REVISION CARDS

Physics

Topic 1 &Formula Book

www.physicsinfo.co.uk Modified 08/05/2018 (PB)
 Assessment structure
AS Paper 1 AS Paper 2 A2 Paper 1 A2 Paper 2 A2 Paper 3
8PH0/01 50% 8PH0/02 50% 9PHO/01 9PHO/02 9PHO/03
1 hr 30 minutes 1 hr 30 minutes 1 hr 45 minutes 1 hr 45 minutes 2 hrs 30 minutes
80 marks 80 marks 90 marks 90 marks 120 marks
123 145 123678 1 4 5 9 10 11 12 13 Core Practicals &
synoptic

Topics List
1. Working as a Physicist 8 Nuclear and Particle Physics
2. Mechanics 9 Thermodynamics
3. Electric Circuits 10 Space
4. Materials 11 Nuclear Radiation
5. Waves and Particle Nature of Light 12 Gravitational Fields
6. Further Mechanics 13 Oscillations
7. Electric and Magnetic Fields
 Core Practicals
Core practicals , carried out throughout the course, enable the following skills to be developed: Independent thinking, use
and application of scientific methods and practices, research and referencing, instruments and equipment

1 Determine the acceleration of free fall 1 2 4 11

2 Determine the electrical resistivity of a material 1 2 5 6 7
3 Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cell 2 6 7
4 Use a falling ball method to determine the viscosity of a liquid 1 3 4
5 Determine the Young Modulus of a material 1 5
6 Determine the spped of sound in air using a 2 beam oscilloscope, signal generator, speaker and 1 8 9
microphone
7 Investigate the effects of length tension and mass per unit length on the frequency of a vibrating 1 2 8
string or wire
8 Determine the wavelength of light from a laser or other source using a diffraction grating 10
 Core Practicals
9 Investigate the relationship between the force exerted on an object and its change of 1 4
momentum
10 Use ICT to analyse collisions between small spheres e.g. ball bearings on a table top 1 11
11 Use an oscilloscope or datalogger to display and analyse the potential difference (p.d.) across a 8 11
capacitor as it charges and discharges through a resistor
12 Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostat 1 2 6 7 11
13 Determine the specific latent heat of a phase change 6 7 11
14 Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperature 1
15 Investigate the absorption of gamma radiation by lead 12
16 Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequency of the oscillations of 1 3 11
known mass
 Topic 1: SI Base Units
Quantity Unit Name Symbol
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Length metre m
Electric Current ampere A
Temperature kelvin K
Amount of substance mole Mol
Luminous intensity candela cd

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 55
 Topic 1: SI Derived Units

1
video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 66
 Topic 1: SI Derived Units
Derived units Symbols Name

Force mass x acceleration kg m s-2 Newton

Acceleration ∆velocity / time m s-2
velocity displacement / time m s-1
Work done force x distance kg m2 s-2 Joule
Power work done / time kg m2 s-3 Watt
Intensity power / area kg s-3
Pressure(1) force / area kg m-1 s-2 Pascal
Area distance x distance m2
Stress (1) force / area kg m-1 s-2
Strain length / length
Density mass / volume kg m-3
Momentum mass x velocity kg m s-1
Potential difference work done / charge kg m2 s-3 A-1 Volt
Charge current x time As Coulomb
Resistance potential difference / current kg m2 s-3 A-2 Ohm
Resistivity resistance x area / length kg m3 s-3 A-2
Frequency 1 / time s-1 Hertz

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 77
 Topic 1: SI Prefixes
Name Symbol Multiple of base unit Example units
deci d 10-1 dm
centi c 10-2 cm
milli m 10-3 mm
micro μ 10-6 μm
nano n 10-9 nm
pico p 10-12 pm
kilo k 103 kg
Mega M 106 MB
Giga G 109 GB
Terra T 1012 TB

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 88
 Topic 1: Calculating Uncertainty
Is it a single
Set Are the
measurement or a set measurements
of measurements? all the same?

