Key term
CCEA AS-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
Newton's Laws of Motion
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- Unit AS 1
What Newton's Laws of Motion covers
Newton's Laws of Motion is examined in Unit AS 1, Forces, Energy and Electricity. It covers newton's first law and inertia, newton's second law and F = ma, applying Newton's laws to simple situations, newton's third law and friction as a force opposing motion.
Where it is assessed
Unit AS 1
Forces, Energy and Electricity, and again in Unit AS 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 5 subtopics
Each one has its own page. CCEA AS Physics students sit this topic in the first year.
- Newton's first law and inertiaNewton's first law of motion and resultant force on a body.Open →
- Newton's second law and F = maRecall questions on the statement of the second law and the equation with its units, the definition of the newton, why it is the resultant force that matters, how W = mg follows, why mass is fixed but weight is not, and worked problems on a car, a struck ball, a parachutist and uniform braking.Open →
- Applying Newton's laws to simple situationsRecall questions on the general method for a mechanics problem, worked examples on a person on scales in an accelerating lift, a trolley pushing a second trolley, a car towing a trailer, a block on a smooth slope, a rocket at lift-off, and the development of terminal velocity.Open →
- Newton's third lawNewton's third law of motion and why a rifle recoils when it is fired.Open →
- Friction as a force opposing motionRecall questions on what friction is and in which direction it acts, the energy transfer it causes, drag and why it grows with speed, static against sliding friction, how friction lets a car accelerate, where it is useful and where a nuisance, ways of reducing it, and calculations on braking.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain how the equation W = mg follows from Newton's second law.
Numbers
A car of mass 800 kg has a driving force of 2400 N and experiences 900 N of resistance. Calculate its acceleration.
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Outline the method used to apply Newton's laws to a mechanics problem.
Numbers
A 1000 kg car tows a 500 kg trailer with a driving force of 4500 N and negligible resistance. Calculate the acceleration.
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Explain the development of terminal velocity for a falling object using Newton's laws.
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A car collides head-on with a lorry. Compare the forces on each vehicle and explain why the car is more badly damaged.
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Explain how friction makes it possible for a car to accelerate forwards.
Numbers
A car of mass 900 kg travelling at 18 m s⁻¹ brakes and stops in 30 m. Calculate the average braking force.
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Explain why a skydiver who opens a parachute slows down rather than continuing at the same speed.
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What is meant by the resultant force on a body?
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What does Newton's first law tell you about the forces on an object moving at constant velocity?
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State the conditions that a pair of forces must satisfy to form a Newton's third-law pair.
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Define inertia.
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A book rests on a table. Identify the Newton's third-law partner of the upward contact force of the table on the book.
Take Newton's Laws of Motion further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State Newton's first law of motion.
Model answer
A body remains at rest, or continues to move in a straight line at constant speed, unless a resultant external force acts on it.
- 2
What is meant by the resultant force on a body?
Model answer
The resultant force is the single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on the body, obtained by adding them as vectors.
- 3
What does Newton's first law tell you about the forces on an object moving at constant velocity?
Model answer
The resultant force on it must be zero, so all the forces acting on it balance in every direction.
- 4
Define inertia.
Model answer
Inertia is the reluctance of a body to change its state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line.
- 5
Which property of a body is a measure of its inertia?
Model answer
Mass is the measure of inertia, so the greater the mass the greater the resultant force needed to produce a given change in velocity.
- 6
Explain why an unrestrained passenger is thrown forward when a car brakes sharply.
Model answer
No resultant backward force acts on the passenger at the moment the car begins to slow, so by Newton's first law they continue forward at the original velocity until the seat belt supplies that force.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Newton's Laws of Motion revision questions
- Is Newton's Laws of Motion examined at AS in CCEA Physics?
- Yes. It sits in Unit AS 1, which you take in the first year, so it is on the AS paper as well as counting towards the full A level.
- What does Newton's Laws of Motion cover in CCEA AS-Level Physics?
- 5 subtopics: newton's first law and inertia, newton's second law and f = ma, applying newton's laws to simple situations, newton's third law and friction as a force opposing motion. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Newton's Laws of Motion organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Newton's Laws of 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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