Particle Model is a core part of GCSE Physics. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
Boyle's lawpV = constant at fixed T
Compress -> heatWork done on gas
Cooling curvePlateaus at state change
Particle motionFaster when hotter
Mean kinetic energyProportional to T (K)
Brownian motionRandom particle motion
Q = m c delta THeat capacity
E = m LLatent heat
c water4200 J/kg/C
L fusion ice334 kJ/kg
L vap water2260 kJ/kg
Densityrho = m/V
SolidVibrate in fixed positions
LiquidSlide; close together
Common mistakes to avoid
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
What did Rutherford's alpha-scattering experiment show about the atom?✗ It showed that atoms are solid spheres of positive charge with electrons embedded inside. ✓ Most of the atom is empty space, with a tiny dense positive nucleus.
If an object is moving at constant velocity in a straight line, what is the net force on it?✗ There must be a forward force on the object to keep it moving. ✓ Zero — by Newton's first law, constant velocity requires zero net force.
If a car doubles its speed, what happens to its kinetic energy?✗ Kinetic energy doubles because energy is proportional to speed. ✓ It quadruples (because KE = 1/2 mv^2 — kinetic energy is proportional to v^2).
What does specific latent heat measure?✗ The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg by 1 degree. ✓ The energy required to change the state of 1 kg of a substance without changing its temperature.
What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?✗ Fission and fusion are the same process, just at different scales. ✓ Fission splits a heavy nucleus into smaller ones; fusion joins light nuclei into a heavier one.
Practise Particle Model — free games
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