CIE A Level Physics Revision Notes 2022

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

1. Physical Quantities & Units

1.1.1 Physical Quantities

1.1.2 SI Units

1.1.3 Homogeneity of Physical Equations & Powers of Ten

1.1.4 Scalars & Vectors

1.2.1 Errors & Uncertainties

1.2.2 Calculating Uncertainties

1.2.3 Measurement Techniques

2. Kinematics

2.1.1 Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration

2.1.2 Motion Graphs

2.1.3 Area under a Velocity-Time Graph

2.1.4 Gradient of a Displacement-Time Graph

2.1.5 Gradient of a Velocity-Time Graph

2.1.6 Deriving Kinematic Equations

2.1.7 Solving Problems with Kinematic Equations

2.1.8 Acceleration of Free Fall Experiment

2.1.9 Projectile Motion

3. Dynamics

3.1.1 Mass & Weight

3.1.2 Force & Acceleration

3.1.3 Newton's Laws of Motion

3.1.4 Linear Momentum

3.1.5 Force & Momentum

3.1.6 Drag Force & Air Resistance

3.1.7 Terminal Velocity

3.2.1 Conservation of Momentum

3.2.2 Elastic & Inelastic Collisions

4. Forces, Density & Pressure

4.1.1 Centre of Gravity

4.1.2 Moments

4.1.3 Turning Effects of Forces

4.1.4 Conditions for Equilibrium

4.2.1 Density

4.2.2 Pressure

4.2.3 Derivation of ∆p = ρg∆h

4.2.4 Upthrust

4.2.5 Archimedes Principle

5. Work, Energy & Power

5.1.1 Work & Energy

5.1.2 The Principle of Conservation of Energy

5.1.3 Efficiency

5.1.4 Power

5.1.5 Derivation of P = Fv

5.2.1 Gravitational Potential Energy

5.2.2 Kinetic Energy

6. Deformation of Solids

6.1.1 Extension & Compression

6.1.2 Hooke's Law

6.1.3 The Young Modulus

6.2.1 Elastic & Plastic Behaviour

6.2.2 Elastic Potential Energy

7. Waves

7.1.1 Progressive Waves

7.1.2 Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope

7.1.3 The Wave Equation

7.1.4 Wave Intensity

7.1.5 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

7.1.6 Doppler Effect for Sound Waves

7.2.1 Electromagnetic Spectrum

7.2.2 Polarisation

8. Superposition

8.1.1 The Principle of Superposition

8.1.2 Stationary Waves

8.2.1 Diffraction

8.2.2 Interference & Coherence

8.2.3 Two Source Interference

8.2.4 Young's Double Slit Experiment

8.2.5 The Diffraction Grating

9. Electricity

9.1.1 Electric Current

9.1.2 Electric Current: Calculations

9.1.3 Potential Difference

9.1.4 Electrical Power

9.2.1 Resistance

9.2.2 Ohm's Law

9.2.3 I-V Characteristics

9.2.4 Resistance in a Filament Lamp

9.3.1 Resistivity

9.3.2 Resistance in Sensory Resistors

10. D.C. Circuits

10.1.1 Circuit Symbols

10.1.2 Electromotive Force

10.1.3 Internal Resistance

10.1.4 Kirchhoff's First Law

10.1.5 Kirchhoff's Second Law

10.1.6 Solving Problems with Kirchhoff's Laws

10.1.7 Resistors in Series

10.1.8 Resistors in Parallel

10.2.1 Potential Dividers

10.2.2 Potential Divider Components

11. Particle Physics

11.1.1 Atomic Structure

11.1.2 Nucleon & Proton Number

11.1.3 Alpha, Beta & Gamma Particles

11.1.4 Decay Equations

11.2.1 Fundamental Particles

11.2.2 Quark Composition

12. Motion in a Circle

12.1.1 Radians & Angular Displacement

12.1.2 Angular Speed

12.2.1 Centripetal Acceleration

12.2.2 Calculating Centripetal Acceleration

12.2.3 Calculating Centripetal Force

13. Gravitational Fields

13.1.1 Gravitational Fields

13.1.2 Gravitational Force Between Point Masses

13.1.3 Circular Orbits in Gravitational Fields

13.1.4 Geostationary Orbits

13.1.5 Gravitational Field Strength

13.1.6 The Value of g on Earth

13.2.1 Gravitational Potential

