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1st September 1

1. Complete the following mega table:

Quantity Symbol Unit

a. Activity

b. Angular frequency

c. Angular velocity

d. Atomic mass unit

e. Avogadro constant

f. Boltzmann constant

g. Capacitance

h. Decay constant

i. Electric field strength

j. Electric potential

k. Gravitational constant

l. Gravitational potential

m. Half-life

n. Magnetic field strength

o. Magnetic flux

p. Magnetic flux density

q. Molar gas constant

r. Nucleon number -

s. Number of molecules -

t. Number of moles -

u. Number of primary turns (transformer) -

v. Number of secondary turns (transformer) -

w. Permittivity of free space

x. Relative permittivity -

y. Time period

z. Time constant

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2nd September 1 2 3

1. Write down the value and units for the following:

a. Gravitational constant

b. Gravitational field strength on the surface of the Earth

c. Mass of the Earth

2. Explain how something can be accelerating while at a constant speed. Give an example
in your answer.

3. Define what is meant, in physics, by:

a. A field

b. A magnetic field

c. A gravitational field

d. An electric field

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3rd September 1 2 3

1. Write down the value and units for the following:

a. Gravitational constant

b. Permittivity of free space

c. Elementary charge

2. State the force that provides the centripetal force responsible for circular motion in the
following examples:

a. The Earth orbiting the Sun

b. A rubber bung being swung round on a string

c. A motorbike going round a roundabout

3. The gravitational field around an object with mass can be represented by radial field lines.
Draw at least eight field lines (with arrows) around this point mass and explain how the field
lines represent the direction and strength of the force experienced by a mass in the field.

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4th September 1 2 3

1. Write the following angles in radians, leaving your answer in its exact form (e.g. π/4):
a. 360˚

b. 180˚

c. 90˚

d. 30˚

2. State the force that provides the centripetal force responsible for circular motion in the
following examples:

a. The Sun orbiting Saggitarius A*, the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way

b. A cyclist riding anti-clockwise on the sloped banks of a velodrome

c. A Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb flying in a horizontal circle

3. Draw the Earth’s gravitational field at ground level.

Explain what the field lines represent in terms of Earth’s gravitational field strength at its
surface.

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5th September 1 2 3

1. Write the following angles in degrees:

a. 1.00 rad

b. 2π rad

c. π/2 rad

d. π/3 rad

2. The circumference of a circle’s radius, r, is given by c = 2πr. L

a. Write an expression for the length of an arc, L, subtended by
an angle, θ, given in degrees r
θ

b. Write an expression for the length of an arc, L, subtended by

an angle, θ, given in radians

3. a. State Newton’s law of gravitation in words

b. Write the equation for calculating the size of the gravitational force of attraction
between two objects

c. Calculate the gravitational force of attraction, due to Earth’s gravity, on someone with
a mass of 88.5 kg
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
mEarth = 5.97 x 1024 kg
rEarth = 6370 km

d. Use the equation W = mg to calculate the weight of the person

g = 9.81 N kg-1

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6th September 1 2 3

1. Write the following angles in radians:

a. 57.3˚

b. 18.6˚

c. 302˚

d. 451˚

2. Calculate the linear speed of an object that travels in a circle, with a radius of 2.8 m,
through an angle of 2.9 rad in a time of 10 s.

3. The equation to calculate the size of the gravitational field strength at a point is given by:
g = GM / r2
a. Use this to calculate g on the surface of the Earth
G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2 kg-2
mEarth = 5.97 x 1024 kg
rEarth = 6370 km

b. Calculate the gravitational field strength of the Moon at its surface

mMoon = 7.35 x 1022 kg
rMoon = 1740 km

c. Find the ratio of the gravitational field strengths of the Moon and Earth

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7th September 1

1. An investigation is carried out to examine the forces acting on objects as they move in a
circular path.

A rotating turntable, show below, has small 50 g masses placed at different points. The
speed of the motor is adjusted until a mass starts moving outwards and falls off the
turntable.

Masses

Pen mark

SPEED

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7th September
The speed of the turntable is adjusted until a 50 g mass starts sliding off. The speed is then
kept constant as the time for ten complete rotations is recorded - a permanent marker was
used to make a mark on the outer part of the turntable to help with counting ten rotations.

