As Level CIE

Key Concepts:

• Models of physical systems

Physics is the science that seeks to understand the behaviour of the Universe. The development of models of physical systems is central to physics. Models simplify, explain and predict how physical systems behave.

• Testing predictions against evidence

Physical models are usually based on prior observations, and their predictions are tested to check that they are consistent with the behaviour of the real world. This testing requires evidence, often obtained from experiments.

• Mathematics as a language, and problem-solving tool

Mathematics is integral to physics, as it is the language that is used to express physical principles and models. It is also a tool to analyse theoretical models, solve quantitative problems and produce predictions.

• Matter, energy and waves

Everything in the Universe comprises matter and/or energy. Waves are a key mechanism for the transfer of energy and are essential to many modern applications of physics.

• Forces and fields

The way that matter and energy interact is through forces and fields. The behaviour of the Universe is governed by fundamental forces with different magnitudes that interact over different distances. Physics involves study of these interactions across distances ranging from the very small (quantum and particle physics) to the very large (astronomy and cosmology).

1 Physical quantities and units

2 Kinematics

3 Dynamics

4 Forces, density and pressure

5 Work, energy and power

6 Deformation of solids

7 Waves

8 Superposition

9 Electricity

10 D.C. circuits

11 Particle physics