A Level Physics Syllabus/Detailed Course Outline PDF

# A Level Physics Syllabus/Detailed Course Outline ## Introduction This syllabus has been designed to support lecturers in teaching and lesson planning, and to also guide students. Making full use of this syllabus will help you to improve both your teaching and your learners' potential. ## General Course Objectives The general objectives of this course are to enable the students to: - Provide through well-designed studies of experimental and practical science, a worthwhile educational experience for all learners. - Design, conduct, and report an experiment appropriate to introductory-level physics and following appropriate conventions and documentation standards. - Acquire sufficient understanding and knowledge of Physics to become confident citizens in a technological world and be able to take or develop an informed interest in scientific matters. - Recognize the usefulness and limitations of the scientific method and appreciate its applicability in other disciplines in everyday life. - Demonstrate the ability to think critically and to use appropriate concepts to analyze qualitatively problems or situations involving the fundamental principles of physics. - Develop abilities and skills relevant to the study and practice of Physics useful in everyday life. - Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate mathematical techniques and concepts to obtain quantitative solutions to problems in physics. - Develop attitudes relevant to a concern for accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, a spirit of enquiry, initiative and inventiveness. - Develop awareness that the study and practice of physics are co-operative and cumulative activities, and are subject to social, economic, technological, ethical and cultural influences and limitations. - Recognize that applications of physics may be both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the community, and the environment. Be stimulated to create a sustained interest in physics so that the study of the subject is enjoyable and satisfying. ## First Year First Semester ### Course Code: PMPH120 1. Quantities, Dimensions 2. Kinematics, Dynamics 3. Work, Energy and Power 4. Impulse and Momentum 5. Rotational Kinematics, Rotational Dynamics, Equilibrium 6. Mechanical Properties of Matter 7. Temperature, Heat, Ideal Gas Laws 8. Thermodynamics 9. Simple Harmonic Motion 10. Waves - Basic Mechanical Waves - Electromagnetic Waves ## 1. Physical Quantities, Dimensions | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 1.1 Physical Quantities | Candidates should be able to: - Understand that all physical quantities consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit. | | 1.2 SI units | - Make reasonable estimates of physical quantities included within the syllabus. - Recall the following SI base quantities and their units: mass (kg), length(m), time (s), current (A), temperature (K). - Express derived units as products or quotients of the SI base units and use the derived units for quantities listed in this syllabus as appropriate. - Use SI base units or dimension analysis to check the homogeneity or correctness of physical equations. - Recall and use prefixes and their symbols to indicate decimal submultiples or multiples of both base and derived units. | | 1.3 Errors and Uncertainties | - Understand and explain the effects of systematic errors (including zero errors) and random errors in measurements. - Understand the distinction between precision and accuracy. - Assess the uncertainty in a derived quantity by simple addition of absolute or percentage uncertainties. | | 1.4 Scalars and Vectors | - Understand the difference between scalar and vector quantities and give examples of scalar and vector quantities included in the syllabus. - Add and subtract coplanar vectors. - Represent a vector as two perpendicular components | ## 2. Kinematics, Dynamics | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 2.1 Equations of Motion | - Define and use distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration. - Use graphical methods to represent distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration. - Determine displacement from the area under a velocity-time graph. - Determine velocity using the gradient of a displacement-time graph. - Determine acceleration using the gradient of a velocity-time graph. - Derive, from the definitions of velocity and acceleration, equations that represent uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line. - Solve problems using equations that represent uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line, including the motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field without air resistance. - Describe an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall using a falling object. | | 2.2 Two-Dimensional