A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet

by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Mechanics Mechanics (cont)

Scalar A quantity without direction. Displa​cem​‐ Displa​cement (y) against Time (x).
Length​/Di​stance, Speed, Mass, Temper​ature, Time, ent​-Time Gradient = Velocity
Energy Graph Accele​ration = Δgradient

Vector A quantity with both direction and magnitude Veloci​ty- Velocity (y) against Time (x)
Displa​cement, Velocity, Force (inc. Weight), Accele​‐ Time Graph Gradient = Accele​ration
ration, Momentum ΔGradient = ΔAccel​eration
Equili​brium When all forces acting on an object are balanced and Area = Displa​cement
cancel each other out.  There is no resultant force Variable Differ​entiate 
Free-body A diagram of all the forces acting on a body, but not Accele​ration x
Diagram the forces it exerts on other things. The arrows v
indicate magnitude and direction. a
Δa
Principle of For a body to be in equili​brium, the sum of the
Integrate 
Moments clockwise moments equals the sum of the anticl​‐
ockwise moments. Accele​rat​‐ Accele​ration (y) against Time (x).
ion​-Time Gradient = ΔAccel​eration
Moment The product of the size of the force and the perpen​‐
Graph 0 Gradient = No accele​ration  constant velocity.
dicular distance between the turning point and the line
Constant Gradient = constant accele​ration
of action of the force.
Area = Velocity
Couple A pair of forces with equal size which act parallel to
NB: Remember to treat area below the time axis as
each other but in opposite direction. E.g. turning a
negative!
car's steering wheel.
Newtons 1st The velocity of an object will not change unless a
Centre of The single point from which the body's weight acts
Law resultant force acts on it.
Mass through. The object will always balance around this
Newtons F = ma
point.
2nd Law The accele​ration of an object is ∝ to the resultant
To calculate for uniform objects: Σmx = Mx̄
force acting upon it. (for objects with a constant
SUVAT v = u + at
mass)
(Constant s = 1/2 (u+v)t
Points to remember:
Accele​‐ v 2 = u2 + 2as
• Resultant Force is vector sum of all the forces
ration) s = ut + 1/2 at2
• Unit = N
s = vt - 1/2 at2
• Ensure mass is in kg
• Accele​ration is in the same direction as resultant
force.
Newtons If object A exerts a force on object B, then object B
3rd Law exerts an equal but opposite force on object A

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 1 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Mechanics (cont) Mechanics (cont)

Freefall When there is only gravity acting upon an object. i.e. Elastic Kinetic energy is conserved i.e. no energy is dissipated
motion with an accele​ration of g (9.81ms-2) Collision as heat or other energy forms.
The same SUVAT equations apply, however, u = 0 Impulse An extension of N2L. Impulse is the product of force and
and a = g {{ng}} NB: 'direc​tion' of motion, dictates the time and is equal to the momentum of that body.
sign of g FΔt = Δ(mv)
Projectile An object given an initial velocity, then left to move Also equal to the area under a force-time graph.
Motion freely under g. There is separate horizontal and Work The energy transf​erred from one form to another.
vertical motion with time being the only common Done W = Fd
attribute. Both motion follows SUVAT equations but Work Done = The force causing motion x distance
horizontal motion has no accele​ration. moved
Friction Force that opposes motion. When in a fluid (liquid or Power The rate of work done over time
gas) it is drag, drag depends on: P = ΔW/Δt
• Viscosity of the fluid P = Fv  derived from combining P and W = Fs
• Speed of object
Force-​‐ Area = Work Done
• Shape of the object
Dis​pla​‐
cement
For all frictional forces
Graph
• Force is in the opposite direction to motion
Conser​‐ Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only converted
• Can never increase speed or induce motion
vation of from one form to another, but the total energy of a
• They convert kinetic energy  heat.
Energy closed system will not change.
Lift Upwards force on a object in a fluid
Efficiency useful output​/input in terms of energy or power.
Terminal When frictional forces equal the driving force. For a
Speed falling object, when drag equals the force due to their
Materials
mass.
Density ρ = m/V
Momentum The product of the mass and velocity of an object.
A property all materials have and is indepe​ndent of both
Momentum in any collision is conserved (when no
shape and size.
external forces are involved)
Limit of The point where Hooke's law no longer applies. On a
Inelastic Not all of the kinetic energy is conserved. Momentum
Propor​‐ force-​ext​ension graph, the limit of propor​tio​nality is where
Collision however is conserved.
tio​nality the line is no longer straight

