Process
OCR A-Level Physics A H556
Practical Skills in the Written Papers
The Practical Endorsement
Topic overviewAnalogue and digital measuring instrumentsImproving accuracy with repeat timing, fiducial markers and plumb linesTiming, calipers and micrometersConstructing and testing circuitsSignal generators and oscilloscopesGenerating and measuring wavesData loggers, modelling software and ionising radiation
Physical Quantities and Units
Making Measurements and Analysing Data
Nature of Quantities
Motion
Forces in Action
Work, Energy and Power
Materials
Newton’s Laws of Motion and Momentum
Charge and Current
Energy, Power and Resistance
Electrical Circuits
Waves
Topic overviewProgressive waves and their propertiesThe wave equationReflection, refraction and diffractionWave graphs and intensityThe electromagnetic spectrumPolarisationRefraction and refractive indexCritical angle and total internal reflectionThe principle of superpositionInterference, coherence and path differenceTwo-source interference, Young's double-slit experiment and the diffraction gratingForming stationary wavesStationary waves on strings and in air columnsMeasuring the speed of soundNode spacing, amplitude and phase in stationary wavesHarmonics and the fundamental mode
Quantum Physics
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewThermal equilibrium and absolute temperatureThe kinetic model of solids, liquids and gasesBrownian motion and internal energySpecific heat capacityMeasuring specific heat capacitySpecific latent heatMeasuring specific latent heatMoles, the Avogadro constant and kinetic theoryGas laws, the ideal gas equation and r.m.s. speedMaxwell-Boltzmann distribution, Boltzmann constant and internal energy
Oscillations
Gravitational Fields
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Topic overviewThe solar system and the birth of a starThe death of a low-mass starSupernovae, neutron stars and black holesThe Hertzsprung-Russell diagramEnergy levels and emission spectraAbsorption spectra and spectral linesPhoton energy and the diffraction gratingWien's law and Stefan's lawAstronomical distances, parallax and the cosmological principleDoppler shift and Hubble's lawThe expanding universe and the Big BangEvidence for the Big Bang and dark energy
Capacitors
Topic overviewCapacitance and charging a capacitorCapacitors in seriesCapacitors in parallel and combined circuitsEnergy stored by a capacitorCharging and discharging through a resistorInvestigating capacitor dischargeThe time constantIterative modelling, exponential decay and the constant-ratio property
Electric Fields
Electromagnetism
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Topic overviewAlpha-particle scattering and the nuclear modelProton number, nucleon number and isotopesThe strong nuclear force and nuclear radiusParticles, antiparticles and hadronsLeptons and the quark modelQuark composition and chargesBeta decay in the quark modelRadioactive decay and the three radiationsNuclear decay equationsActivity, decay constant and half-lifeExponential decay and radioactive datingMass-energy equivalenceAnnihilation, mass defect and binding energyBinding energy per nucleon and induced fissionThe fission reactor and nuclear wasteNuclear fusion and balancing nuclear equations
The Practical Endorsement
Data loggers, modelling software and ionising radiation
- 3 things to know
- All three papers
Overview
Recall questions on computer modelling, data loggers with sensors, software for processing data, detectors for ionising radiation and the rules, shielding, time and distance that make handling radioactive sources safe.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Process
How does minimising exposure time reduce the risk when handling radioactive sources?
Process
Why does maximising distance from a radioactive source improve safety?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is the purpose of computer modelling in physics?
Model answer
It allows simulation of physical systems and exploration of how changing variables affects outcomes.
- 2
What advantage do data loggers with sensors provide over manual data collection?
Model answer
They automatically collect data over time, enabling capture of rapid changes or long-term measurements that would be difficult to record manually.
- 3
What role does shielding play in the safe handling of radioactive sources?
Model answer
Appropriate shielding (e.g. lead, concrete, or thick materials) absorbs radiation, reducing the dose reaching the handler.
- 4
Give examples of how software can be used to process experimental data.
Model answer
Plotting graphs, calculating gradients, and performing statistical analysis.
- 5
Name two types of detector that can be used to detect ionising radiation.
Model answer
Geiger-Müller tubes and scintillation counters.
- 6
How does minimising exposure time reduce the risk when handling radioactive sources?
Model answer
Less time near the source means a smaller total dose of radiation is received.
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