Single
No
Yes
Uncertainty is half the range of readings (with
Uncertainty is half the the result quoted to the same number of
gradation of the decimal places as the readings) or the difference
instrument used between the mean and the largest or smallest
reading - whichever is the greater.

Present your answer as:

Value ± Uncertainty Units Present your answer as:
Eg: 64 ± 0.5 mm. Average ± Uncertainty Units
Eg: 64mm ± 3 mm

According to Appendix 10, a digital meter may have a resolution of 0.1 but can still have an uncertainty of 0.05

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 99
 Topic 1: Calculating % Uncertainty
The percentage uncertainty in a measurement can be calculated using: Results
with % uncertainties
Uncertainty of measurement
Percentage uncertainty = × 100% < 5% are deemed
Measurement repeatable
Half the range
Percentage uncertainty = × 100%
Mean
% uncertainty is
Difference between result and known value normally quoted
Percentage difference = × 100% to 1 or 2 sf
Known value

Rules for combining percentage uncertainties

Rule 1: Multiplying a measurement by a constant does not change the percentage uncertainty
Rule 2: If you multiply, or divide, two or more measurements, you need to add their percentage uncertainties to find
the total percentage uncertainty
Rule 3: If a measurement is raised to a power, its percentage uncertainty is multiplied by that power
Rule 4: If you add or subtract two measurements, the absolute uncertainty is the sum of each contributing absolute
uncertainty.

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 10
10
 Topic 1: Combining Uncertainties
Summary of the rules for finding the uncertainty of a quantity found by combining other values in a formula e.g.
Can of length L = 115 mm ± 2 mm, diameter d = 66.0 ± 0.6 mm. Find the volume of the can and the uncertainty:

1. Convert the uncertainties you have been given to percentage uncertainties (%U)
2 0.6
%𝑈 𝑖𝑛 𝐿 = × 100% = 1.7% % 𝑈 𝑖𝑛 𝑑 = × 100% = 0.9%
115 66.0

2. Find the value you have been asked to calculate, one step at a time. At each step calculate the percentage uncertainty
of each quantity you find using the rules on the previous slide
r=𝑑 ÷2 𝑟 = 66 ÷ 2 = 33𝑚𝑚 = 0.33𝑚
Using Rule 1: %U on r =0.9%
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 𝐴 = 𝜋 × 0.332 = 0.0034𝑚2
Using Rules 1 and 2: %U on A = %U on r + %U on r = 0.9% + 0.9% = 1.8%
𝑉 =𝐿×𝐴 𝑉 = 0.115 × 0.0034 = 3.91 × 10−4 𝑚3
Using Rule 2: %U on V = %U on L + %U on A = 1.7% + 1.8% = 3.5%

