1. Measurements & Their Errors

1.1 Use of SI Units & Their Prefixes

1.1.1 SI Units

1.1.2 Powers of Ten

1.1.3 Estimating Physical Quantities

1.2 Limitation of Physical Measurements

1.2.1 Sources of Uncertainty

1.2.2 Calculating Uncertainties

1.2.3 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs

2. Particles & Radiation

2.1 Atomic Structure & Decay Equations

2.1.1 Atomic Structure

2.1.2 Nucleon & Proton Number

2.1.3 Strong Nuclear Force

2.1.4 Alpha & Beta Decay

2.1.5 Particles, Antiparticles & Photons

2.2 Classification of Particles

2.2.1 Hadrons

2.2.2 Baryons

2.2.3 Mesons

2.2.4 Leptons

2.2.5 Quarks & Antiquarks

2.2.6 Strange Quarks

2.2.7 Collaborative Efforts in Particle Physics

2.3 Conservation Laws & Particle Interactions

2.3.1 The Four Fundamental Interactions

2.3.2 The Electromagnetic & Strong Force

2.3.3 The Weak Interaction

2.3.4 Feynman Diagrams

2.3.5 Application of Conservation Laws

2.4 The Photoelectric Effect

2.4.1 The Electronvolt

2.4.2 Threshold Frequency & Work Function

2.4.3 The Photoelectric Equation

2.5 Energy Levels & Photon Emission

2.5.1 Collisions of Electrons with Atoms

2.5.2 Energy Levels & Photon Emission

2.5.3 Wave-Particle Duality

2.5.4 The de Broglie Wavelength

2.5.5 Diffraction Effects of Momentum

2.5.6 Analysis of the Nature of Matter

3. Waves

3.1 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves

3.1.1 Progressive Waves

3.1.2 Longitudinal & Transverse Waves

3.1.3 Polarisation

3.2 Stationary Waves

3.2.1 Stationary Waves

3.2.2 Formation of Stationary Waves

3.2.3 Harmonics

3.2.4 Required Practical: Investigating Stationary Waves

3.3 Interference

3.3.1 Path Difference & Coherence

3.3.2 Demonstrating Interference

3.3.3 Young's Double-Slit Experiment

3.3.4 Developing Theories of EM Radiation

3.3.5 Required Practical: Young's Slit Experiment & Diffraction Gratings

3.4 Diffraction

3.4.1 Single Slit Diffraction

3.4.2 The Diffraction Grating

3.5 Refraction

3.5.1 Refraction at a Plane Surface

3.5.2 Snell's Law

3.5.3 Fibre Optics

4. Mechanics & Materials

4.1 Scalars & Vectors

4.1.1 Scalars & Vectors

4.1.2 Resolving Vectors

4.2 Moments

4.2.1 Moments

4.2.2 Couples

4.2.3 Centre of Mass

4.3 Equations of Motion

4.3.1 Motion Along a Straight Line

4.3.2 Motion Graphs

4.3.3 SUVAT Equations

4.3.4 Projectile Motion

4.3.5 Drag Forces

4.3.6 Terminal Velocity

4.3.7 Required Practical: Determination of g

4.4 Newton’s Laws of Motion

4.4.1 Newton’s First Law

4.4.2 Newton's Second Law

4.4.3 Newton's Third Law

4.5 Linear Momentum & Conservation

4.5.1 Linear Momentum

4.5.2 Conservation of Momentum

4.5.3 Impulse

4.5.4 Impulse on a Force-Time Graph

4.5.5 Collisions

4.6 Work, Energy & Power

4.6.1 Work & Power

4.6.2 Area Under a Force-Displacement Graph

4.6.3 Efficiency

4.6.4 Conservation of Energy

4.6.5 Kinetic & Gravitational Potential Energy

4.7 Bulk Properties of Solids

4.7.1 Density

4.7.2 Hooke's Law

4.7.3 Stress & Strain

4.7.4 Elastic Strain Energy

4.7.5 Elastic & Plastic Behaviour

