We all know that fossil fuels are bad for the environment and that their use in cars is being phased out but how much do you know about the alternatives? Electric cars probably spring to mind but what about other options that might actually be better choices? This is relevant for the GCSE course and, … Continue reading Auto-electric?
Transformers
The famous "electricity war" between Edison and Tesla wasn't just about electricity generation, it was also about electricity distribution. Edison's DC electricity couldn't be sent very far due to power losses but Tesla's AC could go much further and benefit people over a much wider area. Efficient electricity distribution relies on minimising power loses due … Continue reading Transformers
Electric fields
A field, in physics, is a region of space where one object can affect another object without the two objects touching each other. The most familiar fields are gravitational and magnetic but now we need to gain some understanding of electric fields and their shapes. Let's start with a quick recap of what we know … Continue reading Electric fields
Correct wiring of a 3-pin plug
There once was a time when the ability to wire a 3-pin plug was an essential skill - but not any more. For reasons of safety, many devices are now fitted with molded plugs that cannot be opened or removed. Nevertheless, the exam board still expects you to be able to identify the essential features … Continue reading Correct wiring of a 3-pin plug
DC and AC Electricity Pt2: Seeing the Difference
We commonly use meters to make measurements in electric circuits but meters are relatively simple devices and if the property we are measuring changes over a short period of time then a meter will not show this clearly (if at all). But a different instrument, the oscilloscope, has the power to reveal such changes in … Continue reading DC and AC Electricity Pt2: Seeing the Difference
Series and Parallel Circuits
Electric circuits are all about energy transfers: they allow the energy in the original source to be transferred via electricity into some other form. In the classic torch-bulb circuit, for example, chemical energy (in the cells) is converted into electrical energy, which is then converted into light (and heat, for old-fashioned bulbs). The amount of … Continue reading Series and Parallel Circuits
What is Static Electricity?
When work is done on an object, by moving a force through a distance, the object gains energy. As a result, the object might get hotter (gain thermal energy) or accelerate (gain kinetic energy) or be lifted upwards (gain gravitational energy). There is also another possibility; the object could gain electrical energy in the form … Continue reading What is Static Electricity?
Specific Heat Capacity
Heating a substance can cause either an increase in temperature or a change of state. This is not completely obvious, so let me put it another way; sometimes when we "heat up" a substance it doesn't actually get any hotter. The reason for this is that the energy supplied is being used to break bonds … Continue reading Specific Heat Capacity
Can you beat 49/50?
Doing a test may not be your idea of a cool holiday activity but CGP (the publisher of your revision guide) has just released a series of free online GCSE tests that I highly recommend. You can access the tests at https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/resources/free-gcse-science-10-minute-tests. On the landing page, select Separate Science then choose Physics. You will have … Continue reading Can you beat 49/50?
Circuit Simulation
The excellent circuit simulation that we explored in our lessons is freely available for you to use as part of your independent learning. It was created by the University of Colorado and can be accessed here (or just search for PhET DC simulation). There are, however, a couple of points that you must remember when … Continue reading Circuit Simulation
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 