Motion under a Constant Force (Projectile) | - Describe and explain motion due to a uniform velocity in one direction and uniform acceleration in a perpendicular direction. - To split motions up into its vertical and horizontal components. | ## Dynamics | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 2.3 Forces | - Understand that if the net force exerted on an object is zero, the acceleration of the object is zero and its velocity remains constant and the body is said to be in equilibrium. - Remember that the net force acting on an object is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. | | 2.4 Newton's Laws of Motion | - Understand that mass is the property of an object that resists change in motion. - Recall $F = ma$ and solve problems using it, understanding that acceleration and resultant force are always in the same direction. - State and apply each of Newtons' laws of motion. - Describe and use the concept of weight as the effect of a gravitational field on a mass and recall that the weight of a body is equal to the product of its mass and the acceleration of free fall. | | 2.5 Non-Uniform Motion | - Show a qualitative understanding of frictional forces and viscous/drag forces including air resistance. - Describe and explain qualitatively the motion of objects in a uniform gravitational field with air resistance. - Understand that objects moving against a resistive force may reach a terminal (constant) velocity. | | 2.6 Some Applications of Newton's Laws | - Remember that when we apply Newtons' laws to an object, we are interested only in external forces that act on the object. - Draw a simple, neat free body diagram of the system to help conceptualize the problem. | ## 3. Work, Energy and Power | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 3.1 Gravitational Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy | - Understand the concept of work, and recall and use work done = force x displacement in the direction of the force. - Derive, using $W = Fs$, the formula $\Delta E = mg\Delta h$ for gravitational potential energy changes in a uniform gravitational field. - Recall and use the formula: $\Delta E = mg\Delta h$ for gravitational potential energy changes in a uniform gravitational field. - Derive, using the equations of motion, the formula for kinetic energy $E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$. - Recall and use $E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$. | | 3.2 Energy Conservation | - Recall and apply the principle of conservation of energy. - Recall and understand that the efficiency of a system is the ratio of useful energy output from the system to the total energy input. 3. Use the concept of efficiency to solve problems. - Define power as work done per unit time. - Solve problems using $ P = \frac{W}{t}$. - Derive $P = Fv$ and use it to solve problems. | ## 4. Linear Momentum and Collisions | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 4.1 Liner Momentum and Its Conservation | - Define and use linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity. - Define and use force as rate of change of momentum. - State the principle of conservation of momentum. - Apply the principle of conservation of momentum to solve simple problems, including elastic and inelastic interactions between objects in both one and two dimensions. - Recall that, for a perfectly elastic collision, the relative speed of approach is equal to the relative speed of separation. - Understand that, while momentum of a system is always conserved in interactions between objects, some change in kinetic energy may take place. - Calculate the impulse and relate its value to the momentum change in a collision. | ## 5. Rotational Kinematics, Rotational Dynamics, Equilibrium | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 5.1 Kinematics of Uniform Circular Motion | - Define the radian and express angular displacement in radians. - Understand and use the concept of angular speed and velocity. - Recall and use $\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}$ and $v = r\omega$. - Understand that a force of constant magnitude that is always perpendicular to the direction of motion causes centripetal acceleration. - Understand that centripetal acceleration causes circular motion with a constant angular speed. - Recall and use $a = r\omega^2$ and $a = \frac{v^2}{r}$. - Recall and use $F = m\omega^2r$ and $F = \frac{mv^2}{r}$ | | 5.2 Turning Effects of Forces | - Understand that the weight of a body may be taken as acting at a single point known as its centre of gravity. - Define and apply the moment of a force. - Understand that a couple is pair of forces that acts to produce rotation only. - Define and apply the torque of a couple| | 5.3 Equilibrium of Forces | - State and apply the principle of moments. - Understand that, when there is no resultant