The following data was recorded:

Starting Time for ten Time period Velocity of

distance from complete for one mass when it Velocity2
centre rotations rotation started sliding

r/m t10 / s T/s v / m s-1 v2 / m2 s-2

0.160 5.81

0.120 4.92

0.080 4.05

a. In the table above, calculate the time period for one rotation

The instantaneous linear velocity can be calculated by using the equation: v = 2πr / T

b. Calculate the velocity when each mass started sliding off the turntable

c. Finish the table with values for velocity squared

d. Plot a graph of v2 against r

e. Describe the relationship between v2 and r

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7th September
3.0

2.0
v2 / m2 s-2

1.0

0
0 0.040 0.080 0.120 0.160

r/m

The equation for the size of the centripetal force is: F = mv2 / r

f. Explain why the mass starts to slide off the turntable as it gets faster

g. Use the gradient of your graph to calculate the size of the maximum frictional force
between the turntable and the 50 g masses

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8th September 1 2 3

1. Write down the value and units for the following:

a. Gravitational constant

b. Permittivity of free space

c. Boltzmann constant

2. Angular speed (sometimes called angular velocity), ω, is similar to linear speed but instead
of the distance travelled in a certain time it measures the angle moved through per unit
time.
Calculate the angular speed of the turntable in yesterday’s question when it took 4.05 s to
make ten complete rotations.

3. People often assume that astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have
escaped Earth’s gravitational field because they appear ‘weightless'.
Show that this isn’t the case by calculating the gravitational field strength at this point,
assuming the ISS orbits approximately 400 km above the Earth’s surface.

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9th September 1 2 3

1. Convert the following from revolutions per minute to radians per second:

a. 60.0 rpm

b. 1.00 rpm

c. 140 rpm

d. 24.4 rpm

2. Calculate the angular speed of a car driving round about a roundabout at 30 mph. The
radius of the roundabout is 11 m.
1.00 mile = 1609 m

3. Electric fields around a point charge are very similar in shape to radial gravitational fields.
However, gravity is always attractive whereas electric fields can be attractive and
repulsive. The direction of electric field lines point in the direction of the force exerted on a
test particle that is positively charged.
Sketch the electric field around an isolated:
a. Positive charge b. Negative charge

+Q -Q

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10th September 1 2 3

1. Convert the following from radians per second to a frequency in rpm:

a. 60.0 rad s-1

b. 1.00 rad s-1

c. 30π rad s-1

d. 64 rad s-1

2. An object is travelling in a circular path at an angular speed of 0.71 rad s-1.

a. Write down the relationship between time period and frequency

b. Calculate the time it takes to complete one full rotation

c. Calculate the frequency of its rotation in Hz

3. Coulomb’s law is similar in form to Newton’s law of gravitation.

a. State Coulomb’s inverse-square law in words

b. Write down the equation for Coulomb’s law and state what each symbol represents

c. Explain what permittivity means

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11th September 1 2 3

1. Calculate the angular speed of an object undergoing circular motion with a frequency of:
a. 50 Hz

b. 50 rpm

2. Three 1.5 V cells (of negligible internal resistance) are connected to four 10 Ω resistors as
shown below.
Calculate the reading on the ammeter.

3. Using Coulomb’s law, state the sign (+ or -) of the force between:

a. Two positive charges

b. Two negative charges

c. Two opposite charges

d. Describe which sign (+ or -) describes an attractive or repulsive force and the sign that
should be used for any gravitational force

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12th September 1 2 3

1. Differentiate y with respect to x for the following*:

a. y = x

b. y = x2

c. y = x3

2. A radio-controlled aircraft takes 49 s to travel in a circle of radius 80 m.

Calculate its:
a. Frequency

b. Angular speed

c. Linear speed

3. Calculate:
a. The electrostatic force between a proton and an electron that are 1.0 x 10-11 m apart

b. The gravitational force between a proton and an electron that are 1.0 x 10-11 m apart

c. The ratio between the electrostatic and gravitational force between them

* Differentiation and integration are not requirements for the A Level Physics course. But they are incredibly useful and
may be familiar to you from A Level Maths – and they are essential if you’re considering Physics or Engineering at
university.