4.7.6 Energy Conservation

4.8 The Young Modulus

4.8.1 The Young Modulus

4.8.2 Required Practical: The Young Modulus

5. Electricity

5.1 Current–Voltage Characteristics

5.1.1 Basics of Electricity

5.1.2 Current–Voltage Characteristics

5.2 Resistance & Resistivity

5.2.1 Resistivity

5.2.2 Resistance in a Thermistor

5.2.3 Superconductivity

5.2.4 Required Practical: Investigating Resistivity

5.3 Circuits & The Potential Divider

5.3.1 Resistors in Series & Parallel

5.3.2 Series & Parallel Circuits

5.3.3 Electrical Energy & Power

5.3.4 Potential Divider Circuits

5.4 Electromotive Force & Internal Resistance

5.4.1 Electromotive Force & Internal Resistance

5.4.2 Required Practical: Investigating EMF & Internal Resistance

6. Further Mechanics & Thermal Physics

6.1 Circular Motion

6.1.1 Circular Motion

6.1.2 Radians

6.1.3 Angular Speed

6.1.4 Centripetal Acceleration

6.1.5 Centripetal Force

6.2 Simple Harmonic Motion

6.2.1 Conditions for Simple Harmonic Motion

6.2.2 SHM Graphs

6.2.3 Calculating Maximum Speed & Acceleration

6.2.4 Period of Mass-Spring System

6.2.5 Period of Simple Pendulum

6.2.6 Harmonic Oscillators in Context

6.2.7 Energy in SHM

6.2.8 Required Practical: Investigating SHM

6.3 Forced Vibrations & Resonance

6.3.1 Damping

6.3.2 Free & Forced Oscillations

6.3.3 Resonance

6.4 Thermal Energy Transfer

6.4.1 Internal Energy

6.4.2 The First Law of Thermodynamics

6.4.3 Specific Heat Capacity

6.4.4 Latent Heat Capacity

6.5 Ideal Gases

6.5.1 The Kelvin Scale & Absolute Zero

6.5.2 Gas Laws

6.5.3 Ideal Gas Equation

6.5.4 Work Done by a Gas

6.5.5 Avogadro, Molar Gas & Boltzmann Constant

6.5.6 Required Practical: Investigating Gas Laws

6.6 Molecular Kinetic Theory Model

6.6.1 Gas Laws v Kinetic Theory

6.6.2 Kinetic Theory of Gases Equation

6.6.3 Average Molecular Kinetic Energy

6.6.4 Brownian Motion

6.6.5 Evolving Models of Gas Behaviour

7. Fields & Their Consequences

7.1 Gravitational Fields

7.1.1 Force Fields

7.1.2 Gravitational Field Strength

7.1.3 Representing Gravitational Fields

7.1.4 Newton's Law of Gravitation

7.1.5 Gravitational Field Strength in a Radial Field

7.2 Gravitational Potential

7.2.1 Gravitational Potential

7.2.2 Calculating Gravitational Potential

7.2.3 Graphical Representation of Gravitational Potential

7.2.4 Work Done on a Mass

7.3 Orbits of Planets & Satellites

7.3.1 Circular Orbits in Gravitational Fields

7.3.2 Energy of an Orbiting Satellite

7.3.3 Escape Velocity

7.3.4 Geostationary Orbits

7.4 Electric Fields

7.4.1 Coulomb's Law

7.4.2 Electric Field Lines

7.4.3 Electric Field Strength

7.4.4 Uniform Electric Field

7.4.5 Motion of Charged Particles

7.4.6 Radial Electric Field

7.4.7 Comparing Gravitational & Electrostatic Forces

7.5 Electric Potential

7.5.1 Electric Potential

7.5.2 Graphical Representation of Electric Potential

7.5.3 Work Done on a Charge

7.6 Capacitance

7.6.1 Capacitance

7.6.2 Parallel Plate Capacitor

7.6.3 Energy Stored by a Capacitor

