KnowledgeSetKnowledgeSet
Pricing
Log InGet Started

The learning loop

See all features →
01

Build understanding

Clear explanations. Connected ideas. Help when you need it.

02

Put it into practice

Try it, get feedback, and learn from every attempt.

03

Know what to work on next

See your progress and find a clearer next step.

Key Stage 3
Coming soon
GCSE
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biology (Combined)
  • Chemistry (Combined)
  • Physics (Combined)
  • Maths
  • Geography
IGCSE
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
A-Level
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
11+
Coming soon
Product
See all features →

Build understanding

Clear explanations. Connected ideas. Help when you need it.

Put it into practice

Try it, get feedback, and learn from every attempt.

Know what to work on next

See your progress and find a clearer next step.

Subjects
Pricing
Log InGet Started
HomeCalendarSubjectsAnalyticsSageAILessonsNotesFlashcardsQuestionsFeedback
Notes/GCSE/Physics (Combined Science)/Edexcel/Higher

Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) — Physics — Higher

    • •SI units for physical quantities1.1
    • •Multiples and sub-multiples of units1.2
    • •Unit conversions1.3
    • •Significant figures and standard form1.4
    • •Scalar quantities2.1
    • •Vector quantities2.2
    • •Differences between scalars and vectors2.3
    • •Examples of scalar and vector quantities2.4
    • •Velocity as speed in a direction2.5
    • •Speed, distance and time equations2.6
    • •Interpreting distance–time graphs2.7
    • •Acceleration equation2.8
    • •Velocity, acceleration and distance equation2.9
    • •Interpreting velocity–time graphs2.10
    • •Measuring speed in the lab2.11
    • •Typical everyday speeds2.12
    • •Acceleration due to gravity and everyday accelerations2.13
    • •Newton’s first law2.14
    • •Newton’s second law2.15
    • •Weight, mass and gravitational field strength2.16
    • •Measuring weight2.17
    • •Relationship between weight and gravitational field strength2.18
    • •Core Practical: force, mass and acceleration2.19
    • •Circular motion and changing velocity2.20
    • •Centripetal force2.21
    • •Inertial mass2.22
    • •Newton’s third law and momentum conservation2.23
    • •Momentum and its equation2.24
    • •Momentum in collisions2.25
    • •Force and change in momentum2.26
    • •Measuring human reaction time2.27
    • •Stopping distance, thinking distance and braking distance2.28
    • •Factors affecting stopping distance2.29
    • •Factors affecting reaction time2.30
    • •Dangers of large decelerations and forces in crashes2.31
    • •Gravitational potential energy equation3.1
    • •Kinetic energy equation3.2
    • •Energy transfer diagrams3.3
    • •Conservation of energy3.4
    • •Changes in energy stores in different situations3.5
    • •Energy conservation in closed systems3.6
    • •Wasted energy and heating of surroundings3.7
    • •Energy dissipation into less useful stores3.8
    • •Reducing unwanted energy transfers3.9
    • •Building insulation and rate of cooling3.10
    • •Efficiency equation3.11
    • •Improving efficiency3.12
    • •Energy resources: renewable and non-renewable3.13
    • •Patterns and trends in energy resource use3.14
    • •Waves transferring energy and information4.1
    • •Evidence that waves, not matter, travel4.2
    • •Frequency and wavelength4.3
    • •Amplitude, period, wave velocity and wavefront4.4
    • •Longitudinal and transverse waves4.5
    • •Wave speed equations4.6
    • •Measuring wave speed in air and water4.7
    • •Refraction at boundaries: speed and direction changes4.10
    • •Wavelength-dependent absorption, transmission and reflection4.11
    • •Core Practical: measuring wave speed, frequency and wavelength4.17