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13th September 1

1. A wooden trolley is connected to two identical springs which are attached to two retort
stands held firmly in place, as shown above.
The trolley is then displaced to the right by a displacement x, as shown below.

+ve

a. At the instant the trolley is released, state the direction of the resultant force on it

b. State the direction that the trolley would initially accelerate in

c. As the positive displacement from the central point decreases, describe how the
acceleration of the trolley changes

d. Once the trolley moves to the left of the initial rest position, state the direction of the
acceleration of the trolley

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13th September
e. When the trolley is pulled to the right and about to be released, describe how the
energy of the system is stored and state the equation used to calculate this

f. State the value of the displacement where the kinetic energy of the trolley is at a
maximum value

Once the trolley is released it oscillates about the central rest position.
Below is a graph showing how the energy is related to the displacement of the trolley. The
total energy of the system, ET, is constant (assuming no losses to the surroundings due to
friction and air resistance) and the kinetic energy, EK, has been plotted.
g. Sketch a line to show how the energy described in part e. changes with respect to
displacement

Total Energy, ET Kinetic Energy, EK

Energy / J

Displacement / m

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14th September 1 2 3

1. Differentiate y with respect to x for the following:

a. y = sin x

b. y = cos x

c. y = - sin x

2. By selecting a suitable equation from your data book, calculate the centripetal acceleration
of an object travelling at:
a. A linear speed of 7.7 m s-1 around a circle with radius 1.2 m

b. An angular speed of 0.95 rad s-1 around a circle with a diameter of 700 mm

3. Sketch a sinusoidal curve on the axes below:

a.

b.

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15th September 1 2 3

1. Differentiate y with respect to x for the following (where A and B are constants):

a. y = A cos x

b. y = A sin x

c. y = sin Bx

2. a. Define simple harmonic motion

b. Describe three examples from everyday life that undergo simple harmonic motion

3. Sketch the following curve on the axes below:

a. y = sin x

b. y = cos x

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16th September 1 2

1. Differentiate y with respect to x for the following:

a. y = A sin Bx

b. y = A cos Bx

c. y = - A sin Bx

2. A trolley connected to two springs oscillates from side to side.

+ve

Sketch a displacement-time graph for the trolley from the moment it is released in the
position above.
Displacement / m

Time / s

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16th September 3

3. Plot the corresponding velocity-time graph to this displacement-time graph.

20

10
Displacement / m

0.0
2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0
Time / s
-10

-20
Velocity / m s-1

2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0

Time / s

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17th September 1 2

1. Differentiate the following with respect to t:

a. x = A cos Bt

b. v = - A sin Bt

2. A mass is hung from the end of a spring.

a. State the two forces acting on the mass when it is
resting in its equilibrium position

b. State two factors that determine the initial extension of x +ve

the spring

The mass is pulled down through a displacement, x, and

released so it oscillates up and down.
c. Sketch the shape of a displacement-time graph for the
mass from the time it first passes its equilibrium position
Displacement / m

Time / s

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17th September 3

3. Sketch the shape of the corresponding velocity-time graph to this displacement-time graph.
Displacement / m

2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0

Time / s
Velocity / m s-1

2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 16.0

Time / s

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18th September 1 2

1. Differentiate the following with respect to t:

a. x = A cos ωt

b. v = - ωA sin ωt

2. A pendulum is hung from the end of a string.

a. State the two forces acting on the pendulum bob
when it is resting in its equilibrium position

The bob is pulled through a displacement x and released

so it oscillates from side to side.
b. Describe what provides the resultant force on the bob
causing it to accelerate

c. Sketch the shape of a velocity-time graph for the x

pendulum from the moment it is released
Velocity / m s-1

Time / s

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18th September 3

3. Sketch the shape of the corresponding velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs to this
displacement-time graph.
Displacement / m

Time / s
Velocity / m s-1

Time / s
Acceleration / m s-2

Time / s

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19th September 1

1. A simple pendulum is set up with a 50 g mass on a thread.

The length of the pendulum, L, should be 400 mm.

a. Describe how an accurate measurement of L could be

taken

The bob is displaced exactly 30 mm to the left and then

released.

