Specification points
OCR GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Physics B J259
339 points in 9 topics, with OCR's codes and titles.
Grade boundaries·OCR command words
Codes and titles are read by a script from OCR's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: OCR’s specification.
P1 Radiation and waves
- P1.1 What are the risks and benefits of using radiations?
- P1.1.1 Groupings of the electromagnetic spectrum
- P1.1.2 The visible range
- P1.1.3 Speed of electromagnetic radiation
- P1.1.4 Radiation transfers energy
- P1.1.5 Absorption, transmission and reflection by substances
- P1.1.6 Electron energy levels and radiation
- P1.1.7 Sources of radiation in molecules, atoms and nuclei
- P1.1.7a Gamma rays from nuclei
- P1.1.7b X-rays, UV and light from electrons losing energy
- P1.1.7c Ionising radiation
- P1.1.7d Ultraviolet and the ozone layer
- P1.1.7e Infrared and molecules
- P1.1.8 Hazards of UV, X-rays and gamma rays
- P1.1.9 Uses of electromagnetic radiation
- P1.1.10 Radio waves and electrical oscillations
- P1.2 What is climate change and what is the evidence for it?
- P1.2.1 Radiation emitted by all bodies
- P1.2.2 Temperature and radiation balance
- P1.3 How do waves behave?
- P1.3.1 Amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period
- P1.3.2 Evidence that waves, not the medium, travel
- P1.3.3 Transverse and longitudinal waves
- P1.3.4 Waves on a rope and sound waves
- P1.3.5 Wavelength and frequency
- P1.3.6 Wave speed, frequency and wavelength
- P1.3.7 Measuring wave speed, with ripple tank practical
- P1.3.7a Measuring speeds of ripples and sound
- P1.3.7b Using a ripple tank
- P1.3.8 Reflection and refraction, with light practicals
- P1.3.8a Reflection and refraction at interfaces
- P1.3.8b Measuring refraction through a prism
- P1.3.8c Reflection off a plane mirror
- P1.3.9 Wave speed in different substances
- P1.3.10 Refraction and wave speed
- P1.3.11 Light as an electromagnetic wave
- P1.3.12 Electromagnetic waves as transverse waves
- P1.4 What happens when light and sound meet different materials? (separate science only)
- P1.4.1 Ray diagrams for mirrors
- P1.4.2 Ray diagrams for refraction and dispersion
- P1.4.3 Convex and concave lenses
- P1.4.4 Transmission and absorption at interfaces
- P1.4.5 Colour
- P1.4.6 Sound transmitted through solids
- P1.4.7 Sound through ear bones and hearing range
- P1.4.8 Waves for detection and exploration
- P1.4.8a Ultrasound imaging
- P1.4.8b Earthquake waves
- P1.4.8c SONAR
- P1.4.9 Sound waves passing between media
P2 Sustainable energy
- P2.1 How much energy do we use?
- P2.1.1 Energy transfer by electric current
- P2.1.2 Power ratings of appliances
- P2.1.3 Energy, power and time equation
- P2.1.4 Conservation of energy in closed systems
- P2.1.5 Energy dissipation
- P2.1.6 Reducing unwanted energy transfer
- P2.1.7 Building walls and rate of cooling
- P2.1.8 Efficiency equation
- P2.1.9 Sankey diagrams
- P2.2 How can electricity be generated?
- P2.2.1 Energy resources
- P2.2.2 Renewable and non-renewable resources
- P2.2.3 Generating electricity from different resources
- P2.2.4 UK mains supply: 50 Hz, 230 V a.c
- P2.2.5 Transformers in the National Grid
- P2.2.6 Live, neutral and earth wires
- P2.2.7 Trends in energy resource use
P3 Electric circuits
- P3.1 What is electric charge? (separate science only)
- P3.1.1 Static electricity and electrostatic forces
- P3.1.2 Electron transfer and static electricity
- P3.1.3 Electric fields and static electricity
- P3.2 What determines the current in an electric circuit?
