Copyright: Peak InterActive Ltd 1997


 GCSE Physics Tutorial

To run the tutorial, click on the next button. To select individual topics, click on a topic in the contents list below.

On any page of the tutorial, you can click on green words for more information.

Contents

Introduction

Tier Selection

The Physics Experts

The Main Menu

Electricity and Magnetism

Forces and Motion

Waves

The Earth and Beyond

Energy

Radioactivity

Moving through Lessons

The Quiz

Exam Practice

Menu Bar Options

File

Menu

Utilities

Help

On-screen Utilities

The Formula Sheet

Calculator

Word Processor

Index

Virtual Circuit Board


GCSE Introduction
Introduction

This program has been developed as a support to classroom learning - to help you through GCSE Physics and get the grade you really deserve.

Eight animated tutors, all professionals in their field, will guide you through the subject, illuminating it with fun, interactive examples.

 As well as working through the lessons in each section, you will be able to perform ‘experiments’ in the laboratory using the Virtual Circuit Board, carry out ‘Investigation’ type activities, and have a go at the questions in the Quiz section on board the Star Ship Europress as it travels through space. Then when you are ready, you can try the Exam Practice section.


GCSE Tier Selection
Tier Selection

At the start of the program you will be asked to state whether you are following the single or double award syllabus. You will also be asked to select the tier that you require.  This will ensure that you will see only the topics that you need to study.

If you decide to change tier while you are running the program, click on File on the menu bar, then click on New.

When you are ready to try the exam, you will only see exam questions which are appropriate to your tier.


GCSE The Physics Experts
The Physics Experts

The eight animated characters in the Physics program are all highly renowned physicists whose research, discoveries and theories have been crucial to the development of modern Physics. The characters come from diverse backgrounds, spanning time over the centuries and  marking key periods in scientific discovery and development.

The eight members of the Ultimate Staffroom Physics Department are:

Albert Einstein

Benjamin Franklin

Michael Faraday

Sir Isaac Newton

Zhang Heng

Caroline Herschel

James Prescott Joule

Sir Ernest Rutherford


GCSE The Physics Experts
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)  Head of Physics

One of the most respected and admired physicists of the 20th century, Dr. Albert Einstein was a rather eccentric character, with an interesting background.  Born in Germany, Einstein spent much of his career in America where he developed his Theory of Relativity.  Although he was widely regarded as a genius, he was also

known to be very absent-minded in everyday life situations.  Perhaps he was just

too intelligent?


GCSE The Physics Experts
Benjamin Franklin (1706 -1790)  teacher for Electricity

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was a famous statesman who led a very colourful life (like most politicians!)  He was renowned not only for his revolutionary and dangerous experiments in electricity, but also for being the ‘life of the party’ in the social circles of colonial America.


GCSE The Physics Experts
Michael Faraday (1791 -1867) teacher for Electromagnetic Induction

Michael Faraday was a English scientist who discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction which led to the invention of the electric motor and the dynamo.  He also worked in the field of electrolysis and formulated two laws of electrolysis.


GCSE The Physics Experts
Sir Isaac Newton (1643 -1727) teacher for Forces and Motion

Sir Isaac Newton is famous for developing his theories on gravity while observing apples falling from a tree.  Newton went on to propose theories on forces and motion which are fundamental to modern physics today.  Newton was also Minister of the Mint under Charles II,  and has been immortalized by giving his name to the unit of measurement of force: the newton.


GCSE The Physics Experts
Zhang Heng (78 -139 AD)  teacher for Waves

Zhang was far ahead of his time when he invented the first seismometer in ancient China.  This device was an elaborate bronze vessel with eight dragon heads around the top, each with a ball delicately balanced in its mouth, and eight frogs at the bottom.  When an earthquake occurred, one of the balls would fall out of a dragon’s mouth and into a frog’s mouth, thus indicating the direction of the earthquake.  Zhang was also a respected mathematician, astronomer and geographer, and served as chief astrologer and minister under the Chinese Emperor An’ti.  Ah, so!


GCSE The Physics Experts
Caroline Herschel (1750 - 1848) teacher for The Earth and Beyond

Caroline Herschel was certainly ahead of her time, being one of the few women astronomers in history.  Caroline was born in Germany, but moved to England where she developed her area of expertise discovering comets with her home-made telescope.  Perhaps it was all those beautiful nights star-gazing that contributed to her romantic nature.  In any case, she helped pave the way for other women seeking careers in Science, and in 1828 she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.


