7.19 understand that a chain reaction can be set up if the neutrons produced by one fission strike other U-235 nuclei When a U-325 splits, it gives out three neutrons. This three neutrons again hit other uranium nucleus and gives out nine neutrons. These nine neutrons...
7.20 understand the role played by the control rods and moderator when the fission process is used as an energy source to generate electricity. In a chain reaction, huge amount of energy are produced which is used to generate electricity. In the chain reaction if the...
7.15 describe the results of Geiger and Marsden’s experiments with gold foil and alpha particles Geiger and Marsden made an experiment with alpha particle. They shoot alpha radiation to a thin gold foil. The gold foil was surround by zinc sulphide screen which...
7.16 describe Rutherford’s nuclear model of the atom and how it accounts for the results of Geiger and Marsden’s experiment and understand the factors (charge and speed) which affect the deflection of alpha particles by a nucleus After the experiment of Geiger and...
7.13 describe the uses of radioactivity in medical and non-medical tracers, in radiotherapy, and in the radioactive dating of archaeological specimens and rocks Radioactive isotopes are used as tracers to help doctors indentify diseased organs. The tracer is swallowed...
7.17 understand that a nucleus of U-235 can be split (the process of fission) by collision with a neutron, and that this process releases energy in the form of kinetic energy of the fission products Fission: If unstable nuclei split up to form stable nuclei, the...
7.18 understand that the fission of U-235 produces two daughter nuclei and a small number of neutrons When a radioactive isotope splits it forms a stable nuclei which is called daughter nuclei. Uranium-235 produce two daughter nuclei of barium-144 and krypton-89 and...
7.7 understand how to complete balanced nuclear equations In a nuclear equation, in the left hand side the total mass number should be equal to the mass number in the right hand side. And the atomic number should be equal in both sides. Here, Uranium experienced an...
7.8 understand that ionising radiations can be detected using a photographic film or a Geiger-Muller detector Photographic film is a traditional way to detect ionising radiation. Ionising radiations imprints photographic plates. Geiger Muller tube is used to measure...
7.9 explain the sources of background radiation Background radiation have many sources. Billions of years ago, when the earth formed, it contained many radioactive isotopes. Some of them are still decaying in the Earth’s crust. Violent nuclear reaction in stars are...
7.10 understand that the activity of a radioactive source decreases over a period of time and is measured in Becquerels Radioactive substance keeps decaying in a random process. As it decays, its activity is reduced over a period of time. The unit of Radioactivity is...
7.11 understand the term ‘half-life’ and understand that it is different for different radioactive isotopes “Half-Life” is the amount of time taken for the activity of any radioactive substance to reduce to half. Each radioactive isotope decays in different speeds. So...
7.12 use the concept of half-life to carry out simple calculations on activity Plot the activity of the graph against time. Point out the half of the activity and draw line to match the time as done in the figure. The time is your half-life.
7.14 describe the dangers of ionising radiations, including Radiation can cause mutations in living organisms Radiation can damage cells and tissue The problems arising in the disposal of radioactive waste and describe how the associated risks can be reduced. Ionising...
7.6 describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each of the three main types of radiation Alpha decay: In alpha decay, alpha particles takes away 4 nucleons with itself which reduce the mass number of the element by 4. Alpha...
7.2 describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols such as (14/6)C to describe particular nuclei An atom is a tiny particle with nucleus in the centre and electrons orbiting it. A nucleus is made up of proton and neutron....
7.3 understand the terms atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotope Atomic Number: Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom Mass number: Mass number is the addition number of protons and neutrons Isotope: Isotope is an element which have the...
7.4 understand that alpha and beta particles and gamma rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random process When a unstable nuclei decay they give out ionising radiation. Ionising radiation causes atom to gain or lose electrons to form ions....
6.16 describe the generation of electricity by the rotation of a magnet within a coil of wire and of a coil of wire within a magnetic field and describe the factors which affect the size of the induced voltage We can generate a voltage and current by pushing a magnet...
6.17 describe the structure of a transformer, and understand that a transformer changes the size of an alternating voltage by having different numbers of turns on the input and output sides A transformer is a device that helps to reduce or increase voltage in a wire...
6.18 explain the use of step-up and step-down transformers in the large- scale generation and transmission of electrical energy A transformer that is used to increase voltage is called step-up transformer. One that is used to decrease voltages is called step-down...
6.19 know and use the relationship between input (primary) and output (secondary) voltages and the turns ratio for a transformer input(primary)voltage / output(secondary)voltage = primary turns / secondary turns Vp/Vs=np/ns
6.20 know and use the relationship: for 100% efficiency Input power = output power VP IP = VS IS
7.5 describe the nature of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating power Radiation Ionising power Penetrating range in air Example of range in air Radiation stopped by Alpha,α strong weak 5-8cm paper...
