Physics Syllabus 0653 Syllabus 2025-2027

Physics Syllabus 0653 Syllabus

The official CIE syllabus can be found here.  It is best to always refer to the original syllabus.

 

P1. Motion, forces and energy

1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques

·       Describe the use of rulers and measuring cylinders to find a length or a volume

·       Describe how to measure a variety of time intervals using clocks and digital timers

·       Determine an average value for a small distance and for a short interval of time by measuring multiples (including the period of oscillation of a pendulum)

 

1.2 Motion

·       Define speed as distance travelled per unit time; recall and use the equation v = s/ t

·       Recall and use the equation average speed = total distance travelled/ total time taken

·       Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs

·       Know that an object moving with increasing speed is accelerating, and that an object moving with decreasing speed is decelerating

·       Determine, qualitatively, from the shape of a distance–time graph when an object is: (a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed

·       Determine, qualitatively, from the shape of a speed–time graph when an object is: (a) at rest (b) moving with constant speed (c) accelerating (d) decelerating

·       Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight-line section of a distance–time graph

·       Define acceleration for an object moving in a straight line as change in speed per unit time; recall and use the equation a = Δv / Δt*

·       Determine from given data or the shape of a speed–time graph when an object is moving with constant acceleration*

·       Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a straight-line section of a speed–time graph*

·       Calculate the area under a speed–time graph to work out the distance travelled for motion with: (a) constant speed (b) constant acceleration *

·       Know that deceleration is a negative acceleration and use this in calculations *

·       Know that the acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is approximately constant and is approximately 9.8m/ s2 *

 

1.3 Mass and weight

·       State that mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object

·       State that weight is the gravitational force on an object that has mass

·       Define gravitational field strength g as the gravitational force per unit mass; recall and use the equation g = W m and know that near to the surface of the Earth, g is approximately 9.8N/kg

·       Describe, and use the concept of, weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass *

·       Know that gravitational field strength is equivalent to the acceleration of free fall *

 

1.4 Density

·       Define density as mass per unit volume; recall and use the equation 

·       Describe how to determine the density of a liquid, of a regularly shaped solid and of an irregularly shaped solid which sinks in a liquid (volume by displacement), including appropriate calculations

·       Determine whether an object floats or sinks based on density data

 

1.5 Forces

·       Know that forces may produce changes in the size, shape and motion of an object

·       Determine the resultant of two or more forces acting along the same straight line

·       Describe friction as the force between two surfaces that may impede relative motion and produce heating

·       Know that friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a liquid

·       Know that friction (drag) acts on an object moving through a gas (e.g. air resistance)

·       Know that an object either remains at rest or continues in a straight line at constant speed unless there is a resultant force on the object

·       Recall and use the equation F = ma and know that the resultant force and the acceleration are in the same direction *

 

1.6 Energy, Work, Power

o   Energy

·       State that energy may be stored as kinetic, gravitational potential, chemical, elastic (strain), nuclear, electrostatic and internal (thermal)

·       Describe how energy is transferred between stores during events and processes, including examples of transfer by forces (mechanical work done), electrical currents (electrical work done), heating and by electromagnetic, sound and other waves

·       Recall and use the equation for kinetic energy *

·       Recall and use the equation for the change in gravitational potential energy *

·       Know the principle of conservation of energy and apply this principle to simple examples including the interpretation of simple flow diagrams (Sankey diagrams are not required)

 

 

o   Work

·       Understand that mechanical or electrical work done is equal to the energy transferred 2 Recall and use the equation for mechanical working

o   Energy Resources

·       Know that radiation from the Sun is the main source of energy for all our energy resources except geothermal, nuclear and tidal *

·       Describe how useful energy may be obtained, or electrical power generated, from: (a) fossil fuels (b) biofuels (c) water, including waves, tides, and hydroelectric dams (d) geothermal resources (e) nuclear fission (f) light from the Sun (solar cells) (g) infrared and other electromagnetic waves from the Sun to heat water (solar thermal collectors) (h) wind (wind turbines) including references to a boiler, turbine and generator where they are used