force and no resultant torque, a system is in equilibrium. - Use a vector triangle to represent coplanar forces in equilibrium. | | 5.4 Rigid Bodies | - Define a rigid body and give examples. - Describe the effects of Forces and Torques on the Motion of Rigid Bodies. - State the relationship between torque and angular acceleration. - Calculate moment of Inertia. - Calculate work, power, and energy in rotational motion. - Understand that the total kinetic energy of a rolling object is the sum of the rotational kinetic energy about the centre of mass and the translational kinetic energy of the centre of mass. | ## 6. Mechanical Properties of Matter | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 5.1 Stress and Strain | - Understand that deformation is caused by tensile or compressive forces. - Understand and use the terms load, extension, compression and limit of proportionality. - Recall and use Hooke's law. - Recall and use the formula for the spring constant. - Define and use the terms stress, strain and the Young modulus. - Describe an experiment to determine the Young modulus of a metal in the form of a wire. | | 5.2 Elastic and Plastic Behaviour | - Understand and use the terms elastic deformation, plastic deformation and elastic limit. - Understand that the area under the force-extension graph represents the work done. - Determine the elastic potential energy of a material deformed within its limit of proportionality from the area under the force-extension graph. - Recall and use $E = \frac{1}{2}Fx = \frac{1}{2}kx^2$ for a material deformed within its limit of proportionality. | ## 7. Temperature, Ideal Gases and Thermodynamics | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 6.1 Thermal Equilibrium | - Understand that (thermal) energy is transferred from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. - Understand that regions of equal temperature are in thermal equilibrium. - Understand that a physical property that varies with temperature may be used for the measurement of temperature and state examples of such properties. - Understand that the scale of thermodynamic temperature does not depend on the property of any particular substance. | | 6.2 Temperature Scales | - Convert temperatures between kelvin and degrees Celsius and recall that $T/K = \theta/°C+ 273.15$. - Understand that the lowest possible temperature is zero kelvin on the thermodynamic temperature scale and that this is known as absolute zero. | | 6.3 Specific Heat capacity and Specific Latent Heat | - Define and use specific heat capacity. - Define and use specific latent heat and distinguish between specific latent heat of fusion and specific latent heat of vaporization. | | 6.4 The Mole | - Understand that amount of substances is an SI base quantity with the base unit mol. - Use molar quantities where one mole of any substance is the amount containing a number of particles of that substance equal to the Avogadro constant NA. | | 6.5 Equation of State | - Understand that a gas obeying $pV \propto T$, where T is the thermodynamic temperature, is known as an ideal gas. - Recall and use the equation of state for an ideal gas expressed as $pV = nRT$, wheren = amount of substance (number of moles) and as pV = NkT, where N = number of molecules. - Recall that the Boltzmann constant k is given by k = $\frac{R}{N_A}$. | | 6.6 Kinetic Theory of Gases | - State the basic assumptions of the kinetic theory of gases. - Explain how molecular movement causes the pressure exerted by a gas and derive and use the relationship $pV = \frac{1}{3}Nm<c^2>$, where $<c^2>$ is the mean-square speed. - Understand that the root-mean-square speed $c_{rms}$ is given by $\sqrt{<c^2>}$. - Compare $pV = \frac{1}{3}Nm<c^2>$ with $pV = NkT$ to deduce that the average translational kinetic energy of a molecule is $\frac{3}{2}kT$.| | 6.7 Internal Energy | - Understand that internal energy is determined by the state of the system and that it can be expressed as the sum of a random distribution of kinetic and potential energies associated with the molecules of a system. - Relate a rise in temperature of an object to an increase in its internal energy. | | 6.8 The First Law of Thermodynamics| - Recall and use $W = p\Delta V$ for the work done when the volume of a gas changes at constant pressure and understand the difference between the work done by the gas and the work done on the gas. - Recall and use the first law of thermodynamics $\Delta U = q + W$ expressed in terms of the increase in internal energy, the heating of the system (energy transferred to the system by heating) and the work done on the system. | ## 7. Oscillation | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 7.1 Simple Harmonic Oscillations | - Understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency and phase difference in the context of oscillations, and express the