7.1 use the following units: Becquerel (Bq), centimetre (cm), hour (h), minute (min), second (s) Unit of radioactivity: Becquerel (Bq) Unit of length: centimetre (cm) Unit of time: hour (h) Unit of time: minute (min) Unit of time: second (s)
6.10 sketch and recognize magnetic field patterns for a straight wire, a flat circular coil and a solenoid when each is carrying a current A field around a straight wire is simply a series of circles around the wire. A field around a solidness is similar to that of a...
6.9 describe the construction of electromagnets If a temporary magnet is wrapped with a wire into a coil and pass current to it, the magnet will become magnetized. This way electromagnets can be constructed.
6.4 understand the term ‘magnetic field line’ Magnetic field line is imaginary line which represents where the magnetism is acting. Magnetic field line starts from north pole to south pole.
6.11 understand that there is a force on a charged particle when it moves in a magnetic field as long as its motion is not parallel to the field A charged particle moving through a magnetic field experiences a force, as long its motion is not parallel to the field. If...
6.12 understand that a force is exerted on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field, and how this effect is applied in simple d.c. electric motors and loudspeakers As current passes around the loop of wire, one side of it will experience a force pushing it upwards....
6.13 use the left hand rule to predict the direction of the resulting force when a wire carries a current perpendicular to a magnetic field The left hand rules shows the direction of force, magnetic field and current when a wire carries a current perpendicularly to a...
6.14 describe how the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field increases with the strength of the field and with the current Ways to increase the force produced in motors: Increase the number of turns or loops of wire Increase the strength of magnetic...
6.15 understand that a voltage is induced in a conductor or a coil when it moves through a magnetic field or when a magnetic field changes through it and describe the factors which affect the size of the induced voltage If we move a wire across a magnetic field at...
6.7 describe how to use two permanent magnets to produce a uniform magnetic field pattern If you put two bar magnets together with their north and south touching, then they will form the same magnetic field as if there were one bar magnet.
6.6 describe experiments to investigate the magnetic field pattern for a permanent bar magnet and that between two bar magnets Using a compass moving around the magnet you can detect the magnetic field pattern. As you move so the needle will move. The compass can show...
5.10 understand that molecules in a gas have a random motion and that they exert a force and hence a pressure on the walls of the container Gases are made up of particles that are moving. The particles in gases are spread out and constantly moving in random. They hit...
5.13 understand that an increase in temperature results in an increase in the average speed of gas molecules If we heat gas molecules, they gain more kinetic energy. As they do so, they begin to move faster and the average speed of the molecules increases.
5.14 understand that the Kelvin temperature of the gas is proportional to the average kinetic energy of its molecules Temperature in Kelvin is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of molecules. If we increase the temperature, kinetic energy as well as...
5.15 describe the qualitative relationship between pressure and Kelvin temperature for a gas in a sealed container The number of gas particles and the space, or volume, they occupy remain constant. When we heat the gas the particles continue to move randomly, bu with...
5.16 use the relationship between the pressure and Kelvin temperature of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume p1 / T1 = p2 / T2
5.17 use the relationship between the pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature p1V1 = p2T2
6.1 use the following units: ampere (A), volt (V), watt (W) Unit of current: ampere (A) Unit of potential difference: volt (V) Unit of power: watt (W)
6.2 understand that magnets repel and attract other magnets and attract magnetic substances Magnets are able to attract objects made from magnetic materials such as iron, steel, etc. Other objects like plastic, rubber are non-magnetic substance. They can attract...
6.3 describe the properties of magnetically hard and soft materials Magnetically hard materials: Needs time to become magnetized Once magnetized, the magnetism remains permanently Magnets with magnetically hard materials are known as permanent magnets Eg: Steel...
6.5 understand that magnetism is induced in some materials when they are placed in a magnetic field If you keep a material between the magnetic field, eventually after a period of time, that material will be magnetized.
5.6 know and use the relationship for pressure difference pressure difference = height × density × g p = h × ρ × g
5.7 understand the changes that occur when a solid melts to form a liquid, and when a liquid evaporates or boils to form a gas When a solid is heated, the molecules starts vibrating. At a time they lose their attraction force and move slowly. This time they reach the...
5.8 describe the arrangement and motion of particles in solids, liquids and gases Features Solid Liquid Gas Arrangement Regular Irregular Random Movement Cannot move, vibrate only Particles can move throughout the liquid slight past each other The particles have the...