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 2 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Materials (cont) Materials (cont)

Hooke's F = kΔL Yield The point on a stress​-strain graph where the material
Law The force is propor​tional to the extension of a stretched Point stretches without any extra load.
wire. Brittl​‐ When a material breaks after a certain about of force is
k is the stiffness constant  a measure of how hard it is eness applied. The line simply stops on a stress​-strain graph. The
to stretch same thing applies on a force-​ext​ension graph, the line just
Elastic The point on a force-​ext​ension graph where the line stops.
Limit begins to curve. Beyond this point, permanent deform​‐
ation occurs where the wire will no longer return to its Thermal Physics
original shape.
Kelvin A temper​ature scale that is in terms of an atoms
Force-​‐ Straight section  Gradient = k movements.
Ext​‐ Loading and unloading plot a loop, if a stretch is elastic, °C  K
ension the curve starts and finishes in the same position (the + 273
Graph origin). If plastic deform​ation occurs, the unloading line
Absolute The lowest theore​tical temper​ature of anything  0 K =
has the same gradient (k) but crosses the x axis at a
Zero -273°C
different point
Internal The internal energy of a body is the sum of the
Energy randomly distri​buted kinetic and potential energies of all
Area = Elastic Strain Energy
its particles

The area between the loading and unloading line (after Closed A system where no matter or energy is transf​erred in or
plastic deform​ation) is equal to the work done in System out of the system
deforming the material Heat Heat is always transf​erred from a hot area/s​ubs​tance to
Tensile The ratio of forced applied and cross-​sec​tional area. Transfer a cold area/s​ubs​tance.
Stress stress = F/A Specific The amount of energy required to heat up 1kg of the
Tensile The ratio of extension to original length, it has no units Heat material by 1°C/1 K
Strain and is just a ratio. Capacity ΔQ = mcΔT
strain = ΔL/L Energy Change is equal to the product of the mass,
specific heat capacity and the change in temper​ature.
Youngs The ratio of tensile stress and tensile strain
Modulus E = FL/AΔL
The YM of a material is the constant value up to the limit
of propor​tio​nality,
Stress​- Stress (y) against Strain (x).
Strain Gradient = Young's Modulus
Graph Area = strain energy per unit volume

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 3 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Thermal Physics (cont) Thermal Physics (cont)

Specific The specific latent heat of fusion (  Solid) / vapori​‐ Ideal Gas pV = nRT
Latent sation (  gas) is the quantity of thermal energy Equations n = number of moles
Heat needed​/will be lost to change the state of 1kg of the R = molar gas constant
substance.
Q = ml pV = NkT
where m is the mass and l the latent heat. N = number of molecules
k = Boltzmann constant
When a substance changes state, there is a period
where the temper​ature of the material is constant, as the A way of rememb​ering which n is which. Moles will be
internal energy rises, this is due to the latent heat. small, therefore small n. Number of molecules will be
Boyle's At a constant temper​ature, pV is constant. i.e. large so, big N.
Law p1V1 = p2V2 Kinetic The pressure exerted by an ideal gas can be derived by
On a p-V plot, the higher the line, the higher the temper​‐ Theory consid​ering the gas as individual particles.
ature. pV = 1/3 x Nm(Crms) 2

Charles' At a constant pressure: V is directly propor​tional to its Crms is the root mean square speed.
Law absolute temper​ature T
V1/T1 = V2/T2 Assump​tions
• All molecules in the gas are identical
Pressure At a constant volume: p is directly propor​tional to its
• Gas contains a large number of molecules
Law absolute temper​ature.
• The volume of the molecules is negligible when
p1/T1 = p2/T2
compared to the volume of the contai​ner/gas as a
Molecular the sum of the masses of all the atoms that make up the whole.
Mass molecule.
Brownian Random motion of particles suspended in a fluid 
Relative The sum of the relative atomic masses of all the atoms. Motion helped provide evidence that the movement of the
Molecular particles was due to the collisions of the fast random​ly-​‐
Mass moving particles, which supported the model of kinetic
Avogadro The number of atoms in exactly 12g of carbon isotope theory.
12
Constant 6C. Average 1/2 x m(Crms) 2 = 3/2 x nRT/N
NA = 6.02 x1023 mol-1 Kinetic 
Molar The mass of a material containing NA molecules Energy 1/2 x m(Crms) 2 = 3/2 x RT/NA
Mass
Particles and Radiation

Proton & The 2 Baryons that make up the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons Comprised of 3 quarks. Protons have a relative charge:
+1, neutrons: 0. Both have a relative mass of 1 (1.67
x10-27 kg).

