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
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- Unit AS 1
What Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors covers
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors is examined in Unit AS 1, Forces, Energy and Electricity, and drawn on again in Unit AS 3, Practical Techniques and Data Analysis. It covers physical quantities and SI base units, prefixes and standard form, scalars and vectors, resolving vectors and finding resultants and coplanar forces in equilibrium.
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.
- Physical quantities and SI base unitsBase units of density and saying that an equation is homogeneous with respect to units.Open →
- Prefixes and standard formWriting a number in standard form, multiplying factors represented by the prefixes T, G and M and multiplying factors represented by the prefixes k, c and m.Open →
- Scalars and vectorsScalar quantity, vector quantity and distance and displacement.Open →
- Resolving vectors and finding resultantsRecall questions on what resolving means and why the components must be perpendicular, the F cos θ and F sin θ expressions, the resultant of two perpendicular vectors and its direction from tan⁻¹, components on an inclined slope, and finding a resultant by scale drawing rather than calculation.Open →
- Coplanar forces in equilibriumRecall questions on the condition for equilibrium and what it says about the motion, the closed triangle of forces for three coplanar forces, why their lines of action must meet at a point, the resolving method, and worked problems on a hanging picture, a block on a slope and a string pulled aside.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
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Explain why mass is a scalar but weight is a vector.
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Describe how the resultant of two coplanar vectors is found by scale drawing.
Numbers
A block of weight 150 N rests on a frictionless slope at 25° to the horizontal. Calculate the normal contact force from the slope.
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What is meant by writing a number in standard form?
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What two parts must be given for a physical quantity to be fully stated?
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State the multiplying factors represented by the prefixes T, G and M.
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Define a scalar quantity.
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What is meant by resolving a vector?
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State the condition for a point object acted on by several coplanar forces to be in equilibrium.
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A student records a speed simply as 25. Explain why this is not an acceptable statement of a physical quantity.
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State the multiplying factors represented by the prefixes k, c and m.
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Define a vector quantity.
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A force F acts at an angle θ to the horizontal. Give expressions for its horizontal and vertical components.
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Explain why a closed triangle of forces shows that a point object is in equilibrium.
Take Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
The prefix n vs The prefix µ
The prefix n: a multiplying factor of 10⁻⁹. The prefix µ: it means a multiplying factor of 10⁻⁶.
Zero resultant force vs Zero resultant moment
Zero resultant force: the object will not accelerate along a line. Zero resultant moment: it will not begin to rotate.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What two parts must be given for a physical quantity to be fully stated?
Model answer
A physical quantity consists of a numerical magnitude together with a unit, and both are needed before the quantity means anything.
- 2
A student records a speed simply as 25. Explain why this is not an acceptable statement of a physical quantity.
Model answer
A magnitude on its own is meaningless because 25 m s⁻¹ and 25 km h⁻¹ are quite different speeds, so the unit must always accompany the number.
- 3
State the SI base unit of mass, length, time, electric current, thermodynamic temperature and amount of substance.
Model answer
Mass is measured in the kilogram (kg), length in the metre (m), time in the second (s), electric current in the ampere (A), thermodynamic temperature in the kelvin (K) and amount of substance in the mole (mol).
- 4
Express the newton in SI base units.
Model answer
Force is mass × acceleration, so 1 N = 1 kg m s⁻².
- 5
Express the joule in SI base units.
Model answer
Work done is force × distance moved, so 1 J = 1 N m = 1 kg m² s⁻².
- 6
Express the watt in SI base units.
Model answer
Power is energy transferred per unit time, so 1 W = 1 J s⁻¹ = 1 kg m² s⁻³.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors revision questions
- Is Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors 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 Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors cover in CCEA AS-Level Physics?
- 5 subtopics: physical quantities and si base units, prefixes and standard form, scalars and vectors, resolving vectors and finding resultants and coplanar forces in equilibrium. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors organised?
- By the CCEA 1210 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Physical Quantities, Scalars and Vectors, 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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