IGCSE-12-Syllabus-Physics

3.          Syllabus content at a glance

                  IGCSE PHYSICS

1. General physics

1.1 Length and time

 1.2 Motion

 1.3 Mass and weight

 1.4 Density

 1.5 Forces

1.6 Momentum (Extended candidates only)

 1.7 Energy, work and power

1.8 Pressure

 2. Thermal physics

2.1 Simple kinetic molecular model of matter

2.2 Thermal properties and temperature

2.3 Thermal processes

 3. Properties of waves, including light and sound

3.1 General wave properties

 3.2 Light

3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum

 3.4 Sound

 4. Electricity and magnetism

4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism

4.2 Electrical quantities

4.3 Electric circuits

4.4 Digital electronics (Extended candidates only)

 4.5 Dangers of electricity

4.6 Electromagnetic effects

 5. Atomic physics

5.1 The nuclear atom

5.2 Radioactivity

1.	General physics
1.1	Length and time
Core				Supplement
•	Use and describe the use of rules and measuring			•  Understand that a micrometer screw
	cylinders to find a length or a volume			gauge is used to measure very small
•	Use and describe the use of clocks and devices,			distances
	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)
1.2	Motion
Core				Supplement
•	Define speed and calculate average speed from			•  Distinguish between speed and velocity
		total distance		•  Define and calculate acceleration using
		total time
					change of velocity
•	Plot and interpret a speed-time graph or a distance-
					time taken
	time graph
				•  Calculate speed from the gradient of a
•	Recognise from the shape of a speed-time graph
				distance-time graph
	when a body is			•  Calculate acceleration from the gradient
	–  at rest
				of a speed-time graph
	–  moving with constant speed			•  Recognise linear motion for which the
	–  moving with changing speed			acceleration is constant
•	Calculate the area under a speed-time graph to work			•  Recognise motion for which the
	out the distance travelled for motion with constant			acceleration is not constant
	acceleration			•  Understand deceleration as a negative
•	Demonstrate understanding that acceleration and			acceleration
	deceleration are related to changing speed including
	qualitative analysis of the gradient of a speed-time
	graph

1.2 Motion continued
Core				Supplement
•	State that the acceleration of free fall for a body near			•  Describe qualitatively the motion of
	to the Earth is constant			bodies falling in a uniform gravitational
				field with and without air resistance
				(including reference to terminal velocity)
1.3	Mass and weight
Core				Supplement
•	Show familiarity with the idea of the mass of a body			•  Demonstrate an understanding that mass
•	State that weight is a gravitational force			is a property that ‘resists’ change in
•	Distinguish between mass and weight			motion
				•  Describe, and use the concept of, weight
•	Recall and use the equation W = mg
				as the effect of a gravitational field on a
•	Demonstrate understanding that weights (and hence
				mass
	masses) may be compared using a balance
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
1.5 Forces
1.5.1 Effects of forces
Core				Supplement
•	Recognise that a force may produce a change in size
	and shape of a body
•	Plot and interpret extension-load graphs and			•  State Hooke’s Law and recall and use the
	describe the associated experimental procedure			expression F = k x, where k is the spring
				constant
				•  Recognise the significance of the ‘limit of
				proportionality’ for an extension-load graph
•	Describe the ways in which a force may change the			•  Recall and use the relation between force,
	motion of a body			mass and acceleration (including the
				direction), F = ma
•	Find the resultant of two or more forces acting along			•  Describe qualitatively motion in a circular
	the same line			path due to a perpendicular force
•	Recognise that if there is no resultant force on			(F = mv 2/r is not required)
	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

1.5.2 Turning effect
Core		Supplement
•	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	•  Apply the principle of moments to
	beam about a pivot	different situations
1.5.3 Conditions for equilibrium
Core		Supplement
•	Recognise that, when there is no resultant force and	•  Perform and describe an experiment
	no resultant turning effect, a system is in equilibrium	(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
1.5.5 Scalars and vectors
		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
1.6	Momentum
		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

