Key term
OCR GCSE Physics A J249
Electricity
Topic overviewCharge, and producing static electricityTransfer of electrons, and electric fieldsCurrent as a rate of flow of chargeCharge, current and timeSeries and parallel circuits, and circuit symbolsCurrent, potential difference and resistanceResistors whose resistance changes, and investigating themLinear and non-linear circuit elements from graphsNet resistance in series and parallelCircuits for measurement, and electrical power
Energy
Topic overviewConservation of energy, and energy storesEnergy changes on heating, and calculating themEnergy of a moving body, a spring and a raised objectDissipation, and energy transfer in domestic devicesPower ratings, and calculating efficiencyReducing unwanted energy transfer, and the rate of cooling
Forces
Topic overviewMeasuring distance and time, and calculating speedConverting units, and ratesVectors and scalars in motionDistance-time and velocity-time graphsAverage speed, and the equations of uniform motionHow objects interact, and forces as vectorsNewton's first lawNewton's second lawForce and the time taken to change velocityWork done, and stored energyPower, and Newton's third lawStretching, bending and compressing; elastic and plasticForce and extension, linear and non-linearThe spring constant, and work done in stretchingGravitational fields, weight and free fallCalculations with weight and gravitational field strengthTurning forces and the moment of a forceLevers and gearsPressure in fluids, and the force on a surface
Global Challenges
Topic overviewTypical speeds and everyday accelerationsReaction time, stopping distance and the dangers of large decelerationsEstimating stopping distances and the forces in a collisionEnergy resources, and trends in their useThe national grid, and step-up and step-down transformersWhy the national grid is efficient, and power in a transformerMains electricity: a.c., d.c. and the domestic supplyLive, neutral and earth wires, and electrical dangerRed-shift and the Big BangThe formation of the Sun, and radiation from bodiesThe solar system
Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
Matter
Topic overviewHow the atomic model changed, and the structure of the atomThe size of atoms, and defining densityDensity of the states of matter, and density calculationsConservation of mass in changes of stateHeating a system, and specific heat capacityCalculations with specific heat capacity and latent heatGas molecules, temperature and pressureCompressing a gas, and changing its volumeAtmospheric pressure and why it varies with height
Radioactivity
Topic overviewProtons, neutrons and isotopesUnstable nuclei and the emissions they give outBalancing nuclear equationsElectron energy levels, and radiation from atomsHalf-life and the randomness of decayPenetration of alpha, beta and gammaContamination and irradiation, and half-life as a hazardUses of nuclear radiationNuclear fission and fusion
Waves in Matter
Topic overviewAmplitude, wavelength, frequency and periodThe wave equationTransverse and longitudinal wavesSound crossing a boundary; reflection, transmission and absorptionModelling waves with ripples and soundElectromagnetic waves as transverse, and energy transferFrequency and wavelength across the spectrumWhat our eyes detect, and light as an electromagnetic waveUses of electromagnetic wavesHazards of ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma raysRay diagrams for reflection and refractionHow colour arises
Waves in Matter
Sound crossing a boundary; reflection, transmission and absorption
- 3 things to know
- Paper 2
Overview
Which property of sound stays the same across a boundary, why wavelength changes, wavelength calculations in air and water, what reflection, transmission and absorption mean, and ultrasound and sonar uses.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Explain why the wavelength of a sound changes when it crosses from one material into another.
Key term
In which state of matter does sound normally travel fastest?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
When a sound wave passes from air into water, which of its properties stays the same?
Model answer
Its frequency stays the same, because the frequency is fixed by the source of the sound.
- 2
Sound travels faster in water than in air. What happens to its wavelength when it passes from air into water?
Model answer
The wavelength becomes longer.
- 3
Explain why the wavelength of a sound changes when it crosses from one material into another.
Model answer
The velocity changes with the material while the frequency stays the same, and wavelength equals velocity divided by frequency.
- 4
A note of frequency 500 Hz travels through air at 340 m/s. What is its wavelength in air?
Model answer
Its wavelength is 0.68 m, because 340 ÷ 500 = 0.68.
- 5
The same 500 Hz note travels through water at 1500 m/s. What is its wavelength in water?
Model answer
Its wavelength is 3 m, because 1500 ÷ 500 = 3.
- 6
In which state of matter does sound normally travel fastest?
Model answer
In solids, because the particles are closest together and pass the vibration on most quickly.
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