- P3.2.1 Current as flow of charge
- P3.2.2 Charge, current and time
- P3.2.3 Current, resistance and potential difference
- P3.2.4 Ohm's law, with resistance of a wire practical
- P3.2.4a Applying Ohm's law in series and parallel circuits
- P3.2.4b Practical: resistance of a wire
- P3.2.5 Fixed and changing resistance
- P3.2.6 I–V characteristics, with practical work
- P3.2.6a Linear and non-linear components
- P3.2.6b Practical: I–V characteristics of components
- P3.2.7 Circuit symbols and conventions
- P3.3 How do series and parallel circuits work?
- P3.3.1 Potential difference and work done on charge
- P3.3.2 Series and parallel circuits, with practical work
- P3.3.2a Current and p.d. in series and parallel circuits
- P3.3.2b Practical: bulbs in series and parallel
- P3.3.3 Resistors in series and parallel
- P3.3.4 Equivalent resistance in series
- P3.3.5 D.C. series circuits for testing
- P3.3.5a Current in lamps, diodes, thermistors and LDRs
- P3.3.5b Light intensity and LDRs
- P3.3.5c Temperature and thermistors
- P3.4 What determines the rate of energy transfer in a circuit?
- P3.4.1 Energy transfer by current in a component
- P3.4.2 Power transfer in circuit devices
- P3.4.3 Energy, charge and potential difference
- P3.4.4 Power, current, p.d. and resistance
- P3.4.4a Power equals p.d. times current
- P3.4.4b Power from current and resistance
- P3.4.5 Transformers and conservation of energy
- P3.4.6 High-voltage transmission efficiency
- P3.5 What are magnetic fields?
- P3.5.1 Magnetic poles
- P3.5.2 Magnetic field of a magnet
- P3.5.3 Compasses and Earth's magnetic core
- P3.5.4 Permanent and induced magnets
- P3.5.5 Showing the magnetic effect of a current
- P3.5.6 Magnetic field around a wire
- P3.5.7 Field strength, current and distance
- P3.5.8 Strengthening a solenoid
- P3.5.9 Solenoids in loudspeakers and headphones
- P3.6 How do electric motors work?
- P3.6.1 Force between a magnet and a current
- P3.6.2 Fleming's left-hand rule
- P3.6.3 Force on a conductor equation
- P3.6.4 The simple electric motor
- P3.7 What is the process inside an electric generator? (separate science only)
- P3.7.1 Electromagnetic induction
- P3.7.2 Moving coil microphones
- P3.7.3 Direction of induced current
- P3.7.4 Alternator output
- P3.7.5 Dynamos and d.c. output
- P3.7.6 Transformers and alternating current
- P3.7.7 Transformer turns ratio
- P3.7.8 Transformer equations
- P3.7.8a Transformer power equation
- P3.7.8b Transformer turns equation
P4 Explaining motion
- P4.1 What are forces?
- P4.1.1 Newton's third law
- P4.1.2 Ways objects interact
- P4.1.3 Interaction pairs and forces
- P4.1.4 Forces as vectors
- P4.1.5 Weight
- P4.1.6 Measuring weight
- P4.1.7 Weight, mass and gravitational field strength
- P4.2 How can we describe motion?
- P4.2.1 Average speed equation
- P4.2.2 Typical everyday speeds
- P4.2.3 Measuring speed, with trolley practical
- P4.2.3a Measuring distances and times to find speed
- P4.2.3b Practical: speed of a trolley down a ramp
- P4.2.4 Converting units such as m/s and km/h
- P4.2.5 Vectors and scalars in motion
- P4.2.6 Acceleration, with practical work
- P4.2.6a Acceleration equation
- P4.2.6b Practical: investigating acceleration
- P4.2.7 Equation linking speed, acceleration and distance
- P4.2.8 Graphs of distance and speed against time
- P4.2.9 Interpreting distance–time and velocity–time graphs
- P4.2.10 Area under velocity–time graphs
- P4.2.11 Free fall and everyday accelerations
- P4.3 What is the connection between forces and motion?
