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
Electric Fields
- 6 subtopics
- 18 things to know
- Unit A2 2
What Electric Fields covers
Electric Fields 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 electric field strength, coulomb's law, the field of a point charge, uniform fields between parallel plates, comparing gravitational and electric fields and field strength calculations and combined fields.
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 6 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Electric field strengthRecall questions on the definition as force per unit positive charge, E = F/q with its two equivalent units and the proof that they are the same, why the test charge is positive and small, worked force and field-strength calculations, the direction of the force on an electron, and the field-line pattern around a point charge.Open →
- Coulomb's lawRecall questions on the statement of the law and the equation in both its ε₀ and k forms with the values of both constants, what the sign of the answer means, the inverse square behaviour, worked force calculations for laboratory charges and for the hydrogen atom, and when a charged sphere may be treated as a point charge.Open →
- The field of a point chargeRecall questions on E = kq/r² and its derivation from Coulomb's law, why the test charge cancels, worked field-strength calculations, the shape of the E against r graph and what to plot for a straight line, locating the neutral point between two charges, adding fields as vectors, and why the field inside a hollow conductor is zero.Open →
- Uniform fields between parallel platesRecall questions on how a uniform field is produced and what uniform means, the field-line pattern, E = V/d with worked calculations, the force on an electron between the plates, the effect of halving the separation, fringe distortion at the edges, the work done moving a charge across, and why that work is path-independent.Open →
- Comparing gravitational and electric fieldsRecall questions on the four similarities — the inverse square law, the algebraic form of the two force laws, field strength as force per unit source, and representation by field lines — and the four differences: attraction only against attraction or repulsion, relative strength, shielding, and the effect of the medium.Open →
- Field strength calculations and combined fieldsRecall questions on the magnitude and direction of the field near a single negative charge, adding the fields of two like and two opposite charges at their midpoint and why the answers differ, balancing a charged oil drop against its weight, the acceleration of a proton in a uniform field, and accelerating a charge through a potential difference.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Give the equation for the force between two point charges and define each symbol.
Numbers
Two OPPOSITE charges of magnitude 3.0 nC are 0.40 m apart. Calculate the field strength at the midpoint.
Evaluation
Give the equation for the electric field strength due to a point charge and define each symbol.
Key term
How is a uniform electric field produced?
Evaluation
How is field strength defined in gravitational and in electric fields?
Evaluation
Give the equation defining electric field strength and define each symbol.
Key term
Give the value and unit of the permittivity of free space.
Key term
Derive the equation for the electric field strength of a point charge from Coulomb's law
Key term
What is meant by saying the field between parallel plates is uniform?
Key term
What is the single most important difference between a gravitational and an electric field?
Numbers
A charge of −6.0 nC sits 0.15 m from a point. Calculate the magnitude of the field strength there.
Evaluation
State two equivalent units for electric field strength.
Key term
How is Coulomb's law written using the constant k?
Key term
Why does the test charge not appear in the equation for the field strength of a point charge?
Key term
How are the field lines drawn between parallel plates?
Key term
Which can be shielded, a gravitational field or an electric field?
Key term
A charge of −6.0 nC sits 0.15 m from a point. In which direction does the field at that point act?
Take Electric Fields further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define electric field strength.
Model answer
Electric field strength is the electric force acting per unit positive charge on a small test charge placed at that point in the field.
- 2
Give the equation defining electric field strength and define each symbol.
Model answer
E = F/q, where E is the electric field strength in N C⁻¹, F the electric force in newtons and q the charge in coulombs.
- 3
State two equivalent units for electric field strength.
Model answer
The newton per coulomb, N C⁻¹, and the volt per metre, V m⁻¹.
- 4
Show that N C⁻¹ and V m⁻¹ are the same unit.
Model answer
A volt is a joule per coulomb and a joule is a newton metre. V m⁻¹ therefore becomes N m C⁻¹ m⁻¹. The metres cancel to leave N C⁻¹.
- 5
Is electric field strength a vector or a scalar?
Model answer
A vector, since it has the direction of the force on a positive charge.
- 6
Why is the test charge specified as positive?
Model answer
The direction of the field is defined as the direction of the force on a positive charge, so a negative test charge would give the opposite direction.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Electric Fields revision questions
- What does Electric Fields cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 6 subtopics: electric field strength, coulomb's law, the field of a point charge, uniform fields between parallel plates, comparing gravitational and electric fields and field strength calculations and combined fields. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Electric Fields organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Electric Fields, 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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