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
Nuclear Energy, Fission and Fusion
Plasma confinement: gravitational, inertial and magnetic
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Gravitational confinement of a plasma, inertial confinement of a plasma and magnetic confinement of a plasma.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Why does a fusion plasma have to be confined at all?
Process
Why is inertial confinement described as a pulsed rather than a continuous process?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why does a fusion plasma have to be confined at all?
Model answer
A hot plasma expands and cools rapidly, so unless it is held at a high enough density and temperature for long enough, too few nuclei collide with the energy needed and no useful power is released.
- 2
Describe gravitational confinement of a plasma.
Model answer
In a star the enormous gravitational field produced by the star's own mass pulls the plasma inwards and holds it at the density and temperature required, balancing the outward pressure of the hot gas and the radiation.
- 3
Why is gravitational confinement impossible to use on Earth?
Model answer
It requires a mass of the order of that of a star to produce a gravitational field strong enough, which is unattainable in a laboratory or a power station.
- 4
Describe inertial confinement of a plasma.
Model answer
A tiny pellet of frozen deuterium and tritium is compressed and heated by intense laser or ion beams striking it symmetrically from all sides. The fuel's own inertia holds it together for the few nanoseconds needed for fusion to occur before the pellet blows itself apart.
- 5
Why is inertial confinement described as a pulsed rather than a continuous process?
Model answer
Each pellet burns and disperses in a matter of nanoseconds, so power is produced in a rapid series of separate micro-explosions rather than as a steady output.
- 6
Describe magnetic confinement of a plasma.
Model answer
Because the plasma particles are charged, a strong magnetic field forces them to spiral in tight helices around the field lines. Shaping those field lines into a closed ring holds the plasma in the middle of the vessel, away from the walls, for as long as the field is maintained.
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