GCSE The Physics Experts
James Prescott Joule (1818 -1889) teacher for Energy

Joule spent his life studying work, heat and energy, and together with Lord Kelvin developed the ground rules for the first law of thermodynamics.  But he also contributed greatly to modern culture through his interest in brewing beer.  When he wasn’t busy researching in the field of Physics, he was, no doubt, overseeing his own brewery in Manchester.  However, Joule will be remembered not for his brewery, but for the unit of measurement of work: that is, the joule.


GCSE The Physics Experts
Sir Ernest Rutherford (1871 -1937) teacher for Radioactivity

Born in New Zealand, Rutherford worked in England and Canada discovering alpha and beta particles, and the phenomenon of radioactive half-life.  In 1911, he proposed a new structure of the atom with a dense nucleus surrounded by a series of orbiting electrons.  This theory formed the basis of modern day understanding of the structure of matter.


GCSE The Main Menu
The Main Menu

The Main Menu displays the following options:

Electricity and Magnetism

Forces and Motion

Waves

The Earth and Beyond

Energy

Radioactivity

Quiz

Exam Practice

To select an option from the Main Menu, point at the option you want then click the left mouse button.

You can return to the Main Menu at any time by clicking on the Main Menu button at the bottom of the screen,

or by selecting Menu from the menu bar, then clicking on Return to menu.


GCSE Electricity and Magnetism
 Electricity and Magnetism

This section is divided into the following topics:

charge

current in circuits

potential difference

resistance in circuits

energy in circuits

electrolysis

mains electricity

electromagnetism

electromagnetic induction


GCSE Charge
charge

detecting charge

+ and - charge

insulators and conductors

sparking

electrostatic charge

static electricity


GCSE Charge
current in circuits

detecting current

measuring current

drawing electrical circuits

connections

calculations


GCSE Potential Difference
potential difference

what is potential difference?

measuring potential difference

cells and batteries

calculations


GCSE Resistance in Circuits
resistance in circuits

what is resistance?

measuring resistance

types of resistor

variable resistance

behaviour of resistors

calculations


GCSE Energy in Circuits
energy in circuits

power

energy transfer

calculations


GCSE Electrolysis
electrolysis

liquids that conduct

introducing electrolysis

chemical reactions


GCSE Mains Electricity
mains electricity

the mains supply

connecting appliances

earthing and safety

fuses and circuit breakers

charging for electricity

calculations


GCSE Electromagnetism
electromagnetism

magnets

detecting magnetic fields

electromagnets

using electromagnets

electric motors


GCSE Electromagnetic Induction
electromagnetic induction

what is electromagnetic induction?

using electromagnetic induction

alternators

transformers


GCSE Forces and Motion
Forces and Motion

This section is divided into the following lessons:

measuring motion

speed

velocity

calculations

forces and acceleration

forces

acceleration

force and acceleration

friction

vehicle braking

calculations

forces and pressure

applying a force to solids

stretching forces

pressure

pressure in liquid

pressure in gases

calculations


GCSE Waves
Waves

This section is divided into the following lessons:

characteristics of waves

properties of waves

behaviour of waves

sound waves

light waves

diffraction

electromagnetic waves

visible light

the electromagnetic spectrum

properties of electromagnetic waves

uses of electromagnetic waves

seismic waves

properties of seismic waves

structure of the earth


GCSE The Earth and Beyond
The Earth and Beyond

This section is divided into the following lessons:

the solar system

what is the solar system?

the orbit of the earth

the sun

the moon

comets

asteroids

satellites

the universe

the structure of the universe

evolution of the stars

expansion of the universe


GCSE Energy
Energy

This section is divided into the following lessons:

thermal energy transfer

the movement of heat

conduction

convection

radiation

evaporation

energy resources

the sun

non-renewable energy resources

renewable energy resources

using energy resources

efficiency

energy types

transfer of energy

reducing heat losses

heat loss in buildings

work, power and energy

work

power

energy


GCSE Radioactivity
Radioactivity

This section is divided into the following lessons:

types of radioactivity

detecting radiation

alpha particles

beta particles

gamma rays

background

dangers

sources

uses of radioactivity

measuring thickness of materials

medical and food use

radioactive dating

nuclear fission

atomic structure

isotopes

nuclear fission


GCSE Moving Through Lessons
Moving Through Lessons

Each lesson screen has a layout similar to this.

To go back to the topic menu at any time, click on the topic name near the left side of the screen.

To return to the section menu simply click on the section name at the far left side of your screen.

To move through each lesson, click on the Forward button (graphic).

,

To go back and look at a previous screen again, click on the back button

,

You will also use the Forward button  to confirm your answers when answering self-assessment questions.

To have another go at a self-assessment question, click on Back.