- P4.3.1 Forces on an isolated object
- P4.3.2 Free body diagrams and resultant forces
- P4.3.3 Scale vector diagrams of forces
- P4.3.4 Momentum and its conservation
- P4.3.5 Force and rate of change of momentum
- P4.3.6 Newton's first law
- P4.3.7 Circular orbits: constant speed, changing velocity
- P4.3.8 Forces causing rotation
- P4.3.9 Moment of a force
- P4.3.10 Levers and gears
- P4.3.11 Inertial mass
- P4.3.12 Newton's second law
- P4.3.13 Force, mass, velocity, acceleration and momentum relationships
- P4.3.14 Measuring reaction times
- P4.3.15 Stopping distances and safety
- P4.3.16 Dangers of large decelerations
- P4.3.17 Stopping distance and speed
- P4.3.18 Speeds, accelerations and forces in road transport
- P4.4 How can we describe motion in terms of energy transfers?
- P4.4.1 Energy transfers by work done by forces
- P4.4.1a Raising an object
- P4.4.1b Moving an object along a force
- P4.4.2 Work done equation
- P4.4.3 Kinetic energy equation
- P4.4.4 Gravitational potential energy equation
- P4.4.5 Energy transfer calculations
- P4.4.6 Stored energy and energy transfers
- P4.4.7 Changes in energy stores
- P4.4.8 Power as rate of energy transfer
- P4.4.9 Power equation
P5 Radioactive materials
- P5.1 What is radioactivity?
- P5.1.1 Nucleus and electrons in the atom
- P5.1.2 Development of the atomic model
- P5.1.3 Typical sizes of atoms and molecules
- P5.1.4 Protons, neutrons and nuclear charge
- P5.1.5 Isotopes
- P5.1.6 Nuclear notation for isotopes
- P5.1.7 Unstable nuclei and radioactive emissions
- P5.1.8 Emissions and changes to the nucleus
- P5.1.9 Writing decay equations
- P5.1.10 Half-life and random decay
- P5.1.11 Decline after a number of half-lives
- P5.1.12 Half-life from activity–time graphs
- P5.2 How can radioactive materials be used safely?
- P5.2.1 Penetration of alpha, beta and gamma
- P5.2.2 Contamination and irradiation
- P5.2.3 Medical uses of nuclear radiation
- P5.2.4 Hazards of ionising radiation
- P5.2.5 Hazard, radiation type and half-life
- P5.3 How can radioactive materials be used to provide energy? (separate science only)
- P5.3.1 Nuclear fission
- P5.3.2 Energy released in fission
- P5.3.3 Chain reactions
- P5.3.4 Nuclear fusion
P6 Matter – models and explanations
- P6.1 How does energy transform matter?
- P6.1.1 Density, with practical measurement
- P6.1.1a Density
- P6.1.1b Measuring density of solids and liquids
- P6.1.2 Density, mass and volume equation
- P6.1.3 Energy transfer by heating
- P6.1.4 Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
- P6.1.5 Specific heat capacity, with practical work
- P6.1.5a Specific heat capacity equation
- P6.1.5b Practical: measuring specific heat capacity
- P6.1.6 Specific latent heat equation
- P6.1.7 Energy stores as temperature rises
- P6.1.8 Calculating energy transfers with temperature change
- P6.2 How does the particle model explain the effects of heating?
- P6.2.1 Density and states of matter
- P6.2.2 Conservation of mass in changes of state
- P6.2.3 Heating, internal energy and changes of state
- P6.2.4 Gas molecules, temperature and pressure
- P6.3 How does the particle model relate to material under stress?
