Key term
CCEA A-Level Physics 1210
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
Moments and Equilibrium
Linear Motion and Dynamics
Newton's Laws of Motion
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Work, Energy and Power
Current, Charge and Potential Difference
Resistance and Resistivity
Topic overviewResistance and Ohm's lawOhmic and non-ohmic behaviourResistors in series and in parallelInvestigating current, voltage and resistance in series and parallel circuitsElectrical power and energy in resistive circuitsResistivity and the equation R = ρl/AMeasuring the resistivity of a metalCurrent–voltage characteristics of a conductor, a lamp and a diodeResistance, temperature and superconductivity
Internal Resistance and Potential Dividers
Topic overviewInternal resistance and terminal potential differenceConsequences of internal resistance for external circuitsMeasuring electromotive force and internal resistanceThe potential divider and variable outputPotential dividers in lighting and heating control circuitsLoaded potential dividers and output voltage calculations
Waves
Refraction
Lenses
Superposition, Interference and Diffraction
Topic overviewSuperposition of wavesStanding waves, nodes and antinodesStanding waves on stretched stringsStanding waves in a pipe closed at one endMeasuring the speed of sound with a resonance tubeConditions for observable interferencePath difference and phase differenceYoung's double slitDiffraction at a single slitThe diffraction grating
Quantum Physics
Wave-Particle Duality
Astronomy
Practical Skills and Data Analysis
Topic overviewChoosing and using measuring instrumentsPrecision, accuracy and recording measurementsUsing the cathode ray oscilloscope to measure voltage and frequencyTables, graphs and presenting resultsLinearising a relationship and using the gradientAbsolute and percentage uncertaintyCombining uncertainties and uncertainty on a graphRandom and systematic error, reliability and refining an experiment
Deformation of Solids
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewBoyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawThe ideal gas equation pV = nRTThe Avogadro constant, the mole and pV = NkTInternal energy and the distribution of molecular energyThe kinetic theory equation pV = ⅓Nm⟨c²⟩Average molecular kinetic energy and temperatureAbsolute zero and the kelvin scaleSpecific heat capacity and the electrical method
Uniform Circular Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Topic overviewDefining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²xDisplacement, velocity and acceleration: x = A cos ωtThe simple pendulum and T = 2π√(l/g)The loaded spiral spring and T = 2π√(m/k)SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradientFree vibrations, forced vibrations and resonanceDamping: light, critical and over-damping
The Nucleus and Radioactive Decay
Topic overviewAlpha-particle scattering and the nuclear atomNuclear radius and nucleon numberThe density of nuclear matterAlpha, beta and gamma radiation: nature, penetration and rangeNuclear equations and changes in nucleon and proton numberThe random and exponential nature of radioactive decayActivity, the decay constant and A = −λNExponential decay calculations with A = A₀e^(−λt)Half-life and measuring it
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Gravitational Fields
Electric Fields
Capacitors
Magnetic Fields
Charged Particles and Accelerators
Charged Particles and Accelerators
- 7 subtopics
- 21 things to know
- Unit A2 2
What Charged Particles and Accelerators covers
Charged Particles and Accelerators is examined in Unit A2 2, Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics, and drawn on again in Unit A2 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis. It covers charged particles in a uniform electric field, charged particles in a magnetic field, circular paths in a magnetic field, comparing electric and magnetic deflection, the synchrotron, relativistic mass increase and antimatter and annihilation.