You can print out any of the ‘Investigation’ activities by clicking on the printer icon at the bottom of the Investigation sheet on screen.  This way, you can try the Investigation at a later time.


GCSE Quiz
Quiz

At any time during the program you can test your knowledge by attempting the Quiz on board the Star Ship Europress.  From the Main Menu, select the Quiz.  You will have a short time to answer each question. Your score, and a running clock are shown on the Star Ship control panel.

There may be more than one correct answer for each question, so select your answers carefully.

Click on the answer or answers that you think are correct.  The answers you have selected will then be highlighted.

When you have finished selecting your answer(s) click on the Forward button on the control panel.  Dr. Einstein will appear in the Teleporter to tell you whether you’re right or wrong for each answer.  When the Quiz is finished, you will see your score on screen and you will be given instructions to help you prepare for your next attempt at the Quiz.

You may change your preferences for the Quiz by selecting ‘Preferences’ from ‘File’ in the Menu Bar.  Then you can select:

Settings - Use Tutor, Play Sound, Stop, Save and take a break

Quiz Customisation

number of questions to answer (10, 15, 20, all)

timing per question  (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, no limit)

Target Grade - A+, A, B, C, D

Click on ‘OK’ when you have finished selecting your preferences.


GCSE Exam Practice
ExamPractice

When you select a question, the question will be displayed on screen.  Here’s what you must do:

To answer a question, you should first print out the question and write your answers on the print-out. From the Menu Bar, click on File, and select Print Exam.  From the ‘Print’ pop-up box, select Exam page, and then click on Print. If there is more than one part to the question, answer each question part in turn.  The mark allocations for each part of the question are show in brackets.  Some questions will have more than one page; click on Forward to move to the next page.

When you have answered all parts of the question, click on the Answer/Checklist button to see the correct answers.

For each part of the question that you have answered correctly, click in the appropriate check box. (This will determine your score, so no cheating!)   You may also print out the answers;  From the Menu Bar, click on      File, and select Print Exam.  From the ‘Print’ pop-up box, select Answers, and then click on Print.

You can go back to the beginning of the question from the Answer/Checklist screen  by clicking on the Question button.

 When you have finished comparing your answers with the correct answers, click on Forward to see the Feedback screen.  You will be given your score, and instructions on which areas you need to study again.  You can print out your score and the feedback by going to File, selecting Print Exam, then selecting Feedback result, and clicking on Print.

You can also go back to the beginning of the question from the Feedback screen  by clicking on the Question button.

 While you are answering your question, you may use the calculator by clicking on the calculator button at the bottom of the screen, or by selecting Calculator from Utilities in the Menu Bar at the top of the screen.

The Word Processor is also accessible by clicking on the word processor button at the bottom of the screen, or by selecting Word Processor from Utilities in the Menu Bar at the top of the screen.


GCSE Menu Bar
Menu Bar Options

The menu bar has the following options.

File

Menu

Utilities

Help

Click on any of these to find out more or click on the next button to see each one in turn.


GCSE File
File

New

Allows you to start again. All previous results and settings are cleared. This option also allows you to switch to a different tier.

Open

Allows you to open a previously saved course, so you can carry on from where you left off.

Save

Allows you to save your progress. When you save for the first time, you will have to enter a file name. This means you can return to a course later and carry on from where you left off.

Save As...

Also allows you to save your progress, so you can return to a course later and carry on from where you left off. When you select Save As… you will have to enter a file name.

Printer set-up

Allows you to set up a printer.

Preferences

Allows you to set appearance preferences, select a word processor to use and change the Quiz settings.

Exit

Allows you to leave the program.


GCSE Menu
Menu

This option allows you to return to the main menu at any time.


GCSE Utilities
Utilities

This menu gives you access to the following utilities. These are also accessible by clicking the buttons at the bottom of the screen.

Word processor - launches the word processor. This may be useful to you when you do you ‘Investigation’ activities.

Formula Sheet - The Formula Sheet provides a quick reference to all the formula used in the program.  This feature is accessible at all times except in the Exam Practice, and is particularly useful while working on your calculations.  As you are doing your calculations, if you need to refer to a formula for that topic, just click on the Formula Sheet icon at the bottom of the screen.

You can keep the formula sheet open on screen while you are doing your figures.  If you want to find another formula, use the cursor to scroll down the list of Topics in the left side of the Formula Sheet and select the Topic you need.

Calculator -  To help you in working your calculations, the Calculator is available at any time throughout the program. Just click on the Calculator icon at the bottom of the screen.  You can keep the Calculator open on screen while you are doing your figures.