1.7	Energy, work and power
1.7.1 Energy
Core			Supplement
•	Identify changes in kinetic, gravitational potential,		•  Recall and use the expressions
	chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear and internal energy		kinetic energy = ½mv 2 and change in
	that have occurred as a result of an event or process		gravitational potential energy = mg∆h
•	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		•  Apply the principle of conservation of
	simple examples		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			Supplement
•	Describe how electricity or other useful forms of		•  Understand that the Sun is the source of
	energy may be obtained from:		energy for all our energy resources except
	–  chemical energy stored in fuel		geothermal, nuclear and tidal
	–  water, including the energy stored in waves, in		•  Show an understanding that energy is
		tides, and in water behind hydroelectric dams	released by nuclear fusion in the Sun
	–	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		•  Recall and use the equation:
			efficiency =	useful energy output			× 100%
					energy input
			•  efficiency =		useful power output		× 100%
					power input
1.7.3 Work
Core			Supplement
•	Demonstrate understanding that
	work done = energy transferred
•	Relate (without calculation) work done to the		•  Recall and use W = Fd = ∆E
	magnitude of a force and the distance moved in the
	direction of the force

1.7.4 Power
Core		Supplement
•	Relate (without calculation) power to work done and	•  Recall and use the equation P = ∆E / t in
	time taken, using appropriate examples	simple systems
1.8 Pressure
Core		Supplement
•	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	•  Recall and use the equation p = hρg
	a liquid surface to depth and to density, using
	appropriate examples
•	Use and describe the use of a manometer
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
2.1.2 Molecular model
Core		Supplement
•	Describe qualitatively the molecular structure	•  Relate the properties of solids, liquids
	of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the	and gases to the forces and distances
	arrangement, separation and motion of the	between molecules and to the motion of
	molecules	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	•  Explain pressure in terms of the change
	of the motion of its molecules	of momentum of the particles striking the
		walls creating a force
•	Show an understanding of the random motion of	•  Show an appreciation that massive
	particles in a suspension as evidence for the kinetic	particles may be moved by light, fast-
	molecular model of matter	moving molecules
•	Describe this motion (sometimes known as
	Brownian motion) in terms of random molecular
	bombardment
2.1.3 Evaporation
Core		Supplement
•	Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of	•  Demonstrate an understanding of how
	more-energetic molecules from the surface of a	temperature, surface area and draught
	liquid	over a surface influence evaporation
•	Relate evaporation to the consequent cooling of the	•  Explain the cooling of a body in contact
	liquid	with an evaporating liquid

2.1.4 Pressure changes
Core	Supplement
•  Describe qualitatively, in terms of molecules, the	•  Recall and use the equation pV = constant
effect on the pressure of a gas of:	for a fixed mass of gas at constant
–  a change of temperature at constant volume	temperature
–  a change of volume at constant temperature
2.2 Thermal properties and temperature
2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
Core	Supplement
•  Describe qualitatively the thermal expansion of	•  Explain, in terms of the motion and
solids, liquids, and gases at constant pressure	arrangement of molecules, the relative
•  Identify and explain some of the everyday	order of the magnitude of the expansion
applications and consequences of thermal expansion	of solids, liquids and gases
2.2.2 Measurement of temperature
Core	Supplement
•  Appreciate how a physical property that varies with	•  Demonstrate understanding of sensitivity,
temperature may be used for the measurement of	range and linearity
temperature, and state examples of such properties	•  Describe the structure of a thermocouple
•  Recognise the need for and identify fixed points	and show understanding of its use
	as a thermometer for measuring high
	temperatures and those that vary rapidly
•  Describe and explain the structure and action of	•  Describe and explain how the structure of
liquid-in-glass thermometers	a liquid-in-glass thermometer relates to its
	sensitivity, range and linearity
2.2.3 Thermal capacity (heat capacity)
Core	Supplement
•  Relate a rise in the temperature of a body to an	•  Give a simple molecular account of an
increase in its internal energy	increase in internal energy
•  Show an understanding of what is meant by the	•  Recall and use the equation thermal
thermal capacity of a body	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	Supplement
•  Describe melting and boiling in terms of energy input	•  Distinguish between boiling and
without a change in temperature	evaporation
•  State the meaning of melting point and boiling point
•  Describe condensation and solidification in terms of	•  Use the terms latent heat of vaporisation
molecules	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

