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
Magnetic Fields
- 10 subtopics
- 30 things to know
- Unit A2 2
What Magnetic Fields covers
Magnetic 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 magnetic fields around currents, the force on a current-carrying conductor, magnetic flux density, the electric motor, magnetic flux and flux linkage, Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, Lenz's law, the alternating current generator, transformers and power losses and high-voltage transmission.
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 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Magnetic fields around currentsMagnetic field inside a long solenoid, field outside a long solenoid and three ways of increasing the field strength inside a solenoid.Open →
- The force on a current-carrying conductorFleming's left-hand rule, origin of the force on the wire and experiment to show the force on a current-carrying conductor.Open →
- Magnetic flux densityRecall questions on the definition as force per unit current per unit length, the equation and the unit, the definition of the tesla and its base units, typical values for a laboratory magnet and for the Earth, worked calculations of flux density and current, why only the length inside the field counts, and the force against current graph.Open →
- The electric motorPrinciple on which an electric motor works, effect of those two opposite forces and four ways of increasing the turning effect of a motor.Open →
- Magnetic flux and flux linkageMagnetic flux and unit of flux linkage.Open →
- Faraday's law of electromagnetic inductionFaraday's law of electromagnetic induction, three ways of inducing an e and experiment demonstrating Faraday's law.Open →
- Lenz's lawLenz's law and eddy currents.Open →
- The alternating current generatorRecall questions on the construction and how it differs from a motor in using slip rings rather than a commutator, why rotating the coil induces an electromotive force, E = BANω sinωt and the peak value BANω, where in the rotation the electromotive force is greatest and where zero, the sine output, and the ways of increasing the peak value.Open →
- TransformersHow a transformer works, step-up transformer and step-down transformer.Open →
- Power losses and high-voltage transmissionFour main causes of power loss in a transformer, hysteresis loss and flux leakage and how is it reduced.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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How does an a.c. generator differ in construction from a d.c. motor?
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Give the equation for the e.m.f. produced by a rotating coil and define each symbol.
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Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a long straight current-carrying wire.
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State the condition for a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field to experience a force.
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What is the principle on which an electric motor works?
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Give the equation for magnetic flux and define each symbol.
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State Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
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State Lenz's law.
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What is a step-up transformer?
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Name the four main causes of power loss in a transformer.
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How does the field around a straight wire change if the current is increased?
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When is the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field zero?
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State the unit of magnetic flux density.
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Why do the two sides of a rectangular coil experience forces in opposite directions?
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State the unit of magnetic flux.
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Describe an experiment demonstrating Faraday's law.
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Which conservation law does Lenz's law follow from?
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What is a step-down transformer?
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What causes the copper loss in a transformer and how is it reduced?
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Describe the shape of the magnetic field produced by a current in a flat circular coil.
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Which hand is used for the motor effect, and which for induction?
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Express the tesla in base units.
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Give the equation for the force on one side of a coil of N turns.
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How is the flux equation modified when the field is at an angle to the area?
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In a demonstration of Faraday's law, what is observed when the magnet is withdrawn from the coil instead of pushed in?
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Explain how Lenz's law follows from the conservation of energy.
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Why does rotating the coil induce an e.m.f.?
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State the current relationship for an ideal transformer.
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What causes eddy current loss in a transformer and how is it reduced?
Take Magnetic Fields further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Describe the shape of the magnetic field around a long straight current-carrying wire.
Model answer
The field lines are concentric circles centred on the wire and lying in planes at right angles to it.
- 2
How is the direction of that field found?
Model answer
By the right-hand grip rule: with the right thumb pointing along the conventional current, the curled fingers give the direction of the field lines.
- 3
How does the strength of the field around a straight wire change with distance from it?
Model answer
It weakens as the distance increases, which is shown by the circles being drawn further apart further from the wire.
- 4
How does the field around a straight wire change if the current is increased?
Model answer
The field becomes stronger at every point, in direct proportion to the current.
- 5
Describe the shape of the magnetic field produced by a current in a flat circular coil.
Model answer
The lines pass through the centre of the coil at right angles to its plane and loop round outside it, so the coil behaves like a short bar magnet.
- 6
Describe the magnetic field inside a long solenoid.
Model answer
It is uniform, strong and parallel to the axis of the solenoid, with the field lines evenly spaced along the inside.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Magnetic Fields revision questions
- What does Magnetic Fields cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 10 subtopics: magnetic fields around currents, the force on a current-carrying conductor, magnetic flux density, the electric motor, magnetic flux and flux linkage, faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, lenz's law, the alternating current generator, transformers and power losses and high-voltage transmission. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Magnetic Fields organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Magnetic 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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