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
Thermal Physics
Absolute zero and the kelvin scale
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Absolute zero of temperature, value of absolute zero on the Celsius scale and temperature of the triple point of water in kelvin.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
Why is it wrong to say that a gas at 40 °C is twice as hot as a gas at 20 °C?
Key term
What is meant by absolute zero of temperature?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is meant by absolute zero of temperature?
Model answer
Absolute zero is the lowest temperature theoretically attainable, at which the random kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance falls to a minimum and can be taken as zero.
- 2
State the value of absolute zero on the Celsius scale.
Model answer
Absolute zero is −273 °C, more precisely −273.15 °C.
- 3
How is a temperature in degrees Celsius converted to kelvin?
Model answer
Add 273 to the Celsius temperature, so T/K = θ/°C + 273.
- 4
Convert 127 °C to kelvin.
Model answer
T = 127 + 273 = 400 K.
- 5
Convert 250 K to degrees Celsius.
Model answer
θ = 250 − 273 = −23 °C.
- 6
Explain how a pressure against temperature graph for a fixed mass of gas at constant volume can be used to find absolute zero.
Model answer
Pressure is measured at several Celsius temperatures and plotted against temperature in °C. The straight line is extrapolated backwards to the temperature axis, and the intercept where the pressure would be zero gives absolute zero at about −273 °C.
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