Physics YPH11 — specification explorer

1. Mechanics

• 1be able to use the equations for uniformly accelerated motion in one dimension: ( u + v ) t s = v = u + at s = ut + 1 at 2 v 2 = u 2 + 2 asUnit 1
• 2be able to draw and interpret displacement-time, velocity-time and acceleration- time graphsUnit 1
• 3know the physical quantities derived from the slopes and areas of displacement- time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs, including cases of non-uniform acceleration and understand how to use the quantitiesUnit 1
• 4understand scalar and vector quantities and know examples of each type of quantity and recognise vector notationUnit 1
• 5be able to resolve a vector into two components at right angles to each other by drawing and by calculationUnit 1
• 6be able to find the resultant of two coplanar vectors at any angle to each other by drawing, and at right angles to each other by calculationUnit 1
• 7understand how to make use of the independence of vertical and horizontal motion of a projectile moving freely under gravityUnit 1
• 8be able to draw and interpret free-body force diagrams to represent forces on a particle or on an extended but rigid body using the concept of centre of gravity of an extended bodyUnit 1
• 9be able to use the equation ∑ F = ma , and understand how to use this equation in situations where m is constant (Newton’s second law of motion), including Newton’s first law of motion where a = 0 , objects at rest or travelling at constant velocity Use of the term ‘terminal velocity’ is expected.Unit 1
• 10F be able to use the equations for gravitational field strength g = and m weight W = mgUnit 1
• 11CORE PRACTICAL 1: Determine the acceleration of a freely-falling objectUnit 1
• 12know and understand Newton’s third law of motion and know the properties of pairs of forces in an interaction between two bodiesUnit 1
• 13understand that momentum is defined as p = mvUnit 1
• 14know the principle of conservation of linear momentum, understand how to relate this to Newton’s laws of motion and understand how to apply this to problems in one dimensionUnit 1
• 15be able to use the equation for the moment of a force, moment of force = Fx where x is the perpendicular distance between the line of action of the force and the axis of rotationUnit 1
• 16be able to use the concept of centre of gravity of an extended body and apply the principle of moments to an extended body in equilibriumUnit 1
• 17be able to use the equation for work ∆ W = F ∆ s , including calculations when the force is not along the line of motionUnit 1
• 18be able to use the equation E = 1 mv 2 for the kinetic energy of a body k 2Unit 1
• 19be able to use the equation ∆ E grav = mg ∆ h for the difference in gravitational potential energy near the Earth’s surfaceUnit 1
• 20know, and understand how to apply, the principle of conservation of energy including use of work done, gravitational potential energy and kinetic energyUnit 1
• 21be able to use the equations relating power, time and energy transferred or work done E and W P = P = t tUnit 1
• 22be able to use the equations useful energy output efficiency = total energy input and useful power output efficiency = total power inputUnit 1

1. Materials

• 23ρ = VUnit 1
• 24understand how to use the relationship upthrust = weight of fluid displacedUnit 1
• 25a be able to use the equation for viscous drag (Stokes’ Law), F = 6 π ηrv . b understand that this equation applies only to small spherical objects moving at low speeds with laminar flow (or in the absence of turbulent flow ) and that viscosity is temperature dependentUnit 1
• 26CORE PRACTICAL 2: Use a falling-ball method to determine the viscosity of a liquidUnit 1
• 27be able to use the Hooke’s law equation, ∆ F = k ∆ x , where k is the stiffness of the objectUnit 1
• 28

  understand how to use the relationships:

  • (tensile or compressive) stress = force/cross-sectional area
  • (tensile or compressive) strain= change in length/original length Young modulus = stress/strain.
  Unit 1
• 29a be able to draw and interpret force-extension and force-compression graphs b understand the terms limit of proportionality, elastic limit, yield point, elastic deformation and plastic deformation and be able to apply them to these graphsUnit 1
• 30be able to draw and interpret tensile or compressive stress-strain graphs, and understand the term breaking stressUnit 1
• 31CORE PRACTICAL 3: Determine the Young modulus of a materialUnit 1
• 32be able to calculate the elastic strain energy E el in a deformed material sample, using the equation ∆ E = 1 F ∆ x , and from the area under the force-extension graph el 2 The estimation of area and hence energy change for both linear and non-linear force-extension graphs is expected.Unit 1

