Unit 2 Physics - Revision Checklist
You should be able to …..
Describing Motion
•
•
•
•
•
Draw and interpret distance-time graphs.
Draw and interpret velocity-time graphs.
State the difference between speed and velocity.
Use the equation: acceleration = change in velocity/time taken.
(Higher Tier) Work out the acceleration and distance travelled from a velocity-time
graph.
Balanced and Unbalanced Forces
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use the equation: weight = mass x gravitational field strength.
Know what is meant by a resultant force.
Calculate the resultant force acting on an object.
Say what will happen to an object if the resultant force acting on it is zero.
Say what will happen to an object if the resultant force acting on it is not zero.
Use the equation: force = mass x acceleration.
Say what the stopping distance of a vehicle depends on, in terms of a driver’s
reaction time and the braking of the vehicle.
Say what affects a driver’s reaction time (thinking distance).
Say what affects a vehicle’s braking distance.
Explain why an object falling through a fluid (eg air) reaches a terminal velocity, in
terms of the forces acting on it.
Draw and interpret velocity-time graphs for objects that reach terminal velocity.
Doing Work
•
•
•
•
•
Use the equation: work done = force x distance moved.
Understand that when work is done energy is transferred.
(Higher Tier) Use the equation:
Kinetic energy = ½ x mass x (speed)2.
Know what is meant by elastic potential energy.
Know what energy change takes place when work is done against frictional forces.
Momentum
•
•
•
•
Use the equation: momentum = mass x velocity
Understand the law of conservation of momentum when applied to
collisions/explosions.
Use the conservation of momentum to calculate the mass, velocity or momentum of
a body involved in a collision or an explosion.
Use ideas of momentum to explain safety features.
•
•
(Higher Tier) Use the equation:
Force = change in momentum/time taken for change.
(Higher Tier) Use the equation above to explain how injuries can be reduced eg use
of seat belts, air bags in cars.
Static Electricity
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Describe how an object becomes charged in everyday situations, given appropriate
information, and how precautions can be taken to make sure that electrostatic
charge is discharged safely.
Describe how devices like photocopiers and smoke precipitators work, using ideas of
static electricity, given appropriate diagrams.
Explain how an insulator can be charged by rubbing in terms of movement of
electrons.
Know what the attraction/repulsion rules are for charges.
Know what the connection between current and electrical charge is.
(Higher Tier) Use the equation: charge = current x time
(Higher Tier) Use the equation: energy transformed = potential difference x charge.
Say how to discharge a charged object.
(Higher Tier) Say how a spark may occur between a charged object and an earthed
conductor.
Electrical Circuits
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Interpret and draw circuit diagrams using standard symbols.
Remember the standard symbols for switch, cell, battery, diode, resistor, variable
resistor, lamp, fuse, voltmeter, ammeter, thermistor, LDR.
Remember the shape of the current-voltage graphs for resistor at constant
temperature, filament lamp and diode and be able to interpret the graphs.
Use the equation: potential difference = current x resistance.
Know and apply the rule for current in a series circuit.
Know and apply the rule for current in a parallel circuit.
Know and apply the rule for potential difference in a series circuit.
Know and apply the rule for potential difference in a parallel circuit.
Know and apply the rule for resistors in a series circuit.
(Higher Tier) Use the equation: charge = current x time
(Higher Tier) Use the equation: energy transformed = potential difference x charge.
Know the connection between power of an electrical device and the energy
transformed.
Use the equation: power = current x potential difference.
Mains Electricity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Know what voltage of the UK mains supply is.
Explain why mains electricity is dangerous if not used safely, given appropriate
information.
Know how to correctly label a 3-pin plug.
Know what materials are used for a plug and why they are used.
Recognise errors in the wiring of a plug.
Explain what is meant by alternating current, and name a source of a.c.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Explain what is meant by direct current, and name a source of d.c.
Know what the mains frequency is and what this means.
Know what the purpose of a fuse is and how it works.
Calculate the size of a fuse that an appliance needs, given its power and the mains
p.d. by using the equation: power = potential difference x current
Describe how the Earth connection in an appliance with a metal casing works as a
safety device, given an appropriate diagram.
Know how to work out the peak p.d and frequency of an a.c. supply from diagrams
of oscilloscope traces.
Know how to work out the p.d. of a d.c. supply from diagrams of oscilloscope traces.
(Higher Tier) Interpret diagrams of p.d. against time for live and neutral terminals.
Radioactive Decay
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
(Higher Tier) Describe the plum pudding model of the atom.
(Higher Tier) Describe the nuclear model of the atom.
(Higher Tier) Describe the Rutherford scattering experiments.
(Higher Tier) Explain how the scattering experiments led to the nuclear model.
Know the relative masses and relative electric charges of protons, neutrons and
electrons.
Know the connection between number of electrons and protons for neutral atoms.
Know what an ion is and how it is formed.
Know what defines an element in terms of the number of protons.
Know what isotopes are.
Know what is meant by the atomic number and mass number.
Know what happens to the number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus when it
gives off an alpha particle or beta particle.
Know what happens to the mass number and atomic number of a radioactive
element when it decays by alpha or beta radiation.
Know what the origins of background radiation are.
Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion
•
•
•
•
Know the names of 2 common fissionable substances.
Know what nuclear fission means, and how it can be started.
Explain how a fission chain reaction can occur by drawing a labelled diagram.
Know what nuclear fusion means and where in the universe it happens.