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UPDATED TO 2023-2025 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
PHYSICS
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
CAIE IGCSE PHYSICS

1.2. Motion
1. MOTION, FORCES AND Speed is defined as the distance travelled per unit time.
ENERGY Use the equation
d
v= t Where:
​

1.1. Physical quantities and v is speed

d is distance
measurement techniques t is time
Velocity is defined as the speed in a given direction.
Making measurements (apparatus):
Distance Time Graphs and Speed Time Graphs
Liquids: A graduated measuring cylinder.
A pipette (accurate for one specific measurement)
Time: Stopwatch (reading to 0.1s or better)
Length: Metre rule (graduated in mm)
Micrometer Screw Gauge
Vernier Calliper
Volume: Measuring Length, Width, Height Distance-Time Graphs
Measuring volume by displacement 1 Acceleration
Mass: Top pan balance, precision of 0.1g 2 At rest
3 Deceleration
Vectors and Scalars:
4 Constant Speed
Scalar: has magnitude only
e.g. distance, speed, time, mass, energy and temperature
Vector: has magnitude and direction
e.g. force, weight, velocity, acceleration, momentum, electric
field strength and gravitational field strength
Speed-Time Graphs
1 Increasing Acceleration
2 Constant Speed
3 Decreasing Acceleration
4 Uniform Acceleration
5 Uniform Deceleration
6 Decreasing Deceleration
7 Increasing Deceleration

Acceleration:

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity per unit of

time.
Δv
a = v−u
Δt = Δt Where:
​

a is acceleration
v is final velocity
u is initial velocity
Δt is change in time

Falling objects:

Acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface

of the Earth is constant and is approximately 9.8 m/s².
At the beginning of the paper, the instructions will tell you
to use 10 m/s² or 9.8 m/s². This detail can be very
important.

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Terminal Velocity: Centre of mass:

An object which is falling because of acceleration due to The centre of mass is the place at which all of the object's
gravity through the atmosphere is subjected to two external mass is concentrated. Because gravity works only on one
forces. One force is the gravitational force, expressed as the spot in the item. For regularly formed objects, the centre of
weight of the object. The other force is the air resistance or mass is in the centre.
drag of the object. It is critical to understand where a body's centre of mass is
An object has terminal velocity when those two forces are located, as this dictates the body's stability. When a body is
equal. tilted slightly, the line of action of its weight passes through its
base, it is stable.
1.3. Mass and Weight
Resultant forces:
Mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object at
Determine the resultant of two or more forces acting along
rest relative to the observer. The mass of a body is a
the same straight line.
measure of the amount of matter in it.
An object either remains at rest (stationary) or continues in a
Weight is a gravitational force on an object that has mass.
straight line at constant speed unless acted on by a resultant
Gravitational field strength g is defined as force per unit
force.
mass.
A resultant force may change the velocity of an object by
The equation for gravitational field strength is :
changing its direction of motion or its speed.
g=W
m ​

Gravitational field strength is equivalent to the acceleration of Springs:

free fall.
Weights (and masses) may be compared using a balance. Sketch, plot and interpret load-extension graphs for an elastic
The weight of an object is the effect of a gravitational field on solid (eg. metal wire) and be able to describe any
its mass. experimental procedures.
The limit of proportionality is a point on a load-extension
graph beyond which the graph is no longer a straight line.
1.4. Density Spring constant is defined as force per unit extension. \n
Recall and use the equation:
Density is defined as mass per unit volume.
The equation for density is: k = Fx ​
Where:
p = mv ​ F is the force or load
With this equation, you can determine the density of a liquid, x is the extension
of a regularly shaped solid and of an irregularly shaped solid k is the spring constant ( N/m, N/cm, N/mm)
which sinks in a liquid. You need to record its mass, then
volume and then substitute it through the equation. Hooke’s Law
Know whether an object floats based on density data. A
higher density means that the object will sink. A lower density F = kx
makes it float. This is called buoyancy. Recall and use the equation F = ma and know that the force
and acceleration are in the same direction.
How to determine whether one liquid will float on F = ma
another liquid based on density data given that the When F is the force in N
liquids do not mix: m is mass in kg
a is acceleration in m/s²
The liquid with a larger density will descend below the other
liquid. Centripetal Force
A liquid floats over the other liquid if it has a lower density.
Describe the motion in a circular path due to a force
1.5. Forces perpendicular to the motion.
In a circular motion, if speed increases, the force needed
A force is a push or a pull. increases (mass and radius are constants).
Forces may produce changes in the size, shape and In a circular motion, if radius decreases, the force needed
velocity of an object. increases (mass and speed are constants). In a circular
Solid friction is the force between two surfaces that may motion, if mass is increased, an increased force is
impede motion and produce heating. required to keep speed and radius constant.
Friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a liquid
or a gas (air resistance). Moments of forces

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Moment of a force as a measure of its turning effect.