1. Waves and Particle Nature of Light

• 33understand the terms amplitude, frequency, period, speed and wavelengthUnit 2
• 34be able to use the wave equation v = fλUnit 2
• 35be able to describe longitudinal waves in terms of pressure variation and the displacement of moleculesUnit 2
• 36be able to describe transverse wavesUnit 2
• 37be able to draw and interpret graphs representing transverse and longitudinal waves including standing/stationary wavesUnit 2
• 38CORE PRACTICAL 4: Determine the speed of sound in air using aUnit 2
• 39know and understand what is meant by wavefront, coherence, path difference, superposition, interference and phaseUnit 2
• 40be able to use the relationship between phase difference and path differenceUnit 2
• 41know what is meant by a standing / stationary wave and understand how such a wave is formed, know how to identify nodes and antinodes TUnit 2
• 42be able to use the equation for the speed of a transverse wave on a string v = µUnit 2
• 43CORE PRACTICAL 5: Investigate the effects of length, tension and mass per unit length on the frequency of a vibrating string or wire be able to use the equation for the intensity of radiation PUnit 2
• 44I = AUnit 2
• 45know and understand that at the interface between medium 1 and medium 2 n₁sin θ₁= n₂sin θ₂ where refractive index is n=c⁄vUnit 2
• 46be able to calculate critical angle using sin C = nUnit 2
• 47be able to predict whether total internal reflection will occur at an interfaceUnit 2
• 48understand how to measure the refractive index of a solid materialUnit 2
• 49understand what is meant by plane polarisationUnit 2
• 50understand what is meant by diffraction and use Huygens’ construction to explain what happens to a wave when it meets a slit or an obstacleUnit 2
• 51be able to use nλ = d sin θ for a diffraction gratingUnit 2
• 52CORE PRACTICAL 6: Determine the wavelength of light from a laser or other light source using a diffraction gratingUnit 2
• 53understand how diffraction experiments provide evidence for the wave nature of electronsUnit 2
• 54be able to use the de Broglie equation h λ = pUnit 2
• 55understand that waves can be transmitted and reflected at an interface between mediaUnit 2
• 56understand how a pulse-echo technique can provide information about the position of an object and how the amount of information obtained may be limited by the wavelength of the radiation or by the duration of pulsesUnit 2
• 57understand how the behaviour of electromagnetic radiation can be described in terms of a wave model and a photon model, and how these models developed over timeUnit 2
• 58be able to use the equation E = hf , that relates the photon energy to the wave frequencyUnit 2
• 59understand that the absorption of a photon can result in the emission of a photoelectronUnit 2
• 60understand the terms ‘threshold frequency’ and ‘work function’ and be able to use the equation hf = φ + 1 mv 2Unit 2
• 61be able to use the electronvolt (eV) to express small energiesUnit 2
• 62understand how the photoelectric effect provides evidence for the particle nature of electromagnetic radiationUnit 2
• 63understand atomic line spectra in terms of transitions between discrete energy levels and understand how to calculate the frequency of radiation that could be emitted or absorbed in a transition between energy levels.Unit 2