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 4 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Particles and Radiation (cont) Particles and Radiation (cont)

Electron A fundam​ental lepton, with a charge of -1. Cannot be Photon A discrete packet of electr​oma​gnetic radiation with 0
broken down into other subatomic particles. Relative mass.
-31
mass of 1/2000 (9.11x10 kg) E = hf = hc/λ
Nuclide The general notation of elements. Antipa​‐ The corres​ponding antipa​rticle to any particle has the
Notation rticle same mass and rest energy but opposite charge.
A
ZX Pair When 2 of the same particles collide at high speed and
Proton The number of protons in an atom. Defines the element. Production produce a partic​le-​ant​ipa​rticle pair. The energy of the
Number For a neutral atom, proton no. also == the electron collisions is converted into the pair. Also occurs when a
(Z) number photon has enough energy to produce an electr​on-​‐

Nucleon AKA Mass Number - number of total nucleons (protons + pos​itron pair.

Number neutrons) Emin = 2E0 (in MeV)

(A) Annihi​‐ When a particle and antipa​rticle collide producing 2

Specific The ratio of a particles charge to its mass. Specific lation photons in opposite direct​ions.
Charge meaning per kg. Emin = E0
S.C. = Charge (Q) / Mass (kg) This collision is used in PET scanners to detect
cancers.
Isotope Atoms with the same number of protons but a different
number of neutrons. Affects the stability of a atom Hadron Particles that can feel the strong force. Either a baryon
or a meson depending on its quark structure
Strong A strong force that holds atoms together at small
Nuclear distances, strong enough to overcome the electr​ostatic Baryon A hadron consisting of 3 quarks. All are unstable
Force repulsion of the protons. except a free proton - all eventually decay into a
Distances proton.
Repulsive: <0.5 fm (0.5 x10 -15
m) Proton: uud
Attrac​tive: 0.5 to 3 fm Neutron: ddu
Rapidly falls to ) after 3 fm. Baryon A quantum number which is always conserved.
Alpha Occurs in big atoms (82+ protons). Atoms emits a helium Number Baryons have a B.N. of +1. Antiba​ryons have a B.N. of
Decay nucleus (2 protons 2 neutrons). Particles is too big to be -1 and all other particles have a B.N of 0.
(α) kept stable by the SNF. Mesons A hadron consisting of 2 quarks - a quark-​ant​iquark
Beta- Emission of a electron and anti-e​lec​tro​n-n​eut​rino. pair. There are 9 possible combin​ations, making either
Minus Happens in neutron rich particles. In nucleus structure Kaons or Pions.
Decay terms, a neutron turns into a proton by changing an d Lepton A fundam​ental particle that doesnt feel the strong
(β-) quark to a u quark, emitting an electron and anti-e​lec​tro​n- force. Interacts via the weak intera​ction.
n​eut​rino. Lepton Another quantum number that is always conserved.
Beta- Emission of a positron and an electron neutrino. One of Number Must be separate for lepton​-el​ectron number and
Plus the atoms protons, changes a u quark to a d quark, electr​on-muon number.
Decay changing to a neutron emitting a positron and an electr​‐
(β+) on-​neu​trino.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 5 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Particles and Radiation (cont) Magnetic Fields (cont)