The moment of a force is defined as moment = force x
perpendicular distance from the pivot.
Apply the principle of moments to situations with one
force on each side of the pivot, including balancing of a
beam. When there is no resultant force and no resultant
moment, an object is in equilibrium.
Apply the principle of moments in situations with more
than one force on each side of the pivot.
Describe an experiment to demonstrate that there is no
resultant moment on an object in equilibrium.
The stability of an object depends on the position of its
centre of gravity.

Energy transfer diagrams :

1.6. Energy Work and Power
Energy 'stores’ are: kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical,
elastic (strain), nuclear electrostatic and internal (thermal).
Energy is transferred between stores during events and
processes.
Energy is transferred by forces (mechanical work done),
electrical currents (electrical work done), heating, and by
electromagnetic, sound and other waves.

The principle of the conservation of energy.

Sankey Diagrams:
The principle of energy conservation states that energy is
neither created nor destroyed. It may transform from one
type to another.
Energy can only be used by converting it from one form to
another. Unless energy is added from the outside, a system
always possesses the same quantity of energy.
The chemical energy of the batteries is transformed into
electrical energy in a torch, which is then converted into light
and heat. This energy is either absorbed or reflected by the
environment.
Mechanical or electrical work done is equal to the energy
Kinetic energy formula: transferred.
The equation for (mechanical) work done is:
W = F d = ΔE
Units : Joules (J)
Where:
W = Work Done
F = magnitude of the force
d = the distance in the direction of the force

Energy Resources

Useful energy may be obtained, or electrical power

generated, from:
Non-Renewable Energy
Change in gravitational potential energy formula: Renewable Energy Sources
Sources
Fossil Fuels Wind
Oils Tidal
Coal Hydro-electric
Natural Gas Geothermal

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Non-Renewable Energy Power is defined as work done per unit time and also as
Renewable Energy Sources
Sources energy transferred per unit time.
Solar (EM Waves from the W
Nuclear P=
sun)
​

t
- Biofuels ΔE
P= ​

t
Some sources of energy derive their energy from the sun. P = power (watt)
These are: W = work done (J)
ΔE = energy transferred (J)
Coal - formed from dead trees that have used energy T = time (s)
from the sun to produce hydrocarbons that have become
coal under pressure 1.7. Momentum
Biofuels - organic matter that is burned in order to
produce energy Momentum is defined as mass x velocity (kg m/s)
Hydro-electric - energy relies on the sun’s energy to run
the water cycle so energy can be harnessed The equation for momentum is p = mv Where:
Wind - gets heated and rises up and cooler air flows to fill p is momentum
the space m is mass
Solar - Electromagnetic waves from the sun are captured v is velocity
by photocells and turned into energy Resultant force is defined as the change in momentum per
unit time:
Environmental Δp
Renewability Availability Reliability Scale
Impact
F= Δt ​

Wind ✓ high low high on birds ∴ F = mΔv

Δt ​

Solar ✓ high low high low impact Impulse of a force is defined as force x time for which force
Almost no acts:
Geothermal ✓ low high low Impulse = F Δt = Δ(mv)
impact
Biofuels ✓ high high high low impact
The principle of the conservation of momentum:
Hydro- impacts
✓ high high high
electric marine life
General law of physics according to which the quantity called
Tidal ✓ high low low - momentum that characterises motion never changes in an
Greenhouse isolated collection of objects; that is, the total momentum of a
Coal ☓ high high low
gases closed system remains constant.
Radioactive
Nuclear ☓ low high high
substances 1.8. Pressure
Boilers, turbines and generators are used to generate Pressure is defined as force per unit area, and measured in
electricity in a power plant. N/m or Pa. 1 Pa = 1 N/m
The equation for pressure is: p = Fa ​ Where:
p is pressure
F is force
a is area
Pressure beneath the surface of a liquid changes with depth
and density of the liquid. The change in pressure beneath the
surface of a liquid is given by the equation:
change in pressure = density x gravitational field strength x
change in depth

Efficiency: Δp = ρgΔh Where:

Δp= pressure difference in pascals (Pa)
Useful energy output ρ = density in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m3)
Efficiency = × 100 g = gravitational field strength (N/kg)
Total energy input
​

Δh = change in height/height of vertical column (m)

