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
Boyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure law
- 3 things to know
- Unit A2 1
Overview
Recall questions on the statement of each of the three gas laws and an experiment to demonstrate each, the shapes of the graphs and what to plot for a straight line through the origin, why pressure changes must be made slowly, the combined equation pV/T = constant, worked calculations, and why temperatures must be in kelvin.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe an experiment to show that p/T is constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant volume.
Key term
Why must temperatures in the gas laws always be in kelvin and never in degrees Celsius?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State Boyle's law.
Model answer
For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the pressure is inversely proportional to the volume, so pV = constant.
- 2
Describe an experiment to show that pV is constant for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
Model answer
A column of dry air is trapped in a graduated glass tube by oil, and a foot pump raises the pressure on the oil, which is read on a Bourdon gauge. The length of the trapped column gives the volume, and readings are taken slowly so that the air stays at room temperature. The product of pressure and volume is the same for every reading.
- 3
What shape is the graph of pressure against volume for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature?
Model answer
It is a smooth curve of the shape of a rectangular hyperbola, falling steeply at small volumes and flattening at large volumes.
- 4
What quantities should be plotted to give a straight line through the origin for a gas obeying Boyle's law?
Model answer
Pressure should be plotted on the y-axis against 1/V on the x-axis, which gives a straight line through the origin of gradient equal to the constant pV.
- 5
Why must the pressure be changed slowly when testing Boyle's law?
Model answer
Compressing a gas quickly warms it, so slow changes allow heat to escape and keep the gas at the constant temperature the law requires.
- 6
State the law relating the volume and the temperature of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure.
Model answer
For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure the volume is directly proportional to the absolute temperature, so V/T = constant. This is Charles's law.
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