Numbers
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
Simple Harmonic Motion
Defining simple harmonic motion and a = −ω²x
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Simple harmonic motion, significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x and equation relating angular frequency to frequency and define every symbol.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
State the defining equation of simple harmonic motion and define every symbol.
Key term
What is the significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define simple harmonic motion.
Model answer
Simple harmonic motion is motion in which the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed equilibrium position and is always directed towards that position.
- 2
State the defining equation of simple harmonic motion and define every symbol.
Model answer
a = −ω²x, where a is the acceleration in m s⁻², ω the angular frequency in rad s⁻¹ and x the displacement from the equilibrium position in metres.
- 3
What is the significance of the minus sign in a = −ω²x?
Model answer
The minus sign shows that the acceleration is always in the opposite direction to the displacement, so the body is always accelerated back towards the equilibrium position.
- 4
State the equation relating angular frequency to frequency and define every symbol.
Model answer
ω = 2πf, where ω is the angular frequency in rad s⁻¹ and f the frequency of the oscillation in hertz.
- 5
How is the angular frequency of an oscillation related to its period?
Model answer
ω = 2π/T, where T is the period of the oscillation in seconds, so the angular frequency is the number of radians of phase completed each second.
- 6
Define the amplitude of an oscillation.
Model answer
The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the oscillating body from its equilibrium position, measured in metres.
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