Assessment
All candidates take three papers.
Candidates who have studied the Core subject content, or who are expected to achieve a grade D or below, should be entered for Paper 1, Paper 3 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades C to G.Candidates who have studied the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement), and who are expected to achieve a grade C or above, should be entered for Paper 2, Paper 4 and either Paper 5 or Paper 6. These candidates will be eligible for grades A* to G.
In this page we have complete list of IGCSE Physics 0625 syllabus 2022 for your ready reference.
Core candidates take:
Core candidates – Paper 1
- Time: 45 minutes (40 marks)
- 40 four-choice multiple-choice questions Questions will be based on the Core subject content
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- Data booklet provided
- 30% weight
- Externally assessed
Core candidates – Paper 3
- Time: 75 minutes (80 marks)
- Short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Core subject content
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 50% weight
- Externally assessed
Extended candidates take:
Extended candidates – Paper 2
- Time: 45 minutes (40 marks)
- 40 four-choice multiple-choice questions Questions will be based on the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement)
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 30% weight
- Externally assessed
Extended candidates – Paper 4
- Time: 75 minutes (80 marks)
- Short-answer and structured questions Questions will be based on the Extended subject content (Core and Supplement)
- No marks deducted from incorrect answers
- NO CALCULATOR ALLOWED
- 50% weight
- Externally assessed
Syllabus Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 2022
1. General physics -1.1 Length and time
Core
- Use and describe the use of rules and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume.
- Use and describe the use of clocks and devices, both analogue and digital, for measuring an interval of time.
- Obtain an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of a pendulum)
Supplement
- Understand that a micrometer screw gauge is
used to measure very small distances
1. General physics -1.2 Motion
Core
- Define speed and calculate average speed from total distance/total time.
- Plot and interpret a speed–time graph or a distance–time graph.
- Recognise from the shape of a speed–time graph when a body is
– at rest
– moving with constant speed
– moving with changing speed
- Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to
work out the distance travelled for motion with
constant acceleration. - Demonstrate understanding that acceleration
and deceleration are related to changing speed
including qualitative analysis of the gradient of a
speed–time graph. - State that the acceleration of free fall for a body
near to the Earth is constant
Supplement
- Distinguish between speed and velocity.
- Define and calculate acceleration using change of velocity/time taken.
- Calculate speed from the gradient of a distance–time graph.
- Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph.
- Recognize linear motion for which the acceleration is constant.
- Recognise motion for which the acceleration is not constant.
- Understand deceleration as a negative acceleration.
- Describe qualitatively the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field with and without air resistance (including reference to
terminal velocity)
1. General physics -1.3 Mass and weight
Core
- Show familiarity with the idea of the mass of a body.
- State that weight is a gravitational force .
- Distinguish between mass and weight .
- Recall and use the equation W = mg.
- Demonstrate understanding that weights (and hence masses) may be compared using a balance
Supplement
- Demonstrate an understanding that mass is a property that ‘resists’ change in motion.
- Describe, and use the concept of, weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass
1. General physics -1.4 Density
Core
- Recall and use the equation ρ = m/V.
- Describe an experiment to determine the density of a liquid and of a regularly shaped solid and
make the necessary calculation . - Describe the determination of the density of an irregularly shaped solid by the method of displacement.
- Predict whether an object will float based on density data
Supplement
None
1. General physics -1.5 Forces
1.5.1 Effects of forces
Core
- Recognise that a force may produce a change in size and shape of a body.
- Plot and interpret extension–load graphs and describe the associated experimental procedure.
- Describe the ways in which a force may change the motion of a body.
- Find the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same line.
- Recognise that if there is no resultant force on a body it either remains at rest or continues at constant speed in a straight line.
- Understand friction as the force between two surfaces which impedes motion and results in heating.
- Recognise air resistance as a form of friction
Supplement
- State Hooke’s Law and recall and use the expression F = kx, where k is the spring constant .