b. Describe how this distance of 30 mm could be reliably

repeated so the pendulum is released from exactly the
same point each time

c. State the effect on the time period if the pendulum was x

released from an initial amplitude of 10 mm rather than
30 mm

d. Describe the energy transfers that take place as it oscillates from side to side

The time for ten oscillations is recorded as 12.62 seconds.

e. Calculate a sensible value for the percentage uncertainty in the time period for one
oscillation

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19th September
The velocity-time graph of the pendulum as it undergoes simple harmonic motion is shown
below.
f. Sketch the shape of the corresponding kinetic energy-time graph with suitable values

0.15

0.10
Velocity / m s-1

0.05

0.00
1.0 2.0 Time / s
-0.05

-0.10

-0.15
Kinetic Energy / x 10-4 J

1.0 2.0 Time / s

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20th September 1 2 3

1. Determine the result that should be recorded for ‘g’ and calculate the percentage
uncertainty in the data:

g / N kg-1 9.7 8.6 9.2 10.6 10.2

2. The volume of an atomic nucleus is proportional to the number of nucleons in it (if the
nucleons are modelled as incompressible spherical particles).
Write the proportionality relationship between:
a. The mass, m, and the nucleon number, A

b. The nuclear radius, R, and the mass, m

c. The nuclear radius, R, and the nucleon number, A

3. Define:
a. Electric potential

b. Gravitational potential

c. An equipotential

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21st September 1 2 3

1. A micrometer (giving readings with an absolute uncertainty of ± 0.01 mm) is used to

measure the diameter of a copper wire. This gives a value of 0.42 mm.

Calculate the percentage uncertainty in this measurement and suggest how a more
accurate value could be recorded.

2. The proportionality constant between nuclear radius, R, and nucleon number, A, is called
R0* and is approximately 1.2 fm, where: R = R0 A1/3
a. State what ‘f’ represents in ‘fm’

b. Explain what R0 represents

c. Calculate the radius of a carbon-12 nucleus

3. Draw the electric field lines between two parallel plates that have a potential difference
across them.

* R0 can also have the symbol r0

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22nd September 1 2 3

1. Measurements were taken to investigate a piece of copper wire. Calculate the

percentage uncertainty in the calculated value of resistivity:

Quantity Percentage Uncertainty

Resistance 2.1 %
Length 0.2 %
Diameter 4.3 %

2. For a nucleus of oxygen-16, calculate:

Atomic mass unit = 1.661 x 10-27 kg
a. Its radius
R0 = 1.2 fm

b. Its volume

c. Its mass

d. Its density

3. Sketch the electric field around an isolated:

a. Point charge b. Charged sphere

-Q +Q

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23rd September 1 2 3

1. The following values were recorded:

Quantity Value Percentage Uncertainty

Potential Difference / V 1.0 10 %

Current / A 0.20 5.0%

Calculate the resistance, including its uncertainty.

2. For a nucleus of uranium-235, calculate:

a. Its radius

b. Its volume

c. Its mass

d. Its density

3. Sketch the electric field between these shapes:

-Q +Q

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24th September 1 2 3

1. The following values were recorded:

Quantity Value Uncertainty

Potential Difference / V 3.0 ± 0.1

Current / A 0.22 ± 0.01

Calculate the electrical power, including its uncertainty.

2. State the density of:

a. An iodine-131 nucleus

b. An americium-241 nucleus

c. A hydrogen nucleus

d. A proton

3. Sketch the electric field between a positive plate and negative sphere:

-Q

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Linking Concepts in Pre-University Physics
You should be using Isaac Physics* regularly to help you develop your problem-
solving skills.
If you are aiming for the highest grades, or considering a STEM subject at
university, then you should work through the Linking Concepts in Pre-University
Physics book.
Find out more about this on the website below:

ALevelPhysicsOnline.com/isaac-physics

* This is not a paid advert – this is a recommendation for a resource I feel you should be aware of.
25th September 1

1. A large cog (L) is connected to a small cog (S) on a rigid axle, as shown below.

L S
S

L
A series of these are set up, where the small cog meshes with the large cog of the
adjacent gear.

