Process
WJEC A-Level Physics 1420QS
Basic Physics
Kinematics
Dynamics
Energy Concepts
Solids Under Stress
Using Radiation to Investigate Stars
Particles and Nuclear Structure
Topic overviewQuarks, leptons and hadronsThe four interactions and conservation lawsThe first generation of quarks and leptonsAntiparticles and annihilationBaryons, antibaryons and mesonsDeducing quark compositions from chargeBeta decay and quark flavour changeTesting a reaction against the conservation rules
Conduction of Electricity
Resistance
Topic overviewCalculating resistance from resistivityPotential difference, Ohm's law and powerResistivity, temperature and superconductivityThe volt: energy transferred per unit chargeCurrent–voltage characteristics of non-ohmic componentsMeasuring resistance and resistivity in the laboratoryThe heating effect of a current and choosing a power equationThermistors and how a semiconductor's resistance falls with temperatureConductance, conductivity and comparing materials
D.C. Circuits
Topic overviewKirchhoff's laws, and resistors in series and parallelPotential dividers, emf and internal resistanceCells, resistivity, power and energyWorking out currents and potential differences in resistor networksSensor circuits with thermistors and LDRsInternal resistance, power transfer and short-circuit currentAmmeters, voltmeters and their effect on the circuit
The Nature of Waves
Wave Properties
Topic overviewEnergy transfer and the wave equationTransverse and longitudinal waves, path difference and intensityDiffraction and superpositionTwo-source interference and the diffraction gratingStationary wavesHow much a wave spreads at a gap or an obstacleCoherence and the conditions for observable interferenceYoung's double slit and λ = ay/DMeasuring wavelength with a diffraction gratingMeasuring the speed of sound with stationary waves
Refraction of Light
Photons
Topic overviewPhoton energy and the electronvoltThe photoelectric effectStopping potential and the Planck constantThe photoelectric effect and photon energiesLine spectra and energy levelsDemonstrating the photoelectric effectThe electromagnetic spectrum and typical photon energiesElectron diffraction and the de Broglie relationshipRadiation pressure
Lasers
Circular Motion
Vibrations
Topic overviewSimple harmonic motion and its equationsOscillating systems and energyDamping and resonanceThe simple pendulumThe mass–spring oscillatorThe displacement and velocity equationsGraphs of displacement, velocity and accelerationThe energy interchange in simple harmonic motionFree and forced oscillationsLight, heavy and critical damping
Kinetic Theory
Thermal Physics
Topic overviewInternal energy and heatWork, the first law and specific heat capacityThermal equilibrium, temperature and absolute zeroThe internal energy of an ideal monatomic gasWork done by a gas at constant pressureThe p–V diagram and work as an areaSign conventions and special cases of the first lawMeasuring specific heat capacity
Nuclear Decay
Nuclear Energy
Capacitance
Topic overviewCapacitance and the parallel plate capacitorEnergy, combinations and RC circuitsCharging at constant current and measuring capacitanceDielectrics and relative permittivityThe uniform field between capacitor platesEnergy stored in a capacitor and the Q–V graphExponential discharge, the time constant and log graphsCapacitors in series and parallel: charge and potential difference sharing
Electrostatic and Gravitational Fields of Force
Topic overviewElectric and gravitational fields comparedField lines, equipotentials and combining fieldsElectric potential and the work done on a chargeGravitational potential and potential energyAdding potentials and fields from several sourcesEquipotential surfacesComparing the two fields point by point
Orbits and the Wider Universe
Topic overviewKepler's laws and orbital motionThe Doppler effect, dark matter and the expanding universeNewton's law of gravitation applied to orbitsDeriving Kepler's third lawFinding the mass of a central objectGalactic rotation curves and dark matterThe centre of mass of a two-body systemRadial velocity and the Doppler shift of spectral linesHubble's law and the age of the universe
Magnetic Fields
Topic overviewMagnetic fields and field patternsMagnetic flux density and the force on a conductorThe force on a moving charge and its circular pathThe Hall effect and the Hall voltageMagnetic fields due to a current in a wire and in a solenoidForces between current-carrying conductorsCharged particle beams, velocity selectors and accelerators
Electromagnetic Induction
Option A: Alternating CurrentsOption A
Option B: Medical PhysicsOption B
Topic overviewMedical physicsUltrasound imagingRadiation and living tissueX-ray production and beam controlAttenuation and half-value thicknessRadiography, fluoroscopy and CT scanningAcoustic impedance and ultrasound reflectionMagnetic resonance imagingAbsorbed dose, equivalent dose and effective doseRadionuclide tracers, the gamma camera and PET
Option C: The Physics of SportsOption C
Topic overviewCentre of gravity, stability and momentsRestitution, moment of inertia and angular momentumRotational energy, projectiles and the flight of a ballMoments in the muscles and jointsApplying the impulse equation in sportMoment of inertia and angular kinematicsTorque, angular momentum and its conservationRotational energy and energy conservation in sport
Option D: Energy and the EnvironmentOption D
Topic overviewFactors affecting the rate at which the temperature of the Earth risesThe Earth's thermal equilibrium, Wien's law and Stefan's lawRenewable and non-renewable sourcesSolar energy and photovoltaic cellsWind, tidal and hydroelectric powerNuclear fission and fusion as energy sourcesU-values and rates of heat lossFuel cells and how they workFuel cells: benefits, limitations and the hydrogen economyThermal conduction, conductivity and insulation
Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C)
Topic overviewSignificant figures and arithmetic meansUncertainty and how uncertainties combineAlgebraic symbols and proportionalityRearranging and solving equationsSmall angle approximationsTangents and instantaneous rates of changeAreas under curves and numerical methodsReading a tangent on a motion graphStraight-line graphs and y = mx + cWhat a gradient and an intercept representLinearising a relationship to find a constantLog plots of exponential decayChoosing what to plot to find a constantLogarithmic scales and orders of magnitudeWorking with base-ten logarithmsThe shapes of common graphsInverse and root relationships on a graphAreas, volumes and PythagorasGeometry applied to physical situationsSubstituting into physical equationsTrigonometry and right-angled trianglesResolving a force into componentsRadians, arc length and force diagramsRandom processes and translating between representationsMean values and periodic functionsSymbols for approximation and comparison
How Science Works (Appendix D)
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- All units
What How Science Works (Appendix D) covers
How Science Works is assessed across every unit of WJEC Physics, and in the unit 5 practical examination. 66 recall questions across 5 subtopics.
Where it is assessed
All units
Assessed throughout, and in the unit 5 practical examination.
Check the WJEC specification ↗The 5 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Apparatus and taking measurementsRecall questions on Apparatus and taking measurements.Open →
- Working safely with radioactive sourcesRecall questions on Working safely with radioactive sources.Open →
- Planning an investigationRecall questions on Planning an investigation.Open →
- Analysing and evaluating evidenceRecall questions on Analysing evidence and evaluating evidence.Open →
- Uncertainty, repeatability and drawing a conclusionRecall questions on Uncertainty, repeatability and drawing a conclusion.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
What practices are essential for maintaining scientific integrity?
Key term
What types of measurements can be recorded using analogue apparatus, and what technique improves precision when reading scales?
Key term
Name five quantities that can be measured with digital instruments, including electrical multimeters.
Key term
What must be conducted before carrying out experimental work involving radioactive sources?
Process
How does minimising exposure time reduce risk when working with radioactive sources?
Key term
When plotting experimental data on a graph, which variable goes on which axis?
Key term
What determines whether a methodology is appropriate for a scientific investigation?
Key term
Distinguish between a random error and a systematic error.
Key term
Give one example of a random error in a laboratory measurement.
Key term
What instruments can be used for timing in physics experiments?
Key term
Explain why maximising distance from a radioactive source is an effective safety measure.
Key term
When plotting experimental data, which variable is placed on the x-axis?
Key term
What is a correlation between two variables?
Key term
Give one example of a systematic error.
Take How Science Works (Appendix D) further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
A correlation vs A causal relationship
A correlation: two variables changing together, which alone proves nothing about cause. A causal relationship: one in which a change in the first variable directly produces the change in the second.
An independent variable vs A control variable
An independent variable: the quantity the experimenter deliberately changes. A control variable: a quantity deliberately held constant so it cannot affect the result.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What types of measurements can be recorded using analogue apparatus, and what technique improves precision when reading scales?
Model answer
Measurements including length/distance, temperature, pressure, force, angles, and volume; precision is improved by interpolating between scale markings.
- 2
Name five quantities that can be measured with digital instruments, including electrical multimeters.
Model answer
Time, current, voltage, resistance, and mass.
- 3
State four methods used to increase the accuracy of measurements in experiments.
Model answer
Timing over multiple oscillations, using a fiducial marker, using a set square, or using a plumb line.
- 4
What instruments can be used for timing in physics experiments?
Model answer
A stopwatch or light gates.
- 5
What instruments are used to measure small distances, and what types of scales might they have?
Model answer
Callipers and micrometers, which may have digital or vernier scales.
- 6
When constructing circuits from circuit diagrams, what must be considered for certain components?
Model answer
Polarity must be considered for components where it is important (such as diodes, LEDs, and electrolytic capacitors).
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
How Science Works (Appendix D) revision questions
- What does How Science Works (Appendix D) cover in WJEC A-Level Physics?
- 5 subtopics: apparatus and taking measurements, working safely with radioactive sources, planning an investigation, analysing and evaluating evidence and uncertainty, repeatability and drawing a conclusion. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is How Science Works (Appendix D) organised?
- By the WJEC 1420QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in How Science Works (Appendix D), 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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