- Recognise the significance of the ‘limit of proportionality’ for an extension–load graph.
- Recall and use the relationship between force, mass and acceleration (including the direction), F = ma .
- Describe qualitatively motion in a circular path due to a perpendicular force (F = mv 2 /r is not required)
1.5.2 Turning effect
Core
- Describe the moment of a force as a measure of its turning effect and give everyday examples.
- Understand that increasing force or distance from the pivot increases the moment of a force .
- Calculate moment using the product force × perpendicular distance from the pivot .
- Apply the principle of moments to the balancing of a beam about a pivot
Supplement
- Apply the principle of moments to different situations
1.5.3 Conditions for equilibrium
Core
- Recognise that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant turning effect, a system is in equilibrium
Supplement
- Perform and describe an experiment (involving vertical forces) to show that there is no net moment on a body in equilibrium
1.5.4 Centre of mass
Core
- Perform and describe an experiment to determine the position of the centre of mass of a plane lamina.
- Describe qualitatively the effect of the position of the centre of mass on the stability of simple objects
Supplement
None
1.5.5 Scalars and vectors
Core
None
Supplement
- Understand that vectors have a magnitude and direction .
- Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between scalars and vectors and give common examples.
- Determine graphically the resultant of two vectors
1. General physics -1.6 Momentum
Core
None
Supplement
- Understand the concepts of momentum and impulse.
- Recall and use the equation momentum = mass × velocity, p = mv.
- Recall and use the equation for impulse Ft = mv – mu .
- Apply the principle of the conservation of momentum to solve simple problems in one dimension
1. General physics -1.7 Energy, work and power
1.7.1 Energy
Core
- Identify changes in kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear and internal energy that have occurred as a result of an event or process.
- Recognise that energy is transferred during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical working), by electrical currents (electrical working), by heating and by waves .
- Apply the principle of conservation of energy to simple examples
Supplement
- Recall and use the expressions kinetic energy = ½mv2 and change in gravitational potential energy = mg∆h.
- Apply the principle of conservation of energy to examples involving multiple stages .
- Explain that in any event or process the energy tends to become more spread out among the objects and surroundings (dissipated)
1.7.2 Energy resources
Core
- Describe how electricity or other useful forms of energy may be obtained from: .
- chemical energy stored in fuel .
- water, including the energy stored in waves, in tides, and in water behind hydroelectric dams .
- geothermal resources .
- nuclear fission .
- heat and light from the Sun (solar cells and panels).
- wind
- Give advantages and disadvantages of each method in terms of renewability, cost, reliability, scale and environmental impact .
- Show a qualitative understanding of efficiency
Supplement
- Understand that the Sun is the source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal .
- Show an understanding that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun.
- Recall and use the equations: efficiency = (useful energy output/energy input) × 100%
efficiency =( useful power output /power input) × 100%
1.7.3 Work
Core
- Demonstrate understanding that work done = energy transferred .
- Relate (without calculation) work done to the magnitude of a force and the distance moved in the direction of the force
Supplement
- Recall and use W = Fd = ∆E
1.7.4 Power
Core
- Relate (without calculation) power to work done and time taken, using appropriate examples
Supplement
- Recall and use the equation P = ∆E/t in simple systems
1. General physics -1.8 Pressure
Core
- Recall and use the equation p = F/A .
- Relate pressure to force and area, using appropriate examples .
- Describe the simple mercury barometer and its use in measuring atmospheric pressure .
- Relate (without calculation) the pressure beneath a liquid surface to depth and to density, using appropriate examples .
- Use and describe the use of a manometer
Supplement
- Recall and use the equation p = hρg
2. Thermal physics -2.1 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter
2.1.1 States of matter
Core
- State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases
Supplement
None
2.1.2 Molecular model
Core
- Describe qualitatively the molecular structure of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of the molecules.
- Interpret the temperature of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules .
- Describe qualitatively the pressure of a gas in terms of the motion of its molecules .
- Show an understanding of the random motion of particles in a suspension as evidence for the kinetic molecular model of matter .
- Describe this motion (sometimes known as Brownian motion) in terms of random molecular bombardment
Supplement
- Relate the properties of solids, liquids and gases to the forces and distances between molecules and to the motion of the molecules.
- Explain pressure in terms of the change of momentum of the particles striking the walls creating a force.
- Show an appreciation that massive particles may be moved by light, fast-moving molecules
2.1.3 Evaporation
Core
- Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of more-energetic molecules from the surface of a liquid .
- Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling of the liquid
Supplement
- Demonstrate an understanding of how temperature, surface area and draught over a surface influence evaporation .
- Explain the cooling of a body in contact with an evaporating liquid
2.1.4 Pressure changes
Core
- Describe qualitatively, in terms of molecules, the effect on the pressure of a gas of:
- a change of temperature at constant volume.
- a change of volume at constant temperature
- Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling of the liquid
Supplement
- Recall and use the equation pV = constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature
2. Thermal physics -2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
Core
- Describe qualitatively the thermal expansion of solids, liquids, and gases at constant pressure .
- Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion
Supplement
- Explain, in terms of the motion and arrangement of molecules, the relative order of the magnitude of the expansion of solids, liquids and gases
2.2.2 Measurement of temperature
Core
- Appreciate how a physical property that varies with temperature may be used for the measurement of temperature, and state examples of such properties .
- Recognise the need for and identify fixed points .
- Describe and explain the structure and action of liquid-in-glass thermometers
Supplement
- Demonstrate understanding of sensitivity, range and linearity .
- Describe the structure of a thermocouple and show understanding of its use as a thermometer for measuring high temperatures and those that vary rapidly .
- Describe and explain how the structure of a liquid-in-glass thermometer relates to its sensitivity, range and linearity
2.2.3 Thermal capacity (heat capacity
Core
- Relate a rise in the temperature of a body to an increase in its internal energy .
- Show an understanding of what is meant by the thermal capacity of a body
Supplement
- Give a simple molecular account of an increase in internal energy .
- Recall and use the equation thermal capacity = mc .
- Define specific heat capacity .
- Describe an experiment to measure the specific heat capacity of a substance .
- Recall and use the equation change in energy = mc∆T
2.2.4 Melting and boiling
Core
- Describe melting and boiling in terms of energy input without a change in temperature .
- State the meaning of melting point and boiling point .
- Describe condensation and solidification in terms
of molecules
Supplement
- Distinguish between boiling and evaporation .
- Use the terms latent heat of vaporisation and latent heat of fusion and give a molecular interpretation of latent heat .
- Define specific latent heat .
- Describe an experiment to measure specific latent heats for steam and for ice .
- Recall and use the equation energy = ml
2. Thermal physics -2.3 Thermal processes
2.3.1 Conduction
Core
- Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good and bad thermal conductors
Supplement
- Give a simple molecular account of conduction in solids including lattice vibration and transfer by electrons
2.3.2 Convection
Core
- Recognise convection as an important method of thermal transfer in fluids .
- Relate convection in fluids to density changes and describe experiments to illustrate convection
Supplement
None
2.3.3 Radiation
Core
- Identify infrared radiation as part of the electromagnetic spectrum .
- Recognise that thermal energy transfer by radiation does not require a medium .
- Describe the effect of surface colour (black or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of radiation
Supplement
- Describe experiments to show the properties of good and bad emitters and good and bad absorbers of infrared radiation .
- Show understanding that the amount of radiation emitted also depends on the surface temperature and surface area of a body
2.3.4 Consequences of energy transfer
Core
- Identify and explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of conduction, convection and radiation
Supplement
None
3 Properties of waves, including light and sound -3.1 General wave properties
Core
- Demonstrate understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter .
- Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes and springs and by experiments using water waves .
- Use the term wavefront .
- Give the meaning of speed, frequency, wavelength and amplitude .
- Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples .
- Describe how waves can undergo:
- reflection at a plane surface
- refraction due to a change of speed
- diffraction through a narrow gap
- Describe the use of water waves to demonstrate
reflection, refraction and diffraction
Supplement
- Recall and use the equation v = f λ.
- Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap .
- Describe how wavelength affects diffraction at an edge
3 Properties of waves, including light and sound -3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection of light
Core
- Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror, and give its characteristics
- Recall and use the law angle of incidence = angle of reflection
Supplement
- Recall that the image in a plane mirror is virtual
- Perform simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors
3.2.2 Refraction of light
Core
- Describe an experimental demonstration of the refraction of light .
- Use the terminology for the angle of incidence i and angle of refraction r and describe the passage of light through parallel-sided transparent material .
- Give the meaning of critical angle .
- Describe internal and total internal reflection
Supplement
- Recall and use the definition of refractive index n in terms of speed .
- Recall and use the equation sin i /sin r = n .
- Recall and use n = 1/sin c .
- Describe and explain the action of optical fibres particularly in medicine and communications technology
3.2.3 Thin converging lens
Core
- Describe the action of a thin converging lens on a beam of light
- Use the terms principal focus and focal length .
- Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a real image by a single lens .
- Describe the nature of an image using the terms enlarged/same size/diminished and upright/ inverted
Supplement
- Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a virtual image by a single lens .
- Use and describe the use of a single lens as a magnifying glass .
- Show understanding of the terms real image and virtual image
3.2.4 Dispersion of light
Core
- • Give a qualitative account of the dispersion of light as shown by the action on light of a glass prism including the seven colours of the spectrum in their correct order
Supplement
- Recall that light of a single frequency is described as monochromatic
3 Properties of waves, including light and sound -3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum
Core
- Describe the main features of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength .
- State that all electromagnetic waves travel with the same high speed in a vacuum .
- Describe typical properties and uses of radiations in all the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including:
- radio and television communications (radio waves) .
- satellite television and telephones (microwaves)
- electrical appliances, remote controllers for televisions and intruder alarms (infrared)
- medicine and security (X-rays)
- Demonstrate an awareness of safety issues
regarding the use of microwaves and X-rays
Supplement
- State that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 108m/s and is approximately the same in air
3 Properties of waves, including light and sound -3.4 Sound
Core
- Describe the production of sound by vibrating sources .
- Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves .
- State that the approximate range of audible frequencies for a healthy human ear is 20Hz to 20000Hz .
- Show an understanding of the term ultrasound .
- Show an understanding that a medium is needed to transmit sound waves .
- Describe an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air .
- Relate the loudness and pitch of sound waves to amplitude and frequency .
- Describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo
Supplement
- Describe compression and rarefaction .
- State typical values of the speed of sound in gases, liquids and solids
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
Core
- Describe the forces between magnets, and between magnets and magnetic materials .
- Give an account of induced magnetism .
- Distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic materials .
- Describe methods of magnetisation, to include stroking with a magnet, use of direct current (d.c.) in a coil and hammering in a magnetic field .
- Draw the pattern of magnetic field lines around a bar magnet .
- Describe an experiment to identify the pattern of magnetic field lines, including the direction .
- Distinguish between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel .
- Distinguish between the design and use of permanent magnets and electromagnets
Supplement
- Explain that magnetic forces are due to interactions between magnetic fields .
- Describe methods of demagnetisation, to include hammering, heating and use of alternating current (a.c.) in a coil
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.2 Electrical quantities
4.2.1 Electric charge
Core
- State that there are positive and negative charges .
- State that unlike charges attract and that like charges repel .
- Describe simple experiments to show the production and detection of electrostatic charges .
- State that charging a body involves the addition or removal of electrons .
- Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples
Supplement
- State that charge is measured in coulombs .
- State that the direction of an electric field at a point is the direction of the force on a positive charge at that point .
- Describe an electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force .
- Describe simple field patterns, including the field around a point charge, the field around a charged conducting sphere and the field between two parallel plates (not including end effects) .
- Give an account of charging by induction .
- Recall and use a simple electron model to distinguish between conductors and insulators
4.2.2 Current
Core
- State that current is related to the flow of charge .
- Use and describe the use of an ammeter, both analogue and digital .
- State that current in metals is due to a flow of electrons
Supplement
- Show understanding that a current is a rate of flow of charge and recall and use the equation I = Q/t .
- Distinguish between the direction of flow of electrons and conventional current
4.2.3 Electromotive force
Core
- State that the electromotive force (e.m.f.) of an electrical source of energy is measured in volts
Supplement
- Show understanding that e.m.f. is defined in terms of energy supplied by a source in driving charge round a complete circuit
4.2.4 Potential difference
Core
- State that the potential difference (p.d.) across a circuit component is measured in volts .
- Use and describe the use of a voltmeter, both analogue and digital
Supplement
- Recall that 1V is equivalent to 1J/C
4.2.5 Resistance
Core
- State that resistance = p.d./ current and understand qualitatively how changes in p.d. or resistance affect current .
- Recall and use the equation R = V/ I .
- Describe an experiment to determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter .
- Relate (without calculation) the resistance of a wire to its length and to its diameter
Supplement
- Sketch and explain the current–voltage characteristic of an ohmic resistor and a filament lamp .
- Recall and use quantitatively the proportionality between resistance and length, and the inverse proportionality between resistance and crosssectional area of a wire
4.2.6 Electrical working
Core
- Understand that electric circuits transfer energy from the battery or power source to the circuit components then into the surroundings
Supplement
- Recall and use the equations P = IV and E = IVt
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.3 Electric circuits
4.3.1 Circuit diagrams
Core
- Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing sources, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), heaters, thermistors, light-dependent resistors, lamps, ammeters, voltmeters, galvanometers, magnetising coils, transformers, bells, fuses and relays
Supplement
- Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing diodes
4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits
Core
- Understand that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same .
- Give the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series .
- State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch .
- State that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself .
- State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a lighting circuit
Supplement
- Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several sources in series .
- Recall and use the fact that the sum of the p.d.s across the components in a series circuit is equal to the total p.d. across the supply .
- Recall and use the fact that the current from the source is the sum of the currents in the separate branches of a parallel circuit .
- Calculate the effective resistance of two resistors in parallel
4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components
Core
- Describe the action of a variable potential divider (potentiometer) .
- Describe the action of thermistors and light dependent resistors and show understanding of their use as input transducers .
- Describe the action of a relay and show understanding of its use in switching circuits
Supplement
- Describe the action of a diode and show understanding of its use as a rectifier .
- Recognise and show understanding of circuits operating as light-sensitive switches and temperature-operated alarms (to include the use of a relay)
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.4 Digital electronics
Core
None
Supplement
- Explain and use the terms analogue and digital in terms of continuous variation and high/low states .
- Describe the action of NOT, AND, OR, NAND and NOR gates .
- Recall and use the symbols for logic gates .
- Design and understand simple digital circuits combining several logic gates .
- Use truth tables to describe the action of individual gates and simple combinations of gates
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.5 Dangers of electricity
Core
- State the hazards of:
- damaged insulation
- overheating of cables
- damp conditions .
- State that a fuse protects a circuit
- Explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers and choose appropriate fuse ratings and circuit breaker settings
- Explain the benefits of earthing metal cases
Supplement
4. Electricity and magnetism -4.6 Electromagnetic effects
4.6.1 Electromagnetic induction
Core
- Show understanding that a conductor moving across a magnetic field or a changing magnetic field linking with a conductor can induce an e.m.f. in the conductor .
