Science (Double Award) — Physics

Science 4SD0 — specification explorer

All 147 specification statements from the official Pearson Edexcel specification, as printed — filter by paper, unit or tier exactly as Pearson Edexcel assesses them.

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147 spec points

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Assessment homes come from the parsed Pearson specification (content summaries & assessment overviews). Hover a chip for the printed rule. Filters appear only where the qualification has that structure — a linear IGCSE has no unit scope, and only Maths A splits Foundation / Higher tiers.

1. Forces and motion

1. Units

P1.1use the following units: kilogram (kg), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N), second (s) and newton/kilogram (N/kg)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Movement and position

P1.3plot and explain distance-time graphsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.4know and use the relationship between average speed, distance moved and time taken: average speed distance moved = time takenPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.5practical: investigate the motion of everyday objects such as toy cars or tennis ballsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.6know and use the relationship between acceleration, change in velocity and time taken: change in velocity acceleration = time taken ( v − u ) a = tPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.7plot and explain velocity-time graphsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.8determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity-time graphPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.9determine the distance travelled from the area between a velocity-time graph and the time axisPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.10use the relationship between final speed, initial speed, acceleration and distance moved: (final speed)2 = (initial speed)2 + (2 × acceleration × distance moved) v2 = u2 + (2 × a × s)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Forces, movement, shape and momentum

P1.11describe the effects of forces between bodies such as changes in speed, shape or directionPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.12identify different types of force such as gravitational or electrostaticPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.13understand how vector quantities differ from scalar quantitiesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.14understand that force is a vector quantityPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.15calculate the resultant force of forces that act along a linePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.16know that friction is a force that opposes motionPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.17know and use the relationship between unbalanced force, mass and acceleration: force = mass × acceleration F = m × aPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.18know and use the relationship between weight, mass and gravitational field strength: weight = mass × gravitational field strength W = m × gPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.19know that the stopping distance of a vehicle is made up of the sum of the thinking distance and the braking distancePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.20describe the factors affecting vehicle stopping distance, including speed, mass, road condition and reaction timePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.21describe the forces acting on falling objects (and explain why falling objects reach a terminal velocity)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.22practical: investigate how extension varies with applied force for helical springs, metal wires and rubber bandsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.23know that the initial linear region of a force-extension graph is associated with Hooke’s lawPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P1.24describe elastic behaviour as the ability of a material to recover its original shape after the forces causing deformation have been removedPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Electricity

1. Units

P2.1use the following units: ampere (A), coulomb (C), joule (J), ohm (Ω), second (s), volt (V) and watt (W)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Mains electricity

P2.2understand how the use of insulation, double insulation, earthing, fuses and circuit breakers protects the device or user in a range of domestic appliancesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.3understand why 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 contextsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.4know and use the relationship between power, current and voltage: power = current × voltage P = I × V and apply the relationship to the selection of appropriate fusesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.5use the relationship between energy transferred, current, voltage and time: energy transferred = current × voltage × time E = I × V × tPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.6know the difference between mains electricity being alternating current (a.c.) and direct current (d.c.) being supplied by a cell or batteryPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Energy and voltage in circuits

P2.7explain why a series or parallel circuit is more appropriate for particular applications, including domestic lightingPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.8understand how the current in a series circuit depends on the applied voltage and the number and nature of other componentsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.9describe how current varies with voltage in wires, resistors, metal filament lamps and diodes, and how to investigate this experimentallyPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.10describe the qualitative effect of changing resistance on the current in a circuitPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.11describe the qualitative variation of resistance of light-dependent resistors (LDRs) with illumination and of thermistors with temperaturePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.12know that lamps and LEDs can be used to indicate the presence of a current in a circuitPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.13know and use the relationship between voltage, current and resistance: voltage = current × resistance V = I × RPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.14know that current is the rate of flow of chargePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.15know and use the relationship between charge, current and time: charge = current × time Q = I × tPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.16know that electric current in solid metallic conductors is a flow of negatively charged electronsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.17understand why current is conserved at a junction in a circuitPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.18know that the voltage across two components connected in parallel is the samePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.19calculate the currents, voltages and resistances of two resistive components connected in a series circuitPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.20
know that:
- voltage is the energy transferred per unit charge passed
- the volt is a joule per coulomb
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P2.21know and use the relationship between energy transferred, charge and voltage: energy transferred = charge × voltage E = Q × VPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Waves

1. Units

P3.1use the following units: degree (°), hertz (Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Properties of waves

P3.2explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse wavesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.3know the definitions of amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wavePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.4know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matterPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.5know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave: wave speed = frequency × wavelength v = f × λPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.6use the relationship between frequency and time period: 1 frequency = time period 1 f = TPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.7use the above relationships in different contexts, including sound waves and electromagnetic wavesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.8explain why there is a change in the observed frequency and wavelength of a wave when its source is moving relative to an observer, and that this is known as the Doppler effectPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.9explain that all waves can be reflected and refractedPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. The electromagnetic spectrum