2.3 Thermal processes
2.3.1 Conduction
Core		Supplement
•	Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties	•  Give a simple molecular account of
	of good and bad thermal conductors	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
2.3.3 Radiation
Core		Supplement
•	Identify infra-red radiation as part of the	•  Describe experiments to show the
	electromagnetic spectrum	properties of good and bad emitters
•	Recognise that thermal energy transfer by radiation	and good and bad absorbers of infra-red
	does not require a medium	radiation
•	Describe the effect of surface colour (black or	•  Show understanding that the amount of
	white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission,	radiation emitted also depends on the
	absorption and reflection of radiation	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
3.	Properties of waves, including light and sound
3.1 General wave properties
Core		Supplement
•	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	•  Recall and use the equation v = f λ
	and amplitude
•	Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal
	waves and give suitable examples
•	Describe how waves can undergo:	•  Describe how wavelength and gap size
	–  reflection at a plane surface	affects diffraction through a gap
	–  refraction due to a change of speed	•  Describe how wavelength affects
		diffraction at an edge
	–  diffraction through a narrow gap
•	Describe the use of water waves to demonstrate
	reflection, refraction and diffraction

3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection of light
Core	Supplement
•  Describe the formation of an optical image by a	•  Recall that the image in a plane mirror is
plane mirror, and give its characteristics		virtual
•  Recall and use the law	•	Perform simple constructions,
angle of incidence = angle of reflection		measurements and calculations for
		reflection by plane mirrors
3.2.2 Refraction of light
Core	Supplement
•  Describe an experimental demonstration of the	•  Recall and use the definition of refractive
refraction of light		index n in terms of speed
•  Use the terminology for the angle of incidence i and	•	Recall and use the equation			sin i	= n
angle of refraction r and describe the passage of			1		sin r
light through parallel-sided transparent material
	•	Recall and use n = sin c
•  Give the meaning of critical angle
	•  Describe and explain the action of
•  Describe internal and total internal reflection		optical fibres particularly in medicine and
		communications technology
3.2.3 Thin converging lens
Core	Supplement
•  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	•  Draw and use ray diagrams for the
by a single lens		formation of a virtual image by a single
•  Describe the nature of an image using the terms		lens
enlarged/same size/diminished and upright/inverted	•  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	Supplement
•  Give a qualitative account of the dispersion of light	•  Recall that light of a single frequency is
as shown by the action on light of a glass prism		described as monochromatic
including the seven colours of the spectrum in their
correct order

3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum	Supplement
Core
•  Describe the main features of the electromagnetic	•  State that the speed of electromagnetic
spectrum in order of wavelength	waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 108 m / s and
•  State that all e.m. waves travel with the same high	is approximately the same in air
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 (infra-red)
–  medicine and security (X-rays)
•  Demonstrate an awareness of safety issues
regarding the use of microwaves and X-rays
3.4 Sound
Core	Supplement
•  Describe the production of sound by vibrating
sources
•  Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves	•  Describe compression and rarefaction
•  State that the approximate range of audible
frequencies for a healthy human ear is 20 Hz to
20 000 Hz
•  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	•  State typical values of the speed of sound
sound in air	in gases, liquids and solids
•  Relate the loudness and pitch of sound waves to
amplitude and frequency
•  Describe how the reflection of sound may produce
an echo

