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Calculating density and measuring volume

Measuring density

Pressure in a fluid

Upthrust calculations

Explaining convection

Explaining changes of pressure

In the Energy of moving particles unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the movement and nature of different particles transfers energy by conduction, and how specific heat capacity and specific latent heat quantify the effect of heating on the properties of a material.

In the Heating and cooling unit, pupils learnt how the motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases changes when they are heated, how thermal conduction and insulation work and why heating different materials doesn’t always increase their temperatures by the same amount. 

This unit defines density and explores how it varies between states of matter based on atomic arrangement. It covers mass conservation during physical changes, gas behaviour, fluid pressure, buoyancy, and atmospheric pressure, and calculations involving density, mass, and volume relationships.

Particle explanations of density and pressure

Different speeds (v=x/t)

Measuring instantaneous speed practical (v = x ÷ t)

Measuring instantaneous speed analysis (v=x/t)

Automated measurement of speed

Displacement and velocity as vectors: including circular motion

Velocity on displacement-time graphs (v = x ÷ t)

Calculating from displacement-time graphs: including tangents (v = x ÷ t)

Calculating acceleration (a=(v-u)/t)

Measuring acceleration practical (v=x/t, a=(v-u)/t)

Measuring acceleration analysis (v = x ÷ t, a = (v – u) ÷ t)

Velocity-time graphs: acceleration and distance travelled (a=(v-u)/t)

Calculating from motion graphs: including displacement (a=(v-u)/t and v=x/t)

Motion calculations: including complex ones (a=(v−u)/t, v²−u²=2ax & v=x/t)

In the Energy of moving objects unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how to calculate the amount of energy of objects have because they are moving, stretched or in a gravitational field; and to calculate energy transfers using knowledge of energy conservation and dissipation.

In the Moving by force unit, pupils learnt how to calculate speed and describe motion using distance-time graphs, apply Newton’s First Law of motion and calculate the amount of energy needed to move an object to a new position.

This unit covers vector-scalar distinctions in displacement, distance, velocity, and speed. It explores speeds, acceleration, motion graphs, and formulas for uniform and non-uniform motion. It also includes understanding circular motion and conducting accurate measurements, and calculations.

Measuring and calculating motion

Electric fields

Moving electric charge

Linking current, potential difference and resistance

Resistance of a wire at a constant temperature

Analysing series circuits: including complex calculations

Adding components to a parallel circuit

Analysing parallel circuits: including complex calculations

In the Circuit components unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how the resistance of filament lamps and diodes change with current and about the properties and applications of light dependent resistors and thermistors.

In the Resistance and parallel circuits unit, pupils learnt about electrical resistance and parallel electric circuits.

This unit covers static electricity, electric fields, and current flow in series and parallel circuits. It explains current, resistance, and potential difference relationships and explores diodes, thermistors, and LDRs. The focus is on calculations, experiments, and accurate measurements.

Electric fields and circuit calculations

Transverse waves

Representing transverse waves

Representing longitudinal waves

Oscilloscope

Measuring the speed of water waves from distance and time

The wave equation

Using the wave speed equations

Measuring waves in a ripple tank

Measuring waves on a string

Measuring the speed of sound in air and solids

Human hearing

Probing planet Earth

In the Electromagnetic waves unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the reflection and refraction of light, other types of electromagnetic radiation in the EM spectrum and the helpful and harmful effects of each type of radiation.

In the Waves unit, pupils learnt about the properties and propagation of transverse and longitudinal waves.

This unit covers wave motion, including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and velocity. It explains transverse and longitudinal waves, reflection, and absorption. The focus is on measuring wave speed, and sound interactions, applying formulas, and conducting accurate experiments.

Measuring waves

Work done calculations (E = F × d)

Power calculations (P = E ÷ t)

Calculating efficiency (in terms of useful energy transferred)

Calculating the energy of moving objects (KE=1/2mv2)

The energy of objects in a gravitational field (dGPE=m x g x dh)

Calculating energy changes - with complex examples (KE and dGPE)

Stretching a spring practical

Stretching a spring analysis and calculations (F=kx)

Calculating the energy of springs (E = 1/2 kx²)

In the Forces make things change unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn how to combine forces in two dimensions, how to calculate acceleration from a resultant force and how to calculate forces in collisions and explosions.

In the Measuring and calculating motion unit, pupils learnt how to measure and calculate velocity and acceleration, and how to interpret displacement-time and velocity-time graphs. 

This unit covers energy changes in systems through heating, forces, and electrical work. It includes energy storage, efficiency, and transfer methods like insulation. Emphasis is on calculating energy, conducting experiments, interpreting data, and communicating findings accurately.

Energy of moving objects

Thermal conduction and insulation

Effective insulation

Heating different substances

Calculating specific heat capacity (∆Q = m c ∆θ)

Measuring specific heat capacity

A heating curve for water

Specific latent heat (Q = m L)

In the Nuclear physics unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about subatomic particles, unstable nuclei, radioactive decay, ionising radiation and radioactive half-life.

In the Particle explanations of density and pressure unit, pupils learnt how the arrangement and movement of particles in solids, liquids and gases explain density, pressure, floating and convection.

This unit covers energy changes in systems due to heating, forces, and electrical work. It explains reducing energy transfer via insulation, specific heat capacity, and latent heat. Emphasis is on calculations, planning experiments, data interpretation, and evaluating methods.

Energy of moving particles

Measuring the resistance of a filament lamp

Resistance of a hot metal

Measuring the resistance of a diode

Interpreting I–V graphs

Potential divider circuits

LDRs and thermistors

In the Mains electricity unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the dangers of mains electricity, how to use mains electricity safely, the equations I=Q/t, V=E/Q and P=IV, and about the transmission of power in the national grid, including transformers.

In the Electric fields and circuit calculations unit, pupils learnt about the properties of electric fields, moving electric charge, and how to analyse series and parallel electrical circuits.

This unit explores current, resistance, and potential difference. It covers circuit design for lamps, diodes, and thermistors, and emphasises planning experiments, data interpretation, and presenting scientific conclusions.

Circuit components

Physics

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