    • •Transverse nature and speed of electromagnetic waves5.7
    • •Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves5.8
    • •Core Practical: refraction in glass blocks5.9
    • •Main groupings of the electromagnetic spectrum5.10
    • •Wavelength and frequency trends in the EM spectrum5.11
    • •Visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum5.12
    • •Wavelength-dependent interactions of EM waves with matter5.13
    • •Effect of medium on electromagnetic wave velocity5.14
    • •Frequency and potential danger of electromagnetic waves5.20
    • •Harmful effects of different electromagnetic radiations5.21
    • •Uses of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum5.22
    • •Production and detection of radio waves in electrical circuits5.23
    • •Atomic and nuclear changes as sources and absorbers of radiation5.24
    • •Atomic structure and nuclear size6.1
    • •Typical size of atoms and small molecules6.2
    • •Isotopes, atomic number and mass number notation6.3
    • •Nuclear charge, isotopes and neutron number6.4
    • •Relative mass and charge of subatomic particles6.5
    • •Charge neutrality in atoms6.6
    • •Electron orbits and energy levels6.7
    • •Electron transitions and electromagnetic radiation6.8
    • •Formation of positive ions by electron loss6.9
    • •Types of nuclear radiation and unstable nuclei6.10
    • •Ionising nuclear radiations6.11
    • •Background radiation6.12
    • •Origins of background radiation from Earth and space6.13
    • •Detecting and measuring radioactivity6.14
    • •Nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation6.15
    • •Penetration and ionisation of alpha, beta and gamma6.16
    • •Development of the nuclear model of the atom6.17
    • •β⁻ decay: neutron to proton and electron6.18
    • •β⁺ decay: proton to neutron and positron6.19
    • •Changes to atomic and mass number in nuclear decay6.20
    • •Gamma emission after nuclear decay6.21
    • •Balancing nuclear equations for mass and charge6.22
    • •Decrease in activity of a radioactive source over time6.23
    • •Unit of activity: the Becquerel6.24
    • •Definition of half-life6.25
    • •Random decay and predicting activity using half-life6.26
    • •Half-life calculations and decay graphs6.27
    • •Dangers of ionising radiation and tissue damage6.29
    • •Radiation safety precautions for patients and staff6.31
    • •Contamination versus irradiation6.32
    • •Energy stores when systems change8.1
    • •Energy transfer diagrams for forces doing work8.2
    • •Conservation of energy in closed systems8.3
    • •Ways to change the energy of a system8.4
    • •Measuring work done by a force8.5
    • •Work done equation8.6
    • •Energy changes from work done by forces8.7
    • •Gravitational potential energy calculations8.8
    • •Kinetic energy calculations8.9
    • •Energy dissipation in system changes8.10
    • •Wasteful mechanical processes and heating8.11
    • •Definition and examples of power8.12
    • •Power equation using work done and time8.13
    • •Watt as joule per second8.14
    • •Efficiency equation for energy transfers8.15
    • •Types of interactions and force pairs9.1
    • •Vector and scalar quantities with examples9.2
    • •Vector diagrams for resultant and equilibrium forces9.3
    • •Free body force diagrams9.4
    • •Resultant and balanced forces on objects9.5
    • •Reducing unwanted energy transfer with lubrication9.10
    • •Atomic structure: protons, neutrons and electrons10.1
    • •Standard circuit diagrams and component symbols10.2
    • •Series and parallel circuits10.3
    • •Voltmeter connection and measuring potential difference10.4
    • •Potential difference as energy per unit charge10.5
    • •Energy transfer equation E = QV10.6
    • •Ammeter connection and measuring current10.7