3. Convert the final percentage uncertainty back to an absolute uncertainty

3.5% of 3.91 × 10−4 𝑚3 = 1.4 × 10−5 𝑚
V = 39.1 ± 1.4 × 10−5 𝑚

video video video www www www photo photo photo page: 11
11
Term Meaning Glossary of terms
Validity A measurement is valid if it measures what it is supposed to be measuring – this depends both on the method and the instruments.
True value The value that would have been obtained in an ideal measurement – with the exception of a fundamental constant the true value is
considered unknowable.
Accuracy A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value. It is a quality denoting the closeness of
agreement between measurement and true value – it cannot be quantified and is influenced by random and systematic errors.
Precision A quality denoting the closeness of agreement (consistency) between values obtained by repeated measurement – this is influenced
only by random effects and can be expressed numerically by measures such as standard deviation. A measurement is precise if the
values ‘cluster’ closely together.
Repeatability The precision obtained when measurement results are obtained by a single operator using a single method over a short timescale. A
measurement is repeatable when similar results are obtained by students from the same group using the same method. Students can
use the precision of their measurement results to judge this.
Reproducibility The precision obtained when measurement results are obtained by different operators using different pieces of apparatus. A
measurement is reproducible when similar results are obtained by students from different groups using different methods or apparatus.
This is a harder test of the quality of data.
Uncertainty The interval within which the true value can be considered to lie with a given level of confidence or probability – any measurement will
have some uncertainty about the result, this will come from variation in the data obtained and be subject to systematic or random
effects. This can be estimated by considering the instruments and the method and will usually be expressed as a range such as 20 °C ± 2
°C. The confidence will be qualitative and based on the goodness of fit of the line of best fit and the size of the percentage uncertainty.
Error The difference between the measurement result and the true value if a true value is thought to exist. This is not a mistake in the
measurement. The error can be due to both systematic and random effects and an error of unknown size is a source of uncertainty.
Resolution The smallest measuring interval and the source of uncertainty in a single reading.
Significant The number of SF used in recording the measurements depends on the resolution of the measuring instruments and should usually be
figures (SF) the same as given in the instrument with the fewest SF in its reading.
 Apparatus and techniques
Questions concerning uncertainties, errors, ways of improving the results obtained etc are asked in a wide variety of
ways and contexts but the marks can usually be picked up by focusing on the following:
Results are usually improved (uncertainties reduced) by:
Reducing human error: Using electronic timers, oscilloscope or dataloggers
Referring to a fiduciary marker (set square or plumb line)
Reducing parallax

Improving the instrument used Zero check

Higher resolution (a micrometer, rather than a metre rule)
Digital or Vernier scales
Replace the instrument with the fewest s.f.
Repeats Repeat readings and take an average
Timing over multiple oscillations
Wider range of results
Questions about Graphs usually refer to:
Lines of best fit that don’t pass through the origin are an indication of a systematic error
A large scatter of results indicates large uncertainty (possibly due to random errors)
 Command Words 1
Add/label Requires the addition or labelling to a stimulus material given in the question, for example labelling a diagram or adding units to a table.
Assess Give careful consideration to all the factors or events that apply and identify which are the most important or relevant. Make a
judgement on the importance of something, and come to a conclusion where needed.
Calculate Obtain a numerical answer, showing relevant working. If the answer has a unit, this must be included.
Comment on Requires the synthesis of a number of variables from data/information to form a judgement.
Compare and Looking for the similarities and differences of two (or more) things. Should not require the drawing of a conclusion. Answer must relate
contrast to both (or all) things mentioned in the question. The answer must include at least one similarity and one difference.

Complete Requires the completion of a table/diagram.

Criticise Inspect a set of data, an experimental plan or a scientific statement and consider the elements. Look at the merits and/or faults of the
information presented and back judgements made.
Deduce Draw/reach conclusion(s) from the information provided.
Derive Combine two or more equations or principles to develop a new equation.
Describe To give an account of something. Statements in the response need to be developed as they are often linked but do not need to include a
justification or reason.
Determine The answer must have an element which is quantitative from the stimulus provided, or must show how the answer can be reached
quantitatively.
Devise Plan or invent a procedure from existing principles/ideas

Discuss ● Identify the issue/situation/problem/argument that is being assessed within the question.
● Explore all aspects of an issue/situation/problem/ argument.
● Investigate the issue/situation etc by reasoning or argument.
 Command Words 2
Draw Produce a diagram either using a ruler or using freehand.
Evaluate Review information then bring it together to form a conclusion, drawing on evidence including strengths, weaknesses, alternative
actions, relevant data or information. Come to a supported judgement of a subject’s qualities and relation to its context.
Explain An explanation requires a justification/exemplification of a point. The answer must contain some element of reasoning/justification, this
can include mathematical explanations.
Give/state/name All of these command words are really synonyms. They generally all require recall of one or more pieces of information.
Give a When a statement has been made and the requirement is only to give the reasons why.
reason/reasons
Identify Usually requires some key information to be selected from a given stimulus/resource.
Justify Give evidence to support (either the statement given in the question or an earlier answer).
Plot Produce a graph by marking points accurately on a grid from data that is provided and then drawing a line of best fit through these
points. A suitable scale and appropriately labelled axes must be included if these are not provided in the question.
Predict Give an expected result.
Show that Prove that a numerical figure is as stated in the question. The answer must be to at least 1 more significant figure than the numerical
figure in the question.
Sketch Produce a freehand drawing. For a graph this would need a line and labelled axis with important features indicated, the axis are not
scaled.
State what is When the meaning of a term is expected but there are different ways of how these can be described.
meant by
Write When the questions ask for an equation.
 List of data, formulae and relationships 1
The value of the following constants will be provided in each examination paper:

Acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 ms-2 (close to Earth’s surface)

Boltzmann constant
Coulomb law constant
Electron charge
Electron mass
Electronvolt
Gravitational constant
Gravitational field strength
Planck constant
Permittivity of free space
Proton mass
Speed of light in a vacuum
Stefan-Boltzmann constant
Unified atomic mass unit
k = 1.38 x 10-23 J K-1
k = ¼ π 𝜀0 = 8.99 x 109 N m2 C-2
e = -1.60 x 10-19 C
me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg
1 eV = 1.60 x 10-19 J
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
g = 9.81 N kg-1 (close to Earth’s surface)
h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s
𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10-12 F m-1
1.67 x 10-27 kg
c = 3.00 x 108 m s-1
σ = 5.67 x 10-8 W m-2 K-4
1.66 x 10-27 kg
Mechanics: Momentum:
Kinematics equations of motion: ρ=mv ρ = momentum
m = mass
(u + v) t s = distance v = velocity
s= 2 u = initial velocity
v = final velocity Work, energy and power
v = u + at t = time ∆W = F ∆s ∆ = change in
a = acceleration W = work done
s = u t + ½ a t2 s = displacement

v2 = u 2 + 2 a s EK = ½ m v 2 EK = Kinetic Energy

Forces: ∆Egrav = m g ∆h ∆Egrav = Gravitational Potential

ΣF = m a ΣF = resultant (sum of) force Energy
m = mass ∆h = change in height
a = acceleration
P=E/t P = power
g=F/m g = gravitational field strength E = energy (Joules)
W=mg W = weight P=W/t W = work done (Joules)

Moment of force = F x x useful energy out

efficiency = total energy in

useful power out

efficiency = total power in
Electricity:
I=nqvA n = density of charge carriers
Potential difference
q = charge on carrier
V=W/Q V = potential difference
v = mean drift velocity
W = work done (Joules)
Q = charge (Coulombs) Materials:
Resistance
Density
R=V/I R = resistance
ρ=m/V ρ = density
Electrical power and energy m = mass
P=VI P = power V = volume
2
P=I R (from V = I R)
P = V2 / R (from I = V / R) Stokes’ law
W=VIt W = Work done (energy) Fd = 6π η r v Fd = Stokes’ drag (≈ mg)
Resistivity η = viscosity
R=ρ l/A ρ - resistivity r = radius of the sphere
l = length v = terminal velocity
A = cross-sectional area
Upthrust = weight of fluid displaced
Current
I = ∆Q / ∆t I = current Hooke’s law
∆Q = initial velocity F = k ∆x k = spring constant
∆t = time
∆x = extension
Pressure Intensity of radiation
p=F/A p = pressure I=P/A I = Intensity
P = Power
Young’s modulus
A = Area
Stress σ = F / A F = force
A = x-sectional area Power of a lens
Strain ε =∆x / x ∆x = extension P=1/f f = focal length
x = original length P = P1 + P2 + P3 …
E = σ / ε where
Thin lens equation
Elastic strain energy 1/u+1/v=1/f u = object distance
∆Eel = ½ F ∆x ∆Eel = elastic strain energy v = image distance