P3.10know that light is part of a continuous electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray radiations and that all these waves travel at the same speed in free spacePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.11know the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrumPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.12
explain some of the uses of electromagnetic radiations, including:
- radio waves: broadcasting and communications
- microwaves: cooking and satellite transmissions
- infrared: heaters and night vision equipment
- visible light: optical fibres and photography
- ultraviolet: fluorescent lamps
- x-rays: observing the internal structure of objects and materials, including for medical applications
- gamma rays: sterilising food and medical equipment
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.13
explain the detrimental effects of excessive exposure of the human body to electromagnetic waves, including:
- microwaves: internal heating of body tissue
- infrared: skin burns
- ultraviolet: damage to surface cells and blindness
- gamma rays: cancer, mutation and describe simple protective measures against the risks
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

4. Light and sound

P3.14know that light waves are transverse waves and that they can be reflected and refractedPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.15use the law of reflection (the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.16draw ray diagrams to illustrate reflection and refractionPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.17practical: investigate the refraction of light, using rectangular blocks, semi-circular blocks and triangular prismsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.18know and use the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction: sin i n = sin rPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.19practical: investigate the refractive index of glass, using a glass blockPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.20describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along optical fibres and in prismsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.21explain the meaning of critical angle cPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.22know and use the relationship between critical angle and refractive index: 1 sin c = nPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P3.23know that sound waves are longitudinal waves which can be reflected and refractedPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

4. Energy resources and energy transfers

1. Units

P4.1use the following units: kilogram (kg), joule (J), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N), second (s) and watt (W)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Energy transfers

P4.2
describe energy transfers involving energy stores:
- energy stores: chemical, kinetic, gravitational, elastic, thermal, magnetic, electrostatic, nuclear
- energy transfers: mechanically, electrically, by heating, by radiation (light and sound)
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.3use the principle of conservation of energyPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.4know and use the relationship between efficiency, useful energy output and total energy output: useful energy output efficiency = × 100% total energy outputPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.5describe a variety of everyday and scientific devices and situations, explaining the transfer of the input energy in terms of the above relationship, including their representation by Sankey diagramsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.6describe how thermal energy transfer may take place by conduction, convection and radiationPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.7explain the role of convection in everyday phenomenaPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.8explain how emission and absorption of radiation are related to surface and temperaturePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.9practical: investigate thermal energy transfer by conduction, convection and radiationPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.10explain ways of reducing unwanted energy transfer, such as insulationPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Work and power

P4.11know and use the relationship between work done, force and distance moved in the direction of the force: work done = force × distance moved W = F × dPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.12know that work done is equal to energy transferredPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.13know and use the relationship between gravitational potential energy, mass, gravitational field strength and height: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height GPE = m × g × hPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.14know and use the relationship: 1 2 kinetic energy = 2 × mass × speed KE = 1 × m × v 2 2Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.15understand how conservation of energy produces a link between gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and workPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.16describe power as the rate of transfer of energy or the rate of doing workPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P4.17use the relationship between power, work done (energy transferred) and time taken: work done power = time taken W P = tPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

5. Solids, liquids and gases

1. Units

P5.1use the following units: degree Celsius (°C), Kelvin (K), joule (J), kilogram (kg), kilogram/metre3 (kg/m3), metre (m), metre2 (m2), metre3 (m3), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N) and pascal (Pa)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Density and pressure

P5.3know and use the relationship between density, mass and volume: mass density = volume ρ = m VPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.4practical: investigate density using direct measurements of mass and volumePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.5know and use the relationship between pressure, force and area : pressure = force area p = F APaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.6understand how the pressure at a point in a gas or liquid at rest acts equally in all directionsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.7know and use the relationship for pressure difference: pressure difference = height × density × gravitational field strength p = h × ρ × gPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Ideal gas molecules

P5.15explain how molecules in a gas have random motion and that they exert a force and hence a pressure on the walls of a containerPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.16understand why there is an absolute zero of temperature which is –273 ° CPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.17describe the Kelvin scale of temperature and be able to convert between the Kelvin and Celsius scalesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.18understand why an increase in temperature results in an increase in the average speed of gas moleculesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.19know that the Kelvin temperature of a gas is proportional to the average kinetic energy of its moleculesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.20
explain, for a fixed amount of gas, the qualitative relationship between:
- pressure and volume at constant temperature
- pressure and Kelvin temperature at constant volume
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.21use the relationship between the pressure and Kelvin temperature of a fixed mass of gas at constant volume: p 1 p 2 = T 1 T 2Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P5.22use the relationship between the pressure and volume of a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature: p 1 V 1 = p 2 V 2Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

