← Combined Science syllabus

Northern IrelandCombined Science

P1 Motion, Force, Energy, Density, Kinetic Theory and Radioactivity

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we measure density, and how does the particle model explain the states of matter?

Density and the equation density = mass / volume, the particle model of solids, liquids and gases, the changes of state, and how the particle model explains gas pressure.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on density and the density equation, the particle (kinetic) model of solids, liquids and gases, the changes of state, and how the particle model explains gas pressure.
10 min answer →

How do motion graphs let us read off speed, acceleration and distance?

Interpreting distance-time and velocity-time graphs, finding speed from the gradient of a distance-time graph, finding acceleration from the gradient of a velocity-time graph, and finding distance from the area under a velocity-time graph.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on reading motion graphs: finding speed from the gradient of a distance-time graph, acceleration from the gradient of a velocity-time graph, and distance travelled from the area under a velocity-time graph.
9 min answer →

How is energy stored and transferred, and what does conservation of energy mean?

Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, and the equations for calculating them.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, and the equations for kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy with worked calculations.
10 min answer →

How do forces change motion, and what does momentum tell us about collisions?

Balanced and unbalanced forces, Newton's first, second (F = m a) and third laws, momentum (p = m v) and the conservation of momentum in collisions.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on balanced and unbalanced forces, Newton's three laws of motion including F equals m a, momentum p equals m v, and the conservation of momentum in collisions.
10 min answer →

What are the types of radiation, what is half-life, and how do fission and fusion release energy?

The structure of the atom and isotopes, alpha, beta and gamma radiation and their properties, half-life and decay calculations, the uses and dangers of radiation, and nuclear fission and fusion.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on isotopes, alpha, beta and gamma radiation and their properties, half-life and decay calculations, the uses and dangers of radiation, and nuclear fission and fusion.
11 min answer →

How do we describe how fast something moves and how quickly its motion changes?

Distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, the difference between scalar and vector quantities, and how to use and rearrange the speed and acceleration equations.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on distance and displacement, speed and velocity, acceleration, the difference between scalar and vector quantities, and how to use and rearrange the speed and acceleration equations.
9 min answer →

What is the difference between mass and weight, and why do falling objects reach a terminal velocity?

The difference between mass and weight, weight as W = m g, the meaning of gravitational field strength, and how an object reaches terminal velocity as air resistance balances weight.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on the difference between mass and weight, the equation weight equals mass times gravitational field strength, gravitational field strength, and how a falling object reaches terminal velocity.
9 min answer →

What do work done, power and efficiency measure, and how are they calculated?

Work done as energy transferred (W = F s), power as the rate of doing work or transferring energy (P = E / t), and efficiency as the fraction of energy transferred usefully.
A CCEA GCSE Double Award Science (Physics Unit P1) answer on work done as energy transferred by a force, power as the rate of transferring energy, and efficiency as the fraction of energy transferred usefully, with the equations and worked calculations.
10 min answer →