Strange Particles that have a property of strang​eness - contain a Magnetic The force on one metre of wire carrying a current of 1 A
Particles strang​e/a​nti​-st​range quark. Flux at right angles to the magnetic field. AKA The strength of
Created via the strong intera​ction Density the magnetic field
Decay via the weak intera​ction B = F/Il
Rules of conver​sation mean that strange particles are Magnetic flux density is the force by the current meter
only produced in pairs. Magnetic When current flows, a magnetic field is induced.
Strang​‐ Another quantum number - however it can change by ±1 Field Right hand rule:
eness or 0 in an intera​ction. around a • Curl Fingers around "​wir​e".
Quark A fundam​ental particle that makes up hadrons. There wire • Stick up thumb
are 6 types:up/down , top/bo​ttom, strange /charm. Thumb:Direction of current
Fingers : Direction of magnetic field
Quark There is no where to get a quark on its own, when
Confin​‐ enough energy is provided, pair-p​rod​uction occurs, with Solenoid A cylind​rical coil of wire acting as a magnet when
ement one quark remaining in the particle. carrying electric current. Forms a field like a bar magnet.

Weak β+ and β- are both examples of weak intera​ctions, which Force on A curren​t-c​arrying wire, running through a magnetic field
Intera​‐ is intera​ction via the weak force, the force acting a generates a resultant field of the one induced by the
ction between leptons. Curren​t- current and the pre-ex​isting one. The direction of the
C​arrying force is perpen​dicular to the current direction and the
Feymann A diagram of particle intera​ctions, with:
Wire mag. field.
Diagram Wavy Lines : Exchange Particle
Straight Lines : Particles in/out of the intera​ction (with LeF t- For finding the direction of the F orce.
arrows indicating direction) hand • Thumb upwards
Rule • First finger forwards
Magnetic Fields • Second finger to the right (perpe​ndi​cular to f.f.)

Magnetic A region where a force acts, force is exerted on magnet​‐

Thumb:Force/Motion
Field ic/​mag​net​ically suscep​tible materials (e.g. iron).
First Finger:Field
Magnetic Lines that show a magnetic field. They run from north to Second Finger:Current
Field the south pole of a magnet. The more dense the lines
Charged F = BQv
Lines are, the stronger the field
Particles
in a mag.
field

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 6 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Magnetic Fields (cont) Magnetic Fields (cont)

Circular For a charge travelling perpen​dicular to a field is always Flux Linkage The amount of field lines being cut
Path perpen​dicular to the direction of motion  The condition NΦ = BANCos(θ)
for circular motion. where θ is the angle between the normal to the coil
and the field. (if it is perpen​dic​ular, θ = 0°
F = mv2/r can be combined with F = BQv. Faraday's Induced e.m.f. is propor​tional to the rate of change of
Rearranged for r, this shows that: Law flux linkage...
• r increases if mass or velocity increases ε = NΔΦ/Δt
• r decreases if the mag. field strength is increased or
Lenz's Law The induced e.m.f. is always in such a direction that
the charge increases
it opposes the change that caused it.
• f = v/2πr
e.m.f in a NΦ = BANCos(ωt)
•Combined with r = mv/BQ  f = BQ/2πm
rotating coil ε = BANωSi​n(ωt)
Particle A cyclotron consists of 2 hollow semico​ndu​ctors, with a
Accele​‐ uniform magnetic field applied perpen​dicular to the plane
Flux Linkage and Induced e.m.f. are 90° out of
rator of the D magnets. An A.C. is applied. Charged particles
phase.
are fired into the D's. They accelerate across the gap
Generator Ek is converted into electrical energy, the kinetic
between magnets, taking the same amount of time for
the increasing radius. energy turns a coil in a magnetic field so that they
induce a electric current.
Magnetic The number of flux lines through a certain area
Flux hence{{n}}Φ = BA Right-hand For G enerators.

In other words its the amount of flux passing through an Rule • Thumb upwards

area • First finger forwards

• Second finger to the left (perpe​ndi​cular to f.f.)
Electr​‐ Relative motion between a conductor and a mag. field,
oma​‐ causes an emf to generate at the ends of the conductor
Thumb:Force/Motion
gnetic as the electrons accumulate at one end.
First Finger:Field
Induction
Second Finger:Current
Altern​ating Current that's direction changes over time. The
Current voltage across the resistance goes up and down.
Root Mean Vrms = V0/sqrt(2)
Squared Irms = I0/sqrt(2)
(rms) Power Prms = Irms x Vrms

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 7 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Magnetic Fields (cont) Engine​ering

Transf​‐ A device that uses electr​oma​gnetic induction to change Moment A measure of how difficult it is to rotate an object or
ormer the size of a voltage for an altern​ating current. of Inertia change its rotational speed

