GCE Advanced Level Physics

Based on the National Core for Physics at Advanced Level, the material on this disc provides comprehensive coverage of the essential Physics material, understanding of which is vital for success. The twenty sections listed below each contain several topic areas. Immediate feedback on understanding is provided by test questions, all of which have a model solution available if required. Progress within each topic is reported on the final screen. Exam-style questions, with model solutions are provided in each section.

Vectors. Addition of vectors. Resolution of vectors into two components at right angles to each other. Addition rule for two vectors, mathematical calculations limited to two perpendicular vectors.

Kinematics. Graphical representation of uniformly accelerated motion. Use of kinematic equations in one dimension for motion with a constant velocity or constant acceleration. Recognition of independence of vertical and horizontal motion of a projectile moving freely under gravity. Interpretation of speed and displacement graphs for motion with non-uniform acceleration.

Dynamics. Use of F = ma in situations where mass is constant.

Momentum concepts. Definition of momentum, p = mv. Application of principle of conservation of momentum to problems in one dimension. Force as rate of change of momentum in situations where mass is constant.

Energy concepts. Calculation of work done, for constant forces, when force is not along the line of motion. Quantitative application of conservation of energy including use of gravitational potential energy mgDh, kinetic energy 1/2mv2, and energy required for change of temperature = mcDq.

Molecular kinetic theory. Concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst molecules. Ideal gas equation, pV = nRT. Concept of absolute zero. T a average kinetic energy of molecules for an ideal gas.

Current. Electric current as rate of flow of charge, I = DQ / Dt.

Emf and potential difference. The definition of emf and concept of internal resistance. Potential difference in terms of energy transfer, V = W / q, V = P / I.

Resistance. Resistance defined by R = V / I. Resistivity. Power dissipated as P = I22222R. Qualitative effects of temperature on the resistance of a metal and on a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. Ohm's Law as a special case where I a V2222.

DC circuits. Conservation of charge and energy in simple DC circuits. The relationships between currents, voltages and resistances in series and parallel circuits. Potential dividers.

Atomic structure. Evidence for a nuclear atom - alpha particle scattering. Simple qualitative treatment of experiment.

Radioactivity. The detection, nature and properties of alpha, beta and gamma emissions. Changes to nucleon number and proton number as a result of emissions. The random nature of decay and representation by decay equations. Exponential decay as a process with constant half-life. Calculation of decay.

Energy. E = mc2 applied to nuclear processes. Appreciation that E = mc2 applies to all energy changes. Simple calculations relating mass difference to energy change. Descriptions of the processes of fission and fusion.

Photons and energy levels. Photon model of electromagnetic radiation, E = hf. Photoelectric effect, including work function W. Photon energy = work function energy + maximum electron kinetic energy. An atomic line spectrum as evidence for discrete energy levels, hf = E1 - E2.

Waves. Qualitative treatment of polarisation and diffraction including particle diffraction. Concepts of path difference, phase and coherence. Quantitative treatment of superposition of waves from two sources. Graphical treatment of standing waves. Quantitative treatment of refraction. Total internal reflection.

Oscillations. Simple harmonic motion. Quantitative treatment, limited to a = -w2x and the solution x = A cos wt. Velocity as gradient of displacement - time graph. Qualitative treatment of free and forced vibrations, damping and resonance.

Force fields. Concept of a force field as a region in which a body experiences a force, E = F / q, g = F / m. Application of F = ma = mv2 / r to motion in a circle at a constant speed. Use of equations for force and field strength for spherical charges and masses treated as points in a vacuum. Force between two point charges. Force between two point masses. Field strength for a point charge. Field strength for a point mass. For a uniform field, electric field strength E = V / d. Similarities and differences between electric and gravitational fields.

Capacitance. Definition of capacitance. Use of the equation for the energy stored by a capacitor. Quantitative treatment of discharge curves.

B-fields. Force on a straight wire F = BIl and force on a moving charge F = Bqv in a uniform field - field perpendicular to current or motion.

Flux and electromagnetic induction. Concepts of flux F and flux linkage NF. F = BA. Laws of Faraday and Lenz. Emf as equal to rate of change of flux linkage, including simple calculations.

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