Index - displays the index. From the index you can display any topic in the program, or search for specific subjects.


GCSE Help
Help

This option gives you access to this tutorial and other information about the program.


GCSE On-screen Utilities
On-screen Utilities

These are accessible by clicking the buttons at the bottom of the screen. The Word Processor, Formula Sheet, Calculator and Index are also available from the menu bar.

Word Processor

Formula Sheet

Calculator

Index

Click on any of these to find out more or click on the next button to see each one in turn.


GCSE Word Processor

Word processor - launches the word processor. This may be useful to you when you do you ‘Investigation’ activities.


GCSE Formula Sheet

Formula Sheet - The Formula Sheet provides a quick reference to all the formula used in the program.  This feature is accessible at all times, and is particularly useful while working on your calculations.  As you are doing your calculations, if you need to refer to a formula for that topic, just click on the Formula Sheet icon at the bottom of the screen.  You can keep the formula sheet open on screen while you are doing your figures.  If you want to find another formula, use the cursor to scroll down the list of Topics in the left side of the Formula Sheet and select the Topic you need.


GCSE Calculator

Calculator -  To help you in working your calculations, the Calculator is available at any time throughout the program. Just click on the Calculator icon at the bottom of the screen.  You can keep the Calculator open on 	screen while you are doing your figures.


GCSE Index

Index - displays the index. From the index you can display any topic in the program, or search for specific subjects.


GCSE VIRTUAL CIRCUIT
The Virtual Circuit Board - The Virtual Circuit Board is used as part of the lessons in specific Topics of Electricity and Magnetism.

You will be asked to carry out experiments by selecting components from the Electrical components toolbox, and adding them to the Virtual Circuit Board. You will then see the results on the Circuit Board.

The Electrical components toolbox contains a cell, switch, light bulb and holder, compass, beaker, battery, resistor, ammeter and voltmeter.  For each experiment, only the applicable components will be available.

To start the experiment from the beginning, click on the Restart button.

To remove a component, click and drag it into the bin in the Electrical components toolbox.  You can only remove components that you have added from the toolbox; pre-existing components cannot be removed.

The voltmeter is used by moving the leads only (not the entire voltmeter) to the Circuit Board.


POPUP 101
Click here to see the electricity and magnetism menu.


POPUP 102
Click here to see the forces and motion menu.


POPUP 103
Click here to see the waves menu.


POPUP 104
Click here to see the earth and beyond menu.


POPUP 105
Click here to see the energy menu.


POPUP 106
Click here to see the radioactivity menu.


POPUP 107
Click here to have a go at the Quiz.


POPUP 108
Click here to see the exam practice menu.


POPUP 109
Click here to return to the Main Menu.


POPUP 110
Click here to open the word processor.


POPUP 111
Click here to open the calculator.


POPUP 112
Click here to open the formula sheet.


POPUP 113
Click here to see the index.


POPUP 114
Click here to go on. On question screens, use this forward button to confirm your answers. A faded button means that the feature is not available.


POPUP 115
Click here to go back. On question screens, use this back button to reset a question and try again. A faded button means that the feature is not available.


POPUP 116
Click here to play the sound.


POPUP 117
Click here to print out the Investigations.


POPUP 118
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)  Head of Physics

One of the most respected and admired physicists of the 20th century, Dr. Albert Einstein was a rather eccentric character, with an interesting background.  Born in Germany, Einstein spent much of his career in America where he developed his Theory of Relativity.  Although he was widely regarded as a genius, he was also known to be very absent-minded in everyday life situations.  Perhaps he was just too intelligent?


POPUP 119
Benjamin Franklin (1706 -1790)  teacher for Electricity

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was a famous statesman who led a very colourful life (like most politicians!)  He was renowned not only for his revolutionary and dangerous experiments in electricity, but also for being the ‘life of the party’ in the social circles of colonial America.


POPUP 120
Michael Faraday (1791 -1867) teacher for Electromagnetic Induction

English scientist who discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction which led to the invention of the electric motor and the dynamo.  He also worked in the field of electrolysis and formulated two laws of electrolysis.


POPUP 121
Isaac Newton (1643 -1727) teacher for Forces and Motion

Sir Isaac Newton is famous for developing his theories on gravity while observing apples falling from a tree.  Newton went on to propose theories on forces and motion which are fundamental to modern physics today.  Newton was also Minister of the Mint under Charles II,  and has been immortalized by giving his name to the unit of measurement of force: the newton.