5.9 understand the significance of Brownian motion, as supporting evidence for particle theory One piece of evidence for the continual motion of particles in a liquid or a gas is called Brownian motion. Particles of a liquid or gas are moving around continually and...
5.11 understand why there is an absolute zero of temperature which is –273oC Temperature affect the pressure of particles of gases. The higher the temperature, the higher the energy in particles and more the pressure. If we decrease the temperature the result will be...
5.1 use the following units: degrees Celsius (oC), Kelvin (K), joule (J), kilogram/metre3 (kg/m3), kilogram/metre3 (kg/m3), metre (m), metre2 (m2 ), metre3 (m3), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2 ), newton (N), Pascal (Pa). Unit of temperature: degrees Celsius...
5.2 know and use the relationship between density, mass and volume density=mass/volume p=m/V
5.3 describe experiments to determine density using direct measurements of mass and volume Suppose a rectangular block have a volume of 50 m3 and mass of 200kg. Its density will be 200/50 kg/m3, i.e. 4kg/m3.
5.4 know and use the relationship between pressure, force and area ρ=force/area p=F/A
5.5 understand that the pressure at a point in a gas or liquid which is at rest acts equally in all directions Pressure in liquids and gases act equally in all directions, as long as the liquid or gas are not moving.
4.2 describe energy transfers involving the following forms of energy: thermal (heat), light, electrical, sound, kinetic, chemical, nuclear and potential (elastic and gravitational) For energy to be useful, we need to be able to transfer it from place to place and be...
4.8 explain how insulation is used to reduce energy transfers from buildings and the human body. Energy-efficient houses reduce energy transfer by using two layered walls and double glazing windows. The wall is made wide layers of different materials. The outer layer...
4.9 know and use the relationship between work, force and distance moved in the direction of the force work=force x distance W=F x d
4.10 understand that work done is equal to energy transferred Doing work means the energy is either decreased or increased. If a weight of 500N is raised 2m, 1000J of work is done. That means energy is increased by 1000J. Therefore work done is equal to energy...
4.11 know and use the relationship gravitional potential energy=mass x gravitional acceleration x height G.P.E=mgh
4.12 know and use the relationship Kinetic energy = ½ x mass x velocity2 K.E = ½ x m x v2
4.13 understand how conservation of energy produces a link between gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and work An object of mass, m weights mxg newtons. So the force, F, needed to lift is mg. If we raise the object through a distance h, the work done on...
4.14 describe power as the rate of transfer of energy or the rate of doing work Power is the rate of transferring energy or doing work. Its measures how fast energy is transferred.
4.15 use the relationship between power, work done (energy transferred) and time taken power=(work done)/time P=W/t
4.16 describe the energy transfers involved in generating electricity using Wind: Winds are powered by the Sun's heat energy. Wind is a renewable source of energy. Wind mills have been used o grind corn and power machinery like pumps drain lowland areas. Today, wind...
4.17 describe the advantages and disadvantages of methods of large- scale electricity production from various renewable and non- renewable resources Renewable Resources: Wind energy: Advantages: Relatively cheap to set up clean – no waste products Relatively efficient...
4.5 describe a variety of everyday and scientific devices and situations, explaining the fate of the input energy in terms of the above relationship, including their representation by Sankey diagrams Whenever we are transferring energy, proportion of input energy is...
4.6 describe how energy transfer may take place by conduction, convection and radiation There are three basic ways energy can transfer from place to place: conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction: Conduction is the transfer of energy through substance mainly...
4.7 explain the role of convection in everyday phenomena Boiling water uses the role of convection to transfer heat. When fire is started, molecules at the bottom gets heated and expands. It gains kinetic energy and rises upwards and the molecules at the top sinks...
3.30 describe an experiment using an oscilloscope to determine the frequency of a sound wave Experiment: To determine the frequency of a sound wave Sound is produced by a loudspeaker. The microphone catches the sound and transmits it into electrical signal. The...
3.31 relate the pitch of a sound to the frequency of vibration of the source The more something vibrates the higher frequency. The higher frequency, the higher pitch. So the more vibrations the higher pitch.
3.32 relate the loudness of a sound to the amplitude of vibration. The bigger the vibration the higher the amplitude. The higher the amplitude the louder the sound.
4.1 use the following units: kilogram (kg), joule (J), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N), second (s), watt (W). Unit of mass: kilogram(kg) Unit of energy: joule(J) Unit of distance: metre(m) Unit of speed or velocity: metre/second (m/s)...
4.3 understand that energy is conserved Energy is not created or destroyed in any process. It is just converted from one from type to another.
