy
1.7.2 Work
1.7.2.1 Work done
1.7.3 Energy resources
1.7.3.1 Renewable and non-renewable energy sources
1.7.3.2 Energy resources and electricity generation
1.7.3.3 Pros and cons of energy resources
1.7.4 Efficiency
1.7.4.1 Efficiency
1.7.5 Power
1.7.5.1 Power
1.8 Pressure
1.8.1 Pressure
1.8.2 Pressure, force and area
1.8.3 Pressure acts at right angles to surfaces
1.8.4 Liquid barometers
1.8.5 Pressure in liquids
1.8.6 Liquid pressure equation

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 solids, liquids and gases
2.1.2.2 Particle motion, temperature and absolute zero
2.1.2.3 Gas pressure as force per unit area
2.1.2.4 Gas laws in terms of particles
2.1.2.5 Boyle's law
2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
2.2.1.1 Applications of thermal expansion
2.2.1.2 Explaining thermal expansion
2.2.1.3 Kelvin and Celsius
2.2.2 Specific heat capacity
2.2.2.1 Temperature and internal energy
2.2.2.2 Temperature and average kinetic energy
2.2.2.3 Specific heat capacity
2.2.2.4 Measuring specific heat capacity
2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation
2.2.3.1 Changes of state without temperature change
2.2.3.2 Melting and boiling points of water
2.2.3.3 Boiling versus evaporation
2.2.3.4 Evaporation
2.2.3.5 Factors affecting evaporation
2.2.3.6 Evaporative cooling
2.2.3.7 Latent heat
2.3 Transfer of thermal energy
2.3.1 Conduction
2.3.1.1 Experiments on thermal conductors
2.3.1.2 Mechanisms of thermal conduction
2.3.2 Convection
2.3.2.1 Explaining convection
2.3.3 Radiation
2.3.3.1 Infrared radiation transfer
2.3.3.2 Surface colour and texture and infrared
2.3.3.3 Rate of emission, temperature and surface area
2.3.3.4 Experiments on infrared emitters
2.3.3.5 Experiments on infrared absorbers
2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer
2.3.4.1 Applications of thermal transfer

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 Frequency, wavelength, amplitude and wave terms
3.1.5 Wave equation
3.1.6 Transverse waves
3.1.7 Longitudinal waves
3.1.8 Reflection, refraction and diffraction
3.1.9 Diffraction through a gap
3.1.10 Ripple tank demonstrations
3.1.11 Diffraction at an edge
3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection of light
3.2.1.1 Normal and angles of incidence and reflection
3.2.1.2 Experiment on the law of reflection
3.2.1.3 Image in a plane mirror
3.2.1.4 Law of reflection
3.2.2 Refraction of light
3.2.2.1 Normal and angles of incidence and refraction
3.2.2.2 Refractive index
3.2.2.3 Refraction through transparent blocks
3.2.2.4 Critical angle and total internal reflection
3.2.2.5 Experiments on total internal reflection
3.2.2.6 Optical fibres
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 converging lenses
3.2.3.4 Linear magnification
3.2.3.5 Magnifying glass
3.2.3.6 Images in normal and defective eyes
3.2.3.7 Correcting long and short sight
3.2.4 Dispersion of light
3.2.4.1 Dispersion of light
3.2.4.2 Colours of the visible spectrum
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 Damage from electromagnetic radiation
3.4 Sound
3.4.1 Production of sound
3.4.2 Compressions and rarefactions
3.4.3 Range of human hearing
3.4.4 Sound cannot travel in a vacuum
3.4.5 Loudness and pitch
3.4.6 Timbre
3.4.7 Echoes
3.4.8 Reflection of sound
3.4.9 Measuring the speed of sound
3.4.10 Speed of sound in air
3.4.11 Speed of sound in different media
3.4.12 Ultrasound
3.4.13 Uses of ultrasound