1. Electric Circuits

• 64understand that electric current is the rate of flow of charged particles and be able to use the equation ∆ Q I = ∆ t understand how to use the equation WUnit 2
• 65V = Q understand that resistance is defined by V and that Ohm’s law is a special caseUnit 2
• 66R = I when I ∝ V for constant temperatureUnit 2
• 67
  • (a) understand how the distribution of current in a circuit is a consequence of charge conservation
  • (b) understand how the distribution of potential differences in a circuit is a consequence of energy conservation
  Unit 2
• 68be able to derive the equations for combining resistances in series and parallel using the principles of charge and energy conservation, and be able to use these equationsUnit 2
• 69be able to use the equations P = VI , W = VIt and be able to derive and use related V 2 equations, e.g. P = I 2 R and P = RUnit 2
• 70understand how to sketch, recognise and interpret current-potential difference graphs for components, including ohmic conductors, filament bulbs, thermistors and diodesUnit 2
• 71be able to use the equation ρl R = AUnit 2
• 72CORE PRACTICAL 7: Determine the electrical resistivity of a materialUnit 2
• 73be able to use I = nqvA to explain the large range of resistivities of different materialsUnit 2
• 74understand how the potential along a uniform current-carrying wire varies with the distance along itUnit 2
• 75understand the principles of a potential divider circuit and understand how to calculate potential differences and resistances in such a circuitUnit 2
• 76be able to analyse potential divider circuits where one resistance is variable including thermistors and light dependent resistors (LDRs)Unit 2
• 77know the definition of electromotive force (e.m.f.) and understand what is meant by internal resistance and know how to distinguish between e.m.f. and terminal potential differenceUnit 2
• 78CORE PRACTICAL 8: Determine the e.m.f. and internal resistance of an electrical cellUnit 2
• 79understand how changes of resistance with temperature may be modelled in terms of lattice vibrations and number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to metallic conductors and negative temperature coefficient thermistorsUnit 2
• 80understand how changes of resistance with illumination may be modelled in terms of the number of conduction electrons and understand how to apply this model to LDRs.Unit 2

1. Further Mechanics

• 81understand how to use the equation impulse = F ∆ t =∆ p (Newton’s second law of motion)Unit 4
• 82CORE PRACTICAL 9: Investigate the relationship between the force exerted on an object and its change of momentumUnit 4
• 83understand how to apply conservation of linear momentum to problems in two dimensionsUnit 4
• 84CORE PRACTICAL 10: Use ICT to analyse collisions between small spheres, e.g. ball bearings on a table topUnit 4
• 85understand how to determine whether a collision is elastic or inelastic p 2Unit 4
• 86be able to derive and use the equation E k = for the kinetic energy of a non- relativistic particleUnit 4
• 87be able to express angular displacement in radians and in degrees, and convert between these unitsUnit 4
• 88understand what is meant by angular velocity and be able to use the equations v = ω r and 2 π T = ωUnit 4
• 89be able to use vector diagrams to derive the equations for centripetal acceleration v 2 a = = r ω 2 and understand how to use these equations rUnit 4
• 90understand that a resultant force (centripetal force) is required to produce and maintain circular motion mv 2Unit 4
• 91be able to use the equations for centripetal force F = ma = = mr ω 2 . rUnit 4

1. Electric and Magnetic Fields

• 92understand that an electric field (force field) is defined as a region where a charged particle experiences a force understand that electric field strength is defined as F and be able to useUnit 4
• 93E = Q this equationUnit 4
• 94Q 1 Q 2 be able to use the equation F = 2 for the force between two chargesUnit 4
• 95Q be able to use the equation E = 2 for the electric field due to a point chargeUnit 4
• 96know and understand the relation between electric field and electric potential be able to use the equation V for an electric field between parallel platesUnit 4
• 97E = dUnit 4
• 98Q be able to use V = for a radial fieldUnit 4
• 99be able to draw and interpret diagrams using field lines and equipotentials to describe radial and uniform electric fields understand that capacitance is defined as Q and be able to use this equationUnit 4
• 100C = VUnit 4
• 101be able to use the equation W = 1 QV for the energy stored by a capacitor, be able to derive the equation from the area under a graph of potential difference against charge stored and be able to derive and use the equations W = 1 CV 2 and W = 2 CUnit 4
• 102be able to draw and interpret charge and discharge curves for resistor capacitor circuits and understand the significance of the time constant RCUnit 4
• 103CORE PRACTICAL 11: Use an oscilloscope or data logger to display and analyse the potential difference (p.d.) across a capacitor as it charges and discharges through a resistorUnit 4
• 104be able to use the equation Q = Q 0 e -t/RC and derive and use related equations for exponential discharge in a resistor-capacitor circuit, I = I 0 e - t/RC , and V = V 0 e -t/RC and the corresponding log equations t , t and ln Q = ln Q 0 − ln I = ln I 0 − RC RC t ln V = ln V 0 − RCUnit 4
• 105understand and use the terms magnetic flux density B, flux φ and flux linkage N φUnit 4
• 106be able to use the equation F = Bqv sin θ and apply Fleming’s left-hand rule to charged particles moving in a magnetic fieldUnit 4
• 107be able to use the equation F = BIl sin θ and apply Fleming’s left-hand rule to current carrying conductors in a magnetic fieldUnit 4
• 108understand the factors affecting the e.m.f. induced in a coil when there is relative motion between the coil and a permanent magnetUnit 4
• 109understand the factors affecting the e.m.f. induced in a coil when there is a change of current in another coil linked with this coilUnit 4
• 110understand how to use Faraday’s law to determine the magnitude of an induced e.m.f. and be able to use the equation that combines Faraday’s and Lenz's laws E − d ( N φ ) . = d tUnit 4