    • •Electric current as rate of charge flow10.8
    • •Charge equation Q = I t10.9
    • •Current in closed circuits with a source10.10
    • •Conservation of current at circuit junctions10.11
    • •Effect of resistance and variable resistors on current10.12
    • •Ohm’s law V = I R10.13
    • •Resistance in series and parallel combinations10.14
    • •Calculations in series circuits10.15
    • •Designing series circuits for measurements10.16
    • •Core Practical: V–I–R relationships and series/parallel circuits10.17
    • •Current–voltage graphs for different components10.18
    • •LDR resistance and light intensity10.19
    • •Thermistor resistance and temperature10.20
    • •Using circuits to investigate component resistance10.21
    • •Heating effect of current in resistors10.22
    • •Energy dissipation due to electrical resistance10.23
    • •Microscopic explanation of heating in resistors10.24
    • •Reducing energy loss with low-resistance wiring10.25
    • •Uses and drawbacks of the heating effect of current10.26
    • •Energy transfer equation E = I V t10.27
    • •Power as rate of energy transfer10.28
    • •Power equation P = E / t10.29
    • •Power transfer in circuit components10.30
    • •Electrical power equations P = IV and P = I²R10.31
    • •Energy transfers in domestic electrical devices10.32
    • •Direct vs alternating voltage10.33
    • •Direct current from cells and batteries10.34
    • •Alternating current and changing direction10.35
    • •UK domestic mains supply values10.36
    • •Functions of live and neutral wires10.37
    • •Earth wire, fuses and circuit breakers10.38
    • •Why switches and fuses are in the live wire10.39
    • •Potential differences of live, neutral and earth wires10.40
    • •Dangers of live-to-earth connections10.41
    • •Power ratings and energy changes in appliances10.42
    • •Magnetic pole interactions12.1
    • •Permanent and temporary magnetic materials12.2
    • •Permanent and induced magnets12.3
    • •Magnetic fields and field strength12.4
    • •Plotting magnetic fields12.5
    • •Magnetic compasses and the Earth’s core12.6
    • •Magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors12.7
    • •Factors affecting a conductor’s magnetic field12.8
    • •Magnetic fields inside and outside solenoids12.9
    • •Forces between magnets and current-carrying conductors12.10
    • •Interactions between magnetic fields12.11
    • •Fleming’s left-hand rule12.12
    • •Force on a current-carrying conductor12.13
    • •Induced potential difference and opposing magnetic fields13.2
    • •Mutual induction in transformers13.5
    • •Transformers and alternating voltage13.6
    • •High-voltage transmission and energy losses13.8
    • •Step-up and step-down transformers in the national grid13.9
    • •Power equation for ideal transformers13.10
    • •Kinetic theory and states of matter14.1
    • •Density equation14.2
    • •Density of solids and liquids practical14.3
    • •Particle arrangement and density14.4
    • •Changes of state and conservation of mass14.5
    • •Heating and changes in internal energy14.6
    • •Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat14.7
    • •Thermal energy and temperature change14.8
    • •Thermal energy and changes of state14.9
    • •Thermal insulation14.10
    • •Water heating and melting ice practical14.11
    • •Gas pressure and particle motion14.12
    • •Temperature and gas pressure at constant volume14.13
    • •Absolute zero14.14
    • •Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales14.15
    • •Forces and elastic deformation15.1
    • •Elastic and inelastic distortion15.2
    • •Force, extension and spring constant15.3
    • •Work done in stretching a spring15.4
    • •Linear and non-linear force–extension relationships15.5
    • •Spring extension and work done practical15.6