Wave and particle nature of light: Magnification for a lens

m=v/u v = image height
Wave speed u = object height
v=fλ v = wave speed
f = frequency Diffraction grating
λ = wavelength n λ = d sin Ѳ n = number of wavelengths
λ = wavelength
Speed of a transverse wave on string d = slit separation
v = √ (T / µ) v = speed θ (see diagram)
T = Tension
µ = mass per unit length
19
Refractive index Further Mechanics
n1 sin ϴ1 = n2 sin ϴ2 n = refractive index Impulse
n=c/v c = speed of light in vacuum F ∆t = ∆p
v = speed of light in substance
Kinetic energy of a non-Relativistic particle
Critical angle Ek = p2 / 2m
sin C = 1 / n C = critical angle
Motion in a circle
Photon model v=ωr ω = angular velocity (frequency or speed)
E=hf h = Planck’s constant T = 2π / ω T = period
f = frequency F = m a = m v2 / r r = radius
a = v2 / r
Einstein’s photoelectric equation
a = r ω2
h f = φ + ½ mv2max φ = work function
½ mv2max = photoelectron energy Centripetal force
F = m v2 / r
de Broglie wavelength F = m r ω2
λ=h/ρ λ = de Broglie
h = Planck’s constant
ρ = momentum

20
Fields Resistor – capacitor discharge
Coulomb’s law I = I0 e-t/RC
F = kQ1Q2/r2 where k = 1/4πε0 V = V0 e-t/RC
k = Coulomb’s Law Constant lnQ = lnQ0 - t / RC
Electric field lnI = lnI0 - t / RC
E = F/Q F = force lnV = lnV0 - t / RC
E = Q / 4𝜀0 r2 Q = charge In a magnetic field
E = V/d V = voltage F = BIl sin θ F = force
Electric potential F = Bqv sin θ B = magnetic flux density
V = Q / 4𝜀0 r I = current
l = length in the field
Capacitance
C=Q/V Faraday’s and Lenz’s Laws

Energy stored in capacitor Ɛ = −d(NΦ)/dt Ɛ = e.m.f.

W = ½ QV W = work done NΦ = magnetic flux linkage
W = ½ C V2
Root-mean-square values
W = ½ Q2 / C Vrms = V0 / √2
Irms = I0 / √2

Capacitor discharge
Q = Q0 e-t/RC Q0 = initial charge
21
Nuclear and particle physics Stefan-Boltzmann law
L = σ T4 A σ = Stefan-Boltzman constant
In a magnetic field 2
L = 4π r σ T 4 4πr2 = area of a sphere
r = p/BQ r = radius of the circle σT4 = power emitted per sq m
p = momentum of the particle r = radius of a star
Thermodynamics
Heating Wien’s law
∆E = m c ∆θ c = specific heat capacity λmaxT = 2.898 x 10-3 m K
∆E = L ∆m ∆θ = change in Kelvin temperature Space
L = specific latent heat Radiant energy flux
Molecular kinetic theory I = L/4πd2 I = Intensity (energy / area)
½ m <c2> = 3/2 k T mean kinetic energy of a particle L = luminosity
2
p V = 1/3 N m <c > k = Boltzmann constant
4πd2 = surface area of a shell
Ideal gas equation d = distance to a star
pV=NkT p = pressure
V = volume Luminosity = total energy emitted by a star in 1 second or Watts
N = number of molecules Redshift of electromagnetic radiation
k = Boltzmann constant z = ∆λ/λ ≈ ∆f/f ≈ v/c
T = Kelvin temperature
Cosmological expansion
v = H0d H0 = Hubble constant

22
Nuclear radiation Oscillations
Mass-energy Simple harmonic motion
ΔE = c2 Δm F = -kx
a = −ω2x ω = angular velocity (frequency or speed)
Radioactive decay a = −Aω2 cos ωt A = amplitude
A = dN/dt = −λN A = Activity v = −Aω sin ωt v = velocity
λ= ln 2/t½ λ = decay constant (vmax = Aω at equilibrium)
N = N0 e−λt N0 = initial number of nuclei x = Acos ωt x = displacement
A = A0 e−λt t½ = half life T = 1/f = 2π/ω T = period
Gravitational fields f = frequency
Gravitational force ω = 2πf
F = Gm1m2/r2 G = Gravitational constant
Simple harmonic oscillator
Gravitational field T = 2π √(m/k)
g = G m / r2 T = 2π √(l/g)
Gravitational potential
Vgrav = -G M / r

23