1. Nuclear and Particle Physics

• 111understand what is meant by nucleon number (mass number) and proton number (atomic number)Unit 4
• 112understand how large-angle alpha particle scattering gives evidence for a nuclear model of the atom and how our understanding of atomic structure has changed over timeUnit 4
• 113understand that electrons are released in the process of thermionic emission and how they can be accelerated by electric and magnetic fieldsUnit 4
• 114understand the role of electric and magnetic fields in particle accelerators (linac and cyclotron) and detectors (general principles of ionisation and deflection only) be able to derive and use the equation p for a charged particle inUnit 4
• 115r = BQ a magnetic fieldUnit 4
• 116be able to apply conservation of charge, energy and momentum to interactions between particles and interpret particle tracksUnit 4
• 117understand why high energies are required to investigate the structure of nucleonsUnit 4
• 118be able to use the equation ∆ E = c 2 ∆ m in situations involving the creation and annihilation of matter and antimatter particlesUnit 4
• 119be able to use MeV and GeV (energy) and MeV/ c 2 , GeV/ c 2 (mass) and convert between these and SI unitsUnit 4
• 120understand situations in which the relativistic increase in particle lifetime is significant (use of relativistic equations not required)Unit 4
• 121

  know that in the standard quark-lepton model particles can be classified as:

  • baryons (e.g. neutrons and protons), which are made from three quarks
  • mesons (e.g. pions), which are made from a quark and an antiquark
  • leptons (e.g. electrons and neutrinos), which are fundamental particles
  • photons and that the symmetry of the model predicted the top quark
  Unit 4
• 122know that every particle has a corresponding antiparticle and be able to use the properties of a particle to deduce the properties of its antiparticle and vice versaUnit 4
• 123understand how to use laws of conservation of charge, baryon number and lepton number to determine whether a particle interaction is possibleUnit 4
• 124be able to write and interpret particle equations given the relevant particle symbols.Unit 4

1. Thermodynamics

• 125be able to use the equations Δ E = mc Δ θ and Δ E = L Δ mUnit 5
• 126CORE PRACTICAL 12: Calibrate a thermistor in a potential divider circuit as a thermostatUnit 5
• 127CORE PRACTICAL 13: Determine the specific latent heat of a phase changeUnit 5
• 128understand the concept of internal energy as the random distribution of potential and kinetic energy amongst moleculesUnit 5
• 129understand the concept of absolute zero and how the average kinetic energy of molecules is related to the absolute temperatureUnit 5
• 130be able to use the equation pV = N k T for an ideal gasUnit 5
• 131CORE PRACTICAL 14: Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a gas at fixed temperatureUnit 5
• 132be able to derive and use the equation 1 m < c 2 > = 3 k TUnit 5

