Unit 1: Thermal, nuclear and electrical physics

Internal energy and thermal equilibrium. Defines internal energy as the sum of microscopic kinetic and potential energies, distinguishes heat (energy in transit) from temperature (average translational kinetic energy of particles), and explains how thermal equilibrium establishes a common temperature.

Heat transfer mechanisms. Defines conduction (particle-to-particle collisions), convection (bulk fluid motion driven by density differences) and radiation (electromagnetic emission), and works the QCAA-style application question on insulation and energy-efficient homes.

Specific heat capacity and latent heat. Applies $Q = mc\Delta T$ and $Q = mL$ to heating, cooling and phase-change calculations, and works the QCAA-style multi-stage problem (heating ice, melting, heating water, vaporising) used in EA Paper 1.

Fission and fusion. Reads the binding-energy curve to show why both reactions release energy, applies $E = mc^2$ to mass defect, and works the QCAA-style energy-per-reaction problem from EA Paper 2 with worked U-235 numbers.

Three common types of ionising radiation. Tabulates the charge, mass, ionising power, penetration and shielding of alpha, beta and gamma radiation, and works the QCAA-style balanced-nuclear-equation problem that appears in EA Paper 1.

Half-life and radioactive decay. Applies $N = N_0 (1/2)^{t/T_{1/2}}$ and the decay constant $\lambda = \ln 2 / T_{1/2}$, walks through radiometric dating (carbon-14) and medical applications (technetium-99m), and works the QCAA-style number-of-half-lives problem.

Ohm's law. Defines current ($I = Q/t$), potential difference ($V = W/Q$) and resistance ($R = V/I$), distinguishes ohmic and non-ohmic conductors, and works the QCAA-style multi-resistor calculation from EA Paper 1.

Electrical power and energy. Applies $P = VI$, $P = I^2 R$ and $P = V^2 / R$, distinguishes power from energy, converts kWh to joules, and works the QCAA-style household appliance running-cost problem.

Series and parallel circuits. Applies Kirchhoff's current law (junction rule) and voltage law (loop rule), derives equivalent resistance for series and parallel combinations, and works the QCAA-style mixed-circuit problem from EA Paper 2.

QCE Physics Unit 1 subject-matter point on electric circuits. Charge, current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, series and parallel resistance combinations, electric power, and household electricity in kWh.

QCE Physics Unit 1 subject-matter point on thermal physics. Kinetic theory of matter, temperature and internal energy, heat transfer mechanisms, specific heat capacity and latent heat calculations.

QCE Physics Unit 1 subject-matter point on nuclear physics. Atomic structure, isotopes, alpha/beta/gamma decay, half-life formula $N = N_0(1/2)^{t/T_{1/2}}$, fission and fusion.