Physics lessons
A level & IB Physics: mechanics, waves, electricity, fields, nuclear and quantum physics, and practical skills.
Key topics
- Mechanics
- Waves & materials
- Electricity
- Fields
- Nuclear & quantum
- Practical & analysis
Lesson course
Work through each lesson, run the interactive practice, and tick it off as you go.
1. Mechanics
Core
Kinematics
Use the suvat equations and motion graphs.
For constant acceleration use suvat: v=u+at, s=ut+½at², v²=u²+2as. On a velocity–time graph, gradient is acceleration and area is displacement.
Solve four constant-acceleration problems.
Forces & momentum
Apply Newton's laws and conservation of momentum.
Newton's second law: F=ma. Momentum p=mv is conserved in collisions. Newton's third law: forces act in equal, opposite pairs.
Solve one collision using conservation of momentum.
Work, energy & power
Use energy conservation and power.
Work = force × distance; energy is conserved (it transfers between stores); power = energy ÷ time.
Calculate work, kinetic energy and power for one scenario.
2. Waves & materials
Core
Hooke's law & materials
Use Hooke's law, stress and strain.
Hooke's law: force = spring constant × extension (F=kx) up to the limit of proportionality. Stress = force/area; strain = extension/length.
Find a spring constant from force–extension data.
Wave properties
Use the wave equation and wave types.
Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. v = fλ. Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to travel; longitudinal parallel to it.
Calculate frequency, wavelength and speed for waves.
Superposition
Explain interference and standing waves.
Overlapping waves add (superposition): in phase → constructive, in antiphase → destructive. Standing waves form from two waves travelling in opposite directions.
Explain one example of constructive and destructive interference.
3. Electricity
Core
Current & resistance
Use charge, current and Ohm's law.
Current is the rate of flow of charge (I = Q/t). Ohm's law: V = IR for an ohmic conductor at constant temperature.
Apply V = IR to three circuit calculations.
Circuits
Analyse series and parallel circuits.
In series, current is the same and pds add; in parallel, pd is the same and currents add. Kirchhoff's laws conserve charge and energy.
Find currents and pds in one mixed circuit.
EMF & internal resistance
Account for energy lost inside a source.
A real cell has internal resistance, so terminal pd = emf − I·r. Some energy is dissipated inside the cell.
Find emf and internal resistance from a graph.
4. Fields
Core
Gravitational fields
Use the inverse-square law for gravity.
Masses attract with F = GMm/r²; gravitational field strength g = F/m falls with the inverse square of distance.
Compare field strength at two distances.
Electric fields
Apply Coulomb's law and field lines.
Point charges exert F = kQq/r² (Coulomb's law). Like charges repel, opposite charges attract; field lines run from + to −.
Compare gravitational and electric fields.
Magnetism & induction
Use F = BIL and Faraday's law.
A current in a magnetic field feels a force (F = BIL). A changing magnetic flux induces an emf (Faraday's law).
Explain how a generator induces an emf.
5. Nuclear & quantum
Core
Radioactivity
Describe decay types and half-life.
Unstable nuclei emit alpha, beta or gamma radiation. Activity halves every half-life — a random but constant-rate process.
Use half-life to find remaining activity.
Particle physics
Classify quarks, leptons and antiparticles.
Matter is built from quarks and leptons, and every particle has an antiparticle. Protons and neutrons are made of quarks.
State the quark make-up of a proton and neutron.
Photoelectric effect
Use the photon model of light.
Light behaves as photons of energy E = hf. Above a threshold frequency, photons eject electrons — evidence for the particle nature of light.
Use E = hf in one photoelectric calculation.
6. Practical & analysis
Skills
Measurement & uncertainty
Handle significant figures and uncertainty.
Quote results to appropriate significant figures with uncertainties; percentage uncertainty = (uncertainty ÷ value) × 100.
Find the percentage uncertainty in one measurement.
Graphs & analysis
Test relationships using graphs.
Plot to test relationships; a straight line through the origin shows direct proportionality; gradient and intercept have physical meaning.
Plot data and interpret the gradient and intercept.
Mock exam paper
Apply equations under timed conditions.
Use equations from the data sheet, show working for method marks, and quote answers with units and significant figures.
Sit one past paper using the data sheet.
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