Physics
Physical Quantities and Units
Understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
Make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus
o Person Mass 70 kg
o Person Height 1.5 m
o Walking Speed 1 ms-1
o Car on Motorway Speed 30 ms-1
o Can of Drink Volume 300 cm3
o Water Density 1000 kgm-3
o Apple Weight 1N
o Domestic Appliance Current 13 A
o Car Battery E.M.F. 12 V
o Radio Waves Wavelength 102 m
o Microwave Wavelength 10-2 m
o Infrared Light Wavelength 10-4 m
o Visible Light Wavelength 10-7 m
o Ultra Violet Wavelength 10-8 m
o X-Ray Wavelength 10-9 m
o Gamma Ray Wavelength 10-12 m
Recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current
(A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)
Express derived units as products of quotients of the SI base units and use the named units
listed in this syllabus as appropriate
Use SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations
o Units of LHS = Units of RHS
Use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal submultiples or multiples of
both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (µ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k),
mega (M), giga (G), tera (T)
Understand and use the conventions for labelling graph axes and table columns as set out in the
ASE publication Signs, Symbols and Systematics (The ASE Companion to 16-19 Science, 2000)
Understand that the Avogadro constant NA is the number of atoms in 0.012kg of carbon-12
Use molar quantities where one mole of any substance is the amount containing a number of
particles equal to the Avogadro constant NA
Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of each
o Scalars have magnitude only
Speed, Distance, Mass
o Vectors have magnitude and direction
Velocity, Displacement, Force
Add and subtract coplanar vectors
Represent a vector as two perpendicular components
, o ( xy ) = x horizontally and y vertically
Measurement techniques
Use techniques for the measurement of length volume, angle, mass, time, temperature and
electrical quantities appropriate to the ranges of magnitude implied by the relevant parts of the
syllabus. In particular, candidates should be able to:
o Measure lengths using ruler, calipers and micrometers
o Measure weight and hence mass using balances
o Measure an angle using a protractor
o Measure time intervals using clocks, stopwatches and the calibrate time-base of a
cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.)
o Measure temperature using a thermometer
o Use ammeters and voltmeters with appropriate scales
o Use a galvanometer in null methods (Ammeter)
o Use a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) (Voltmeter)
o Use a calibrated Hall probe
Use both analogue scales and digital displays
Use calibration curves
o Line of best fit
Understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random
errors in measurements
o Systematic errors can be corrected by recalibrating the instrument or by correcting the
technique being used
o Random errors can be reduced by making multiple measurements and averaging the
results
Understand the distinction between precision and accuracy
o An accurate value of a measured quantity is one which is close to the true value of the
quantity
o A precise measurement is one made several times, giving the same, or very similar,
values.
Assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute, fractional or
percentage uncertainties (a rigorous statistical treatment is not required)
o Addition or Subtraction: Add absolute uncertainty
o Multiplication or Division: Add percentage uncertainty
o Powers: Multiply percentage uncertainty by exponent
Kinematics
Define and use distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
o Distance: Scalar value of ground covered
o Displacement: Vector value of start to finish
o Speed: Scalar value of distance/time
o Velocity: Vector value of displacement/time
, o Acceleration: Vector value of velocity/time
Use graphical methods to represent distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
Determine displacement from the area under a velocity-time graph
Determine velocity using the gradient of a displacement-time graph
Determine acceleration using the gradient of a velocity time graph
Derive, from the definition of velocity and acceleration, equations that represent uniformly
accelerated motion in a straight line
o Equation 1
a = (v - u) / t gradient of velocity-time graph
v = u + at
o Equation 2
s = ½(u + v)t area under gradient of velocity-time graph
o Equation 3
v = u + at equation 1
s = ½(u + v)t equation 2
s = ½(u + u + at)t substituting equation 1 into 2
s = ½(2u + at)t
s = ut + ½at2
o Equation 4
v = u + at equation 1
t = (v - u) / a rearrange equation 1
s = ½(u + v)t equation 2
s = ½(u + v) x (v - u)/a substituting equation 1 into 2
2as = (u + v)(v – u)
v2 = u2 + 2as
Solve problems using equations that represent uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line,
including the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field without air resistance
Describe an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall using a falling body
o A steel ball-bearing is held by an electromagnet. When the current to the magnet is
switched off, the ball begins to fall and an electronic timer starts. The ball falls through
a trapdoor, and this breaks a circuit to stop the timer.
o t = time from timer; s = distance from bottom of ball to trapdoor; u = 0; a = gravity
o s = ut + ½at2
o s = ½at2 and plot a graph of s (vertical) to t2 (horizontal) and find a (2 x gradient)
Describe and explain motion due to a uniform velocity in one direction and a uniform
acceleration in a perpendicular direction.
o Parabola due to deceleration until 0 and then accelerating in opposite direction
Dynamics
Understand that mass is the property of a body that resists change in motion
o Inertia is the measure of the mass of an object that resists change in motion.
