Key term
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
Nuclear Energy
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- A2 Unit 3
What Nuclear Energy covers
Nuclear Energy is examined on A2 Unit 3 of WJEC Physics, Oscillations and Nuclei. 63 recall questions across 5 subtopics.
The 5 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Binding energy, mass defect and E = Δmc²Recall questions on Binding energy, mass defect and E = Δmc².Open →
- Nuclear reactors and the chain reactionRecall questions on Nuclear reactors and the chain reaction.Open →
- The binding energy per nucleon curveRecall questions on The binding energy per nucleon curve.Open →
- Mass–energy calculations for fission and fusionRecall questions on Mass–energy calculations for fission and fusion.Open →
- Nuclear power: the arguments for and againstRecall questions on the arguments for and against.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
In the mass-energy equivalence relation E = Δm c², what does each symbol represent?
Key term
Which nuclei can release energy by fusion, and why?
Numbers
Uranium-235 has a binding energy per nucleon of about 7.6 MeV and its fission fragments average about 8.5 MeV. Estimate the energy released per fission.
Evaluation
State the main advantage of nuclear fuel in terms of energy density.
Key term
What is meant by decommissioning a nuclear power station?
Key term
How is the heat produced by fission transferred away from the reactor core?
Key term
Describe how electrical energy is ultimately generated in a nuclear power station.
Key term
State the equation relating mass and energy, defining each symbol with its unit.
Key term
Explain why the mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of its separate nucleons.
Key term
Why does a higher binding energy per nucleon indicate greater nuclear stability?
Key term
What is a chain reaction in the context of nuclear fission?
Key term
Define the binding energy per nucleon.
Key term
Explain why mass on its own is not conserved in a nuclear reaction.
Key term
Why is the waste from a nuclear station easier to contain than the waste from a coal station?
Take Nuclear Energy further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Binding energy per nucleon vs Mass defect
Binding energy per nucleon: the energy released per nucleon when a nucleus is assembled. Mass defect: the difference between the mass of a nucleus and the total mass of its separate nucleons.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is binding energy per nucleon?
Model answer
The total binding energy of a nucleus divided by its number of nucleons; the higher it is, the more stable the nucleus.
- 2
Why does a higher binding energy per nucleon indicate greater nuclear stability?
Model answer
More energy is required to separate each nucleon from the nucleus, so the nucleus is more tightly bound and harder to break apart.
- 3
Why is energy released during nuclear fission?
Model answer
The fission products have higher binding energy per nucleon than the original heavy nucleus, so the system moves to a more stable state and releases the energy difference.
- 4
Why is energy released during nuclear fusion?
Model answer
The product nucleus has higher binding energy per nucleon than the original light nuclei, so energy is released as the system becomes more stable.
- 5
Which nuclide lies at the peak of the binding energy per nucleon curve, and what does this imply?
Model answer
Iron-56; it is the most stable nucleus because it has the highest binding energy per nucleon.
- 6
What is mass defect?
Model answer
The difference between the total mass of the separate nucleons and the mass of the assembled nucleus.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Nuclear Energy revision questions
- What does Nuclear Energy cover in WJEC A-Level Physics?
- 5 subtopics: binding energy, mass defect and e = δmc², nuclear reactors and the chain reaction, the binding energy per nucleon curve, mass–energy calculations for fission and fusion and nuclear power: the arguments for and against. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Nuclear Energy organised?
- By the WJEC 1420QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Nuclear Energy, 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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