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Academic year 2018-2019 Cambridge Checkpoint

Science
Revision guide for Physics

Name: _________________________________________
Class: 8CI__

CONTENTS
What you’ve learned…………………………………………………………2-11
1 Forces .............................................................................................2
2 Energy .............................................................................................4
3 Speed ..............................................................................................6
4 Sound ..............................................................................................7
5 Earth and beyond ...........................................................................7
6 Light ................................................................................................8
7 Magnetism ......................................................................................9
8 Electricity ..................................................................................... 10
Appendix…………………………………..…………..……………………….12-13
1 Electric circuit symbol ............................................................ 12
2 Investigating science experiments .......................................... 13
3 Exam tips .............................................................................. 13

In each section, there will be a flashcard-style extension on Tinycards, a


service of Duolingo (https://tinycards.duolingo.com) in order to learn
definitions and formulae easier. Links will be at the start of each section.

For exercises, go to https://goo.gl/forms/LU7lkGhwFyiG1UZg2


[1]

Blank page. Do some of the example exercises below here, or write anything you need.
[2]

Things to remember
1 FORCES
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfW7TD82/forces

1.1 DEFINITION

Force is any interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an
object. Force happens when two objects interact with each other.

1.2 THE BASICS


1.2.1 Measuring and displaying force
 Unit: Newton (N)
 Apparatus: forcemeter
 A force arrow shows the direction of a force.

1.2.2 Type of forces


a. Weight (not to be mistaken with mass)
 Weight: the force of gravity acts on an object (unit: N)
 Mass: the amount of matter in an object (unit: kg)
 An object with the mass of 1kg will have a weight of 10N on Earth
b. Friction
Friction is a force that acts when two surfaces are in contact. Friction acts to oppose motion.
c. Air resistance (drag)
 Air resistance is a force that acts on objects moving through air. It can be reduced by
streamlining shapes.
 Balanced force: force has the same size, but different in direction. They will cancel each
other out.

1.2.3 Patterns of falling


 A falling object speeds up as it falls, provided there is no drag to balance its weight (until
it reaches terminal velocity)

1.3 DENSITY
1.3.1 Definition

Density measures how light/heavy an object is

Density indicates the mass of 1𝒄𝒎𝟑 of a material


[3]

1.3.2 Formula
𝑚
𝐷= 𝑣 m

𝑚 =𝐷×𝑣 ÷ ÷
𝑚 D × V
𝑣= 𝐷

The unit of density can be 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 or 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

1.4 PRESSURE
1.4.1 Definition

Force is caused when a force act on an area

Bigger force, smaller area → more pressure

1.4.2 Formula
𝐹
𝑃= F
𝐴
𝐹 ÷ ÷
𝐴=𝑃
P × A
F= 𝑃×𝐴

The unit of pressure is 𝑁/𝑚2 or 𝑃𝑎

1.5 TURNING
1.5.1 Definition

A force has a turning effect when it causes an object to turn about a pivot1

1.5.2 Principle of moments


If a beam is balanced, the clockwise moment must equal to the anticlockwise moment

Clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment

1.5.3 Formula
𝑀 = 𝐹×𝑑
M
𝐹
𝑑= 𝑀
÷ ÷
𝑑 F × d
𝐹=𝑀

The unit of moment (torque) is newton-meter (symbol 𝑁𝑚 or𝑁 ⋅ 𝑚)

1.5.4 Calculating moment


𝐹𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 × 𝑑𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 × 𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

1
Pivot: a fixed point of any rotational system
[4]

2 ENERGY
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfqXXY74/energy

2.1 THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY


1. Energy cannot be created nor destroyed
2. Energy can be transferred from one object to another
3. Energy can be stored
4. Energy can change form as it is transferred
5. Energy is conserved

SUMMARY: Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change from


one form to another

2.2 TYPES OF ENERGY


TYPE DESCRIPTION
chemical Energy can be stored in a substance (i.e. battery)
kinetic Energy in motion (i.e. moving vehicle)
thermal Energy from a hot object (i.e. the sun)
heat Energy from the spreading of hot object (i.e. heat radiated from the sun)
electrical Energy from electricity (i.e. capacitors)
light Energy from a bright object (i.e. light)
elastic Energy from a stretched object (i.e. rubber band)
gravitational potential Energy from a lifted/high object (i.e. water coming down from a waterfall)
sound Energy from vibrating object (i.e. loudspeaker)

2.3 USAGE OF ENERGY


2.3.1 Sources
1. Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are natural fuels, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms

2. Renewables and non-renewables


a. Renewables

Renewables energy resources include wind, water, solar and biofuels. They cannot be
used up-they are replaced naturally

b. Non-renewables

Non-renewables energy resources cannot be regenerated

2.3.2 Usage
Most human activities require a supply of energy. Energy consumption varies around the world
[5]

2.4 TRANSFORMATION OF ENERGY


2.4.1 Conduction
Energy transfer from one vibrating particle to the next. When conduction occurs through a material,
the material itself does not move

2.4.2 Convection
Energy transfer through a fluid when the fluid moves. Warmer fluid is less dense, thus so it floats
upwards through the cooler fluid.

