Physics (IAL Edexcel)

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specifically related to Edexcel IAL
- Physics A-Level (U123456) - Study Guides
- Naturalsciencesolution - Past Paper discussions
for understanding concepts

Notes

Guide

Topic 1

Remember that area underneath the velocity-time graph is displacement
Base units are [s:seconds (time), m:meters (distance), kg:kilogram (mass)]
for equations for motion: remember to always write all of the quantities that are available so you know what equation to use

s =

u =

v =

a =

t =

To resolve horizontally U(x) = Ucos(theta)

To resolve vertically U(y) = Usin(theta)

remember that a = -g when we are resolving vertically

when we dont have (a) then you use s = (u+v) x t/2

when we dont have (s) then you use v = u + at

when we dont have (v) then you use s = ut + 0.5at^2

when we dont have (t) then you use v^2 = u^2 + 2as

Know that magnitude of two vectors is sqrt(a^2 + b^2), eg if u = 5m/s and another u = 8m/s

              *u = 8m/s*
-----------------------------------------
-                                                         -
-                                               - 
-                                     -       magnitude: sqrt(6^2 + 8^2)                            
- *u=6m/s*   -                                     = sqrt ( 36 + 64 )
-             -                                                  =  sqrt( 100 )
-                                                                 = *10m/s*

When you are confused in projectiles calculations, draw a diagram and write down what the question gives us and look at it two or three times so you can see another way of starting the question
What are the three newton laws ?
How to calculate center of gravity of rigid objects ?
For moments: compare the reaction forces and weight, and then compare the moments

total moments clockwise = total moments anticlockwise

what is the definition of conservation of momentum ? m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2 and in a closed system
E(k) and E(grav)
P = E/t, P=W/t, P=Fv
efficiency cannot be above 100%, if it is you have made calculation error

General Tips

Make sure to enter your calculation twice in the calculator
In the show that question: eg they ask to show v = 4 x 10^3, you need to make sure you answer needs to be 4.(one more sf) x 10^3
For projectiles, make sure to resolve in the x and y direction and make sure you remember that a = -g
drawing diagrams help
always underline numbers in the question

Topic 2

Upthrust = Weight displaced
remember that Stokes Law applies to spherical objects that show laminar flow
Temperature is inversely proportional viscosity
What is the difference between laminar and tubulent flow ?
formula for stress, strain, and young modulus ?
Usually Area = Pi x r^2
in a stress strain graph: where can you find limit of proportionality, elastic limit, yield point, elastic

deformation and plastic deformation ?

E(el) fomula ?

General Tips

Make sure to enter your calculation twice in the calculator
In the show that question: eg they ask to show v = 4 x 10^3, you need to make sure you answer needs to be 4.(one more sf) x 10^3
For projectiles, make sure to resolve in the x and y direction and make sure you remember that a = -g
drawing diagrams help
always underline numbers in the question

Topic 3

What does a wave mean ?
Where in a wave graph can you find a trough, crest, amplitude, 1 wavelength (λ) , 1 period (T) ?
What does phase mean ?
Remember that speed of waves is given in the formula: v = fλ, and c = speed of light in air which is 3 x 10^8
f = 1/T, and frequency is measured in Hz, key thing to also remember is that speed of sound is about 330m/s, (good to know)
Remember that in Pulse/echo questions, usually people forget to times the distance given by two because for the echo to exist, the sounds particle must travel to and back from where it reflects back.
What are the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves? (refer to direction of motion in correlation to energy transfer/wave travel as well as use the term oscillations in your answer)
Draw a rarefaction and compression
Define wavefronts (1 mark)
Explain what constructive interference means and destructive interference means, and which one contributes to producing a standing wave ?
What does a standing wave consist of ? (use the terms nodes and antinodes)
What is coherence with regards to a wave ?
Draw the 1st harmonic of a wave, remember the formula v = root(T/µ) and that v=fλ and we can rearrage to get f=1/λ x root(T/µ) where λ is usually found using L (refer to page 106 in the book to remember what does L mean)
Remember that 1λ ----> 1T ----> 2π or the ratio 1λ : 1T : 2π (this will help you figure path difference and phase difference questions)
Define diffraction (use the phrase "travels around the object" in your answer)
What is the optimum size to get maximum diffraction ? (refer to λ and gap size in your answer)
When do we get maximum and minimum patterns forming in the double slit experiment (refer to nλ and (2n + 1)λ/2 in your answer as well as dark fringes) you can also use the equation nλ=dsinθ to help explain
Define monochromatic ? (use the phrase "single wavelength" in your answer)
If a wave is travelling from air to a denser medium (glass), what happens to its speed and why ? (Use the angle of incidence and angle of refraction in your answer)
What is the refractive index of Air ? what is the formula to find out refractive index: n=c/v, n=v1/v2, n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2
What are the conditions to get Total Internal Reflection ? (there are two that the mark schemes want)
remember that you can rearrange the sinθc = 1/n to get sinθ1 = csinθ2/fλ
State Snell's law
What happens when the θ of Incidence = critical θ, θ of Incidence < critical θ, θ of Incidence > critical θ, Draw what happens
What are 45° prisms, what are they used for? Draw one
What does polarised light means (refer to the term "oscillations in one direction")
What happens when an already polarised light goes through another polarising filter which is 90° (perpendicular to the original polarised light)
How do we show particle/wave duality of electrons [Long answer] (Explain using diffraction and photons in your answer)
E= hf (remember h is a constant)
know how to show evidence for waves/particles for light and electrons
Define photons
How do we derive to get the photoelectric effect equation ?
What is the work function of a metal ?
Remember how to convert from 1eV = 1.6 x 19^-19 J
What does threshold frequency refer to ?
Remember the equation hf = Φ + 1/2 mv2max
Remember that the de Broglie equation is referring to electrons (λ = h/p) we can also remember that p = mv so we can rewrite the de Broglie equation as λ=h/mv
Define ground state ( remember to use the term lowest energy level)
What happens when electrons take in energy ? (Use the term excitation in your answer), what happens as a result of electrons being excited ?
Are energy levels discrete or not ?
What happens when electrons relax and jump down energy levels ? (Remember to state that the photons (because now they are particles not waves and they emit a wavelength which then results in atomic spectra)
Recall that longer wavelengths: [red] ————————> shorter wavelength [purple]
Remember that ∆E = E2 - E1 where E2 is the higher Energy level and E1 is the Ground state
Recall that I = P/A where P is Power and A is the Area