Where it is assessed
Unit A2 2
Fields, Capacitors and Particle Physics, and again in Unit A2 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 7 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Charged particles in a uniform electric fieldRecall questions on why a charge feels a force whatever its speed, F = qE and the directions for a positive and a negative charge, the parabolic path of a charge fired across the field and the analogy with a projectile, the acceleration qE/m, worked calculations for an electron, and why deflection depends on the charge to mass ratio.Open →
- Charged particles in a magnetic fieldRecall questions on why the charge must be moving, F = Bqv and its sinθ form, the zero force for motion along the field, applying Fleming's left-hand rule to a positive and to a negative charge, the derivation of F = Bqv from F = BIl, why the magnetic force does no work, and the circular and helical paths that result.Open →
- Circular paths in a magnetic fieldRecall questions on the magnetic force as the centripetal force, the derivation of r = mv/(Bq) with every symbol, the effect of doubling the speed or the flux density, worked radius calculations for an electron, why the charge to mass ratio decides the radius, the period T = 2πm/(Bq) and why it does not depend on speed.Open →
- Comparing electric and magnetic deflectionRecall questions on the differences in what each force acts on, its direction relative to the field, and whether it can change the kinetic energy, the parabolic against the circular path, the balance condition v = E/B and why the charge cancels, and which field to use to select a speed and which to separate by charge to mass ratio.Open →
- The synchrotronBasic principle of operation of a synchrotron, one argument in favour of building a very large accelerator and one argument against building a very large accelerator.Open →
- Relativistic mass increaseRecall questions on what happens to mass as a particle approaches the speed of light, the equation with every symbol, why the effect is unnoticed at everyday speeds, worked factors at 0.99c and at 0.50c, why a particle with mass can never reach the speed of light, the consequences for accelerator design, and E = mc² with the electron rest energy.Open →
- Antimatter and annihilationAntiparticle of the electron and give its charge, antiparticle of the proton and pair production.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Define each symbol in r = mv/(Bq).
Key term
Show that charge is conserved when an electron and a positron annihilate.
Key term
Why does a charge placed in a uniform electric field experience a force?
Key term
State the main difference between the force on a charge in an electric field and in a magnetic field.
Key term
What is a particle accelerator used for?
Key term
Give the equation for relativistic mass and define each symbol.
Key term
Give the equation for the force on a charge in an electric field and define each symbol.
Key term
Why does a stationary charge feel no magnetic force?
Key term
What provides the centripetal force when a charged particle moves in a circle in a magnetic field?
Key term
How do the directions of the electric and magnetic forces on a charged particle relate to the field?
Key term
Why must the magnetic field of a synchrotron be increased as the particles speed up?
Key term
Why is relativistic mass increase not noticed at everyday speeds?
Key term
Name the antiparticle of the electron and give its charge.
Key term
In which direction does the force act on a positive charge?
Key term
Give the equation for the force on a moving charge in a magnetic field and define each symbol.
Key term
How does the radius of a charged particle's circular path in a magnetic field change if its speed is doubled?
Key term
Which of the electric and magnetic forces can change the kinetic energy of a particle?
Key term
Where does the name synchrotron come from?
Numbers
Calculate the factor by which the mass of a particle increases at 0.99c.
Key term
Name the antiparticle of the proton.
Take Charged Particles and Accelerators further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why does a charge placed in a uniform electric field experience a force?
Model answer
The field exerts a force on any charge within it, of magnitude qE, because that is what the field strength means.
- 2
Give the equation for the force on a charge in an electric field and define each symbol.
Model answer
F = qE, where F is the force in newtons, q the charge in coulombs and E the electric field strength in N C⁻¹ or V m⁻¹.
- 3
In which direction does the force act on a positive charge?
Model answer
Along the field direction, from the positive plate towards the negative plate.
- 4
In which direction does the force act on a negative charge?
Model answer
Against the field direction, so an electron is pushed towards the positive plate.
- 5
Does the force on a charge in an electric field depend on how fast the charge is moving?
Model answer
No, the force is qE whatever the speed, and it acts even on a stationary charge.
- 6
Describe the path of a charged particle fired into a uniform electric field at right angles to it.
Model answer
A parabola, because there is a constant acceleration in one direction and constant velocity at right angles to it.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Charged Particles and Accelerators revision questions
- What does Charged Particles and Accelerators cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 7 subtopics: charged particles in a uniform electric field, charged particles in a magnetic field, circular paths in a magnetic field, comparing electric and magnetic deflection, the synchrotron, relativistic mass increase and antimatter and annihilation. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Charged Particles and Accelerators organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Charged Particles and Accelerators, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.