Power:
2. # Kinetic Model of Matter

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Properties of the 3 States of Matter - The molecular In Solids, when temperature increases it makes the
Model particles vibrate faster and expands slightly in volume.
In Liquids, when temperature increases particles move
faster around each other and expand.
In Gases, the volume increases by a large amount.
Increasing internal energy of an object :
Heating
Rubbing
Shaking
Increased Temperature → Increased Internal Energy →
Increase in average kinetic energy of particles

SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY

The mass of the object

The material of the object
The temperature change required
The amount of energy required to change the
temperature of a material depends on its Specific Heat
Particles that make up matter can be made of one or Capacity
more atoms
As particles of gas strike the walls of containers, their ΔE
momentum changes and a force is created which can be c= ​

calculated using :
mΔθ
Where :
ΔP
Fnet = m = mass (kg)
Δt
​ ​

c = specific heat capacity ( J/K g o C )

Temperature has an Absolute Zero : -273℃ ΔE = energy provided ( J )
Brownian Motion is the random motion of particles Δθ = change in temperature ( o C )
suspended in a fluid resulting from their collision with fast
moving atoms or molecules in the fluid. Note : 1 Joule = 1 Watt for 1 sec \n J = W x t (s)

2.1. Pressure and Volume at Constant Melting, Boiling and Evaporation \n

Temperature (Boyle’s Law)
Melting Boiling Evaporation
P , V , T (Constant) Occurs at a fixed Occurs at a fixed Occurs at any
1 temperature temperature temperature
P ∝ P is inversely proportional to V
Speed depends on Relatively fast Relatively slow
​

V
energy supply process process
k
P = Takes place at the Takes place
V Takes place at the
​

∴ k = PV surface of the solid throughout the

surface only
only liquid
P1 V1 = P2 V2
​ ​ ​ ​ No bubbles Bubbles are formed No bubbles
Temperature Temperature Temperature may
Temperature Conversions : remains constant remains constant change
Heat from Heat from
Celcius to Kelvin o C → K : K = o C + 273 External thermal
surroundings or surroundings is
Kelvin to Celcius K → o C : o C = K − 273 energy source
external source enough required

2.2. Thermal Properties and 2.3. Thermal Energy Transfers

Temperature
Conduction Convection Radiation
All Materials expand as they get warmer
It is impossible to restrict the thermal expansion of solids
and liquids

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Conduction Convection Radiation Describe an experiment to show the refraction of light by

Infrared Radiation transparent blocks of different shapes.
Fluid Conductors and Describe the passage of light through a transparent
Thermal material.
Trapped air pockets Electromagnetic
conductors Particle The critical angle is the angle made to the normal in the
prevent convection waves All objects
to Particle denser material when the angle of refraction is 90°.
flow emit and absorb
radiation The equation for critical angle is:

Through movement Fluid with more

It depends on
and vibration of energy rises above
temperature,
delocalised less energy to
colour, surface
electrons \n Not for create convection
area and texture
Vacuums current
Ex : Radiators or Ex : Vacuum of
Ex : Kitchen Pans
heaters space

Radiation vs Colour and Texture

Describe internal reflection and total internal reflection.

Refractive index, n, is defined as the ratio of the speeds of
a wave in two different regions
The equation for refractive index is:

Radiation vs Temperature and Surface Area

Describe the use of optical fibres, particularly in
telecommunications.
Temperature ∝ Surface area ∝ Energy emitted A thin converging lens converges a parallel beam of light.
Thin diverging lens diverges a parallel beam of light.
3. # Light The principal focus (focal point) is the point on the
principal axis where parallel waves passing through the
lens meet.
Light is an electromagnetic wave that is capable of The principal axis is a line of symmetry passing through
passing through free space or through a material medium
the centre of the lens.
in the form of varying electric and magnetic fields.
The focal length is the distance from the centre of the lens
Normal is a line drawn at right angles between the
to the principal focus
boundary of two materials.
How to draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a
The angle of incidence is the angle made by the incident real image by a converging lens.
ray to the normal. The angle of reflection is the angle
Describe the characteristics of an image using the
made by the reflected ray to the normal.
terms enlarged/same size/ diminished,
The image formed by a plane mirror has the following
upright/inverted and real/virtual.
characteristics: same size, same distance from the
Know that a virtual image is formed when diverging
mirror, and virtual. rays are extrapolated backwards and do not form a
The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is
visible projection on a screen.
equal to the angle of reflection.
Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of a
How to use simple constructions, measurements and
virtual image by a converging lens.
calculations for reflection by plane mirrors.
The angle of refraction is the angle made by the refracted
ray to the normal.

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