Topic 4

What is charge measured in ?
What is the charge on an electron, on a proton ?
What is conventional current ?
Recall that I = ∆Q/∆t (units are A)
There are multiple ways of calculating V, P,: V = IR V = E/Q. & V = W/Q as well as E = IVt P = IV, P=I^2(R), P=V^2/R, P = ∆E/t
Emf = E/Q, define emf ?
What is the difference between pd and emf ?
How do you measure pd ? (Do you plug it in parallel or in series circuit )
Know the derivation of Current (I) and Charge (Q) and Energy (emf) in series and parallel
Remember how to convert from 1eV = 1.6 x 19^-19 J
Draw the V/I Graph on filament lamp, Diode, Thermistor, Ohmic resistor (the one in the book is I/V not V/I, in the exam they usually ask for V/I graph not I/V)
Define resistivity, What factors affect resistance (I.e resistivity, length, Area) E.g If Wire 1 has a large area, will it have a higher resistance or less than a wire with smaller area and why ?

Refer to the formula as well if stuck R = pl/A

Define drift velocity
What are conductor electrons ?
In the equation I= nqvA, (questions from this equation are usually straight forward, just remember that q = charge on the carrier)
What is the difference between a full valence band vs semi full valence band and what does it mean for the conductibity ?
Name some semiconductors and why are they called semiconductors ?
Remember LURD and TURD: Lights UP, Resistance DOWN Temperature UP, Resistance DOWN
Explain why when we increase temperature or increase the intensity of light, the resistance goes down ? (Refer to conduction electrons in your answer)
How can we get to conductivity ? (Are there any conditions, if so what are they ?)
Recall that sum of all Currents (I) at a junction = 0
What is the potential divider equation ?
How to draw graph of internal resistance, of the equation V = -rI + e
How do we derive this equation : e = IR + Ir = I(R + r)
What are lost volts ?
What are the equations of power dissipated ?
Recall that Efficiency = P(out)/P(in)
Remember that unit conversions usually come up for MCQ, so remember the standard units so you don’t get confused

General comments for Unit 2:

Remember to mind the time, the paper comparatively is easier to Unit 1 but is very long and is usually focussed on a lot of Topic 3 questions as Topic 3 has more theory and concepts, I would be vary of photoelectric effect, diffraction grating, typical questions will range from : finding resistivity, using power of a system to get efficiency, Circuits questions [parallel, potentiometer, LDR, parallel resistance, drawing circuits], finding critical angle, using echo/pulse concept to work out time for an echo, converting units, definitions of terms, polarising filters and how they work. Remember to write the formula if stuck, it may help remember the topic at hand You HAVE to state the obvious in long answer questions because the mark scheme is picky and they give you stand alone marks for just stating certain facts Lastly, make sure you have enough time to go over your paper properly at least once or twice.

Others

Error vs Uncertainty

Key Ideas:

Error:

Error is something that can be dealt with
Error is something that can be eliminated and that is usually the fault of the experimenter or something within that
It is difference between the measurement result and the true value if a true value is thought to exist

Uncertainty:

Something that is inherent in the experiment
It can’t be eliminated, only characterized and possibly reduced with better equipment
Characterized means measured how big it is

Measurement/Instrumental UNCERTAINTY — Minimisable:

It has various other names like “Reading Error” or “Instrumental Error”
Both these are misnomers as this is NOT an ERROR
There is going to be some minimum division by which the instrument will not read more accurately then
Minimize the reading uncertainty by making conditions

Systematic ERROR — Can be Eliminated:

Error that is built-in to the experiment systematically and can in fact be removed
For example a damaged or worn meter stick with its short edge being worn
Another form of systematic error is reading top of meniscus
Keep in mind, sometimes it can be slightly tricky to completely eliminate it sometimes.

Random ERROR (or Uncertainty*):

An error caused by unpredictable variations in conditions
For e.g., it is nearly impossible to read a meniscus at the exact same angle and under the exact same conditions
This error can be due to both systematic and random effects and an error of unknown size is a source of [random] uncertainty

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Notes​

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Topic 1​

Topic 2​

Topic 3​

Topic 4​

General comments for Unit 2:​

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