POPUP 122
Zhang Heng (78 -139 AD)  teacher for Waves

Zhang was far ahead of his time when he invented the first seismometer in ancient China.  This device was an elaborate bronze vessel with eight dragon heads around the top, each with a ball delicately balanced in its mouth, and eight frogs at the bottom.  When an earthquake occurred, one of the balls would fall out of a dragon’s mouth and into a frog’s mouth, thus indicating the direction of the earthquake.  Zhang was also a respected mathematician, astronomer and geographer, and served as chief astrologer and minister under the Chinese Emperor An’ti.  Ah, so!


POPUP 123
Caroline Herschel (1750 - 1848) teacher for The Earth and Beyond

Caroline Herschel was certainly ahead of her time, being one of the few women astronomers in history.  Caroline was born in Germany, but moved to England where she developed her area of expertise discovering comets with her home-made telescope.  Perhaps it was all those beautiful nights star-gazing that contributed to her romantic nature.  In any case, she helped pave the way for other women seeking careers in Science, and in 1828 she was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society.


POPUP 124
James Prescott Joule (1818 -1889) teacher for Energy

Joule spent his life studying work, heat and energy, and together with Lord Kelvin developed the ground rules for the first law of thermodynamics.  But he also contributed greatly to modern culture through his interest in brewing beer.  When he wasn’t busy researching in the field of Physics, he was, no doubt, overseeing his own brewery in Manchester.  However, Joule will be remembered not for his brewery, but for the unit of measurement of work: that is, the joule.


POPUP 125
Sir Ernest Rutherford (1871 -1937) teacher for Radioactivity

Born in New Zealand, Rutherford worked in England and Canada discovering alpha and beta particles, and the phenomenon of radioactive half-life.  In 1911, he proposed a new structure of the atom with a dense nucleus surrounded by a series of orbiting electrons.  This theory formed the basis of modern day understanding of the structure of matter.


POPUP 126
Click here to return to the electricity and magnetism menu.


POPUP 127
Click here to return to the forces and motion menu.


POPUP 128
Click here to return to the waves menu.


POPUP 129
Click here to return to the earth and beyond menu.


POPUP 130
Click here to return to the energy menu.


POPUP 131
Click here to return to the radioactivity menu.


POPUP 132
Click here to return to the charge topic menu.


POPUP 133
Click here to return to the current in circuits topic menu.


POPUP 134
Click here to return to the potential difference topic menu.


POPUP 135
Click here to return to the resistance in circuits topic menu.


POPUP 136
Click here to return to the energy in circuits topic menu.


POPUP 137
Click here to return to the electrolysis topic menu.


POPUP 138
Click here to return to the mains electricity topic menu.


POPUP 139
Click here to return to the electromagnetism topic menu.


POPUP 140
Click here to return to the electromagnetic induction topic menu.


POPUP 141
Click here to return to the measuring motion topic menu.


POPUP 142
Click here to return to the forces and acceleration topic menu.


POPUP 143
Click here to return to the forces and pressure topic menu.


POPUP 144
Click here to return to the characteristics of waves topic menu.


POPUP 145
Click here to return to the electromagnetic waves topic menu.


POPUP 146
Click here to return to the seismic waves topic menu.


POPUP 147
Click here to return to the solar system topic menu.


POPUP 148
Click here to return to the universe topic menu.


POPUP 149
Click here to return to the thermal energy transfer topic menu.


POPUP 150
Click here to return to the energy resources topic menu.


POPUP 151
Click here to return to the efficiency topic menu.


POPUP 152
Click here to return to the work, power and energy topic menu.


POPUP 153
Click here to return to the types of radioactivity topic menu.


POPUP 154
Click here to return to the uses of radioactivity topic menu.


POPUP 155
Click here to return to the nuclear fission topic menu.


POPUP 156
The running clock moves backwards, letting you know how much time you have left.  You can change the amount of time for each question in the Quiz Customisation in Preferences, under File in the Menu Bar.


POPUP 157
This gives you your score throughout the quiz; it tells you the percentage of questions you’ve answered correctly.


POPUP 158
Click on Forward when you have finished selecting your answer(s).  If you do not click on Forward, you will run out of time and lose points for that question.


POPUP 159
This takes you back to the Main Menu.


POPUP 160
This is the teleporter where Albert Einstein appears telling you whether or not you’ve got the question right.  If he’s wearing a green jumper with a tick, you’ve got it right.  If he’s wearing a red jumper with a cross,  then you've not got it right, or only partly right.


POPUP 161
This is the number and the name of topics of the question.


POPUP 162
This tells you which topics are covered in the question.


POPUP 163
This opens the question you have selected.


POPUP 164
This takes you back to the question without answers.


POPUP 165
This takes you to the checklist/answer sheet.