Download Physics - Belfast Royal Academy

Form 3 Revision Checklist 2012/13
Measurements:
You should:
know how to measure mass
be able to state the units of mass
be able to convert one unit of mass into another unit of mass
know how to measure length
be able to state the units of length
be able to convert one unit of length into another unit of length
be a able to describe how to measure small lengths
be able to calculate the area of a rectangle
be able to estimate the area of an irregularly shaped surface
Volume:
You should be able to:
calculate the volume of a regularly shaped cuboid
describe how to measure the volume of a liquid
describe how to measure the volume of an object that sinks
describe how to measure the volume of an object that floats
describe how to measure the volume of a small object that sinks
Density:
You should:
know the equation for density
be able to use and rearrange the equation for density
be able to describe how to measure the density of a regularly shaped
cuboid
be able to describe how to measure the density of an object that sinks
be able to describe how to measure the density of an object that floats
be able to describe how to measure the density of a small object that
sinks
be able to explain why an object floats or sinks
Energy
You should:
know that energy is measured in joules (J)
know the Principle of Conservation of Energy
be able to state the following types of energy – chemical, heat, electrical ,
sound, light, magnetic, nuclear, kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic
potential
be able to describe energy conversions
understand that in many energy changes some energy is wasted as heat
know the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy
resources
know that there is a variety of energy resources. Non renewable - fossil
fuels (coal, oil and gas) and nuclear fission. Renewable – solar, wind, wave,
biomass, geothermal, tidal, hydroelectric, nuclear fusion.
be able to describe advantages and disadvantages of each energy
resource
know that many energy resources e.g. wind, fossil fuels, are ultimately
dependent on the sun’s energy
Space
You should:
be able to state the planets that make up our solar system in order from
the Sun
know that the solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy which is part
of a much larger universe.
be able to describe why we have day and night
know that a year is the length of time it takes a planet to orbit the sun
Magnetism and Electromagnetism
You should:
know that only certain metals are magnetic
be able state that like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract
be able to describe how a compass works
be able to draw the shape and label the direction of the magnetic field of
a bar magnet
be able to state that the magnetic field is strongest at the poles
be able to describe how to construct an electromagnet
be able to describe how to increase the strength of an electromagnet
Waves
You should:
understand that all waves transfer energy from one point to another
know that in TRANSVERSE waves the particles vibrate at RIGHT
ANGLES to the direction of motion of the wave
know that in LONGITUDINAL waves the particles vibrate PARALLEL to
the direction of motion of the wave
know that SOUND waves are LONGITUDINAL
know that WATER waves and ELECTROMAGNETIC waves e.g. LIGHT ,
INFRARED, RADIO etc, are TRANSVERSE
know the meaning of AMPLITUDE and WAVELENGTH
know that the units of AMPLITUDE and WAVELENGTH are in metres or
cm or mm
know how to label AMPLITUDE and WAVELENGTH on a wave diagram
Electromagnetic Waves
You should:
know the names of the different waves which form the electromagnetic
spectrum
be able to arrange the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in
order of increasing or decreasing wavelength
know that electromagnetic waves do not need a medium to travel through
know that all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in air or
vacuum
know that all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves
know that all electromagnetic waves carry energy or transfer energy
be able to recall some uses and dangers of electromagnetic waves.
The Atom
You should know that:
everything is made of atoms
atoms are extremely small
atoms are made up of a nucleus and shells
the nucleus contains protons and neutrons
electrons orbit the nucleus in shells
protons are positive; electrons are negative; neutrons are neutral
protons and neutron have the same mass, electrons are 2000 times lighter
atoms are neutral (number of protons equals number of electrons)
Electrostatics
You should:
know that plastic materials can be charged by friction
know that positively charged objects have a deficiency of electrons and
negatively charged objects have a surplus of electrons
know that like charges repel and unlike charges attract
be able to describe two uses of electrostatics – dust removal and spray
painting
be able to describe how sparks can be dangerous – lightning and tankers
Electricity
You should:
know the circuit symbols for a battery, bulb, switch, ammeter, resistor,
variable resistor
be able to use the circuit symbols to draw simple circuits and be able to
describe how they work
know that a complete circuit is needed for a bulb to light
know that conductors allow electricity to flow through them and insulators
do not
know that conductors have free electrons and insulators do not have free
electrons
understand that current is a flow of charge carried by free electrons
know that conventional current flows from the positive of the battery to the
negative of the battery and electrons flow from the negative of the battery
to the positive of the battery
know that current is measured in amps using an ammeter
recall that the current is the same everywhere in a series circuit
know that resistance is measured in ohms and is the opposition to the flow of
the current
describe how a variable resistor can be used to vary the current in a circuit
and make a dimmer switch
know that when current flows in a wire the wire heats up – explain why the
wire heats up and give some examples of how this heating effect is used at
home, e.g. toasters
know what a parallel circuit is and be able to describe how the current splits
up along the parallel branches
be able to explain what is meant by a “short circuit”
be able to describe some of the dangers associated with electricity
Speed
You should be able to:
calculate average speed from measurements of distance and time using the
equation:
Average speed = total distance / total time
re-arrange the average speed equation: distance = average speed x time
time = distance / average speed
Forces
You should:
know what forces can do
know that there are two types of force, and give examples of each
be able to state the definition of centre of gravity
know when an object will topple over and when it will remain stable
know that FORCE is measured in newtons
know that MASS is measured in KILOGRAMMES
know the difference between MASS and WEIGHT
Know and use the equations:
• weight (N) = mass (kg) X 10
• weight (N) = mg
know that a force can cause an object to turn
know that the turning effect depends on the size of the force and where it is
applied
know the equation: moment = force x distance
know that a moment can be measured in Ncm or Nm
know the principle of moments and be able to apply it to unfamiliar situations
be able to explain when a lever is a force multiplier
be able to explain when a lever is a distance multiplier
Kinetic Theory:
You should be able to:
plot a scatter graph and draw a line of best fit
comment on the reliability of results displayed on a graph
identify mathematical relationships from graphs
state the differences between solids, liquids and gases
describe the changes of state that occur between solids, liquids and gases
Heat Transfer
You should:
be aware of the difference between temperature and heat
know that there are 3 methods by which heat energy is transferred
be able to describe an experiment which shows that different materials
conduct at different rates
be able to identify which materials are good conductors and good insulators and
state some uses
know that convection occurs in fluids (liquids and gases)
know how convection arises
be able to describe experiments which show convection taking place in water
and air
know that a medium is needed for heat transfer by conduction and convection
know that radiation is heat transfer by infra red (heat) rays
know that radiation can travel through a vacuum
know and be able to demonstrate that dull black surfaces , when hot, are the
best emitters of radiation
know and be able to demonstrate that dull black surfaces are the best
absorbers of radiation
know that shiny surfaces are the best reflectors of radiation