An altern​ating current flowing in the primary coil causes I = Σmr2

the core to magnet​ise​/de​mag​netise contin​uously in This equation means that the moment of inertia is
opposite direct​ions. This produces a rapidly changing dependent in the masses, and their distri​bution, so a
magnetic flux in the core (made of magnet​ically soft solid disk may have a lower moment of inertia than a
material. The changing flux passes through the hoop.
secondary coil induces a altern​ating e.m.f. if the same Rotational The rotational kinetic energy of an object is dependant
frequency but different voltage (if the no. of turns is Kinetic on its moment of inertia.
different) Energy Ek = 1/2 x Iω2
Transf​‐ P.Coil: Vp = Np x ΔΦ/Δt Rotational The SUVAT equations can be applied directly to
ormer S.Coil: Vs = Ns x ΔΦ/Δt SUVAT rotational motion, but with rotati​onal's counterparts:
Equations s  θ (rads)
Combines to: u  ω0
Ns/Np = Vs/Vp v  ω
Ineffi​cie​‐ • Eddy Currents (looping currents induced by changing a  α
ncies in a flux)  create opposing magnetic fields reducing its t  t
Transf​‐ strength  reduced by laminating the core so that Torque When a force causes an object to turn, the turning effect
ormer current cannot flow between the cores layers is torque.
• Heat Generation  due to the resistance in the coils T = Fr
 reduced by using a wire with a low resistance T = Iα
• Magnet​​is​ing​/De​​ma​g​n​etising the core  energy is
Work & The work done is the product of the force and the angle
wasted as the core is heated  reduced by using a
Power turned by:
magnet​ically soft core, which has a small hysteresis
W = Tθ
loop, this the energy required to create​/co​llapse the field
is minimised
Power is the amount of work done in a given time:
P = Tω
as Δθ/Δt = ω
Efficiency Equations
efficiency = IsVs/IpVp  powerout/powerin
Frictionalk Torque occurs in real world systems
therefore:
T net = Tapplied - T frictional

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 8 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Engine​ering (cont) Engine​ering (cont)

Flywheels A flywheel is a heavy wheel that has a high moment of Angular Angular Momentum = Iω
inertia, meaning once spinning it is hard to stop. They Momentum
are charged as they are spun, turning T into rotational Iinitial x ωinitial = Ifinal x ωfinal
kinetic energy. It is used as a energy storage device  Angular Momentum IS** conserved
if energy is needed, the wheel decele​rates and provides Angular Impulse = Δ(Iω) = TΔt
some of its rotational energy to another part of the Impulse
machine.
1st Law of Q = ΔU + W
Thermo​dyn​‐
Flywheels maximused for energy storage are dubbed
amics If energy is transf​erred to the system: Q = +ve
flywheel batteries.
If work is done on the gas: W = -ve
If the internal energy increases:U = +ve
Factors that effect storage:
• Mass  If the mass is increased, the moment of
For closed systems, the first law can be applied, also
inertia and hence the r. Ek
known as non-flow processes as no gas flows in or
• Angular Speed  if the angular speed is increasd, the
out. To apply the law, it is assumed to be an Ideal
energy stored increases with angular speed 2, so
Gas.
increasing the a.speed, greatly increases energy
Isothermal ΔU = 0
storage.
(Constant Therefore Q = W
• Spoked Wheel  this again increases the moment of
temper​‐ There is no change in internal energy... no change in
inertia as the mass is distri​buted further away from the
ature) temper​ature therefore:
center.
Change pV = Constant.
• Material  Carbon fibre is generally used as it is
strong and allows for higher angular speeds
pV plot is a curve, with higher lines indicating a
• Friction Reduction  lubric​ation is used to reduce
higher temper​ature. The work done is the area under
friction as well as superc​ond​ucting magnets to stop
the line.
contact and therefore friction. Vacuums are also used
so air resisi​tance is not a factor.
Expansion is   and is positive.
Compression is   and is negative.
Uses
• Smoothing Torque  Flywheels are used to keep Adiabatic Q=0
systems relying on torque running smoothly (No heat Therefore ΔU = -W
• Breaking  especially in F1 cars, flywheels are used transfer) pVγ = constant
to harness some of the force when breaking to allow for Change
faster accele​ration afterwards Steeper gradient than a isotherm's plot. There is a
• Wind Turbines  to provide stable power for days greater amount of work done for an adiabatic change
without wind and/or peak times than a isotherm