Syllabus

Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) — Physics — Higher

    • •SI units for physical quantities1.1
    • •Multiples and sub-multiples of units1.2
    • •Unit conversions1.3
    • •Significant figures and standard form1.4
    • •Scalar quantities2.1
    • •Vector quantities2.2
    • •Differences between scalars and vectors2.3
    • •Examples of scalar and vector quantities2.4
    • •Velocity as speed in a direction2.5
    • •Speed, distance and time equations2.6
    • •Interpreting distance–time graphs2.7
    • •Acceleration equation2.8
    • •Velocity, acceleration and distance equation2.9
    • •Interpreting velocity–time graphs2.10
    • •Measuring speed in the lab2.11
    • •Typical everyday speeds2.12
    • •Acceleration due to gravity and everyday accelerations2.13
    • •Newton’s first law2.14
    • •Newton’s second law2.15
    • •Weight, mass and gravitational field strength2.16
    • •Measuring weight2.17
    • •Relationship between weight and gravitational field strength2.18
    • •Core Practical: force, mass and acceleration2.19
    • •Circular motion and changing velocity2.20
    • •Centripetal force2.21
    • •Inertial mass2.22
    • •Newton’s third law and momentum conservation2.23
    • •Momentum and its equation2.24
    • •Momentum in collisions2.25
    • •Force and change in momentum2.26
    • •Measuring human reaction time2.27
    • •Stopping distance, thinking distance and braking distance2.28
    • •Factors affecting stopping distance2.29
    • •Factors affecting reaction time2.30
    • •Dangers of large decelerations and forces in crashes2.31
    • •Gravitational potential energy equation3.1
    • •Kinetic energy equation3.2
    • •Energy transfer diagrams3.3
    • •Conservation of energy3.4
    • •Changes in energy stores in different situations3.5
    • •Energy conservation in closed systems3.6
    • •Wasted energy and heating of surroundings3.7
    • •Energy dissipation into less useful stores3.8
    • •Reducing unwanted energy transfers3.9
    • •Building insulation and rate of cooling3.10
    • •Efficiency equation3.11
    • •Improving efficiency3.12
    • •Energy resources: renewable and non-renewable3.13
    • •Patterns and trends in energy resource use3.14
    • •Waves transferring energy and information4.1
    • •Evidence that waves, not matter, travel4.2
    • •Frequency and wavelength4.3
    • •Amplitude, period, wave velocity and wavefront4.4
    • •Longitudinal and transverse waves4.5
    • •Wave speed equations4.6
    • •Measuring wave speed in air and water4.7
    • •Refraction at boundaries: speed and direction changes4.10
    • •Wavelength-dependent absorption, transmission and reflection4.11
    • •Core Practical: measuring wave speed, frequency and wavelength4.17
    • •Transverse nature and speed of electromagnetic waves5.7
    • •Energy transfer by electromagnetic waves5.8
    • •Core Practical: refraction in glass blocks5.9
    • •Main groupings of the electromagnetic spectrum5.10
    • •Wavelength and frequency trends in the EM spectrum5.11
    • •Visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum5.12
    • •Wavelength-dependent interactions of EM waves with matter5.13
    • •Effect of medium on electromagnetic wave velocity5.14
    • •Frequency and potential danger of electromagnetic waves5.20
    • •Harmful effects of different electromagnetic radiations5.21
    • •Uses of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum5.22
    • •Production and detection of radio waves in electrical circuits5.23
    • •Atomic and nuclear changes as sources and absorbers of radiation5.24
    • •Atomic structure and nuclear size6.1
    • •Typical size of atoms and small molecules6.2
    • •Isotopes, atomic number and mass number notation6.3
    • •Nuclear charge, isotopes and neutron number6.4
    • •Relative mass and charge of subatomic particles6.5
    • •Charge neutrality in atoms6.6
    • •Electron orbits and energy levels6.7
    • •Electron transitions and electromagnetic radiation6.8
    • •Formation of positive ions by electron loss6.9
    • •Types of nuclear radiation and unstable nuclei6.10
    • •Ionising nuclear radiations6.11
    • •Background radiation6.12
    • •Origins of background radiation from Earth and space6.13
    • •Detecting and measuring radioactivity6.14
    • •Nature of alpha, beta and gamma radiation6.15
    • •Penetration and ionisation of alpha, beta and gamma6.16
    • •Development of the nuclear model of the atom6.17
    • •β⁻ decay: neutron to proton and electron6.18
    • •β⁺ decay: proton to neutron and positron6.19
    • •Changes to atomic and mass number in nuclear decay6.20
    • •Gamma emission after nuclear decay6.21
    • •Balancing nuclear equations for mass and charge6.22
    • •Decrease in activity of a radioactive source over time6.23
    • •Unit of activity: the Becquerel6.24
    • •Definition of half-life6.25
    • •Random decay and predicting activity using half-life6.26
    • •Half-life calculations and decay graphs6.27
    • •Dangers of ionising radiation and tissue damage6.29
    • •Radiation safety precautions for patients and staff6.31
    • •Contamination versus irradiation6.32
    • •Energy stores when systems change8.1
    • •Energy transfer diagrams for forces doing work8.2
