A Level Physics AQA

This subject is broken down into 127 topics in 17 modules:

  1. Measurements and Their Errors 10 topics
  2. Particles 5 topics
  3. Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Phenomena 3 topics
  4. Waves 9 topics
  5. Mechanics 15 topics
  6. Materials 4 topics
  7. Electricity 7 topics
  8. Further Mechanics 4 topics
  9. Thermal Physics 6 topics
  10. Gravitational and Electric Fields 6 topics
  11. Capacitors 2 topics
  12. Magnetic Fields 6 topics
  13. Nuclear Physics 9 topics
  14. Option A: Astrophysics 11 topics
  15. Option B: Medical Physics 11 topics
  16. Option C: Engineering Physics 11 topics
  17. Option D: Turning Points in Physics 8 topics
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  • 17
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  • 127
    topics
  • 50,715
    words of revision content
  • 6+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Physics

Particles

Particles: Atomic Structure

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Particles: Atomic Structure

Section 1: Fundamental Particles

  • Atoms are made up of three types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
  • These particles can be divided into hadrons, consisting of protons and neutrons, and leptons, which are electrons.
  • Quarks are even smaller particles that make up hadrons. There are six types of quarks: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.
  • Protons and neutrons are made up of up and down quarks.
  • Antiparticles exist for all of these particles, with properties such as charge as the mirror image of those of their particles.

Section 2: Atomic Structure

  • The central nucleus contains the protons and neutrons, whereas the electrons move around the nucleus in energy levels or shells.
  • The atomic number (Z) of an atom is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus.
  • The mass number (A) of an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
  • Isotopes are variations of an element that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

Section 3: Charge and Mass of Subatomic Particles

  • The proton has a charge of +1 and a mass of 1 unified atomic mass unit (u).
  • The neutron has no charge and a mass of approximately 1 u.
  • The electron carries a charge of -1 and has a much smaller mass, approximately 1/2000 u.
  • Quarks have fractional charges: Up and Charm quarks have a charge of +2/3, while Down, Strange and Bottom quarks have a -1/3 charge.

Understanding these core principles will help develop a deeper understanding of atomic structure and the role each of these particles play in the behaviour and properties of matter at the atomic level.

Course material for Physics, module Particles, topic Particles: Atomic Structure

Physics

Gravitational and Electric Fields

Gravitational Potential

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Gravitational Potential

Gravitational Potential - Key Concepts

  • Gravitational potential at a point in a gravitational field is defined as the work done per unit mass in moving an object from infinity to that point. It is measured in Joules per kilogram (J/kg).
  • It is always negative in a gravitational field as work must be done against the field to move an object from a point to infinity.
  • Gravitational potential can be calculated using the formula V = -GM/r, where V is the gravitational potential, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the object creating the field, and r is the distance from the centre of the object.
  • The gradient of a graph of gravitational potential against distance, -dV/dr, gives the value of the gravitational field strength, g.

Gravitational Potential Energy

  • The gravitational potential energy of an object at a point in space is the work done to move it from infinity to that point.
  • It can be calculated using the formula E_p = -GMm/r, where E_p is the gravitational potential energy, G is the gravitational constant, M is the mass of the object creating the field, m is the mass of the object being moved, and r is the distance from the centre of the object.
  • The energy is also always negative because the reference point is at infinity where potential energy is zero, and work is done against the field to move the mass from a point to infinity.

Equipotential Surfaces

  • Equipotential surfaces are imaginary surfaces in a gravitational field where every point on the surface has the same gravitational potential.
  • They are always perpendicular to the field lines, and in case of a point mass, these surfaces are concentric spheres with the mass at the centre.
  • No work is done in moving a mass along an equipotential surface.

Understanding these principles will allow you to analyse the behaviour of objects in a gravitational field. Always remember that gravitational forces are attractive and potential values are negative due its attractive nature.

Course material for Physics, module Gravitational and Electric Fields, topic Gravitational Potential

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