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 9 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Engine​ering (cont) Engine​ering (cont)

Isobaric W = pΔV 4- • Induction  The piston starts at the top of the cylinder,
(Constant Therefore V/T is constant Stroke and moves down increasing the volume of the gas above it.
Pressure) Petrol A air-fuel mixture is drawn in through an open inlet valve.
Changes Engine Pressure remains constant just above atmospheric.
No work done. • Compre​ssion  The inlet valve is closed, the piston
Isometric W=0 moves up the cylinder. Work is done on the gas, and the
(Constant Therefore Q = ΔU and p/T is constant pressure increases. Just before the end of the stoke, a
Volume) spark ignites the air-fuel mixture. Temper​ature and
Changes Work done = area under straight line pressure increase.
• Expansion  The explosion expands and pushes the
Cyclic A System that undergos a number of combin​ations of
piston back down. Work is done as the gas expands, there
Process processes. They start at a certain pressure and
is also a net output. Just before the bottom, the exhaust
volume and return to it at the end of a cycle.
valve opens and the pressure reduces.
• Exhaust  The piston moves up the cylinder and the
burnt gas leaves through the exhaust valve, the pressure
remains constant just above atmosp​heric.
4- Induction Stroke  Only air is drawn.
Stroke Compression  The air is compressed enough to have a
Diesel temper​ature to ignite diesel fuel  just before the end of
Engine the stroke, diesel fuel is sprayed in and ignites.
Expansion & Exhaust  The same as petrol

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 10 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Engine​ering (cont) Engine​ering (cont)

Indicated Pindicated = Area of p-V loop x cycles per second x Refrid​‐ A reverse heat engine where the cold space is the actual
Power no. of cylinders gerator fridge. Whilst the hot space is the surrou​ndings, the fridges
The net work done by the cylinder in one second. aim is to extract as much heat from the cold space to the

Output The useful power at the crankshaft surrou​ndings.

Power P = Tω Coeffi​‐ COPref = Qc/W = Qc/(Qh-Qc) = Tc/(Th-Tc)

Friction The power lost due to friction between moving parts cient of COPhp = Qh/W = Qh/(Qh-Qc) = Th/(Th-Tc)
Power Pfriction = Pind - Pbrake Prefor​‐
mance
Engine Pinp = Calorific Value x Fuel Flow Rate Mechanical
Efficiency Efficiency = Pbrake/Pind Affected by energy lost due
Electr​icity
to moving parts Thermal Efficiency = Pind/Pinp Heat
Current The rate of flow of charge. Conven​tio​nally running
energy transf​erred into work Overall Efficiency =
(I/A) from + to -. Measured my an Ammeter (in series)
Pbrake/Pinp
I = ΔQ/Δt
2nd Law Heat engines must operate between a heat source and
Potential The work done in moving a unit charge between 2
of a heat sink Engine Efficiency = W/QH = (QH - QC)/QH
Difference points. 1 V = 1JC-1. Measured by a voltmeter (in
Thermo​‐ Max Theore​tical Efficiency = (TH - TC)/TH
(V/V) parallel)
dyn​amics
V = IR / V = W/Q
Heat A Source of heat (TH)
Resistance A measure of how difficult it is to move current around
Engine 
(R/Ω) the circuit.
QH
R = V/I

Ohmic Under constant physical condit​ions, I is propor​tional to
Heat Engine  W
Conductor V. On a graph of I (y) against V (x), the gradient is

equal to 1/R.
QC
 Filament A filament lamp has an IV charac​ter​istic of a cubic (s
Heat Sink (TC) Lamp shape) going through the origin. The heat in the
filament causes the resistance to increase - the
Reverse Hot (TH)
particles in the filament vibrate more, meaning its
Heat 
harder for the curren​t-c​arrying electrons to move
Engine QH
through it, therefore resistance increases as the

current increases.
Heat Engine  W

QC

Cold (TC)

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 11 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Electr​icity (cont) Electr​icity (cont)