13.2.2 Gravitational Potential Energy

14. Temperature

14.1.1 Thermal Energy Transfer

14.1.2 Thermal Equilibrium

14.1.3 Measurement of Temperature

14.1.4 The Kelvin Scale

14.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

14.2.2 Specific Latent Heat Capacity

15. Ideal Gases

15.1.1 The Mole

15.1.2 Ideal Gases

15.1.3 Ideal Gas Equation

15.2.1 Kinetic Theory of Gases

15.2.2 Derivation of the Kinetic Theory of Gases Equation

15.2.3 Average Kinetic Energy of a Molecule

16. Thermodynamics

16.1.1 Internal energy

16.1.2 Work Done by a Gas

16.1.3 The First Law of Thermodynamics

17. Oscillations

17.1.1 Describing Oscillations

17.1.2 Simple Harmonic Motion

17.1.3 Calculating Acceleration & Displacement in SHM

17.1.4 Calculating Speed in SHM

18. Electric Fields

18.1.1 Electric Fields & Forces on Charges

18.1.2 Electric Field Lines

18.1.3 Electric Field Strength

18.1.4 Motion of Charged Particles

18.1.5 Electric Force Between Two Point Charges

18.2.1 Electric Potential

18.2.2 Electric Potential Gradient

18.2.3 Electric Potential Energy

19. Capacitance

19.1.1 Capacitance

19.1.2 Derivation of C = Q/V

19.1.3 Capacitors in Series & Parallel

19.1.4 Area Under a Potential-Charge Graph

19.1.5 Energy Stored in a Capacitor

19.2.1 Capacitor Discharge Graphs

19.2.2 Capacitor Discharge Equations

20. Magnetic Fields

20.1.1 Representing Magnetic Fields

20.1.2 Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

20.1.3 Fleming's Left-Hand Rule

20.1.4 Magnetic Flux Density

20.1.5 Force on a Moving Charge

20.1.6 Hall Voltage

20.1.7 Using a Hall Probe

20.1.8 Motion of a Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

20.1.9 Velocity Selection

20.1.10 Magnetic Fields in Wires, Coils & Solenoids

20.1.11 Forces between Current-Carrying Conductors

20.2.1 Magnetic Flux

20.2.2 Magnetic Flux Linkage

20.2.3 Principles of Electromagnetic Induction

20.2.4 Faraday's & Lenz's Laws

21. Alternating Currents

21.1.1 Alternating Current & Voltage

21.1.2 Root-Mean-Square Current & Voltage

21.1.3 Mean Power

21.1.4 Rectification

21.1.5 Smoothing

22. Quantum Physics

22.1.1 The Photon

22.1.2 The Electronvolt

22.1.3 The Photoelectric Effect: Basics

22.1.4 Threshold Frequency

22.1.5 The Work Function

22.2.1 Wave-Particle Duality

22.2.2 The de Broglie Wavelength

22.3.1 Atomic Energy Levels

22.3.2 Line Spectra

22.3.3 Calculating Discrete Energies

23. Nuclear Physics

23.1.1 Energy & Mass Equivalence

23.1.2 Nuclear Equations

23.1.3 Mass Defect & Binding Energy

23.1.4 Nuclear Fusion & Fission

23.1.5 Calculating Energy Released in Nuclear Reactions

23.2.1 The Random Nature of Radioactive Decay

23.2.2 Activity & The Decay Constant

23.2.3 Half-Life

24. Medical Physics

24.1.1 The Piezoelectric Transducer

24.1.2 Generating & Using Ultrasound

24.1.3 Specific Acoustic Impedance

24.1.4 Intensity Reflection Coefficient

24.1.5 Attenuation of Ultrasound in Matter

24.1.6 Production & Use of X-rays

24.1.7 Attenuation of X-rays in Matter

24.1.8 Computed Tomography Scanning

24.2.1 Radioactive Tracers

24.2.2 Annihilation in PET Scanning

24.2.3 Detecting Gamma-Rays from PET Scanning

25. Astronomy & Cosmology

25.1.1 Luminosity & Radiant Flux

25.1.2 Standard Candles & Stellar Distances

25.1.3 Wien's Displacement Law

25.1.4 Stefan-Boltzmann Law & Stellar Radii

25.2.1 Emission Spectra

25.2.2 Doppler Redshift

25.2.3 Hubble's Law & the Big Bang Theory

Study tools