4.4 know and use the relationship Efficiency = Useful Output Energy/ Total Input Energy
3.29 understand how an oscilloscope and microphone can be used to display a sound wave When sound waves enter the mircrophone, they make a crystal or a metal plate inside it vibrate. The vibrations are changed into electrical signals, and the oscilloscope uses these...
3.23 understand the difference between analogue and digital signals To send a message using a digital signal, the information is converted into a sequence of numbers called a binary code. Digital electrical signals can either have of only two possible values...
3.24 describe the advantages of using digital signals rather than analogue signals Regenerating digital signal creates a clean accurate copy of the orginal signal but analogue signal are corrupted by other signals. With digital signal, you can broadcast programs over...
3.25 describe how digital signals can carry more information Digital signals are capable of carrying more information than analogue signals because digital signals make use of the bandwidth more efficiently by closely approximating the original analogue signal. The...
3.26 understand that sound waves are longitudinal waves and how they can be reflected, refracted and diffracted Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Like other waves they can also be reflected refracted and diffracted. Sound waves reflect when they bounce back from a...
3.27 understand that the frequency range for human hearing is 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz An average person can only hear sound that have a frequency higher than 20Hz but lower than 20000 Hz. This spread of frequency is called audible range. Frequency higher than 20000 Hz which...
3.28 describe an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air Experiment: To measure the speed of sound by direct method Apparatus: Starting pistol, stopwatch, measuring tape. Procedure: By means of measuring tape, observers are positioned at known distance apart...
3.18 know and use the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction The ratio between sine of the angle of incidence and the sine of the angle of refraction is called refractive index. In a material, the refractive index is constant...
3.20 describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along optical fibres and in prisms Total internal reflection: When light falls on the surface of a lighter medium from denser medium at an angle of incidence greater than critical angle,...
3.21 explain the meaning of critical angle c Critical angle is an incident angle at which the incident ray is refracted and the refracted angle is equal to 90 degree in condition that the light falls on the surface of a lighter medium from denser medium.
3.22 know and use the relationship between critical angle and refractive index sin c = 1/n sin (critical angle) = 1/ refractive index
3.19 describe an experiment to determine the refractive index of glass, using a glass block Experiment: To determine the refractive index of glass, using a glass block. Put the glass block on an wooden table which is passed by a white sheet. The border of the...
3.17 describe experiments to investigate the refraction of light, using rectangular blocks, semicircular blocks and triangular prisms As a light ray passes from one transparent medium to another, it bends. This bending of light is called refraction. Refraction occurs...
3.15 use the law of reflection (the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection) The law of reflection states that: The incident ray, reflected ray and normal all lie in the same plane. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
3.16 construct ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of a virtual image in a plane mirror Types of images: Virtual images: Image through which the rays of light don’t not actually pass is called virtual image. Example: Image formed in the mirror. Virtual images...
2.20 describe experiments to investigate how insulating materials can be charged by friction Experiment: To investigate how insulating materials can be charged by friction Apparatus: Glass rod, silk cloth, electroscope Procedure: Take a glass rod and silk cloth. Rub...
3.11 identify the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrum The list follows with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. Radio Waves > Microwaves >...
3.14 understand that light waves are transverse waves which can be reflected, refracted and diffracted Light waves are transverse wave that is emitted from luminous or non-luminous objects. Light waves are transverse wave and like all waves, they can be reflected,...
3.13 understand the detrimental effects of excessive exposure of the human body to electromagnetic waves, and describe simple protective measures against the risks Microwaves: Micro waves might cause internal heating of body tissue. For this microwave ovens have metal...
3.12 explain some of the uses of electromagnetic radiations, including Radio waves: It is used in communicating information. This can be speech, radio and television, music and encoded messages like computer data, navigation signals and telephone conversations. The...
2.22 understand that there are forces of attraction between unlike charges and forces of repulsion between like charges Similar charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other. The attraction and repulsion occurs because of electrostatic force.
2.21 explain that positive and negative electrostatic charges are produced on materials by the loss and gain of electrons If two material are rubbed together electrons will be transferred. The one that gains electrons will be negatively charged and the one that losses...
2.5 know and use the relationship power = current × voltage P = I × V and apply the relationship to the selection of appropriate fuses Power is amount that represents how much voltage or energy is converted every second. It is calculated using this equation: Power, P...
2.19 identify common materials which are electrical conductors or insulators, including metals and plastics Conductors: Electrical conductors are materials that allow current to pass through them. Conductors have free electron diffusion to pass current. Metals like...
2.4 understand that a current in a resistor results in the electrical transfer of energy and an increase in temperature, and how this can be used in a variety of domestic contexts Normal wiring in the house are said to have low resistance and the current pass through...