4 Electricity and magnetism

4.1 Simple magnetism and magnetic fields
4.1.1 Magnetic poles and forces
4.1.2 Induced magnetism
4.1.3 Magnetic and non-magnetic materials
4.1.4 Temporary and permanent magnets
4.1.5 Magnetic fields
4.1.6 Plotting magnetic field lines
4.1.7 Field lines of a bar magnet
4.1.8 Direction of a magnetic field
4.1.9 Field line spacing and field strength
4.1.10 Uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets
4.2 Electrical quantities
4.2.1 Electrical charge
4.2.1.1 Charges and coulombs
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 Electric fields
4.2.1.6 Direction of electric field lines
4.2.1.7 Electric field patterns
4.2.1.8 Examples of conductors and insulators
4.2.1.9 Testing conductors and insulators
4.2.1.10 Electron model of conductors and insulators
4.2.2 Electrical current
4.2.2.1 Current, charge and time
4.2.2.2 Conduction in metals
4.2.2.3 Amperes
4.2.2.4 Direct and alternating current
4.2.2.5 Conventional current and electron flow
4.2.2.6 Using ammeters
4.2.3 Electromotive force and potential difference
4.2.3.1 Electromotive force
4.2.3.2 Potential difference
4.2.3.3 Volts
4.2.3.4 Using voltmeters
4.2.3.5 E.m.f. of sources in series
4.2.3.6 E.m.f. of sources in parallel
4.2.4 Resistance
4.2.4.1 Resistance equation
4.2.4.2 Measuring resistance
4.2.4.3 Resistance, length and cross-section
4.2.4.4 Ohm's law
4.2.4.5 Current–voltage graphs
4.2.4.6 Temperature and resistance
4.3 Electric circuits
4.3.1 Circuit diagrams and circuit components
4.3.1.1 Circuit diagrams and components
4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits
4.3.2.1 Current and p.d. rules in circuits
4.3.2.2 Resistors in series
4.3.2.3 Combined resistance of parallel resistors
4.3.2.4 Circuit calculations
4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components
4.3.3.1 Thermistors and LDRs as input sensors
4.3.3.2 Variable potential divider
4.3.3.3 Potential divider equation
4.4 Practical electricity
4.4.1 Uses of electricity
4.4.1.1 Uses of electricity
4.4.1.2 Lamps in parallel
4.4.1.3 Electrical power
4.4.1.4 Electrical energy
4.4.1.5 Kilowatt-hours and cost
4.4.2 Electrical safety
4.4.2.1 Mains electricity hazards
4.4.2.2 Trip switches and fuses
4.4.2.3 Live wire touching an earthed case
4.4.2.4 Earthing and double insulation
4.4.2.5 Live, neutral and earth wires
4.4.2.6 Fuses and circuit breakers in the live wire
4.5 Electromagnetic effects
4.5.1 Electromagnetic induction
4.5.1.1 Demonstrating electromagnetic induction
4.5.1.2 Factors affecting induced e.m.f.
4.5.1.3 Lenz's law
4.5.2 The a.c. generator
4.5.2.1 The a.c. generator
4.5.2.2 Generator output graphs
4.5.3 Magnetic effect of a current
4.5.3.1 Magnetic fields of wires and solenoids
4.5.3.2 Relays and loudspeakers
4.5.4 Forces 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
4.5.4.3 Forces between parallel currents
4.5.5 The d.c. motor
4.5.5.1 Turning effect on a coil
4.5.5.2 Electric motors
4.5.6 The transformer
4.5.6.1 Iron-cored transformers
4.5.6.2 Primary, secondary, step-up and step-down
4.5.6.3 Transformer turns ratio
4.5.6.4 High-voltage transmission
4.6 Uses of an oscilloscope
4.6.1 Oscilloscopes
4.6.2 Measuring with an oscilloscope

5 Nuclear physics

5.1 The nuclear model of the atom
5.1.1 The atom
5.1.1.1 Structure of the atom
5.1.1.2 Alpha-particle scattering evidence
5.1.2 The nucleus
5.1.2.1 Composition of the nucleus
5.1.2.2 Formation of ions
5.1.2.3 Proton number and nucleon number
5.1.2.4 Nuclides and nuclide notation
5.1.2.5 Isotopes
5.2 Radioactivity
5.2.1 Detection of radioactivity
5.2.1.1 Detecting alpha, beta and gamma radiation
5.2.1.2 Count rate
5.2.1.3 Background radiation
5.2.1.4 Sources of background radiation
5.2.1.5 Corrected count rate
5.2.2 The three types of emission
5.2.2.1 Random nature of emission
5.2.2.2 Nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation
5.2.2.3 Ionising and penetrating powers
5.2.2.4 Deflection of radiation in fields
5.2.3 Radioactive decay
5.2.3.1 Radioactive decay
5.2.3.2 Decay equations
5.2.4 Fission and fusion
5.2.4.1 Nuclear fusion
5.2.4.2 Nuclear fission
5.2.4.3 Chain reactions and nuclear reactors
5.2.5 Half-life
5.2.5.1 Half-life
5.2.5.2 Carbon-14 dating
5.2.5.3 Choosing isotopes for applications
5.2.6 Safety precautions
5.2.6.1 Effects of ionising radiation on living things
5.2.6.2 Safe handling of radioactive materials