IGCSE Physics (0625) Motion, Forces, and Energy

IGCSE Physics (0625) - General Information

• This resource is a collection of topical notes for the Cambridge IGCSE Physics syllabus (0625).
• It was authored by Veda.
• The notes are for examination until 2025.
• The guide is for educational purposes only; use it to study for the IGCSE Physics exam.
• The information within this guide is free of cost for all students.
• The publisher of the syllabus is UCLES (University of Cambridge International Examinations).
• Some diagrams are from Save My Exams Ltd.

Chapter 1: Motion, Forces, and Energy

• Physical Quantities and Measurement Techniques
  • Measuring tools for length and volume (e.g., rulers, measuring cylinders)
  • Measuring time intervals (e.g., clocks, digital timers)
  • Calculating average values
  • Calculating periods of oscillation/swings
• Scalars and Vectors
  • Scalars only have magnitude (e.g., speed, time, mass, energy, temperature)
  • Vectors have both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force, weight, acceleration, momentum, electric field strength, gravitational field strength)
• Mass and Weight
  • Mass: the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg)
  • Weight: the effect of a gravitational field strength on an object's mass (measured in Newtons)
  • Weight = mass × gravitational field strength (w = mg)
  • Gravitational field strength is force per unit mass (g)
• Density
  • Density is mass per unit volume (p = m/v)
  • Methods to determine density of regular and irregular solids.
• Motion
  • Speed is distance/time
  • Velocity is speed in a given direction
  • Acceleration is change in velocity/time (a = Δv/Δt).
  • Graphs: How to interpret distance-time & speed-time graphs.
  • Falling objects with and without air resistance (including terminal velocity)
• Forces
  • Forces change size/shape of objects. The resultant force is found when multiple forces are acting on an object in the same direction.
  • Spring constant, limit of proportionality.
  • Moment of force = force × perpendicular distance from pivot.
  • Principle of moments
  • Equilibrium
• Circular Motion
  • Forces acting on objects moving in circular paths.

Chapter 2: Thermal Physics

• Kinetic Particle Model of Matter
  • The arrangement, movement, and energy of particles in solids, liquids, and gases.
• Thermal Properties and Temperature
  • Thermal expansion
  • Specific heat capacity
• Pressure
  • Calculating Pressure (p = F/A)
  • Pressure in liquids (p = ρgh)
• Energy Resources
  • Different energy resources and their renewability
• Energy Transfer
  • Conduction, convection, and radiation (modes of heat transfer).
  • Greenhouse effect
• Experiments
  • Methods to measure specific heat capacity and thermal expansion experiments are discussed.

Chapter 3: Waves

• General Properties of Waves
  • Defining a wave: energy transfer without matter transfer.
  • Calculating wave speed (v = fλ) where f is Frequency & λ is wavelength.
  • Reflection, refraction, diffraction.
• Transverse and Longitudinal Waves – defining characteristics
• Using a Ripple Tank
  • Methods for demonstrating wave phenomena.
• Light
  • Reflection
  • Refraction
  • Thin Lenses
  • Dispersion
• Optical Fibers – Principles of optical fibers and their use.
• Electromagnetic Spectrum – Properties and applications of different types of electromagnetic waves.

Chapter 4: Electricity and Magnetism

• Simple Phenomena of Magnetism
  • Poles of magnets and their interactions.
  • Creating and detecting magnetic fields.
• Electric Circuits
  • Circuit diagrams, components (resistors, cells, bulbs, etc.).
  • Series and parallel circuits calculation.
• Electrical Quantities
  • Charge, Current, Potential Difference (pd), Resistance, Electrical Power (P) Electrical Energy (E)
• Electrical Safety
  • Safety hazards involved in electrical circuits and systems, including overloaded circuits, damaged insulation, and faulty wiring.
  • Fuses and their purpose.
  • Different current types (AC & DC).
• Electromagnetic Effects
  • Electromagnets, electromagnetic induction, and generating current using moving magnets or wires inside magnetic fields.
• Transformers
  • Principle operation, step-up and step-down transformers.
  • Transformer efficiency and calculations.

Chapter 5: Nuclear Physics

• Nuclear Model of the Atom
  • Structure of an atom (proton, neutron and electron)
• Nuclear Fission
  • Splitting of atoms.
• Nuclear Fusion
  • Joining of atoms.
• Radioactivity
  • Different types of radioactivity (alpha, beta, gamma)
• Detecting Radioactivity
  • How radioactivity is detected.
  • Background Radiation.
• Half Life
  • Definition and calculation of half life quantities.
• Safety Precautions
  • Safe handling of radioactive materials.

Chapter 6: Space Physics

• Earth and the Solar System
  • Earth’s orbit around the Sun
  • Formation of our Solar System
• Stars and the Universe
  • Life cycle for stars
  • Red Shift and the Big Bang Theory
  • Measuring and calculating distances in space – Light years and Astronomical Units.