2.4.3 Radiation
Energy transfer through a vacuum or transparent substance by infra-red radiation. Matt black
surfaces are good at absorbing radiation, while shiny surfaces are good at reflecting radiation.

2.4.4 Evaporation
Evaporation happens at any temperature. When evaporation occurs, the temperature of the liquid
decrease (because it is an endothermic process). Faster particles escape from the liquid, become
steam in the air.
[6]

3 SPEED
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfpJG7At/speed

3.1 DEFINITION

Speed is how fast an object is moving

3.2 FORMULA
𝑑
𝑠= d
𝑡

𝑡=
𝑑 ÷ ÷
𝑠
s × t
𝑑 = 𝑠𝑡
The unit of speed is 𝑚/𝑠, 𝑘𝑚/ℎ or 𝑚𝑝ℎ

3.3 DISTANCE-TIME GRAPH

Remember…
decreasing speed constant speed
25 25
20 20
distance (m)

distance (m)
15 15
 If the speed is constant, the 10 10
line connecting the points 5 5
should be straight. 0 0
 If the object is stationary, the 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5
line should be parallel to the time (s) time (s)
x-axis
 If the speed is increasing, the
line should be steeper and increasing speed stationary
steeper 25 25
 If the speed is decreasing, 20 20
distance (m)
distance (s)

the line should lay flatter and


15 15
flatter
10 10
5 5
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5
time (s) time (s)
[7]

4 SOUND
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/Hfr59K91/sound

4.1 DEFINITION

Sound is the energy of vibrating objects

4.2 KEYWORDS
Amplitude: greatest distance the object moves from its rest position.

Oscilloscope: a tool to display sound waves, using traces

Hertz (Hz): unit measures frequency, 1Hz means 1 vibration per second.

4.3 FORMULA
𝑣𝑖𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦(𝐻𝑧) =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒(𝑠)

5 EARTH AND BEYOND


Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfWoDwy5/earth-and-beyond (basics)

https://tiny.cards/decks/heQR4/the-solar-system (the solar system)

5.1 EARTH
5.1.1 Rotation around the axis
You can see the sun moves from east to west. This is because the Earth is turning, west to east (anti-
clockwise). One full rotation (a sidereal day) takes 23.9 hours.

5.1.2 Orbiting around the sun


The Earth orbits the sun anticlockwise. One full orbit (a year) takes 365.24 days (approximately)

5.1.3 The moon


The moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth. It is observable because it reflects sunlight

The phase of the moon changes as it travels around its orbit because we see it from different angles

5.2 THE SOLAR SYSTEM


The solar system has 8 planets:

Rocky planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

Gas giants: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Between the rocky planets and gas giants is the asteroid belt
[8]

We can see the planets because they reflect sunlight.

5.3 ASTRONOMY AND SPACE EXPLORATION


5.3.1 Controversy on the model of the solar system
The geocentric model: the sun, moon, and planets orbit the Earth

The heliocentric model: planets (including Earth) orbit the sun

The heliocentric model is how the solar system is arranged.

5.3.2 The universe


The universe is expanding. It contains all matter and energy that exists.

The universe is made of billions of galaxies. Each galaxy is made up of billions of stars

5.3.3 Space exploration


In order to get to space, you have to fly above the Earth’s atmosphere (or fly above the Kármán line)

A spacecraft must be pressurized in order to be habitable in space

Rockets provide the force needed to lift a spacecraft to space.

Despite difficulties, 12 people have landed on the moon (all are American in the Apollo program)

6 LIGHT
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/Hfr7eeFd/light

6.1 KEYWORDS
Luminous: an object that gives out light

Non-luminous: an object that does not give out light, but reflects light

6.2 WHAT YOU LEARNED


6.2.1 How lights travel

Light travels in rays and straight line

6.2.2 Shadows
Shadow forms when an opaque object blocks the light.

6.2.3 Reflection
Reflection forms when light reaches a smooth object.

Law of reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflection

6.2.4 Refraction
Refraction occurs when light enters and/or leaves a transparent material.
[9]

When light rays travel from…

 Air → material: angle of incidence > angle of refraction


 Material → air: angle of incidence < angle of refraction

6.2.5 The spectrum of white light


 White light is made up of all colours of the spectrum.
 Splitting up of light is called dispersion
 Dispersion is caused by refraction

6.2.6 Coloured light


 A filter is a piece of coloured plastic or glass. It only let through some colours of the
spectrum, absorbs others.
 Primary colours: red, green, blue
 Object looks different colours because they reflect some colours of light, absorbs others.

