1Topic 1
Space, Time & Motion
Kinematics, forces, momentum, energy, rotation and relativity
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Topic 1
Space, Time & Motion
Kinematics, forces, momentum, energy, rotation and relativity
Motion & Kinematics
Distance and displacement, speed and velocity, acceleration, equations of motion, motion graphs, projectile motion, fluid resistance, and terminal velocity.
Forces & Momentum
Free-body diagrams, Newton’s laws, contact and non-contact forces, friction, Hooke’s law, Stokes’ law, buoyancy, impulse, momentum, one- and two-dimensional collisions, explosions, and circular motion.
Work, Energy & Power
Work done, conservation of energy, kinetic energy, gravitational and elastic potential energy, mechanical energy, power, efficiency, Sankey diagrams, and energy density.
Rotational Mechanics
Torque, couples, rotational equilibrium, angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration, moment of inertia, rotational dynamics, angular momentum, angular impulse, and rotational kinetic energy.
Relativity
Frames of reference, Galilean relativity, special relativity, Lorentz transformations, velocity addition, the spacetime interval, time dilation, length contraction, simultaneity, spacetime diagrams, and muon-lifetime evidence.
2Topic 2
The Particulate Nature of Matter
Thermal physics, climate, gases, thermodynamics and circuits
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Topic 2
The Particulate Nature of Matter
Thermal physics, climate, gases, thermodynamics and circuits
Thermal Physics
States of matter, density, temperature, internal energy, thermal equilibrium, phase changes, specific heat capacity, latent heat, conduction, convection, radiation, luminosity, the Stefan–Boltzmann law, and Wien’s law.
Climate & Energy Balance
Albedo, emissivity, the solar constant, greenhouse gases, the greenhouse effect, and energy balance models.
Gases & Molecular Theory
Gas pressure, amount of substance, the gas laws, the ideal gas equation, kinetic theory, molecular kinetic energy, and derivations from kinetic theory.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamic systems, the first and second laws, entropy, entropy changes, thermodynamic processes, heat engines, and the Carnot cycle.
Electric Circuits
Circuit diagrams, current, potential difference, resistance, resistivity, I–V characteristics, series and parallel circuits, electrical power, EMF, internal resistance, energy sources, and variable resistance.
3Topic 3
Wave Behaviour
Oscillations, waves, interference, resonance and the Doppler effect
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Topic 3
Wave Behaviour
Oscillations, waves, interference, resonance and the Doppler effect
Oscillations & SHM
Oscillations, simple harmonic motion, mass–spring systems, simple pendulums, the SHM equations, energy changes, and phase relationships.
Waves
Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves, sound waves, and electromagnetic waves.
Wave Phenomena
Wavefronts, rays, reflection, refraction, transmission, diffraction, superposition, interference, Young’s double-slit experiment, single-slit diffraction, and diffraction gratings.
Standing Waves & Resonance
Standing waves, nodes, antinodes, boundary conditions, harmonics in strings and pipes, resonance, and damping.
Doppler Effect
The Doppler effect in sound and light, the Doppler equations, and galactic redshift.
4Topic 4
Fields
Gravitational, electric, magnetic fields and induction
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Topic 4
Fields
Gravitational, electric, magnetic fields and induction
Gravitational Fields
Newton’s law of gravitation, gravitational field strength, field lines, gravitational potential, potential energy, the potential gradient, equipotential surfaces, Kepler’s laws, escape speed, orbital motion, orbital energy, and drag effects.
Electric & Magnetic Fields
Electric charge, Millikan’s experiment, electrostatics, Coulomb’s law, electric field strength, field lines, electric potential, potential energy, the potential gradient, equipotential surfaces, and magnetic fields.
Motion in Electromagnetic Fields
Forces on current-carrying conductors, forces between parallel wires, the magnetic force on charges, and charged-particle motion in electric, magnetic, and combined fields.
Electromagnetic Induction
Induced EMF, magnetic flux, Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, and AC generators.
5Topic 5
Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Atoms, quantum ideas, radioactivity, fission, fusion and stars
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Topic 5
Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Atoms, quantum ideas, radioactivity, fission, fusion and stars
Atomic Structure
Rutherford scattering, nuclear notation, emission and absorption spectra, photon energy, nuclear radius, the limitations of Rutherford scattering, and the Bohr model of hydrogen.
Quantum Physics
The photoelectric effect, the photoelectric equation, the particle nature of light, the de Broglie wavelength, wave–particle duality, and Compton scattering.
Radioactivity & Nuclear Stability
Isotopes, radioactive decay, background radiation, alpha, beta and gamma radiation, decay equations, activity, half-life, the decay constant, the radioactive decay law, applications, mass defect, binding energy, nuclear stability, nuclear energy levels, and neutrino evidence.
Nuclear Fission
Spontaneous and induced fission, energy released in fission, chain reactions, nuclear reactors, and radioactive waste management.
Fusion & Astrophysics
Fusion in stars, energy from fusion, star formation, stellar life cycles, HR diagrams, stellar spectra, stellar parallax, and stellar radii.
6Topic 6
Physics Tools
Core maths and practical skills for physics
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Topic 6
Physics Tools
Core maths and practical skills for physics
Mathematical Skills for Physics
Mathematical modelling, scalars and vectors, vector addition and resolution, scale diagrams, base and derived units, dimensional analysis, uncertainty analysis, graphing, data processing, and graphical uncertainty.
Need theory or method first?
Read the Revision Notes before tackling exam questions.