·       Know that energy is released by nuclear fusion in the Sun (detailed knowledge of the process of fusion is not required) 5 Know that energy is released by nuclear fission in nuclear reactors (detailed knowledge of the process of fission is not required)

·       Define efficiency as: (a) efficiency = useful energy output /total energy input × 100% (b) efficiency = useful power output /total power input × 100% recall and use the equations *

·       Understand, qualitatively, the concept of efficiency of energy transfer

• Power
• Define power as work done per unit time and also as energy transferred per unit time; recall and use the equations

o    Pressure

·       Describe how pressure varies with force and area in the context of everyday examples

·       Define pressure as force per unit area; recall and use the equation

 

P2. Thermal physics

2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter

o   States of matter

·       State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases

·       Know the terms for the changes in state between solids, liquids and gases (gas to solid and solid to gas changes are not required)

o   Particle model

·       Describe the structure of solids, liquids and gases in terms of the arrangement, separation and motion of the particles and represent these states using simple particle diagrams

·       Describe the relationship between the motion of particles and temperature

·       Know that the forces and distances between particles and the motion of the particles affect the properties of solids, liquids and gases*

·       Describe the pressure of a gas in terms of the forces exerted by particles colliding with surfaces, creating a force per unit area *

o   Pressure changes

·       Describe qualitatively, in terms of particles, the effect on the pressure of a fixed mass of gas of: (a) a change of temperature at constant volume (b) a change of volume at constant temperature *

 

2.2 Thermal properties and temperature

o   Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases

·       Describe, qualitatively, the thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases at constant pressure

·       Explain some of the everyday applications and consequences of thermal expansion*

o   Evaporation

·       Describe evaporation in terms of the escape of the more energetic particles from the surface of a liquid

·       Know that evaporation causes cooling of a liquid

·       Describe how temperature, surface area and air movement over a surface affect evaporation*

 

2.2 Transfer of thermal energy

o   Conduction

·       Identify and give examples of typical good thermal conductors and bad thermal conductors (thermal insulators)

·       Describe thermal conduction in solids in terms of atomic or molecular lattice vibrations and also in terms of the movement of delocalised (mobile) electrons in metallic conductors *

o   Convection

·       Know that convection is an important method of energy transfer in liquids and gases 2 Describe convection in liquids and gases

·       Explain convection in liquid and gases in terms of density changes *

o   Radation

·       Know that thermal energy transfer by thermal radiation does not require a medium and is mainly due to infrared radiation

·       Describe the effect of surface colour (black or white) and texture (dull or shiny) on the emission, absorption and reflection of thermal radiation

·       Know that the temperature of the Earth is affected by the radiation absorbed by the Earth and the radiation emitted by the Earth*

·       Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad emitters of thermal radiation *

·       Describe experiments to distinguish between good and bad absorbers of thermal radiation *

o   Consequences of thermal energy transfer

·       Identify and explain some of the basic everyday applications and consequences of conduction, convection and radiation

 

P3. Waves

3.1 General properties of waves

·       Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter

·       Know that for a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation and understand that electromagnetic radiation, water waves and seismic S-waves (secondary) are transverse *

·       Know that for a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation and understand that sound waves and seismic P-waves (primary) are longitudinal *

·       Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration (oscillation) in ropes and springs and by experiments using water waves

·       Describe the features of a wave in terms of wavelength, frequency, crest (peak), trough, amplitude and wave speed

·       Describe how waves can undergo: (a) reflection at a plane surface (b) refraction due to a change of speed

·       Recall and use the equation for wave speed v = f λ

 

3.2 Light

o   Reflection of light

·       Use ray diagrams to define the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection

·       Describe the formation of an optical image by a vertical plane mirror and give its characteristics compared with the object, i.e. same size, same distance from mirror, laterally inverted

·       Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and explain why it is virtual *

·       State that for reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection; recall and use this relationship

·       Use simple diagrams, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors 

o   Refraction of light

·       Define refraction as the change in direction of a light ray passing from one medium to another

·       Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction using ray diagrams

·       Describe the passage of light through a transparent material (limited to the boundaries between two media only)

 

o   Thin converging lens

·       Describe the action of a thin converging lens on a parallel beam of light and know that rays of light from an object at distance can be assumed to be parallel