4.	Electricity and magnetism
4.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
Core		Supplement
•	Describe the forces between magnets, and between	•  Explain that magnetic forces are due to
	magnets and magnetic materials	interactions between magnetic fields
•	Give an account of induced magnetism
•	Distinguish between magnetic and non-magnetic
	materials
•	Describe methods of magnetisation, to include	•  Describe methods of demagnetisation,
	stroking with a magnet, use of d.c. in a coil and	to include hammering, heating and use of
	hammering in a magnetic field	a.c. in a coil
•	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
4.2	Electrical quantities
4.2.1 Electric charge
Core		Supplement
•	State that there are positive and negative charges	•  State that charge is measured in
•	State that unlike charges attract and that like charges	coulombs
	repel	•  State that the direction of an electric field
•	Describe simple experiments to show the	at a point is the direction of the force on a
	production and detection of electrostatic charges	positive charge at that point
•	State that charging a body involves the addition or	•  Describe an electric field as a region in
	removal of electrons	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
•	Distinguish between electrical conductors and	•  Recall and use a simple electron model
	insulators and give typical examples	to distinguish between conductors and
		insulators

4.2.2 Current
Core		Supplement
•  State that current is related to the flow of charge		•  Show understanding that a current is a
•  Use and describe the use of an ammeter, both		rate of flow of charge and recall and use
	analogue and digital	the equation I = Q / t
•  State that current in metals is due to a flow of		•  Distinguish between the direction of flow
	electrons	of electrons and conventional current
4.2.3 Electromotive force
Core		Supplement
•  State that the e.m.f. of an electrical source of energy		•  Show understanding that e.m.f. is defined
	is measured in volts	in terms of energy supplied by a source in
		driving charge round a complete circuit
4.2.4 Potential difference
Core		Supplement
•  State that the potential difference (p.d.) across a		•  Recall that 1 V is equivalent to 1 J / C
	circuit component is measured in volts
•  Use and describe the use of a voltmeter, both
	analogue and digital
4.2.5 Resistance
Core		Supplement
•	State that resistance = p.d. / current and understand	•  Sketch and explain the current-voltage
	qualitatively how changes in p.d. or resistance affect	characteristic of an ohmic resistor and a
	current	filament lamp
•	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		•  Recall and use quantitatively the
	to its length and to its diameter	proportionality between resistance and
		length, and the inverse proportionality
		between resistance and cross-sectional
		area of a wire
4.2.6 Electrical working
Core		Supplement
•  Understand that electric circuits transfer energy		•  Recall and use the equations P = IV and
	from the battery or power source to the circuit	E = IVt
	components then into the surroundings
4.3	Electric circuits
4.3.1 Circuit diagrams
Core		Supplement
•  Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing		•  Draw and interpret circuit diagrams
	sources, switches, resistors (fixed and variable),	containing diodes
	heaters, thermistors, light-dependent resistors,
	lamps, ammeters, voltmeters, galvanometers,
	magnetising coils, transformers, bells, fuses and
	relays

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits
Core	Supplement
•  Understand that the current at every point in a series	•  Calculate the combined e.m.f. of several
circuit is the same	sources in series
•  Give the combined resistance of two or more	•  Recall and use the fact that the sum of
resistors in series	the p.d.s across the components in a
•  State that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the	series circuit is equal to the total p.d.
source is larger than the current in each branch	across the supply
•  State that the combined resistance of two resistors	•  Recall and use the fact that the current
in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself	from the source is the sum of the currents
•  State the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel	in the separate branches of a parallel
	circuit
in a lighting circuit
	•  Calculate the effective resistance of two
	resistors in parallel
4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components
Core	Supplement
•  Describe the action of a variable potential divider	•  Describe the action of a diode and show
(potentiometer)	understanding of its use as a rectifier
•  Describe the action of thermistors and light-	•  Recognise and show understanding
dependent resistors and show understanding of their	of circuits operating as light-sensitive
use as input transducers	switches and temperature-operated
•  Describe the action of a relay and show	alarms (to include the use of a relay)
understanding of its use in switching circuits
4.4 Digital electronics
	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

