← Combined Science syllabus

EnglandCombined Science

Physics: Energy

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is energy stored and transferred, and why is the total energy always conserved?

Energy stores and transfers, the conservation of energy, work done as energy transferred by a force, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and the calculation of these energy stores.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topic P5 on energy stores and transfers, covering the main energy stores, conservation of energy, work done by a force, and calculating kinetic and gravitational potential energy.
9 min answer →

How do we describe motion using speed and acceleration, and read distance-time and velocity-time graphs?

Scalar and vector quantities, distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs, the equations of motion, and the meaning of gradient and area under a graph.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topic P2 on motion, covering scalar and vector quantities, distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, distance-time and velocity-time graphs, and the equations of motion.
9 min answer →

How is electricity delivered through the national grid, and how do energy resources compare?

The national grid and the role of step-up and step-down transformers, electrical power and energy calculations, the comparison of renewable and non-renewable energy resources, and the environmental and practical trade-offs involved.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topics P5 and P6 on the national grid and energy resources, covering the grid and step-up and step-down transformers, electrical power and energy, and the comparison of renewable and non-renewable resources.
9 min answer →

How do forces change motion through Newton's laws, and how do momentum and stopping distances work?

Newton's three laws of motion, resultant force, weight and mass, the equation force equals mass times acceleration, momentum and its conservation, and stopping distance as the sum of thinking and braking distances.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topic P2 on Newton's laws and momentum, covering the three laws, resultant force, weight and mass, force equals mass times acceleration, momentum and its conservation, and stopping distances.
9 min answer →

How does the particle model explain density, internal energy and the pressure of a gas?

Density and its calculation, the particle model of the three states, internal energy and changes of state, specific heat capacity and specific latent heat, and the link between gas temperature and pressure.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topic P1 on matter, covering density and its calculation, the particle model of the three states, internal energy and changes of state, specific heat capacity, and the link between the temperature and pressure of a gas.
9 min answer →

What is power, how do we measure efficiency, and how can we reduce wasted energy?

Power as the rate of energy transfer, the equations for power, efficiency as the fraction of energy transferred usefully, the dissipation of energy, and ways to reduce unwanted energy transfers such as lubrication and insulation.
A focused answer to the OCR Gateway GCSE Combined Science A topic P5 on power and efficiency, covering power as the rate of energy transfer, the power equations, efficiency and how to calculate it, the dissipation of energy, and reducing unwanted energy transfers.
9 min answer →