Physics Key Stage 5
Contents
Vectors and Scalars
• the distinction between vector and scalar quantities • resolution of vectors into two components at right angles • addition rule for two vectors • calculations for two perpendicular vectors
Mechanics
Kinematics
• use of kinematic equations in one dimension with constant velocity or acceleration • graphical representation of accelerated motion • interpretation of velocity-time and displacement-time graphs
Dynamics
• use of F = ma when mass is constant • one- and two-dimensional motion under constant force • independent effect of perpendicular components with uniform acceleration, projectile motion
Energy
• calculation of work done for constant forces, including force not along the line of motion • calculation of exchanges between gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy • principle of conservation of energy
Momentum
• definition • principle of conservation of momentum • calculations for one-dimensional problems
Circular Motion - Y13
• radian measure of angle and angular velocity • application of F = ma = mv2/r = mrω2 to motion in a circle at constant speed • oscillations: • simple harmonic motion • quantitative treatment using a = –ω²x and its solution x = A cos ωt.
Mechanical Properties of Matter
• stress, strain, Young modulus • force-extension graphs, energy stored
Electrical Circuits
Current
• electric current as rate of flow of charge, I = Δq/Δt
EMF and Potential Difference
• definition of emf and concept of internal resistance • potential difference in terms of energy transfer
Resistance
• definition • resistivity • Ohm’s law
DC Circuits
• conservation of charge and energy in circuits • relationships between currents, voltages and resistances in series and parallel circuits • power dissipated • potential divider circuits
Capacitance - Y13
• definition • energy of a capacitor • quantitative treatment of charge and discharge curves
Waves
• qualitative treatment of polarisation and diffraction • path difference, phase and coherence, interference • graphical treatment of superposition and stationary waves
Matter - Y13
• molecular kinetic theory: • ideal gases; pV = NkT • absolute zero • relationship between temperature and average molecular kinetic energy • internal energy: • idea of internal energy • energy required for temperature change = mcΔθ
Quantum and Nuclear Physics
Photons and Particles
• photon model to explain observable phenomena • evidence supporting the photon model • wave-particle duality, particle diffraction
Subatomic Particles
Fermions
Bosons
Particle Properties
Particle Conservation Laws
- Conservation of Charge
- Conservation of Baryon Number
- Conservation of Lepton Number
- Conservation of Mass-energy
- Conservation of Strangeness
- Conservation of Momentum
Fundamental Interactions
- Strong Nuclear Interaction
- Weak Nuclear Interaction
- Electromagnetic Interaction
- Gravitational Interaction
- Feynman Diagram
Nuclear Decay - Y13
• connections between nature, penetration and range of emissions from radioactive substances • evidence for existence of nucleus • activity of radioactive sources and idea of half-life • modelling with constant decay probability leading to exponential decay • nuclear changes in decay
Nuclear Energy
• fission and fusion processes • E = mc2 applied to nuclear processes • calculations relating mass difference to energy change
Fields - Y13
Force Fields
• concept and definition • gravitational force and inverse square field for point (or spherical) masses • electric force and field for point (or spherical) charges in a vacuum • electric and gravitational potential and changes in potential energy • uniform electric field • similarities and differences between electric and gravitational fields
B-fields
• force on a straight wire and force on a moving charge in a uniform field
Flux and electromagnetic induction
• concept and definition • Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws • emf equals rate of change of magnetic flux linkage