What does Unit P1 cover in CCEA Double Award Science?

Unit P1, Motion, Force, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory and Radioactivity, covers speed, velocity and acceleration, motion graphs, forces and Newton's laws, momentum, weight and terminal velocity, energy stores and conservation, work, power and efficiency, density and the kinetic theory of matter, and radioactivity including half-life and nuclear fission and fusion.

How is Unit P1 assessed in the Double Award?

P1 is one of the six externally marked written units of the GCSE Science Double Award (code 1370). It is sat at either Foundation or Higher tier and uses structured short-answer questions, data and calculation questions, and longer questions. With the other five written units and the Practical Skills unit it makes up the two GCSE grades of the Double Award.

What equations do I need for Unit P1?

Key P1 equations are speed equals distance over time, acceleration equals change in velocity over time, force equals mass times acceleration, momentum equals mass times velocity, weight equals mass times gravitational field strength, kinetic energy equals a half times mass times speed squared, gravitational potential energy equals mass times g times height, work equals force times distance, power equals energy over time, density equals mass over volume, and efficiency equals useful energy out over total energy in. A calculator is allowed.

Which practicals are linked to Unit P1?

Prescribed practicals linked to P1 include measuring the acceleration of an object, investigating motion using a trolley or light gates, measuring the density of solids and liquids, and investigating energy transfers. These feed into the Practical Skills unit.

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CCEA GCSE Double Award Science: P1 Motion, Force, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory and Radioactivity overview

Q: How should I revise Unit P1?

Make the equations automatic and learn their units, then practise rearranging them. Master reading motion graphs (gradient and area), the forces explanation of terminal velocity, conservation of energy, and half-life calculations. Learn the properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation and the difference between fission and fusion, then drill past papers.

An overview of Physics Unit P1 (Motion, Force, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory and Radioactivity) of CCEA GCSE Double Award Science, mapping motion and forces, momentum, energy and power, density and kinetic theory, and radioactivity and nuclear physics.

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What this unit covers
How it is examined
How to study it

Unit P1 of CCEA GCSE Double Award Science is the first Physics unit. It covers motion and forces, energy and power, density and the kinetic theory, and radioactivity, and is examined on the P1 written paper at Foundation or Higher tier. This page maps the topics and links to a focused answer page for each one.

What this unit covers

Speed, velocity and acceleration: Scalars and vectors, the speed and acceleration equations, and how to rearrange them. See Speed, velocity and acceleration.
Distance-time and velocity-time graphs: Reading speed from a gradient, acceleration from a gradient, and distance from the area. See Distance-time and velocity-time graphs.
Forces, Newton's laws and momentum: Balanced and unbalanced forces, the three laws, F equals m a, and conservation of momentum. See Forces, Newton's laws and momentum.
Weight, mass and terminal velocity: The difference between mass and weight, W equals m g, and how terminal velocity is reached. See Weight, mass and terminal velocity.
Energy stores, transfers and conservation: Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, and the kinetic and gravitational potential energy equations. See Energy stores, transfers and conservation.
Work, power and efficiency: Work done as energy transferred, power as the rate of transfer, and efficiency. See Work, power and efficiency.
Density, kinetic theory and changes of state: The density equation, the particle model of the three states, changes of state, and gas pressure. See Density, kinetic theory and changes of state.
Radioactivity, half-life and nuclear reactions: Isotopes, alpha, beta and gamma radiation, half-life, the uses and dangers of radiation, and fission and fusion. See Radioactivity, half-life and nuclear reactions.

How it is examined

P1 is one written unit of the Double Award, sat at the same tier as the other units. Expect structured questions on the motion and energy equations, motion graphs, the forces explanation of terminal velocity, conservation of energy, half-life calculations, and the properties of radiation. A calculator is allowed.

How to study it

Make the equations and their units automatic, then practise rearranging them. Master motion graphs (gradient and area), the forces account of terminal velocity, conservation of energy, and half-life calculations. Learn the alpha, beta and gamma properties and the fission versus fusion contrast. Then practise CCEA past papers and finish with the module quiz.

Sources & how we know this

CCEA GCSE Science Double Award specification — CCEA (2017)