No. 0 No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5

a. When cog No. 0 rotates through one complete rotation, state how many degrees
cog No. 1 turns through

b. Complete the table with value of R and ln (R)

Number of
Cog No. (N) ln (R)
Rotations (R)

0 1.0 0.00

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25th September
c. Plot the data on the graph below and calculate the gradient of the line of best fit

0.0
1 2 3 4 5
N

-1.0

-2.0
ln (R)

-3.0

-4.0

-5.0

-6.0

d. Explain the significance of the constant gradient and why this is seen when a
graph of the natural log of R is plotted against N

e. Calculate e-gradient and describe how this is related to the ratio of the two cogs that
are connected on the axle

f. If a series of one hundred of these gears were set up, how many rotations would
cog No. 99 have to make to rotate cog No. 0 by one turn

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26th September 1 2

1. The equation for the centripetal The tangential velocity can be calculated
acceleration is: using:

1 a = v2 / r 2 v = ωr

a. Square both sides of equation 2

b. Substitute your answer to part a. into equation 1 and write an expression for the
centripetal acceleration in terms or ω and r

2. For an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion, its displacement at time t can be
calculated using the equation:

x = A cos ωt

This applies when the displacement at t = 0 is its maximum amplitude.

a. Define velocity

b. Differentiate the above equation with respect to time

c. Define acceleration

d. Differentiate your answer to part b. with respect to time

e. Compare your answer to part d. to the original equation for x

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27th September 1 2

1. The velocity of a body orbiting a planet The speed of an orbiting body travelling in
of mass M can be written as: a circular path is:

1 v2 = GM / r 2 v = 2πr / T

a. Square both sides of equation 2

b. Equate equation 1 and your answer to part a.

c. Rearrange the equation to make T2 the subject

2. For an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion, its displacement at time t can be
calculated using the equation:

x = A sin ωt

This applies when the displacement at t = 0 is its equilibrium position.

a. Define simple harmonic motion

b. Differentiate the above equation with respect to time

c. Differentiate your answer to part b. with respect to time

d. Compare your answer to part c. to the original equation for x

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28th September 1 2

1. The equation for the kinetic energy of a The electric potential energy between
moving particle is: two charges is:

1 Ek = ½ mv2 2 Ep = q Q / 4 π ε0 r

a. Equate equations 1 and 2 for when the kinetic and potential energies are equal

b. Rearrange the equation to make r the subject

2. Plot a graph showing the displacement of an object undergoing SHM, with an amplitude
of 5.0 cm and time period of 1.2 s, if the displacement can be described with the
equation:

x = A sin ωt
Displacement / cm

Time / s

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29th September 1 2

1. The equation for the kinetic energy of a The gravitational potential energy
moving object of mass m is: between two masses is:

1 Ek = ½ mv2 2 Ep = G m M / r

a. Equate equations 1 and 2 for when the kinetic and potential energies are equal

b. Rearrange the equation to make v the subject

2. Plot a graph showing the displacement of an object undergoing SHM, with an amplitude
of 40 mm and a frequency of 0.625 Hz, if the displacement can be described with the
equation:

x = A cos ωt
Displacement / m

Time / s

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30th September 1

1. A micrometer is used to measure the diameter of a ball bearing. Three readings are taken
to ensure that the ball is spherical.

1 2 1 2 1 2 30
35 45

25
30 40

20
25 35

Calculate the:
a. Mean diameter in mm

b. Absolute uncertainty in the diameter

c. Percentage uncertainty in the diameter

d. Volume in m3

e. Percentage uncertainty in the volume

f. Uncertainty in the volume

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September REVIEW
See how much progress you have made and identify any areas you are not
confident with at this time.

A Level Physics Content Red Amber Green

I can draw the gravitational field lines around a point

mass and for a uniform field

I can draw the electric field lines around a point

charge, for a uniform field and between charges

I can convert between radians and degrees

I can differentiate functions with sin and cos

I can calculate the centripetal acceleration of objects

undergoing circular motion

I can sketch displacement, velocity, and acceleration-

time graphs for simple harmonic motion

Any other comments:

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ANSWERS
Check your work with the short answers in the back of this book.

If you have a Premium Plan, or access to a School Subscription, you can find
full downloadable written worked solutions and video support at:

ALevelPhysicsOnline.com/book-4-answers

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