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
Deformation of Solids
- 6 subtopics
- 18 things to know
- Unit A2 1
What Deformation of Solids covers
Deformation of Solids is examined in Unit A2 1, Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and drawn on again in Unit A2 3. It covers Hooke's law and the spring constant, elastic and plastic deformation and the elastic limit, stress, strain and the Young modulus, measuring the Young modulus of a wire, strain energy and force–extension graphs and choosing materials: strength, stiffness and cost.
Where it is assessed
Unit A2 1
Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and again in Unit A2 3.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 6 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Hooke's law and the spring constantHooke's law and extension of a spring.Open →
- Elastic and plastic deformation and the elastic limitElastic deformation, plastic deformation and elastic limit.Open →
- Stress, strain and the Young modulusTensile stress and give its equation, tensile strain and give its equation and young modulus.Open →
- Measuring the Young modulus of a wireRecall questions on the apparatus and why the wire is long and thin, measuring the diameter with a micrometer in several places and two directions, finding the area, what is plotted and what the gradient gives, the purpose of the comparison wire, the tensioning load, checking the elastic limit has not been passed, and the safety precautions.Open →
- Strain energy and force–extension graphsRecall questions on what strain energy is, the two forms of the equation and why there is a factor of ½, the area under a force–extension graph, the effect of doubling the extension, finding the energy under a curved graph, what the area of a loading and unloading loop represents, and a catapult calculation.Open →
- Choosing materials: strength, stiffness and costBreaking stress of a material, difference between a strong material and a stiff material and factor of safety in a design calculation.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Distinguish between the limit of proportionality and the elastic limit.
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Define tensile stress and give its equation.
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State the equation for strain energy in both of its forms and define every symbol.
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Describe the apparatus used to measure the Young modulus of a metal in the form of a long thin wire.
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Why is the Young modulus of a material important to an engineer designing a bridge?
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State Hooke's law.
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What is meant by elastic deformation?
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Give the SI unit of stress and an equivalent form of it.
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When measuring the Young modulus, why is the test wire made as long and as thin as is practical?
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What is meant by strain energy?
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What is meant by the breaking stress of a material?
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What is meant by the extension of a spring?
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What is meant by plastic deformation?
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Define tensile strain and give its equation.
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In a Young modulus experiment, which instrument is used to measure the diameter of the wire, and what is its precision?
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Why does the equation for strain energy carry a factor of ½?
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Why is breaking stress rather than breaking force quoted as a property of a material?
Take Deformation of Solids further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State Hooke's law.
Model answer
Hooke's law states that the extension of a spring or wire is directly proportional to the force applied to it, provided the limit of proportionality is not exceeded.
- 2
Write the equation that expresses Hooke's law and define every symbol in it.
Model answer
The equation is F = kx, where F is the applied force in newtons, k is the spring constant in N m⁻¹ and x is the extension in metres.
- 3
What is meant by the extension of a spring?
Model answer
The extension is the increase in length of the spring measured from its original unstretched length, in metres.
- 4
What does the spring constant tell you about a spring?
Model answer
The spring constant is the force needed per metre of extension, so a large spring constant means a stiff spring that extends very little for a given force.
- 5
Give the SI unit of the spring constant.
Model answer
The spring constant is measured in newtons per metre, N m⁻¹.
- 6
A spring of spring constant 25 N m⁻¹ is stretched by a force of 3.0 N. Calculate the extension.
Model answer
Rearranging F = kx gives x = F/k = 3.0/25 = 0.12 m.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Deformation of Solids revision questions
- What does Deformation of Solids cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 6 subtopics: hooke's law and the spring constant, elastic and plastic deformation and the elastic limit, stress, strain and the young modulus, measuring the young modulus of a wire, strain energy and force–extension graphs and choosing materials: strength, stiffness and cost. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Deformation of Solids organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Deformation of Solids, 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.
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