4.5	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
4.6 Electromagnetic effects
4.6.1 Electromagnetic induction
Core			Supplement
•  Show understanding that a conductor moving			•  Show understanding that the direction
	across a magnetic field or a changing magnetic field		of an induced e.m.f. opposes the change
	linking with a conductor can induce an e.m.f. in the		causing it
	conductor		•  State and use the relative directions of
•  Describe an experiment to demonstrate			force, field and induced current
	electromagnetic induction
•  State the factors affecting the magnitude of an
	induced e.m.f.
4.6.2		a.c. generator
Core			Supplement
•  Distinguish between direct current (d.c.) and			•  Describe and explain a rotating-coil
	alternating current (a.c.)		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			Supplement
•  Describe the construction of a basic transformer			•  Describe the principle of operation of a
	with a soft-iron core, as used for voltage		transformer
	transformations
•	Recall and use the equation (Vp / Vs) = (Np / Ns)		•  Recall and use the equation Ip Vp = Is Vs
•  Understand the terms step-up and step-down			(for 100% efficiency)
•  Describe the use of the transformer in high-voltage
	transmission of electricity
•  Give the advantages of high-voltage transmission			•  Explain why power losses in cables are
			lower when the voltage is high

4.6.4 The magnetic effect of a current
Core			Supplement
•	Describe the pattern of the magnetic field (including		•  State the qualitative variation of the
	direction) due to currents in straight wires and in		strength of the magnetic field over salient
	solenoids		parts of the pattern
•	Describe applications of the magnetic effect of		•  State that the direction of a magnetic field
	current, including the action of a relay		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			Supplement
•	Describe an experiment to show that a force acts		•  State and use the relative directions of
	on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field,		force, field and current
	including the effect of reversing:		•  Describe an experiment to show the
	–	the current	corresponding force on beams of charged
	–  the direction of the field		particles
4.6.6 d.c. motor
Core			Supplement
•	State that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field		•  Relate this turning effect to the action of
	experiences a turning effect and that the effect is		an electric motor including the action of a
	increased by:		split-ring commutator
	–  increasing the number of turns on the coil
	–	increasing the current
	–  increasing the strength of the magnetic field
5.	Atomic physics
5.1 The nuclear atom
5.1.1 Atomic model
Core			Supplement
•	Describe the structure of an atom in terms of a		•  Describe how the scattering of α-particles
	positive nucleus and negative electrons		by thin metal foils provides evidence for
			the nuclear atom
5.1.2 Nucleus
Core			Supplement
•	Describe the composition of the nucleus in terms of		•  State the meaning of nuclear fission and
	protons and neutrons		nuclear fusion
•	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 ZAX		•  Balance equations involving nuclide
•	Use and explain the term isotope		notation

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 –)
5.2.2 Characteristics of the three kinds of emission
Core			Supplement
•	Discuss the random nature of radioactive emission
•	Identify α, β and γ-emissions by recalling		•  Describe their deflection in electric fields
	–	their nature	and in magnetic fields
			•  Interpret their relative ionising effects
	–  their relative ionising effects
			•  Give and explain examples of practical
	–  their relative penetrating abilities
			applications of α, β and γ-emissions
		(β+ are not included, β-particles will be taken to
		refer to β–)
5.2.3 Radioactive decay
Core			Supplement
•	State the meaning of radioactive decay		•  Use equations involving nuclide notation
•	State that during α- or β-decay the nucleus changes		to represent changes in the composition
	to that of a different element		of the nucleus when particles are emitted
5.2.4		Half-life
Core			Supplement
•	Use the term half-life in simple calculations, which		•  Calculate half-life from data or decay
	might involve information in tables or decay curves		curves from which background radiation
			has not been subtracted
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