- P6.3.1 More than one force to deform an object
- P6.3.2 Elastic and plastic deformation
- P6.3.3 Force and extension of a spring, with practical
- P6.3.3a Force and extension of a spring
- P6.3.3b Practical: extension of a spring
- P6.3.4 Linear and non-linear force–extension
- P6.3.5 Spring constant equation
- P6.3.6 Work done stretching a spring, with practical
- P6.3.6a Work done from a force–extension graph
- P6.3.6b Practical: work done stretching a spring
- P6.3.7 Energy stored in a stretched spring
- P6.4 Pressure in fluids and the particle model
- P6.4.1 Fluid pressure acting normal to surfaces
- P6.4.2 Pressure equation
- P6.4.3 Compressing and expanding gases
- P6.4.4 Gas volume and pressure at constant temperature
- P6.4.5 Pressure and volume of a gas equation
- P6.4.6 Model of the atmosphere and atmospheric pressure
- P6.4.7 Liquid pressure, depth and density
- P6.4.8 Pressure at different depths
- P6.4.9 Upthrust on submerged objects
- P6.4.10 Floating and sinking
- P6.5 Scientific models and the Big Bang
- P6.5.1 The solar system
- P6.5.2 Circular orbits and changing velocity
- P6.5.3 Orbital radius and speed
- P6.5.4 Formation of the solar system
- P6.5.5 Work done on a gas raising temperature
- P6.5.6 Formation of the Sun
- P6.5.7 Red-shift of receding galaxies
- P6.5.8 Galaxy distance, speed and an expanding universe
- P6.5.9 Expanding universe and the Big Bang model
P7 Ideas about Science
- IaS1 What needs to be considered when investigating a phenomenon scientifically?
- IaS1.1 Developing hypotheses and predictions
- IaS1.2 Choosing apparatus and techniques
- IaS1.3 Scientific quantities
- IaS1.4 Controlling variables
- IaS1.5 Sample size and range of values
- IaS1.6 Planning experiments
- IaS1.7 Hazards and minimising risk
- IaS1.8 Communicating investigation rationale and methods
- IaS2 What processes are needed to draw conclusions from data?
- IaS2.1 Presenting observations and data
- IaS2.2 SI units and IUPAC names
- IaS2.3 Prefixes and powers of ten
- IaS2.4 Translating data between forms
- IaS2.5 Converting units
- IaS2.6 Significant figures
- IaS2.7 Displaying data on graphs
- IaS2.8 Analysing data: patterns, statistics and gradients
- IaS2.9 Evaluating data quality and errors
- IaS2.10 Evaluating and improving an experimental strategy
- IaS2.11 Interpreting data and drawing conclusions
- IaS2.12 Data and confidence in a hypothesis
- IaS3 How are scientific explanations developed?
- IaS3.1 Correlation and cause
- IaS3.2 How scientific theories develop
- IaS3.3 Peer review
- IaS3.4 Using models to solve problems and explain
- IaS4 How do science and technology impact society?
- IaS4.1 Applications of science that improved lives
- IaS4.2 Risks from new scientific advances
- IaS4.3 Weighing risks and benefits in a situation
- IaS4.4 Different decisions on the same issue
- IaS4.5 Scientific and non-scientific questions
- IaS4.6 Communicating science to different audiences
P8 Practical skills
5e Mathematical skills
- M1 Arithmetic and numerical computation
- M1a Decimal form
- M1b Standard form
- M1c Ratios, fractions and percentages
- M1d Estimating results of calculations
- M2 Handling data
- M2a Significant figures
- M2b Arithmetic means
- M2c Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
- M2f Mean, mode and median
- M2g Scatter diagrams and correlation
- M2h Order of magnitude calculations
- M3 Algebra
- M3a Mathematical symbols
- M3b Changing the subject of an equation
- M3c Substituting values into equations
- M3d Solving simple equations
- M4 Graphs
- M4a Graphical and numeric forms
- M4b Linear relationships: y = mx + c
- M4c Plotting two variables from data
- M4d Slope and intercept of a linear graph
- M4e Tangents to curves as rates of change
- M4f Area under a curve
- M5 Geometry and trigonometry
- M5a Angles in degrees
- M5b Representing 2-D and 3-D forms
- M5c Areas, surface areas and volumes