period in terms of both frequency and angular frequency. - Understand that simple harmonic motion occurs when acceleration is proportional to displacement from a fixed point and in the opposite direction. - Use $a = -\omega^2x$ and recall and use, as a solution to this equation, $x = x\sin{\omega t}$. - Use the equations $v = v\cos{\omega t}$ and $v = \pm \omega\sqrt{(x_o^2 - x^2)}$. - Analyze and interpret graphical representations of the variations of displacement, velocity and acceleration for simple harmonic motion. | | 7.2 Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion | - Describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during simple harmonic motion. - Recall and use $E = \frac{1}{2}m\omega^2x_o^2$ for the total energy of a system undergoing simple harmonic motion. | | 7.3 Damped and Forced Oscillations, Resonance | - Understand that a resistive force acting on an oscillating system causes damping. - Understand and use the terms light, critical and heavy damping and sketch displacement-time graphs illustrating these types of damping. - Understand that resonance involves a maximum amplitude of oscillations and that this occurs when an oscillating system is forced to oscillate at its natural frequency. | ## 8. Introduction to Waves | Topics | Learning Objectives | |---|---| | 8.1 Progressive Waves | - Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes, springs and ripple tanks. - Understand and use the terms displacement, amplitude, phase difference, period, frequency, wavelength and speed. - Understand the use of the time-base and y-gain of a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) to determine frequency and amplitude. - Derive, using the definitions of speed, frequency and wavelength, the wave equation $v = f\lambda$. - Recall and use $v = f\lambda$. - Recall and use $v = f\lambda$. - Understand that energy is transferred by a progressive wave. - Recall and use intensity = power/area and intensity $\propto (amplitude)^2$ for a progressive wave. | | 8.2 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves | - Compare transverse and longitudinal waves. - Analyze and interpret graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal waves. | | 8.3 Doppler Effect for Sound Waves | - Understand that when a source of sound waves move relative to a stationary observer, the observed frequency is different from the source frequency. - Use the expression $f_o = f_e \frac{v}{ (v \pm v_s)}$ for the observed frequency when a source of sound waves moves relative to a stationary observer. | | 8.4 Electromagnetic Spectrum | - State that all electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that travel with the same speed $c$ (300 000 km/s) in free space. - Recall the approximate range of wavelengths in free space of the principal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to y-rays. - Recall that wavelengths in the range 400-700 nm in free space are visible to the human eye. | | 8.5 Polarization | - Understand that polarization is a phenomenon associated with transverse waves. - Recall and use Malus's law ($\text{I} = \text{I}_o\cos^2 \theta$) to calculate the intensity of a plane polarised electromagnetic wave after transmission through a polarizing filter or a series of polarizing filters. | | 8.6 Production and Use of Ultrasound in Diagnosis | - Explain the principles of the generation and detection of ultrasonic waves using piezo-electric transducers. - Explain the main principles behind the use of ultrasound to obtain diagnostic information about internal structures. - Understand the meaning of specific acoustic impedance and its importance to the intensity reflection coefficient at a boundary - Recall and solve problems by using the equation $I = I_oe^{-bx}$ for the attenuation of ultrasound in matter. | ## Time Allocation - 5 hours of lectures per week. - One 3-hour session of laboratory work per week. ## Assessment - **Continuous Assessment:** 40% - Assignment/Quizzes: 10% - Mid Semester Examination: 20% - Laboratory Work: 10% - **Final Examination:** 60% - Theory: 50% - Alternative to practical: 10% **Total (Final Examination Plus Continuous Assessment): 100%** ## Prescribed Textbooks 1. Mike Crundell, Geoff Goodwin, Chris Mee, Wendy Brown, Brian Arnold, 2014 Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press. 2. Sang, D., Jones, G., Chadha, G., and Woodside, R., 2014. Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Course book. Cambridge University Press. ## Recommended Textbooks 1. Serway, R.A. and Vuille, C., 2014. College physics. Cengage Learning. 2. John D. Cutnell / Kenneth W. Johnson - Physics. John Wiley & Sons - 9th Edition. 3. Bueche, F.J. and Jerde, D.A., 1988. Principles of physics (Vol. 6). New York: McGraw-Hill.

A Level Physics Syllabus/Detailed Course Outline PDF

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