7.7 Capacitor Charge & Discharge

7.7.1 Charge & Discharge Graphs

7.7.2 The Time Constant

7.7.3 Charge & Discharge Equations

7.7.4 Required Practical: Charging & Discharging Capacitors

7.8 Magnetic Fields

7.8.1 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

7.8.2 Fleming's Left Hand Rule

7.8.3 Magnetic Flux Density

7.8.4 Force on a Moving Charge

7.8.5 Circular Path of Particles

7.8.6 Required Practical: Investigating Magnetic Fields in Wires

7.9 Electromagnetic Induction

7.9.1 Magnetic Flux

7.9.2 Magnetic Flux Linkage

7.9.3 Principles of Electromagnetic Induction

7.9.4 Faraday's & Lenz's Laws

7.9.5 Applications of EM Induction

7.9.6 Required Practical: Investigating Flux Linkage on a Search Coil

7.10 Alternating Currents & Transformers

7.10.1 Alternating Current & Voltage

7.10.2 The Operation of an Oscilloscope

7.10.3 The Operation of a Transformer

7.10.4 Transformer Efficiency

7.10.5 Transformer Inefficiencies

8. Nuclear Physics

8.1 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

8.1.1 Rutherford Scattering

8.1.2 Changing Models of the Nucleus

8.1.3 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Radiation

8.1.4 Inverse-Square Law of Gamma Radiation

8.1.5 Background Radiation

8.1.6 Radiation Safety

8.1.7 Required Practical: Inverse Square-Law for Gamma Radiation

8.2 Radioactive Decay

8.2.1 Radioactive Decay

8.2.2 Exponential Decay

8.2.3 Half-Life

8.2.4 Applications of Radioactivity

8.3 Nuclear Instability & Radius

8.3.1 Nuclear Instability

8.3.2 Decay Equations

8.3.3 Nuclear Excited States

8.3.4 Nuclear Radius

8.3.5 Closest Approach Estimate

8.3.6 Nuclear Radius Equation

8.3.7 Nuclear Density

8.4 Nuclear Fusion & Fission

8.4.1 Energy & Mass Equivalence

8.4.2 Mass Difference & Binding Energy

8.4.3 Nuclear Fusion & Fission

8.4.4 Binding Energy

8.4.5 Induced Fission

8.4.6 Operation of a Nuclear Reactor

8.4.7 Safety Aspects of Nuclear Reactors

9. Astrophysics

9.1 Telescopes

9.1.1 Lenses & Ray Diagrams for Telescopes

9.1.2 Refracting Telescopes

9.1.3 Reflecting Telescopes

9.1.4 Reflecting vs Refracting Telescopes

9.1.5 Resolving Power of Telescopes

9.1.6 Collecting Power of Telescopes

9.1.7 Radio, IR, UV & X-Ray Telescopes

9.1.8 Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) in Astronomy

9.2 Classification of Stars

9.2.1 Brightness & Apparent Magnitude

9.2.2 Inverse Square Law of Radiation

9.2.3 Astronomical Distances

9.2.4 Absolute Magnitude

9.2.5 Wien’s Displacement Law

9.2.6 Stefan's Law

9.2.7 Emission & Absorption Spectra in Stars

9.2.8 Stellar Spectral Classes

9.2.9 Star Formation

9.2.10 Life Cycle of a Low Mass Star

9.2.11 Life Cycle of a High Mass Star

9.2.12 Supernovae & Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs)

9.2.13 Supernovae as Standard Candles

9.2.14 Neutron Stars & Black Holes

9.2.15 The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram

9.3 Cosmology

9.3.1 The Doppler Effect of Light

9.3.2 Binary Star Systems

9.3.3 Galactic Redshift

9.3.4 Hubble's Law