    • •Conservation of energy in closed systems8.3
    • •Ways to change the energy of a system8.4
    • •Measuring work done by a force8.5
    • •Work done equation8.6
    • •Energy changes from work done by forces8.7
    • •Gravitational potential energy calculations8.8
    • •Kinetic energy calculations8.9
    • •Energy dissipation in system changes8.10
    • •Wasteful mechanical processes and heating8.11
    • •Definition and examples of power8.12
    • •Power equation using work done and time8.13
    • •Watt as joule per second8.14
    • •Efficiency equation for energy transfers8.15
    • •Types of interactions and force pairs9.1
    • •Vector and scalar quantities with examples9.2
    • •Vector diagrams for resultant and equilibrium forces9.3
    • •Free body force diagrams9.4
    • •Resultant and balanced forces on objects9.5
    • •Reducing unwanted energy transfer with lubrication9.10
    • •Atomic structure: protons, neutrons and electrons10.1
    • •Standard circuit diagrams and component symbols10.2
    • •Series and parallel circuits10.3
    • •Voltmeter connection and measuring potential difference10.4
    • •Potential difference as energy per unit charge10.5
    • •Energy transfer equation E = QV10.6
    • •Ammeter connection and measuring current10.7
    • •Electric current as rate of charge flow10.8
    • •Charge equation Q = I t10.9
    • •Current in closed circuits with a source10.10
    • •Conservation of current at circuit junctions10.11
    • •Effect of resistance and variable resistors on current10.12
    • •Ohm’s law V = I R10.13
    • •Resistance in series and parallel combinations10.14
    • •Calculations in series circuits10.15
    • •Designing series circuits for measurements10.16
    • •Core Practical: V–I–R relationships and series/parallel circuits10.17
    • •Current–voltage graphs for different components10.18
    • •LDR resistance and light intensity10.19
    • •Thermistor resistance and temperature10.20
    • •Using circuits to investigate component resistance10.21
    • •Heating effect of current in resistors10.22
    • •Energy dissipation due to electrical resistance10.23
    • •Microscopic explanation of heating in resistors10.24
    • •Reducing energy loss with low-resistance wiring10.25
    • •Uses and drawbacks of the heating effect of current10.26
    • •Energy transfer equation E = I V t10.27
    • •Power as rate of energy transfer10.28
    • •Power equation P = E / t10.29
    • •Power transfer in circuit components10.30
    • •Electrical power equations P = IV and P = I²R10.31
    • •Energy transfers in domestic electrical devices10.32
    • •Direct vs alternating voltage10.33
    • •Direct current from cells and batteries10.34
    • •Alternating current and changing direction10.35
    • •UK domestic mains supply values10.36
    • •Functions of live and neutral wires10.37
    • •Earth wire, fuses and circuit breakers10.38
    • •Why switches and fuses are in the live wire10.39
    • •Potential differences of live, neutral and earth wires10.40
    • •Dangers of live-to-earth connections10.41
    • •Power ratings and energy changes in appliances10.42
    • •Magnetic pole interactions12.1
    • •Permanent and temporary magnetic materials12.2
    • •Permanent and induced magnets12.3
    • •Magnetic fields and field strength12.4
    • •Plotting magnetic fields12.5
    • •Magnetic compasses and the Earth’s core12.6
    • •Magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors12.7
    • •Factors affecting a conductor’s magnetic field12.8
    • •Magnetic fields inside and outside solenoids12.9
    • •Forces between magnets and current-carrying conductors12.10
    • •Interactions between magnetic fields12.11
    • •Fleming’s left-hand rule12.12
    • •Force on a current-carrying conductor12.13
    • •Induced potential difference and opposing magnetic fields13.2
    • •Mutual induction in transformers13.5
    • •Transformers and alternating voltage13.6
    • •High-voltage transmission and energy losses13.8
    • •Step-up and step-down transformers in the national grid13.9
    • •Power equation for ideal transformers13.10
    • •Kinetic theory and states of matter14.1
    • •Density equation14.2
    • •Density of solids and liquids practical14.3
    • •Particle arrangement and density14.4
    • •Changes of state and conservation of mass14.5
    • •Heating and changes in internal energy14.6
    • •Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat14.7
    • •Thermal energy and temperature change14.8
    • •Thermal energy and changes of state14.9
    • •Thermal insulation14.10
    • •Water heating and melting ice practical14.11
    • •Gas pressure and particle motion14.12
    • •Temperature and gas pressure at constant volume14.13
    • •Absolute zero14.14
    • •Kelvin and Celsius temperature scales14.15
    • •Forces and elastic deformation15.1
    • •Elastic and inelastic distortion15.2
    • •Force, extension and spring constant15.3
    • •Work done in stretching a spring15.4
    • •Linear and non-linear force–extension relationships15.5
    • •Spring extension and work done practical15.6

Penetration and ionisation of alpha, beta and gamma

Edexcel·Physics (Combined Science)·6.16·Higher

Notes Coming Soon

The concept content for this specification point is being prepared. Check back soon.