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OCR AS/A level Physics A Student Book 1

OCR AS/A level Physics A Student Book 1

Mike O'Neill

(2016)

Additional Information

Book Details

Abstract

Created for the new 2015 OCR AS and A level specifications, our new Student Books cover the topics comprehensively, developing scientific thinking in your students, providing them with a deep understanding of the subject and creating confident, independent scientists.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover
Contents 4
How to use this book 6
Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics 8
Chapter 1.1: Practical skills assessed in a written examination 8
1.1.1 Planning and experimental design 10
The importance of good design 10
Use of appropriate apparatus and techniques 10
Range of measurements 12
Identifying the variables that must be controlled 12
Evaluating the experimental method 12
1.1.2 Implementation 13
Using a wide range of practical apparatus correctly 13
Selecting suitable equipment 14
Careful measurement 14
Presenting observations and data 14
1.1.3 Analysing data 16
Dealing with anomalies or unexpected results 16
Using mathematical skills to analyse quantitative data 16
1.1.4 Significant figures 18
Introduction 18
Significant figures and decimal places 18
Choosing how to best write numbers to show the number of significant figures 19
1.1.5 Plotting and interpreting graphs 20
Introduction 20
1.1.6 Evaluating experiments 23
What is evaluation? 23
Limitations and improvements 24
Putting it all together to draw a conclusion 25
Thinking Bigger: Assessing a practical write-up 26
Practice questions 28
Module 2: Foundations of physics 30
Chapter 2.1: Physical quantities, units and measurements 30
2.1.1 Physical quantities and units 32
Physical quantities 32
Units 32
2.1.2 Estimating physical quantities 34
What is estimation? 34
Estimates and orders of magnitude 34
2.1.3 Systematic errors and random errors 36
What is an error? 36
Random errors 36
Systematic errors 37
2.1.4 Precision and accuracy 38
Introduction 38
Accuracy and precision defined 38
2.1.5 Absolute and percentage uncertainties 40
Introduction 40
Absolute uncertainty 40
2.1.6 Graphical treatment of errors and uncertainties 42
Using graphs 42
Thinking Bigger: Standardisation 44
Practice questions 46
Chapter 2.2: Nature of quantities 48
2.2.1 Scalar and vector quantities 50
Scalar and vector quantities 50
2.2.2 Scalar and vector calculations 52
Scalar arithmetic 52
Vector arithmetic 52
2.2.3 Resolving vectors 54
Resolving vectors 54
Thinking Bigger: Scalars and vectors 56
Practice questions 58
Module 3: Forces and motion 60
Chapter 3.1: Motion 60
3.1.1 Definitions in kinematics 62
Introduction 62
3.1.2 Graphs of motion 64
Displacement-time graphs 64
Velocity-time graphs 64
3.1.3 Constant acceleration equations 66
3.1.4 Free fall and projectile motion 68
3.1.5 Measurement of g 71
Investigating motion 71
3.1.6 Car stopping distances 73
Introduction 73
Thinking distance and braking distance 73
Thinking Bigger: Falling from the sky 76
Practice questions 78
Chapter 3.2: Forces in action 80
3.2.1 Force and the newton 82
Introduction 82
Force, mass and acceleration 82
The four fundamental forces of nature 83
3.2.2 Dynamics 84
Introduction 84
3.2.3 Drag and terminal velocity 86
Introduction 86
Terminal velocity and drag 87
3.2.4 Equilibrium 88
Introduction 88
3.2.5 Turning forces 90
The moment of a force 90
The principle of moments 90
3.2.6 Centre of mass 93
Introduction 93
Centre of gravity 93
3.2.7 Density 95
Introduction 95
Archimedes’ principle 97
3.2.8 Pressure 98
Introduction 98
Thinking Bigger: The physics of football 100
Practice questions 102
Chapter 3.3: Work, energy and power 104
3.3.1 Work and the joule 106
Work 106
3.3.2 The conservation of energy 108
Energy 108
The principle of conservation of energy 108
Accounting for all the input energy 109
3.3.3 Potential and kinetic energy 110
Gravitational potential energy 110
Kinetic energy 110
Exchange between Ep and Ek 111
3.3.4 Power and the watt 112
Power 112
3.3.5 Efficiency 114
Introduction 114
Sankey diagrams 115
Thinking Bigger: Energy solutions 116
Practice questions 118
Chapter 3.4: Materials 120
3.4.1 Deformation of materials 122
Elastic and plastic deformation 122
Tensile and compressive forces 122
3.4.2 Hooke’s law 125
Hooke’s law and the force constant 125
The work done to stretch a wire 125
Energy stored in a plastic deformation 126
3.4.3 The Young modulus 127
Introduction 127
