Physics Study Notes
Junior Cert Science
Here is a summary of the main concepts that you need to know for each of the Junior Cert Physics chapters (as laid out in EDCO's Exploring Science. There are also examples of mindmaps created by students in St Colmcille's CS. Feel free to look at these mindmaps but remember that the learning happens when you make your own.
Underlined concepts are higher level only.
Underlined concepts are higher level only.
32 – Density & Flotation
- OP2 Measure mass and volume of a variety of solids and liquids and hence determine their densities.
- OP3 Investigate flotation for a variety of solids and liquids in water and other liquids, and relate the results of this investigation to their densities.
33 - Motion
- OP1 Perform simple calculations to find the derived quantities: speed, velocity, and acceleration
34 - Force
- OP4 Appreciate the concept of force, recall that the newton is the unit of force, and describe forces and their effects
- OP5 Investigate examples of friction and the effect of lubrication
- OP6 Investigate the relationship between the extension of a spring and the applied force
- OP7 Recall that weight is the force of gravity and that weight can vary with location; recall that mass in kilograms multiplied by 10 is approximately equal in magnitude to weight in newtons on the surface of the earth.
35 – Moments, Levers & Centre of Gravity
36 -Pressure
- OP10 State the relationship between pressure, force and area; perform simple calculations using this relationship
- OP11 Investigate the relationship between pressure and depth for a liquid
- OP12 Show that air has mass and occupies space
- OP13 Associate change in the pressure exerted by the atmosphere with change in altitude
- OP14 Examine weather charts to observe variations in atmospheric pressure and relate these to weather conditions
37 – Work, Energy & Power
- OP15 Define and give the units for work, energy and power, state the relationship between work and power, and perform simple calculations based on this relationship
- OP16 Classify sources of energy as renewable or non-renewable
- OP17 State the principle of conservation of energy
- OP18 Explain why the sun is considered our primary source of energy and how this is important in food production and energy supply
- OP19 List the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources, including nuclear sources of energy, as part of the solution to national energy needs
- OP20 Identify different forms of energy and carry out simple experiments to show the following energy conversions:
- Chemical energy to electrical energy to heat energy
- Electrical energy to magnetic energy to kinetic energy
- Light energy to electrical energy to kinetic energy
- OP21 Give examples of energy conversions from everyday experience.
38 - Heat
- OP22 Recall that heat is a form of energy and that it can be converted into other forms of energy
- OP23 Investigate and describe the expansion of solids, liquids and gases when heated, and contraction when cooled
- OP24 Demonstrate the expansion of water on freezing
- OP25 Measure the temperature of various solids and liquids at, above and below room temperature; determine the melting point of ice and the boiling point of water
- OP26 Investigate the effect of pressure on the boiling point of water
- OP27 Explain the difference between heat and temperature
- OP28 Carry out experiments that involve changes of state from
- i. solid to liquid and liquid to solid
- ii. liquid to gas and gas to liquid
- OP29 Plot a cooling curve and explain the shape of the curve in terms of latent heat
- OP30 Appreciate that all hot bodies radiate heat
- OP31 Carry out simple experiments to show the transfer of heat energy by conduction, convection and radiation; investigate conduction and convection in water
- OP32 Identify good and bad conductors of heat and compare insulating ability of different materials.
39 - Light
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40 - Sound
- OP40 Show that sound is a form of energy, and explain that sound is produced by vibrations
- OP41 Show that sound transmission requires a medium and that echoes are reflected sound
- OP42 Appreciate that the ear detects sound vibrations and that exposure to very loud sounds can cause damage to hearing
- OP43 Recall that the speed of sound is less than the speed of light
- OP44 Explain the time lag between seeing and hearing the same event
42 – Static & Current Electricity
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43 – Uses of Electricity
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44 - Electronics
- OP57 Describe a diode as a device that allows current to flow in one direction only and recall that a light emitting diode (LED) requires less current than a bulb
- OP58 Set up simple series circuits using switches, buzzers, LEDs and resistors
- OP59 Measure the resistance of a light-dependent resistor (LDR) under varying degrees of brightness of light
- OP60 Identify everyday applications of the diode, including the LED, and of the LDR