AS Physics

You should be able to define and use the underlined words and use the equations in bold.
Chapters 1 and 3
I can calculate wavelengths, wave speeds and frequencies by using the formula v = f
I can explain how a thin converging (positive) lens produces a real image by changing the curvature of a wavefront
I can sketch diagrams to show how light passes through a lens using either ray diagrams or wave fronts
I can calculate the power or focal length of a lens using the relationship power = 1/(focal length)
I can calculate the third quantity given any two using the formula 1/v = 1/u + 1/f
I can calculate the magnification of an image using the relationship m = v/u
I can describe the evidence for electromagnetic waves being transverse waves, and how this feature allows them
to be polarised
I know that images are stored in a computer as an array of numbers which may be manipulated to alter the image
I can calculate the amount of information (in bits) in an image by using the relationship amount of information =
number of pixels x bits per pixel and 1 byte = 8 bits
I know that the resolution is the smallest change detectable
I know that computerised (digitised) images may be improved by smoothing and reducing 'noise'
I can explain how a complex signal (waveform) can be constructed of or broken down into a set of simpler signals
(waves ) of single, different frequencies
I can explain how a complex signal (waveform) can be described in terms of the spectrum of frequencies it
contains
I can explain how a continuous signal can be digitised
I can explain how a digitised signal has an important advantage in its ability to reduce the noise in the signal
I know that there may be some loss of detail in a digitised signal if sampling is not frequent enough
I can interpret diagrams of the spectra of waves i.e. wave amplitude plotted against frequency
I can interpret waveform diagrams i.e. wave amplitude plotted against distance or time
I can interpret plots (graphs) using a logarithmic ('times') scale of distances and sizes
I can calculate the quantity of information (data) in a signal
I can calculate the rate of transmitting information (data) i.e. in bits per second
My example of an application of signal transmission used is
My example of the way an image is produced in physics or an application of physics is
Chapter 2
I can explain current as the flow of charged particles;
I can explain potential difference as energy per unit charge;
I can explain resistance and conductance, including series and parallel combinations;
I can sketch simple circuit diagrams;
I can explain the effect of internal resistance and the meaning of emf;
I can explain dissipation of power in electric circuits (meaning energy per second) e.g. in the load resistor
I can explain the relation between potential difference and current in ohmic resistors (Ohms Law - p.d is
proportional to I as long as temperature is constant);
I can sketch graphs of current against potential difference; graphs of resistance or conductance against
temperature.
I can make calculations using R = V/I (G = I/V), V = W/Q = P/I, P = IV = I 2R, W = VIt, V = E - Irinternal; I = Q/ t,
R = R1 + R2 + .... (series), G = G1 + G2 + .... (parallel);
I can explain the action of a potential divider (e.g. to measure changes in light level).
I can make calculations involving simple cases of a potential divider in a circuit.
My example of the use of a sensor is
Chapters 4 and 5
I can describe simple mechanical behaviour: types of deformation and fracture, including fracture stress and yield
stress; using words such as stiff, elastic, plastic, ductile, hard, brittle, tough;
I can interpret images showing structures of materials.
I can explain direct evidence of the size of particles and their spacing.
I can sketch stress-strain graphs up to fracture;
I can explain simple optical behaviour: reflection, refraction and refractive index;
I can explain simple electrical behaviour: the broad distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators;

resistivity, conductivity (only in terms of the number of mobile charge carriers, not their mobility)
I can interpret plots on a logarithmic ('times') scale of quantities such as resistivity and conductivity
I can interpret tables and diagrams comparing materials by properties; e.g. strengthdensity and stiffnessdensity
diagrams
I can make calculations and estimates involving sin i/sin r = n , total internal reflection; R = l/A; G = A/l
tensile/compressive stress = force/area, strain = extension/original length, Young modulus E =
stress/strain
My example of the uses, properties and structures of one material
Chapters 6 and 7
I can sketch graphs illustrating the propagation of waves (a) along a string and (b) in two dimensions
I can explain the interference of waves from two slits in terms of the superposition of waves;
I understand that coherence is necessary for a stable interference pattern
I can explain diffraction of waves passing through a narrow aperture;
I can explain diffraction by a grating;
I can make calculations involving the path differences for double slits and diffraction grating, for constructive
interference n = d sin;
I can describe the production of standing waves by waves travelling in opposite directions;
I can make calculations involving the wavelength of standing waves, e.g. in a string or a column of air
I can explain the meaning of phase and phasor
I can describe the evidence that photons exchange energy in quanta E = hf; for example light emitting diodes,
photoelectric effect or line spectra
I can make calculations involving the the energy carried by photons across the spectrum, E = hf.
I can describe quantum behaviour: quanta have a certain probability of arrival; the probability is obtained by
combining amplitude and phase for all possible paths; the intensity is proportional to the amplitude squared
I can explain how phasor arrows come to line up for paths near the path that takes the least time
I can interpret diagrams showing how waves that have travelled to a point by different paths combine to produce
the wave amplitude at that point, i.e. by adding together the different phases of the waves, using phasors
I can explain how phasor arrows 'lining up' and 'curling up' accounts for reflection, propagation, refraction,
focusing, diffraction and interference
I can describe evidence for random arrival of photons
I can describe evidence from electron diffraction that electrons show quantum behaviour;
My example of a superposition effect is
My example of a phenomenon in which quantum effects are significant is
Chapters 8 and 9
I can explain that a vector has both size and direction, while a scalar just has size
I can explain that vectors can be broken down into components acting in different directions, and that the effect of
the original vector isn't changed by doing this
I can describe the use of vectors to represent displacement, velocity and acceleration;
I can describe the trajectory of a body moving under constant acceleration, in one or two dimensions;
I can describe the independent effect of perpendicular components of a force;
I can explain work done, including cases where the force is not parallel to the velocity;
I can explain power as rate of transfer of energy.
I can sketch and interpret graphs of accelerated motion, including slope and area below the graph; displacementtime and velocity-time graphs; acceleration not necessarily constant
I can interpret graphical representation of addition of vectors and changes in vector magnitude and direction.
I can resolve a vector into two components at right angles to each other;
I can do calculations involving the addition of two vectors, graphically and algebraically; algebraic calculation
restricted to two perpendicular vectors
I can do calculations involving the kinematic equations v = u + at, s = ut + //2 at2, v2 = u2 + 2as; the equation F
= ma where the mass is constant; kinetic energy = 1/2mv2; work done E = FS; force, energy and power:
power = E/t, power = Fv; one and two dimensional motion under a constant force.
My method of measuring the distance of a remote object is