IGCSE Physics Revision Notes

Chapter 1: Motion, Force and Energy

1.1 Units and Measurements

SI Units

  • Length: m
  • Time: s
  • Mass: kg
  • Current: A
  • Temperature: K
  • Force: N
  • Frequency: Hz
  • Pressure: Pa -- N/m^2
  • Energy: J
  • Charge: C
  • Voltage: V

Unit Scale

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Scaler and Vector

  • Scaler has only Magnitude
  • Vector has Magnitude + Direction

Measurement

  • Length:

    • Use Tape Measure
    • Make sure eye is perpendicular to the Scale

  • Volume:

    • Use a Measuring cylinder
    • Ensure the cylinder is upright and the eye is at bottom level of the meniscus

  • Time:

    • Use a Stopwatch

Addition of Vectors

  • Join Head and Tails
  • Use tan( ) to calculate the length of the resultant vector

1.2 Motions

Displacement and Distance

  • Distance is Scaler
  • Displacement is Vector
    Graphs
  • Speed-Time Graph's area is Displacement
  • Displacement-Time Graph's gradient is Speed

Velocity and Acceleration
$$Velocity=\frac{Displacement}{Time Taken}$$
$$Acceleration=\frac{\delta Velocity}{\delta Time}$$