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
Simple Harmonic Motion
SHM graphs and finding velocity from a gradient
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Recall questions on the shapes of the displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs and their quarter-cycle phase relationships, obtaining the velocity as the gradient of the displacement–time graph and the acceleration as the gradient of the velocity–time graph, and where on each graph the gradient is greatest and where zero.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
What does the gradient of a velocity–time graph of an oscillating body give?
Key term
Where on a displacement–time graph of simple harmonic motion is the gradient steepest, and what does that tell you about the motion?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What shape is the displacement–time graph of a body performing simple harmonic motion released from maximum displacement?
Model answer
It is a cosine curve, starting at the amplitude value, falling to zero after a quarter period, reaching minus the amplitude at half a period and repeating.
- 2
How is the velocity of an oscillating body found from its displacement–time graph?
Model answer
The velocity at any instant is the gradient of the tangent to the displacement–time curve at that point, in m s⁻¹.
- 3
What does the gradient of a velocity–time graph of an oscillating body give?
Model answer
The gradient of the velocity–time graph gives the acceleration of the body at that instant, in m s⁻².
- 4
Where on a displacement–time graph of simple harmonic motion is the gradient steepest, and what does that tell you about the motion?
Model answer
The gradient is steepest where the curve crosses the time axis at zero displacement, showing that the body is moving fastest as it passes through the equilibrium position.
- 5
What is the gradient of the displacement–time graph at the peaks and troughs, and what does it mean physically?
Model answer
The gradient is zero there, showing that the body is momentarily at rest at each extreme of its motion before reversing direction.
- 6
What shape is the graph of acceleration against displacement for a body in simple harmonic motion?
Model answer
It is a straight line through the origin with a negative gradient, running from the top left to the bottom right.
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