Recall the relationship F = ma and solve problems using it, appreciating that acceleration and
resultant force are always in the same direction
Define and use linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity
, o The product of an object’s mass and its velocity, p = mv.
Define and use force as rate of change of momentum
o Force is the rate of change of momentum, F = p / t
State and apply each of Newton’s laws of motion
o Newton’s first law of motion
An object will remain at rest or keep travelling at constant velocity unless it is
acted on by a resultant force.
v = p / m = Ft / m = mat / m = at
o Newton’s second law of motion
The resultant force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of its
momentum. The resultant force and the momentum are in the same direction.
F=p/t
o Newton’s third law of motion
When two bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and
opposite.
p1 / t = -p2 / t
|p1| = |p2|
Describe and use the concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass and recall
that the weight of a body is equal to the product of its mass and the acceleration of free fall
o Weight is the force on an object caused by a gravitational field acting on its mass
o FW = mg
Describe qualitatively the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field with air
resistance
o An object falling freely under gravity has a constant acceleration provided the
gravitational field strength is constant. However, fluid resistance (such as air
resistance) reduces its acceleration. Terminal velocity is reached when the fluid
resistance is equal to the weight of the object.
State the principle of conservation of momentum
o For a close system, in any direction the total momentum before an interaction (e.g.
collision) is equal to the total momentum after the interaction.
Apply the principle of conservation of momentum to solve simple problems, including elastic
and inelastic interactions between bodies in both one and two dimensions (knowledge of the
concept of coefficient of restitution is not required)
Recognise that, for a perfectly elastic collision, the relative speed of approach is equal to the
relative speed of separation
Understand that while momentum of a system is always conserved between bodies, some
change in kinetic energy may take place
o In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved
o In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved.
Forces, Density and Pressure
Describe the force on a mass in a uniform gravitational field and on a charge in a uniform
electric field
o No matter where the object is in the field, the force acting upon it is the same.
Physical Quantities and Units
Understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
Make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus
o Person Mass 70 kg
o Person Height 1.5 m
o Walking Speed 1 ms-1
o Car on Motorway Speed 30 ms-1
o Can of Drink Volume 300 cm3
o Water Density 1000 kgm-3
o Apple Weight 1N
o Domestic Appliance Current 13 A
o Car Battery E.M.F. 12 V
o Radio Waves Wavelength 102 m
o Microwave Wavelength 10-2 m
o Infrared Light Wavelength 10-4 m
o Visible Light Wavelength 10-7 m
o Ultra Violet Wavelength 10-8 m
o X-Ray Wavelength 10-9 m
o Gamma Ray Wavelength 10-12 m
Recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length (m), time (s), current
(A), temperature (K), amount of substance (mol)
Express derived units as products of quotients of the SI base units and use the named units
listed in this syllabus as appropriate
Use SI base units to check the homogeneity of physical equations
o Units of LHS = Units of RHS
Use the following prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal submultiples or multiples of
both base and derived units: pico (p), nano (n), micro (µ), milli (m), centi (c), deci (d), kilo (k),
mega (M), giga (G), tera (T)
Understand and use the conventions for labelling graph axes and table columns as set out in the
ASE publication Signs, Symbols and Systematics (The ASE Companion to 16-19 Science, 2000)
Understand that the Avogadro constant NA is the number of atoms in 0.012kg of carbon-12
Use molar quantities where one mole of any substance is the amount containing a number of
particles equal to the Avogadro constant NA
Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of each
o Scalars have magnitude only
Speed, Distance, Mass
o Vectors have magnitude and direction
Velocity, Displacement, Force
Add and subtract coplanar vectors
Represent a vector as two perpendicular components
, o ( xy ) = x horizontally and y vertically
Measurement techniques
Use techniques for the measurement of length volume, angle, mass, time, temperature and
electrical quantities appropriate to the ranges of magnitude implied by the relevant parts of the
syllabus. In particular, candidates should be able to:
o Measure lengths using ruler, calipers and micrometers
o Measure weight and hence mass using balances
o Measure an angle using a protractor
o Measure time intervals using clocks, stopwatches and the calibrate time-base of a
cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.)
o Measure temperature using a thermometer
o Use ammeters and voltmeters with appropriate scales
o Use a galvanometer in null methods (Ammeter)
o Use a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) (Voltmeter)
o Use a calibrated Hall probe
Use both analogue scales and digital displays
Use calibration curves
o Line of best fit
Understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random
errors in measurements
o Systematic errors can be corrected by recalibrating the instrument or by correcting the
technique being used
o Random errors can be reduced by making multiple measurements and averaging the
results
Understand the distinction between precision and accuracy
o An accurate value of a measured quantity is one which is close to the true value of the
quantity
o A precise measurement is one made several times, giving the same, or very similar,
values.
Assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute, fractional or
percentage uncertainties (a rigorous statistical treatment is not required)
o Addition or Subtraction: Add absolute uncertainty
o Multiplication or Division: Add percentage uncertainty
o Powers: Multiply percentage uncertainty by exponent
Kinematics
Define and use distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
o Distance: Scalar value of ground covered
o Displacement: Vector value of start to finish
o Speed: Scalar value of distance/time
o Velocity: Vector value of displacement/time
, o Acceleration: Vector value of velocity/time
Use graphical methods to represent distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
Determine displacement from the area under a velocity-time graph
Determine velocity using the gradient of a displacement-time graph
Determine acceleration using the gradient of a velocity time graph
Derive, from the definition of velocity and acceleration, equations that represent uniformly
accelerated motion in a straight line
o Equation 1
a = (v - u) / t gradient of velocity-time graph
v = u + at
o Equation 2
s = ½(u + v)t area under gradient of velocity-time graph
o Equation 3
v = u + at equation 1
s = ½(u + v)t equation 2
s = ½(u + u + at)t substituting equation 1 into 2
s = ½(2u + at)t
s = ut + ½at2
o Equation 4
v = u + at equation 1
t = (v - u) / a rearrange equation 1
s = ½(u + v)t equation 2
s = ½(u + v) x (v - u)/a substituting equation 1 into 2
2as = (u + v)(v – u)
v2 = u2 + 2as
Solve problems using equations that represent uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line,
including the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field without air resistance
Describe an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall using a falling body
o A steel ball-bearing is held by an electromagnet. When the current to the magnet is
switched off, the ball begins to fall and an electronic timer starts. The ball falls through
a trapdoor, and this breaks a circuit to stop the timer.
o t = time from timer; s = distance from bottom of ball to trapdoor; u = 0; a = gravity
o s = ut + ½at2
o s = ½at2 and plot a graph of s (vertical) to t2 (horizontal) and find a (2 x gradient)
Describe and explain motion due to a uniform velocity in one direction and a uniform
acceleration in a perpendicular direction.
o Parabola due to deceleration until 0 and then accelerating in opposite direction
Dynamics
Understand that mass is the property of a body that resists change in motion
o Inertia is the measure of the mass of an object that resists change in motion.
Recall the relationship F = ma and solve problems using it, appreciating that acceleration and
resultant force are always in the same direction
Define and use linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity
, o The product of an object’s mass and its velocity, p = mv.
Define and use force as rate of change of momentum
o Force is the rate of change of momentum, F = p / t
State and apply each of Newton’s laws of motion
o Newton’s first law of motion
An object will remain at rest or keep travelling at constant velocity unless it is
acted on by a resultant force.
v = p / m = Ft / m = mat / m = at
o Newton’s second law of motion
The resultant force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of its
momentum. The resultant force and the momentum are in the same direction.
F=p/t
o Newton’s third law of motion
When two bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal and
opposite.
p1 / t = -p2 / t
|p1| = |p2|
Describe and use the concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass and recall
that the weight of a body is equal to the product of its mass and the acceleration of free fall
o Weight is the force on an object caused by a gravitational field acting on its mass
o FW = mg
Describe qualitatively the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field with air
resistance
o An object falling freely under gravity has a constant acceleration provided the
gravitational field strength is constant. However, fluid resistance (such as air
resistance) reduces its acceleration. Terminal velocity is reached when the fluid
resistance is equal to the weight of the object.
State the principle of conservation of momentum
o For a close system, in any direction the total momentum before an interaction (e.g.
collision) is equal to the total momentum after the interaction.
Apply the principle of conservation of momentum to solve simple problems, including elastic
and inelastic interactions between bodies in both one and two dimensions (knowledge of the
concept of coefficient of restitution is not required)
Recognise that, for a perfectly elastic collision, the relative speed of approach is equal to the
relative speed of separation
Understand that while momentum of a system is always conserved between bodies, some
change in kinetic energy may take place
o In an elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved
o In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved.
Forces, Density and Pressure
Describe the force on a mass in a uniform gravitational field and on a charge in a uniform
electric field
o No matter where the object is in the field, the force acting upon it is the same.
