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
Linear Momentum and Impulse
Elastic and inelastic collisions
- 3 things to know
- Unit AS 1
Overview
Elastic collision, which quantity is conserved in every collision, whatever its type and why almost all everyday collisions are inelastic.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
State which quantity is conserved in every collision, whatever its type.
Key term
Explain why kinetic energy can be lost in a collision while momentum is still conserved.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define an elastic collision.
Model answer
An elastic collision is one in which the total kinetic energy of the bodies after the collision is equal to the total kinetic energy before it, as well as momentum being conserved.
- 2
Define an inelastic collision.
Model answer
An inelastic collision is one in which the total kinetic energy after is less than the total kinetic energy before, some having been transferred to other forms, although momentum is still conserved.
- 3
State which quantity is conserved in every collision, whatever its type.
Model answer
Momentum is conserved in every collision on which no resultant external force acts, and total energy is always conserved, but kinetic energy alone is conserved only in an elastic collision.
- 4
What is meant by a perfectly inelastic collision?
Model answer
It is a collision in which the bodies stick together and move off with a single common velocity, and it loses the largest amount of kinetic energy that conserving momentum allows.
- 5
Describe how a calculation confirms whether a collision was elastic or inelastic.
Model answer
The kinetic energy ½mv² of every body is worked out before and after and the two totals compared; if they are equal the collision was elastic, and if the total has fallen the collision was inelastic.
- 6
Explain why kinetic energy can be lost in a collision while momentum is still conserved.
Model answer
Momentum conservation follows from the equal and opposite forces the bodies exert on each other, which hold however the bodies deform, whereas kinetic energy can be converted into internal energy and sound inside the bodies without any external force acting.
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