6. Magnetism and electromagnetism

1. Units

P6.1use the following units: ampere (A), volt (V) and watt (W)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Magnetism

P6.2know that magnets repel and attract other magnets and attract magnetic substancesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.3describe the properties of magnetically hard and soft materialsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.4understand the term magnetic field linePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.5know that magnetism is induced in some materials when they are placed in a magnetic fieldPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.6practical: investigate the magnetic field pattern for a permanent bar magnet and between two bar magnetsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.7describe how to use two permanent magnets to produce a uniform magnetic field patternPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Electromagnetism

P6.8know that an electric current in a conductor produces a magnetic field around itPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.12understand why 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 loudspeakersPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.13use the left-hand rule to predict the direction of the resulting force when a wire carries a current perpendicular to a magnetic fieldPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.14describe how the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field changes with the magnitude and direction of the field and currentPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

4. Electromagnetic induction

P6.15know 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 that affect the size of the induced voltagePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P6.16describe 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 that affect the size of the induced voltagePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

7. Radioactivity and particles

1. Units

P7.1use the following units: becquerel (Bq), centimetre (cm), hour (h), minute (min) and second (s)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Radioactivity

P7.2describe the structure of an atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons and use symbols such as 14 C to describe particular nuclei 6Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.3know the terms: atomic (proton) number, mass (nucleon) number and isotopePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.4know that alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles and gamma (γ) rays are ionising radiations emitted from unstable nuclei in a random processPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.5describe the nature of alpha (α) particles, beta (β−) particles and gamma (γ) rays, and recall that they may be distinguished in terms of penetrating power and ability to ionisePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.6practical: investigate the penetration powers of different types of radiation using either radioactive sources or simulationsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.7describe the effects on the atomic and mass numbers of a nucleus of the emission of each of the four main types of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.8understand how to balance nuclear equations in terms of mass and chargePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.9know that photographic film or a Geiger-Müller detector can detect ionising radiationsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.10explain the sources of background (ionising) radiation from Earth and spacePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.11know that the activity of a radioactive source decreases over a period of time and is measured in becquerelsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.12know the definition of the term ‘half-life’ and understand that it is different for different radioactive isotopesPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.13use the concept of the ‘half-life’ to carry out simple calculations on activity, including graphical methodsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.14describe uses of radioactivity in industry and medicinePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.15describe the difference between contamination and irradiationPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.16
describe the dangers of ionising radiations, including:
- that radiation can cause mutations in living organisms
- that radiation can damage cells and tissue
- the problems arising from the disposal of radioactive waste and how the associated risks can be reduced
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Fission and fusion

P7.17know that nuclear reactions, including fission, fusion and radioactive decay, can be a source of energyPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.18understand how a nucleus of U-235 can be split (the process of fission) by collision with a neutron, and that this process releases energy as kinetic energy of the fission productsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.19know that the fission of U-235 produces two radioactive daughter nuclei and a small number of neutronsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.20describe how a chain reaction can be set up if the neutrons produced by one fission strike other U-235 nucleiPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.21describe the role played by the control rods and moderator in the fission processPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.22understand the role of shielding around a nuclear reactorPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.23explain the difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fissionPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.24describe nuclear fusion as the creation of larger nuclei resulting in a loss of mass from smaller nuclei, accompanied by a release of energyPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.25know that fusion is the energy source for starsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P7.26explain why nuclear fusion does not happen at low temperatures and pressures, due to electrostatic repulsion of protonsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

8. Astrophysics

1. Units

P8.1use the following units: kilogram (kg), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second2 (m/s2), newton (N), second (s), newton/kilogram (N/kg)Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

2. Motion in the universe

P8.2
know that:
- the universe is a large collection of billions of galaxies
- a galaxy is a large collection of billions of stars
- our solar system is in the Milky Way galaxy
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.3understand why gravitational field strength, g , varies and know that it is different on other planets and the Moon from that on the Earth.Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.4
explain that gravitational force:
- causes moons to orbit planets
- causes the planets to orbit the Sun
- causes artificial satellites to orbit the Earth
- causes comets to orbit the Sun.
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.5describe the differences in the orbits of comets, moons and planetsPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.6use the relationship between orbital speed, orbital radius and time period: orbital speed = 2 × π × orbital radius time period 2 × π × r v = TPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award

3. Stellar evolution

P8.7understand how stars can be classified according to their colourPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.8know that a star’s colour is related to its temperaturePaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.9
describe the evolution of stars of similar mass to the Sun through the following stages:
- nebula
- star (main sequence)
- red giant
- white dwarf
Paper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award
P8.10describe the evolution of stars with a mass larger than the SunPaper 1Paper 2Also in Double Award