← Science (Single Award) syllabus

Northern IrelandScience (Single Award)

Unit 3: Physics

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is inside the atom, what are the three types of radiation, and what does half-life mean?

The nuclear model of the atom and isotopes, radioactive decay as random and spontaneous, the three types of radiation alpha, beta and gamma with their properties, half-life and decay curves, and the uses and dangers of radioactivity.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on atomic and nuclear physics, covering the nuclear model and isotopes, radioactive decay, the three types of radiation alpha, beta and gamma, half-life and decay curves, and the uses and dangers of radioactivity.
9 min answer →

How does current flow in a circuit, what is resistance, and how is mains electricity made safe?

Charge and current, potential difference, resistance and Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, alternating and direct current, the three wires of a mains plug with fuses and earthing, and electrical power.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on electricity, covering charge and current, potential difference, resistance and Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, alternating and direct current, the mains plug with fuses and earthing, and electrical power.
9 min answer →

How is energy stored, transferred and conserved, and how do we measure power and efficiency?

Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy and dissipation, the kinetic and gravitational potential energy equations, power as the rate of energy transfer, efficiency, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on energy, covering energy stores and transfers, conservation and dissipation, the kinetic and gravitational potential energy equations, power, efficiency, and renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
9 min answer →

How do forces change motion, what is the difference between mass and weight, and what affects stopping distance?

Balanced and unbalanced forces, Newton's first and second laws and F equals ma, the difference between mass and weight, terminal velocity, and the thinking, braking and stopping distances of a vehicle.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on forces, covering balanced and unbalanced forces, Newton's first and second laws and F equals ma, the difference between mass and weight, terminal velocity, and the thinking, braking and stopping distances of a vehicle.
8 min answer →

How do we describe and calculate motion using speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs?

The difference between scalars and vectors, the speed and acceleration equations, average and instantaneous speed, and reading distance-time and velocity-time graphs including gradient and area.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on motion, covering scalars and vectors, the speed and acceleration equations, average and instantaneous speed, and how to read distance-time and velocity-time graphs including gradient and area.
8 min answer →

How is the Solar System arranged, how do stars change over their lives, and how do we know the universe is expanding?

The structure of the Solar System and the universe, how gravity keeps bodies in orbit, the life cycle of stars for Sun-like and massive stars, and red-shift as evidence for the expanding universe and the Big Bang.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on space physics, covering the structure of the Solar System and the universe, how gravity keeps bodies in orbit, the life cycle of stars, and red-shift as evidence for the expanding universe and the Big Bang.
8 min answer →

What are the properties of waves, how do we use the wave equation, and what is the electromagnetic spectrum?

Transverse and longitudinal waves, the wave terms amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period, the wave equation, the order of the electromagnetic spectrum with its shared properties, and the uses and dangers of the EM waves.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on waves, covering transverse and longitudinal waves, the wave terms, the wave equation, the order of the electromagnetic spectrum with its shared properties, and the uses and dangers of the EM waves.
8 min answer →