GCSE Physics (Combined) WJEC

This subject is broken down into 71 topics in 11 modules:

  1. Electric Circuits 8 topics
  2. Generating Electricity 7 topics
  3. Making Use of Energy 6 topics
  4. Domestic Electricity 6 topics
  5. Features of Waves 8 topics
  6. Distance, Speed and Acceleration 4 topics
  7. Newton's Laws 6 topics
  8. Work and Energy 7 topics
  9. Stars and Planets 6 topics
  10. Types of Radiation 9 topics
  11. Half-Life 4 topics
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  • 71
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  • 20,095
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Physics (Combined)

Electric Circuits

Symbols of Components

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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.

Course material for Physics (Combined), module Electric Circuits, topic Symbols of Components

Physics (Combined)

Distance, Speed and Acceleration

Speed-time and Distance-time Graphs

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Speed-time and Distance-time Graphs

Speed-time Graphs

  • Speed-time graphs plot speed on the y-axis and time on the x-axis and illustrate the rate of change of speed with time.

Characteristics

  • The gradient of a speed-time graph indicates acceleration. A steeper gradient means greater acceleration.
  • A horizontal line indicates constant speed or zero acceleration.
  • If the line slopes downwards, it indicates deceleration or slowing down.
  • The area under the graph represents the total distance travelled.

Distance-time Graphs

  • Distance-time graphs plot distance on the y-axis and time on the x-axis and give an overview of the motion of the object over time.

Characteristics

  • The gradient of a distance-time graph shows speed. A steeper gradient implies faster speed.
  • A horizontal line represents a stationary object — no change in distance means the object isn't moving.
  • The steeper the graph, the faster the speed of the object.
  • A downward sloping line would imply the object is returning to the start.

Interpreting Graphs

  • Given a speed-time or distance-time graph, one should be able to interpret the motion of the object, calculate distances, speeds, and accelerations, and potentially even draw similar graphs.

Equations

  • The formula to calculate speed from a distance-time graph is given as Speed = Distance ÷ Time.
  • The formula to calculate acceleration from a speed-time graph is given as Acceleration = Change in Velocity ÷ Time.
  • The formula to calculate distance from a speed-time graph is gotten by calculating the Area under the graph.

Course material for Physics (Combined), module Distance, Speed and Acceleration, topic Speed-time and Distance-time Graphs

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