 White object reflects all colors


 Black object absorbs all colors
 Transparent object does not reflect or absorb any
color

7 MAGNETISM
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfpNegaT/magnetism

7.1 KEYWORDS
Magnetic material: a material which is attracted by a magnet

Permanent magnets: an object that stays magnetized for a long time


[10]

7.2 WHAT YOU LEARNED


7.2.1 Magnetic poles

Magnets have two poles: North (N) or South (S). Like poles repel, while unlike
poles attract.

An object can be magnetized by stroking with one pole of a magnet

7.2.2 Magnetic field


 The closer the lines are, the stronger the field is.
 Arrows show the direction of the field
 Electromagnet have a similar field to permanent magnet

7.2.3 Electromagnet
An electromagnet is made of a coil in which an electric current flows. The core is optional

Coil (usually from copper) In order to make an electromagnet stronger, you can:

 Adding more turns to the coil


Core (usually from iron)  Increase the electric current

8 ELECTRICITY
Tinycards link: https://tiny.cards/decks/HfWx8dgH/electricity (static electricity)

https://tiny.cards/decks/HfWNPDQs/electric-circuit-symbol (circuit symbol)

8.1 STATIC ELECTRICITY

An object can be charged by friction. Electrons move from one object to


another. It can produce a force of attraction or repulsion.

Two types of charge: Positive (+) and negative (-). Same charge repel, unlike charge attract

If an object gains electron → negative charge


You can find the charge by using a coulombmeter
If an object loses electron → positive charge

8.2 CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS


 Conductors allow electricity to pass (most metals are conductors)

Metals conduct electricity because they contain free-to-move electrons

 Insulators does not electricity to pass (non-metals are insulators)


[11]

8.3 CIRCUIT
8.3.1 Flow of current
A current is a flow of charge

Flow of electron: (-) → (+)

Flow of current: (+) → (-)

8.3.2 Parallel vs series circuit


Parallel: Components connected side-by-side, as the current divides through the components

Circuit: All components are connected end-to-end, as the current is the same everywhere

8.3.3 Changes of circuit


More cells connected in series [(+) connects to (-)], more volts and amps

The greater the resistance, the smaller the current. Every component has resistance
[12]

Appendix
1 ELECTRIC CIRCUIT SYMBOL
Name Symbol Usage/How to draw
Allow current to past from one part of the
Wire
circuit to another
A ‘blob’ should be drawn where wires are
Wires joined
connected.
Wires in a circuit but not connected at the
Wires crossing
junction
Supply electrical energy
Cell
The larger terminal is positive (+)
Light Converts electrical energy to light
Converts electrical energy to kinetic energy
Motor
(motion)
Buzzer Converts electrical energy to sound energy

Switch Blocks or allow current to flow

Resistor Restricts the flow of the current


Variable
Control the flow current
resistor
Ammeter Measure the current (unit: ampere - A)
Measure the voltage (unit: volt - V). The
Voltmeter
voltmeter should be connected in parallel

2 INVESTIGATING SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS


Example 1:
Ruth and Anna test the grip of different shoes of the same size. They put each shoe on a table and
attach a forcemeter to measure the force needed to move the shoe.

2.1 VARIABLES
 Control variable: the variable that you keep the same throughout the experiment.
o In this experiment, it is the size of shoes and roughness of the table
[13]

o Control variable is important because it ensures a reliable/fair test


 Independent variable: the variable that you change
o In this experiment, it is the type of shoe
 Dependent variable: what you measure
o In this experiment, it is the force needed to move the shoe

2.2 DISPLAYING RESULTS


2.2.1 Table
 The left column will display the independent variable
 The right column will display the dependent variable/results

independent dependent 2.5


A X

force needed (N)


2
B Y
 Applying for this experiment: 1.5

1
type of shoe force needed (N)
A 1 0.5
B 2
0
C 1.5 A B C

2.2.2 Graph shoe


 The x-axis will display the independent variable
 The y-axis will display the dependent variable
 Line of best fit (example below): a line that crosses through most of the points

Example 2:
Hassan does an experiment to find the maximum friction force between a wooden block and
different surfaces.

Here are his results.

friction force in N
surface test 1 test 2 test 3 test 4
carpet 25.0 32.6 26.4 25.0
glass 9.3 9.6 10.2 10.7
wood 15.0 18.1 16.4 17.2

2.3 DATA
 Anomalous data: data(s) that does not fit the pattern.
o In this experiment, the data at test 2, carpet surface (32.6) is anomalous
 Anomalous data should be ignored when drawing the line of best fit or calculating the mean
[14]

carpet
35 This is an anomalous data. Ignore this
friction force (N) 32 when drawing the line of best fit.
29
26
23
20
The line of best fit crosses through
0 1 2 3 4 most points.
test

 Why are there anomalous data?


o There might be a wrong data reading
o Wrong calculations/conversions
o If needed, you can repeat the test to clarify the result

3 EXAM TIPS
 When calculating using formulae, you should present the formula so you still can get points
for the method if the answer is wrong
 Don’t forget the unit
 Try to learn the formula triangle. It’s easier than learning each formula one by one

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