1. Nuclear Decay

• 133understand the concept of nuclear binding energy and be able to use the equation Δ E = c 2 Δ m in calculations of nuclear mass (including mass deficit) and energyUnit 5
• 134use the atomic mass unit (u) to express small masses and convert between this and SI unitsUnit 5
• 135understand the processes of nuclear fusion and fission with reference to the binding energy per nucleon curveUnit 5
• 136understand the mechanism of nuclear fusion and the need for very high densities of matter and very high temperatures to bring about and maintain nuclear fusionUnit 5
• 137understand that there is background radiation and how to take appropriate account of it in calculationsUnit 5
• 138understand the relationships between the nature, penetration, ionising ability and range in different materials of nuclear radiations (alpha, beta and gamma)Unit 5
• 139be able to write and interpret nuclear equations given the relevant particle symbolsUnit 5
• 140CORE PRACTICAL 15: Investigate the absorption of gamma radiation by leadUnit 5
• 141understand the spontaneous and random nature of nuclear decayUnit 5
• 142be able to determine the half-lives of radioactive isotopes graphically and be able to use the equations for radioactive decay d𝑁𝑁 ln 2 -λt -λt activity A = λ N , = − λN, λ = , N = N 0 e and A = A 0 e and d𝑡𝑡 t 1 derive and use the corresponding log equations.Unit 5

1. Oscillations

• 143understand that the condition for simple harmonic motion is F = − kx , and hence understand how to identify situations in which simple harmonic motion will occurUnit 5
• 144be able to use the equations a = − ω 2 x , x = A cos ω t , v = − A ω sin ω t , a = − A ω 2 cos ω t , and 1 2 π and ω = 2 π f as applied to a simple T = = f ω harmonic oscillatorUnit 5
• 145be able to use equations for a simple harmonic oscillator m l T = 2 π , and a simple pendulum T = 2 π k gUnit 5
• 146be able to draw and interpret a displacement-time graph for an object oscillating and know that the gradient at a point gives the velocity at that pointUnit 5
• 147be able to draw and interpret a velocity-time graph for an oscillating object and know that the gradient at a point gives the acceleration at that pointUnit 5
• 148understand what is meant by resonanceUnit 5
• 149CORE PRACTICAL 16: Determine the value of an unknown mass using the resonant frequencies of the oscillation of known massesUnit 5
• 150understand how to apply conservation of energy to damped and undamped oscillating systemsUnit 5
• 151understand the distinction between free and forced oscillationsUnit 5
• 152understand how the amplitude of a forced oscillation changes at and around the natural frequency of a system and know, qualitatively, how damping affects resonanceUnit 5
• 153understand how damping and the plastic deformation of ductile materials reduce the amplitude of oscillation.Unit 5

1. Astrophysics and Cosmology

• 154understand that a gravitational field (force field) is defined as a region where a mass experiences a force understand that gravitational field strength is defined as F and be able to useUnit 5
• 155g = m this equation be able to use the equation Gm 1 m 2 (Newton’s law of universal gravitation)Unit 5
• 156F = 2 r be able to derive and use the equation Gm for the gravitational field due to aUnit 5
• 157g = 2 r point mass be able to use the equation − Gm for a radial gravitational fieldUnit 5
• 158V grav = rUnit 5
• 159be able to compare electric fields with gravitational fieldsUnit 5
• 160be able to apply Newton’s laws of motion and universal gravitation to orbital motionUnit 5
• 161understand what is meant by a black body radiator and be able to interpret radiation curves for such a radiatorUnit 5
• 162be able to use the Stefan-Boltzmann law equation L = σ AT 4 for black body radiatorsUnit 5
• 163be able to use Wien’s law equation λ max T = 2.898 x 10 -3 m K for black body radiators be able to use the equation, intensity L where L is luminosityUnit 5
• 164I = 2 and d is distance from the sourceUnit 5
• 165understand how astronomical distances can be determined using trigonometric parallaxUnit 5
• 166understand how astronomical distances can be determined using measurements of intensity received from standard candles (objects of known luminosity)Unit 5
• 167be able to sketch and interpret a simple Hertzsprung-Russell diagram that relates stellar luminosity to surface temperatureUnit 5
• 168understand how to relate the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to the life cycle of starsUnit 5
• 169understand how the movement of a source of waves relative to an observer/detector gives rise to a shift in frequency (Doppler effect)Unit 5
• 170be able to use the equations for redshift ∆ λ ∆ f v z = ≈ ≈ λ f c for a source of electromagnetic radiation moving relative to an observer and v = H 0 d for objects at cosmological distancesUnit 5
• 171understand the controversy over the age and ultimate fate of the universe associated with the value of the Hubble constant and the possible existence of dark matter.Unit 5