GCSE Physics (Combined) WJEC
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71 topics in 11 modules
☑️ Electric Circuits 8 topics
- Symbols of Components
- Series and Parallel Circuits
- Voltmeters and Ammeters
- How Current Changes with Voltage for a Component
- Relationship between Current, Voltage and Resistance
- Total Resistance
- Power
- Design and Use of Circuits to Explore the Variation of Resistance
☑️ Generating Electricity 7 topics
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy Technologies
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-renewable Energy Technologies
- Fuel Based Power Stations
- Snakey Diagrams
- The National Grid
- Step-up and Step-down Transofmrers in Transmission of Electricity
- Efficiency, Reliability, Carbon Footprint and Output in Different Types of Power Stations
☑️ Making Use of Energy 6 topics
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
- Density = Mass / Volume
- Restricting Energy Loss from Houses
- Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency of Diffeernt Methods of Reducing Energy Losses from Homes
☑️ Domestic Electricity 6 topics
- The Kilowatt (kW) and the Kilowatt Hour (kWh) as Units of Energy
- The Cost of Electricity
- Alternating Current (ac) and Direct Current (dc)
- Fuses, Miniature Circuit Breakers and Residual Current Circuit Breakers
- The Ring Main, Live, Neutral and Earth Wires
- The Cost Effectiveness of Introducing Domestic Solar and Wind Energy Equipment
☑️ Features of Waves 8 topics
- Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
- Description of a Wave
- Reflection and Refraction
- Radiation
- Ultraviolet, X-ray and Gamma Ray
- The Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Wavelength, Frequency, Speed and Amplitude
- Communications using Satellites in Geosynchronous/Geostationary Orbit
☑️ Distance, Speed and Acceleration 4 topics
- Motion
- Speed-time and Distance-time Graphs
- Velocity-time Graphs (Distance Travelled)
- The Principles of Forces and Motion to the Safe Stopping of Vehicles
☑️ Newton's Laws 6 topics
- The Concept of Inertia
- Newton's First Law of Motion
- Newton's Second Law of Motion
- Distinction between Mass and Weight of an Object
- Forces and their Effects
- Newton's Third Law of Motion
☑️ Work and Energy 7 topics
- Transferring Energy
- Work = Force x Distance
- Object can Possess Energy because of its Motion, Position and Deformation
- Kinetic Energy and Changes in Gravitational Potential Energy Equations
- Relationship between Force and Extension for a Spring and other Simple Systems
- Work Done
- Improving Energy Efficiency of Vehicles
☑️ Stars and Planets 6 topics
- Main Features of our Solar System
- The Features of the Observable Universe and Appropriate Units of Distance
- The Life Cycle of Stars
- Stability of Stars
- The Origin of the Solar System
- The Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) Diagram
☑️ Types of Radiation 9 topics
- Nucleon, Proton Numbers, Isotope
- Radioactive Emissions
- Nuclear Power Stations Waste Radioactivity
- Background Radiation
- Random Nature of Radioactive Decay
- The Differences between Alpha, Beta and Gamma Radiation
- Alpha Radiation as a Helium Nucleus, Beta Radiation as a High Energy Nucleon and Gamma Radiation as Electromagnetic
- Producing and Balancing Nuclear Equations for Radioactive Decay
- Natural and Artificial Sources of Background Radiation
☑️ Half-Life 4 topics
- Random Nature of Radioactive Decay
- Plotting/Sketching Decay Curves for Radioactive Materials
- Simple Calculations involving the Activity and Half-life of Radioactive Materials
- The FDifferent Uses of Radioactive Materials
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GCSE Physics (Combined) WJEC Revision Content
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GCSE Physics (Combined) WJEC - Electric Circuits - Symbols of Components Content Preview
Electric Circuits
Symbols of Components
Symbols of Components
Fundamental Components
- Resistor: This is represented as a rectangular box or a zigzag line.
- Battery: It is represented by one long line and one short line, with the long line indicating the positive end.
- Cell: This has a similar symbol to the battery with one long line and one short line.
- Switch: It is depicted with a line linked to a dot, showing the switch's 'open' or 'off' position.
Advanced Components
- Capacitor: It is shown as two parallel lines with a gap in between. A curved line indicates a polarised capacitor.
- Inductor or Coil: This is represented by a series of loops or curves.
- Diode: The symbol looks like a arrow with a line across its point, indicating the direction of current.
- Light Emitting Diode (LED): It is represented by a diode symbol but with two arrows pointing outward to indicate light emission.
- Transistor: It is symbolised by a combination of diode symbols.
Additional Components
- Ammeter: The symbol is a circle with 'A' written inside it.
- Voltmeter: It is symbolised by a circle with 'V' written inside.
- Variable resistor: It presents as a normal resistor symbol with an arrow across it.
- Thermistor: The symbol is a rectangle containing the word 'therm', placed within a circle.
- Light-dependent resistor (LDR): This is depicted as a rectangle with 'ldr' written inside, placed within a circle.
These symbols are internationally standardised, so their meanings remain the same irrespective of the context. Knowing these symbols is crucial to analyse and understand circuit diagrams effectively.
Question: What symbol is used to represent a Light Emitting Diode (LED) in a circuit diagram?
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