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
Uniform Circular Motion
- 4 subtopics
- 12 things to know
- Unit A2 1
What Uniform Circular Motion covers
Uniform Circular Motion is examined in Unit A2 1, Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and drawn on again in Unit A2 3. It covers angular velocity, period and frequency, linear speed and angular velocity: v = rω, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force and applying F = mv²/r to motion at constant speed.
Where it is assessed
Unit A2 1
Deformation of Solids, Thermal Physics, Circular Motion, Oscillations and Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and again in Unit A2 3.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 4 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Angular velocity, period and frequencyAngular velocity, period of a body in circular motion and uniform circular motion.Open →
- Linear speed and angular velocity: v = rωRecall questions on v = rω with every symbol, its derivation from the definition of the radian, why the linear velocity is always changing in circular motion and the direction it points, the relation of ω to the period and the frequency, and worked calculations for points at different radii on a rotating body.Open →
- Centripetal acceleration and centripetal forceRecall questions on what centripetal acceleration is, the two equations a = v²/r and a = rω², the centripetal force equations, the direction of both, why a body moving at constant speed is still accelerating, why no work is done by the centripetal force, and what happens when the force is removed.Open →
- Applying F = mv²/r to motion at constant speedRecall questions on what supplies the centripetal force in each case — a whirled stone, a car on a level bend, a satellite, a conical pendulum — with worked force and acceleration calculations, the greatest speed a bend can be taken at, and the difference between a banked and a level bend.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
State the two equations for centripetal acceleration and define every symbol.
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State the equation for centripetal force in terms of speed and define every symbol.
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Give the SI unit of angular velocity.
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What provides the centripetal force on a stone whirled in a horizontal circle on the end of a string?
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Convert 90° into radians.
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State the equation relating linear speed to angular velocity and define every symbol.
Key term
What provides the centripetal force on a car rounding a level bend?
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What is meant by the period of a body in circular motion?
Key term
Show how v = rω follows from the definition of the radian.
Key term
What is meant by centripetal acceleration?
Numbers
Calculate the centripetal acceleration of a car of mass 1200 kg taking a bend of radius 50 m at 15 m s⁻¹.
Take Uniform Circular Motion further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Constant angular velocity vs Constant velocity
Constant angular velocity: the same angle is swept every second while the direction of motion keeps changing. Constant velocity: neither the speed nor the direction changes at all.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Define angular velocity.
Model answer
Angular velocity is the angle swept out per unit time by the radius joining the moving object to the centre of the circle, ω = θ/t, measured in rad s⁻¹.
- 2
Give the SI unit of angular velocity.
Model answer
Angular velocity is measured in radians per second, rad s⁻¹.
- 3
Define the radian.
Model answer
One radian is the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to the radius of that circle.
- 4
How many radians are there in one complete revolution?
Model answer
There are 2π radians, which is about 6.28 rad, in one complete revolution.
- 5
Convert 90° into radians.
Model answer
90° is one quarter of a revolution, so it is 2π/4 = π/2 = 1.57 rad.
- 6
State the equation relating angular velocity to the period of the motion, and define every symbol.
Model answer
ω = 2π/T, where ω is the angular velocity in rad s⁻¹ and T is the period, the time for one complete revolution, in seconds.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Uniform Circular Motion revision questions
- What does Uniform Circular Motion cover in CCEA A-Level Physics?
- 4 subtopics: angular velocity, period and frequency, linear speed and angular velocity: v = rω, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force and applying f = mv²/r to motion at constant speed. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Uniform Circular Motion organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Uniform Circular Motion, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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