·       Define and use the terms principal axis, principal focus (focal point) and focal length

·       Interpret ray diagrams for the formation of an image by a thin converging lens, limited to real images

·       Describe the characteristics of an image using the terms enlarged/ same size/diminished and upright/inverted

o   Dispersion of light

·       Describe the dispersion of light as illustrated by the refraction of white light by a glass prism

·       Know the seven colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) of the visible spectrum in order of frequency and in order of wavelength

 

3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum

·       Know the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma) in order of frequency and in order of wavelength

·       Know that all electromagnetic waves travel at the same high speed in a vacuum and at approximately the same speed in air

·       Know that the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is 3.0 × 108m/ s *

·       Know some applications of the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum including: (a) radio waves; radio and television transmissions, radar (b) microwaves; satellite television, mobile (cell) phone, microwave ovens (c) infrared; remote controllers for televisions, thermal imaging (d) visible light; vision, photography (e) ultraviolet; detecting fake bank notes (f) X-rays; medical scanning, security scanners (g) gamma rays; detection of cancer and its treatment

·       Describe the harmful effects on people of excessive exposure to electromagnetic radiation, including: (a) ultraviolet; damage to surface cells and eyes, leading to skin cancer and eye conditions (b) X-rays and gamma rays; mutation or damage to cells in the body

 

3.4 Sound

·       Describe the production of sound by vibrating sources

·       Describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in air as a series of compressions and rarefactions *

·       Describe, qualitatively, compressions as regions of higher pressure due to particles being closer together and rarefactions as regions of lower pressure due to particles being spread further apart *

·       State the approximate range of frequencies audible to humans as 20Hz to 20kHz 3 Know that a medium is needed to transmit sound waves

·        Determine the speed of sound in air using a method involving a measurement of distance and time

·       Know that, in general, sound travels faster in solids than in liquids and faster in liquids than in gases *

·       Describe an echo as the reflection of sound waves 7 Define ultrasound as sound with a frequency higher than 20kHz

 

P4 Electricity

 

4.1 Electrical Quantities

o   Electrical charge

·       State that there are positive and negative charges

·       State that charge is measured in coulombs *

·       State that positive charges repel other positive charges, negative charges repel other negative charges, but positive charges attract negative charges

·       Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators and give typical examples

o   Electric current

·       Know that electric current is related to the flow of charge

·       Know that electric current in metals is related to the flow of electrons

·       Describe the use of ammeters (analogue and digital) with different ranges

·       Know the difference between direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.

·       Define electric current as the charge passing a point per unit time; recall and use the equation I = Q /t *

·       Describe electrical conduction in metals in terms of the movement of delocalised (mobile) electrons *

·       State that conventional current is from positive to negative and that the flow of electrons is from negative to positive *

o   Voltage (electromotive force and potential difference)

·       Describe the voltage of the source as the cause of current in the circuit

·       Define electromotive force (e.m.f.) as the electrical work done by a source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit*

·       Know that the voltage of the source is shared between the components in a series circuit

·       Describe the use of voltmeters (analogue and digital) with different ranges

·       Know that e.m.f. is measured in volts (V)

·       Define potential difference (p.d.) as the work done by a unit charge passing between two points in a circuit

·       Know that the p.d. between two points is measured in volts (V)

o   Resistance

·       Recall and use the equation for resistance

·       Recall and use the following relationship for a metallic electrical conductor: (a) resistance is directly proportional to length (b) resistance is inversely proportional to cross-sectional area

o   Electrical energy and electrical power

·       Understand that electric circuits transfer energy from a source of electrical energy, such as an electrical cell or mains supply, to the circuit components and then into the surroundings

·       Recall and use the equation for electrical power

·       Recall and use the equation for electrical energy

·       Define the kilowatt-hour (kWh) and calculate the cost of using electrical appliances where the energy unit is the kWh

 

4.2 Electrical circuits

o   Circuit diagrams and circuit components

·       Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and give its characteristics

·       Recall and use the law angle of incidence i = angle of reflection r recognising these angles are measured to the normal

