This is a comprehensive compilation of notes for physics IGCSE. It helped me achieve a grade of 97% in the O/N 2021 series and will hopefully help those struggling in physics or for those who just want to learn the basics of physics
,Index
1 General physics 4 Electricity and magnetism
1.1 Length and time 4.1 Magnetism
1.2 Motion 4.2 Electrical quantities
1.3 Mass and weight 4.2.1 Electric charge
1.4 Density 4.2.2 Current
1.5 Forces 4.2.3 Electromotive force
1.5.1 Effects of forces 4.2.4 Potential difference
1.5.2 Turning effect 4.2.5 Resistance
1.5.3 Conditions for equilibrium 4.2.6 Electrical working
1.5.4 Centre of mass 4.3 Electric circuits
1.5.5 Scalars and vectors 4.3.1 Circuit diagrams
1.6 Momentum 4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits
1.7 Energy, work & power 4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components
1.7.1 Energy 4.4 Digital electronics
1.7.2 Energy resources 4.5 Dangers of electricity
1.7.3 Work 4.6 Electromagnetic effects
1.7.4 Power 4.6.1 Electromagnetic induction
1.8 Pressure 4.6.2 A.C. generator
4.6.3 Transformer
2 Thermal physics 4.6.4 Magnetic effect of a current
2.1 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter 4.6.5 Force on current-carrying conductor
2.1.2 Molecular model 4.6.6 D.C motor
2.1.3 Evaporation
2.1.4 Pressure changes 5 Atomic physics
2.2 Thermal properties and temperature 5.1 The nuclear atom
2.2.1 Thermal expansion 5.1.1 Atomic model
2.2.2 Measurement of temperature 5.1.2 Nucleus
2.2.3 Heat capacity 5.2 Radioactivity
2.2.4 Latent heat 5.2.1 Detection of radioactivity
2.3 Thermal processes 5.2.2 Characteristics of 3 kinds of emission
2.3.1 Conduction 5.2.3 Radioactive decay
2.3.2 Convection 5.2.4 Half-life
2.3.3 Radiation 5.2.5 Safety precautions
3 Properties of waves, including light and
sound
3.1 General wave properties
3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection
3.2.2 Refraction
3.2.3 Converging lens
3.2.4 Dispersion of light
3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum
3.4 Sound
1
,Experiments
- Measurement of physical quantities such as length or volume or force
o Density
o Inertia & mass
o Centre of mass
o Parallelogram of forces
- Cooling and heating
o Specific heat capacity
o Latent heat of fusion/vaporization
o Heat transfer
- Springs and balances
o Hooke’s Law
- Timing motion or oscillations
o Pendulum
o Ticker tape
- Electric circuits
- Optics equipment such as mirrors, prisms and lenses
o Light ray box - refraction
o Total internal reflection
o Dispersion of light
2
, Topic 1: General Physics
1.1 Length and time
Measuring Length
Measuring instrument Range Smallest scale division Common errors
measuring tape few meters 0.1cm - parallax error
- inaccurate setting at zero mark
meter rule 1 meter 0.1cm
vernier caliper 10cm 0.01cm - zero error
micrometer screw gauge 2cm 0.001cm
Measuring Time Intervals
Timing Device Example of use Common errors
clock/watch car parking parallax error of pointer
stopwatch time oscillations of pendulum reaction time error
electronic light-gate timer 100m race misalignment of light beams
- Timing devices need to be checked periodically to ensure they do not run too slow/fast
Measuring Mass and Volume
Regular solid Irregular solid Liquid
mass electronic balance = total mass − beaker mass
displacement/eureka can
(volume displaced)
volume = base area × height measuring cylinder
measuring cylinder
(final-initial volume of water)
1.2 Motion
Equations of linear motion
1. 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 a = acceleration (ms-2)
𝑢+𝑣 v = final velocity (ms-1)
2. 𝑠=( )𝑡
2
u = initial velocity (ms-1)
1
3. 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 t = time taken (s)
2
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠 s = displacement (m)
4
3
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