- Describe an experiment to demonstrate electromagnetic induction .
- State the factors affecting the magnitude of an induced e.m.f.
Supplement
- Show understanding that the direction of an induced e.m.f. opposes the change causing it .
- State and use the relative directions of force, field and induced current
4.6.2 a.c. generator
Core
- Distinguish between d.c. and a.c.
Supplement
- Describe and explain a rotating-coil generator and the use of slip rings .
- Sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator .
- Relate the position of the generator coil to the peaks and zeros of the voltage output
4.6.3 Transformer
Core
- Describe the construction of a basic transformer with a soft-iron core, as used for voltage transformations .
- Recall and use the equation (Vp /Vs) = (Np /Ns ) .
- Understand the terms step-up and step-down .
- Describe the use of the transformer in high voltage transmission of electricity .
- Give the advantages of high-voltage transmission
Supplement
- Describe the principle of operation of a transformer .
- Recall and use the equation IpVp = IsVs (for 100% efficiency) .
- Explain why power losses in cables are lower when the voltage is high
4.6.4 The magnetic effect of a current
Core
- Describe the pattern of the magnetic field (including direction) due to currents in straight wires and in solenoids .
- Describe applications of the magnetic effect of current, including the action of a relay
Supplement
- State the qualitative variation of the strength of the magnetic field over salient parts of the pattern .
- State that the direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that point .
- Describe the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and direction of the current
4.6.5 Force on a current-carrying conductor
Core
- Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing: .
- the current .
- the direction of the field
Supplement
- State the qualitative variation of the strength of the magnetic field over salient parts of the pattern .
- State that the direction of a magnetic field line at a point is the direction of the force on the N pole of a magnet at that point .
- Describe the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and direction of the current
4.6.6 d.c. motor
Core
- State that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect and that the effect is increased by:
- increasing the number of turns on the coil
- increasing the current
- increasing the strength of the magnetic field
Supplement
- Relate this turning effect to the action of an electric motor including the action of a split-ring commutator
5 Atomic physics – 5.1 The nuclear atom
5.1.1 Atomic model
Core
- Describe the structure of an atom in terms of a positive nucleus and negative electrons
Supplement
- Describe how the scattering of α-particles by thin metal foils provides evidence for the nuclear atom
5.1.2 Nucleus
Core
- Describe the composition of the nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons .
- State the charges of protons and neutrons .
- Use the term proton number Z .
- Use the term nucleon number A .
- Use the term nuclide and use the nuclide notation AXZ.
- Use and explain the term isotope
Supplement
- State the meaning of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
- Balance equations involving nuclide notation
5 Atomic physics – 5.2 Radioactivity
5.2.1 Detection of radioactivity
Core
- Demonstrate understanding of background radiation
- Describe the detection of α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays (β+ are not included: β-particles will be taken to refer to β– )
Supplement
- None
5.2.2 Characteristics of the three kinds of emission
Core
- Discuss the random nature of radioactive emission
- Identify α-, β- and γ-emissions by recalling
- their nature
- their relative ionising effects
- their relative penetrating abilities (β+ are not included, β-particles will be taken to refer to β–)
Supplement
- Describe their deflection in electric fields and in magnetic fields
- Interpret their relative ionising effects
- Give and explain examples of practical applications of α-, β- and γ-emissions
5.2.3 Radioative decay
Core
- State the meaning of radioactive decay .
- State that during α- or β-decay the nucleus changes to that of a different element
Supplement
- Use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are emitted
5.2.4 Half-life
Core
- Use the term half-life in simple calculations, which might involve information in tables or decay curves
Supplement
- Use equations involving nuclide notation to represent changes in the composition of the nucleus when particles are emitted
5.2.5 Safety precautions
Core
- Recall the effects of ionising radiations on living things .
- Describe how radioactive materials are handled, used and stored in a safe way
Supplement
- None