9.3.5 Evidence for the Big Bang

9.3.6 Dark Energy

9.3.7 Quasars

9.3.8 Exoplanets

10. Medical Physics

10.1 Physics of the Eye

10.1.1 Converging & Diverging Lenses

10.1.2 Lens Calculations

10.1.3 Structure of the Eye

10.1.4 Sensitivity of the Eye

10.1.5 Spatial Resolution of the Eye

10.1.6 Defects of Vision

10.2 Physics of the Ear

10.2.1 Structure of the Ear

10.2.2 The Decibel Scale

10.2.3 Equal Loudness Curves

10.2.4 Defects of Hearing

10.3 Biological Measurement

10.3.1 ECG Machines

10.4 Non-Ionising Imaging

10.4.1 The Piezoelectric Transducer

10.4.2 Generation & Detection of Ultrasound

10.4.3 Ultrasound Imaging

10.4.4 Applications of Ultrasound

10.4.5 Fibre Optics & Endoscopy

10.4.6 Magnetic Resonance Imaging

10.5 X-ray Imaging

10.5.1 Production of X-rays

10.5.2 Rotating-Anode X-ray Tube

10.5.3 Using X-rays in Medical Imaging

10.5.4 X-ray Detection

10.5.5 Attenuation of X-rays

10.5.6 The CT Scanner

10.6 Radionuclide Imaging & Therapy

10.6.1 Radioactive Tracers

10.6.2 The Molybdenum-Technetium Generator

10.6.3 The PET Scanner

10.6.4 Physical, Biological & Effective Half Life

10.6.5 Gamma Camera

10.6.6 Radiotherapy

10.6.7 Comparing Imaging Techniques

11. Engineering Physics

11.1 Rotational Dynamics

11.1.1 Rotational Motion

11.1.2 Angular Acceleration Equations

11.1.3 Torque

11.1.4 Moment of Inertia

11.1.5 Newton’s Second Law for Rotation

11.1.6 Angular Momentum

11.1.7 Angular Impulse

11.1.8 Rotational Work & Power

11.1.9 Rotational Kinetic Energy

11.1.10 Flywheels in Machines

11.2 Thermodynamics & Engines

11.2.1 The First Law of Thermodynamics

11.2.2 p–V Diagrams

11.2.3 Thermodynamic Processes

11.2.4 Petrol Engine Cycle

11.2.5 Diesel Engine Cycle

11.2.6 Comparing Petrol & Diesel Engines

11.2.7 Power Output of an Engine

11.2.8 Engine Efficiency

11.2.9 The Second Law of Thermodynamics

11.2.10 Heat Engines

11.2.11 Limitations of Real Heat Engines

11.2.12 Reversed Heat Engines

11.2.13 Coefficients of Performance

12. Turning Points in Physics

12.1 The Discovery of the Electron

12.1.1 Cathode Rays

12.1.2 Thermionic Emission

12.1.3 Specific Charge

12.1.4 Thomson's Cathode Ray Experiment

12.1.5 Millikan’s Oil Drop Experiment

12.1.6 Stokes' Law

12.2 Wave-Particle Duality

12.2.1 Theories of Light

12.2.2 Young's Double Slit Interference

12.2.3 Maxwell's Wave Equation

12.2.4 Hertz's Discovery of Radio Waves

12.2.5 Fizeau's Speed of Light Experiment

12.2.6 UV Catastrophe & Black-Body Radiation

12.2.7 The Discovery of Photoelectricity

12.2.8 De Broglie's Hypothesis

12.2.9 Relativistic Kinetic Energy

12.2.10 Transmission Electron Microscope

12.2.11 Scanning Tunnelling Microscope

12.3 Special Relativity

12.3.1 The Michelson-Morley Interferometer

12.3.2 The Invariance of the Speed of Light

12.3.3 Inertial Frames of Reference

12.3.4 Einstein's Postulates

12.3.5 Time Dilation

12.3.6 Muon Lifetime Experiment

12.3.7 Length Contraction

12.3.8 Relativistic Mass

12.3.9 Relativistic Energy

12.3.10 Bertozzi's Experiment