Stress and strain 127
3.4.4 Categorisation of materials 130
Material variety 130
Thinking Bigger: Building for the future 132
Practice questions 134
Chapter 3.5: Newton’s laws of motion 136
3.5.1 Newton’s three laws of motion 138
Introduction 138
Newton’s first law 138
Newton’s second law 138
Newton’s third law of motion 139
3.5.2 Momentum 140
Introduction 140
3.5.3 Momentum, force and impulse 142
Impulse 142
3.5.4 Elastic and inelastic collisions 144
Elastic and inelastic collisions 144
Collisions in two dimensions 144
Thinking Bigger: Crash bang wallop! 146
Practice questions 148
Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons 150
Chapter 4.1: Electricity: charge and current 150
4.1.1 Electric circuit components 152
Introduction 152
Electrical circuit components 152
Conventional current and electron flow 153
4.1.2 Electric current and charge 155
Introduction 155
Kirchhoff’s first law 156
4.1.3 Electron drift velocity 157
The crystalline structure of metals 157
Comparing conductors, semiconductors and insulators 159
Thinking Bigger: Shocking stuff 160
Practice questions 162
Chapter 4.2: Electricity: energy, power and resistance 164
4.2.1 Potential difference and e.m.f. 166
Introduction 166
Measurement of potential difference 166
4.2.2 Resistance and Ohm’s law 168
Ohm’s law 168
The factors that affect electrical resistance 168
4.2.3 Resistance of circuit components 171
Introduction 171
4.2.4 Resistivity 173
Introduction 173
Using resistivity in the real world 173
4.2.5 The effect of temperature on resistivity 175
Introduction 175
4.2.6 Electrical power 177
Introduction 177
4.2.7 Cost of electrical energy 180
Introduction 180
The kilowatt-hour 180
Calculating the cost of electrical energy 181
Thinking Bigger: Electrical resistivity 182
Practice questions 184
Chapter 4.3: Electricity: electrical circuits 186
4.3.1 Kirchhoff's first and second laws 188
Kirchhoff's first law 188
Kirchhoff’s second law 188
Kirchhoff’s first and second laws involving circuits with two sources of e.m.f. 188
4.3.2 Series circuits 190
Introduction 190
Deriving the equation for the total effective resistance of resistors arranged in series 190
4.3.3 Parallel circuits 192
Introduction 192
4.3.4 The potential divider 194
Introduction 194
Variations on the potential divider circuit 195
4.3.5 Internal resistance 197
Introduction 197
4.3.6 Circuit analysis 1 200
Circuit overview 200
4.3.7 Circuit analysis 2 202
Introduction 202
Series circuits involving two sources of e.m.f. 202
Parallel circuits involving two sources of e.m.f. 202
Thinking Bigger: Tree-mendous electricity 204
Practice questions 206
Chapter 4.4: Waves 208
4.4.1 Wave motion 210
Introduction 210
4.4.2 Wave terminology 211
Introduction 211
Terms and symbols used to describe waves 212
Representing longitudinal waves graphically 213
4.4.3 Wave speed and the wave equation 216
The wave equation 216
Energy transfer by waves 216
Intensity and amplitude 217
4.4.4 Common properties of waves 218
Reflection 218
Refraction 218
Diffraction 219
Interference 220
4.4.5 Electromagnetic waves 221
4.4.6 Polarisation 224
Plane-polarised waves 224
Uses of polarisation 225
4.4.7 Refraction of light 227
Introduction 227
Refractive indices 227
Snell’s law 227
4.4.8 Total internal reflection 230
Introduction 230
Total internal reflection 230
4.4.9 Interference 232
The principle of superposition 232
Interference 233
Coherence 233
Path difference and phase difference 233
Interference using sound waves 234
4.4.10 The Young double-slit experiment 235
Introduction 235
The Young double-slit experiment 235
4.4.11 The diffraction grating 238
Introduction 238
4.4.12 Stationary waves 241
Introduction 241
4.4.13 Stationary wave experiments 244
Introduction 244
4.4.14 Stationary longitudinal waves 246
Introduction 246
Thinking Bigger: Ground-shaking discoveries 250
Practice questions 252
Chapter 4.5: Quantum physics 254
4.5.1 The photon 256
A brief history of ideas about light 256
The photon model 256
4.5.2 The electronvolt 259
Introduction 259
4.5.3 The photoelectric effect 1 261
Introduction 261
Explaining the photoelectric effect 262
4.5.4 The photoelectric effect 2 264
Introduction 264
4.5.5 Wave-particle duality 267
Introduction 267
Wave-particle duality for matter 269
Thinking Bigger: Sailing by the sun 270
Practice questions 272
Maths skills 274
Arithmetic and numerical computation 274
Algebra 274
Handling data 274
Graphs 274
Geometry and trigonometry 275
Applying your skills 276
Preparing for your exams 278
Glossary 288
Index 292