Higher Advanced Physics SQA

This subject is broken down into 19 topics in 4 modules:

  1. Rotational Motion and Astrophysics 6 topics
  2. Quanta and Waves 6 topics
  3. Electromagnetism 3 topics
  4. Units, Prefixes and Uncertainties 4 topics
Study this subject in the Adapt App →
  • 4
    modules
  • 19
    topics
  • 7,162
    words of revision content
  • 56+
    minutes of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

A preview of Higher Advanced Physics SQA in the Adapt app

Adapt is a revision planning app with full content coverage and unlimited past paper questions for 1,200+ GCSE and A Level subjects.

Study this subject in the Adapt app →

Advanced Physics

Rotational Motion and Astrophysics

Kinematic Relationships

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Kinematic Relationships

Kinematic Relationships

Constant Speed

  • Fundamental definition of speed is distance divided by time.
  • For an object travelling at a constant speed - distance = speed x time.
  • Use scalar terms, speed is a scalar quantity, it has magnitude but no direction.

Constant Acceleration

  • Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity per unit time.
  • For an object moving with constant acceleration, it follows three kinematic equations:
    • final velocity = initial velocity + acceleration x time.
    • distance= initial velocity x time + 0.5 x acceleration x time squared.
    • final velocity squared = initial velocity squared + 2 x acceleration x distance.

Variable Acceleration

  • Acceleration is variable when it is changing over time.
  • In this case, apply calculus to find displacement or velocity.
  • The derivative of displacement yields velocity, and its double derivative yields acceleration.

Circular Motion

  • Circular motion is a special case where the object moves along a circular path.
  • It has a constant speed but changing direction, hence it has acceleration known as centripetal acceleration.
  • Key kinematic equations for circular motion:
    • Centripetal acceleration = velocity squared / radius.
    • Velocity for an object in circular motion = 2 x Pi x radius / Time of one complete revolution.

Projectiles

  • Projectiles are objects launched into the air and subject to gravity.
  • The motion of a projectile has both horizontal and vertical components.
  • Horizontal motion has constant velocity while vertical motion has constant acceleration due to gravity.
  • The maximum height, range and time of flight can be calculated using the principles of kinematics.

Motion in a Straight Line

  • This refers to linear motion where an object travels along a straight path or line.
  • Displacement is the total distance travelled in a specific direction which makes it a vector quantity.
  • Linear motion example relates to Newton’s First law of Motion where an object continues to stay at rest or in motion until acted upon by an external force.

Course material for Advanced Physics, module Rotational Motion and Astrophysics, topic Kinematic Relationships

Advanced Physics

Quanta and Waves

Interference

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Interference

Interference Principles

  • Interference is the interaction that occurs when two or more waves meet, resulting in a new wave pattern.
  • This phenomenon can either be constructive or destructive, determined by how the waves combine and their phase relationship.
  • Constructive interference happens when waves combine to make a wave with larger waveform or amplitude, typically when their phase difference is a multiple of 360 degrees.
  • Destructive interference occurs when the waves combine to form a smaller or zero-amplitude wave, typically when their phase difference is an odd multiple of 180 degrees.

Wave Phase and Interference

  • Waves are said to be in phase when they reach maximum and minimum values simultaneously – they combine to create a larger wave in constructive interference.
  • Waves are out of phase when they reach the maximum and minimum values at alternate times – they combine to create a wave of reduced or zero amplitude in destructive interference.

Superposition and Interference

  • The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves overlap at a point, the resultant wave is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves.
  • For interference to be observable, the waves must have the same wavelength and frequency, and must be coherent, that is, maintain a constant phase with respect to each other.

Interference in Real-World Applications

  • Interference is used in various domains such as wave optics, where it explains patterns seen in various experiments such as Young's double-slit experiment.
  • Active noise cancellation in headphones is a practical use of destructive interference, which involves producing a sound wave identical to the noise, but with the inverted phase.
  • Scientists use the knowledge of interferometric properties in astronomy to combine signals from different telescopes to create high-resolution images than what would be possible with individual telescopes.

Course material for Advanced Physics, module Quanta and Waves, topic Interference

Can I trust Adapt’s expertise?

Adapt is already used by over 600,000 students and trusted by over 3,000 schools. Our exam-specific content and assessments are meticulously crafted by expert teachers and examiners.

Find out more about the Adapt app →

Planner

An always up-to-date revision timetable.

A personalised, flexible revision timetable that stays up-to-date automatically.

Content

All the exam resources, in one place.

Over 20,000 topics broken down into manageable lessons with teacher-written, exam-specific lessons.

Assessment

Past-paper questions, with instant feedback.

Unlimited past paper questions with instant examiner feedback on how to improve.

Progress

Track progress, together.

Progress tracking to stay motivated, with real-time updates to the Parent Portal.

Download the app today to start revising for free.