·       Perform simple constructions, measurements and calculations for reflection by plane mirrors

o   Refraction of light

·       Interpret and describe an experimental demonstration of the refraction of light

o   Thin converging lens

·       Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing cells, batteries, power supplies, switches, resistors (fixed and variable), heaters, lamps, motors, ammeters, voltmeters and fuses, and know how these components behave in the circuit

·       Draw and interpret circuit diagrams containing generators and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and know how these components behave in the circuit

o   Series and parallel circuits

·       Know that the current at every point in a series circuit is the same

·       Know how to construct and use series and parallel circuits

·       Calculate the combined resistance of two or more resistors in series

·       Recall and use in calculations, the fact that (a) the sum of the currents entering a junction in a parallel circuit is equal to the sum of the currents that leave the junction (b) the total p.d. across the components in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the individual p.d.s across each component (c) the p.d. across each branch of a parallel arrangement of components is the p.d. across the whole arrangement *

·       Know the advantages of connecting lamps in parallel in a circuit 5 Know that, for a parallel circuit, the current from the source is larger than the current in each branch

·       Know that the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel is less than that of either resistor by itself

·       Calculate the combined resistance of two resistors in parallel *

 

4.3 Electrical safety

·       Describe the heating effect of current

·       State the hazards of: (a) damaged insulation (b) overheating cables (c) damp conditions (d) excess current from overloading of plugs, extension leads, single and multiple sockets when using a mains supply

·       Explain the use and operation of trip switches and fuses and choose appropriate fuse ratings and trip switch settings (knowledge of RCDs (Residual Current Devices) is not required)

·       Explain why the outer casing of an electrical appliance must be either non-conducting (double-insulated) or earthed

 

4.4  Cells, batteries, generators and motors

·       Know that cells and batteries transfer chemical energy into electrical energy

·       Know that generators transfer kinetic energy into electrical energy

·       Know that electric motors transfer electrical energy into kinetic energy

 

 

P5. Space physics

 

5.1 The Solar System

 

·       Describe the Solar System as containing: (a) one star, the Sun (b) the eight named planets and know their order from the Sun (c) minor planets that orbit the Sun, including dwarf planets such as Pluto and asteroids in the asteroid belt (d) moons, that orbit the planets

 

5.2 Stars and the Universe

o   The Sun as a star

·       Know that: (a) the Sun is the closest star to the Earth (b) astronomical distances can be measured in light-years, where one light-year is the distance travelled in (the vacuum of) space by light in one year

·       Calculate the time it takes light to travel a significant distance such as between objects in the Solar System

·       Know that the Sun contains most of the mass of the Solar System and this explains why the planets orbit the Sun

·       Define orbital speed from the equation v = 2πr/ T where r is the radius of the orbit and T is the orbital period; recall and use this equation *

·       Know that the force that keeps an object in orbit around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction of the Sun

·       Know that the Sun is a star of medium size, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium, and that it radiates most of its energy in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

·       Know that the strength of the Sun’s gravitational field decreases and that the orbital speeds of the planets decrease as the distance from the Sun increases *

·       Know that stars are powered by nuclear reactions that release energy and that in stable stars the nuclear reactions involve the fusion of hydrogen into helium *

o   Life cycle of stars

·       Know that stable stars are formed as protostars from interstellar clouds of gas and dust due to gravitational attraction

·       Know that the nebula from a supernova may form new stars with orbiting planets *

·        Know that the next stages of the life cycle of a star depend on its mass: (a) a small mass star (about the same mass as the Sun): red giant → white dwarf + planetary nebula (b) a large mass star: red supergiant → supernova → neutron star (c) a very large mass star: red supergiant → supernova → black hole

o   Galaxies and the Universe

·       Know that: (a) galaxies are each made up of many billions of stars (b) the Sun is a star in the galaxy known as the Milky Way (c) other stars that make up the Milky Way are much further away from the Earth than the Sun is from the Earth

·       Know that the Milky Way is one of many billions of galaxies making up the Universe and that the diameter of the Milky Way is approximately 100000 light-years

·       Know that the Big Bang Theory is supported by many astronomical observations and states that: (a) the Universe expanded from a single point of high density and temperature (b) the Universe is still expanding (c) the Universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old *