Diode A diode only allows current to flow in one direction. The IV Electr​‐ The amount of electrical energy the battery provides
charac​ter​istic is virtually no current until the threshold omotive and transfers to each coulomb of charge.
voltage, where the voltage increases expone​nti​ally. The Force ε = E/Q
threshold voltage is approx. 0.6V (e.m.f.)
Resist​‐ How difficult it is for current to flow through a material. Internal The resistance inside cells.
ivity Depends on: Resistance ε = I(R + r)
• Length of the wire Kirchh​off's The total current entering a junction is equal to the
• Cross-​sec​tional area First Law total current leaving it, i.e. current is split when it
• Resist​ance. reaches a junction
ρ = RA/L
Kirchh​off's The total emf of a series circuit, equals the sum of the
Unit: Ωm
Second pd across each component, i.e. pd is split between
The lower the resist​ivity, the better it is at conducting
Law components in series but not parallel.
electricity.
ε = ΣIR
Resistance Series: RT = R1 + R 2 + R3 + ...
For Reference: Copper: 1.68x10 -8 Ωm
across Parallel: 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R 2 + 1/R3 + ...
Semico​ A group of materials that arent as good as conducting as
Circuits
nductor metals, however, if more energy is supplied, the
Potential A circuit with a voltage source and resistors in series.
resistance lowers  more charge carriers are released.
Divider The voltage of one of the resisitors can vary and
Superc​ A metal that can be cooled, and the resist​ivity is reduced.
therefore be used to detect certain changes when
ond​‐ There is no resist​ivity below the critical.
thermi​stors and LDRs are used.
uctor The main uses are for strong electr​oma​gnets, power
cables with no energy loss and fast electronic circuits with
Gravit​ational Fields
minimal energy loss.
Force A region in which a body experi​ences a non-co​ntact
Power The rate of transfer of energy.
Field force.
(P/W) 1W = 1JS-1
Newtons The force a body experi​ences due to gravity is dependant
2
P= E/t = IV = V /R = I R 2 Law of on its weight, the weight of the object exerting the force
Gravit​‐ and the distance between them  An inverse square
Energy E = ItV = V2t/R = I2Rt
ation law.
(E/J)
F = GmM/r2
kWh  J
NB The result of this is the magnitude of the force, the
kWh x 3.6x10 6
direction is always towards the centre of the mass
causing the gravit​ational force.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 12 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Gravit​ational Fields (cont) Gravit​ational Fields (cont)

Gravit​‐ The force per unit mass, depending on the location of Orbital T 2 ∝ r3
ational the body in a field. Period PROOF
Field g = F/m Propor​‐ • Combine F=mv 2/r and F = GmM/r2  Solve for v
Strength Also a vector quantity, directed towards the centre of tio​nality • T = 2πr/v  Sub in v
the mass causing the force. Escape The minimum speed an powered object needs to leave
Velocity the gravit​ational field of a planet
g = -ΔV/Δr
Synchr​‐ When an orbiting object has an orbital period equal to the
Earth's g ≈ 9.81 Nkg-1 onous rotational period of the object its orbiting
Radial Point masses have a radial gravit​ational field (such as Orbit
Field planets): Geosta​‐ An satellite in orbit of a body that remains in the same
g = GM/r2 tionary place  it has the same time period. It would have to be
Gravit​‐ The gravit​ational potential energy that a unit mass Orbit over the equator to be a true geosta​tionary orbit
ational would have. It is negative on the surface of a mass and Low Satellites that orbit between 180 and 2000 km above
Potential increases with the distance from the mass. It can also Orbiting Earth. They are designed for commun​ication and as they
be considered as the energy required to fully escape Satellite are low-orbit, they're cheaper to launch and require less
the body's gravit​ational pull powerful transm​itters.
V = -GM/r
Gravit​‐ The energy required to move a unit mass. When an EM Radiation and Quantum
ational object is moved, work is done against gravity  ΔW =
Photoe​‐ The emission of electrons from the surface of a metal
Potential mΔV
lectric in response to an incidence light, where the frequency
Difference
Effect of the incidence light is above that of the metals
Equipo​‐ Lines/​Planes that join points of equal gravit​ational threshold frequency.
ten​tials potential  similar to contour lines on maps.
Threshold The lowest frequency of light that can cause electrons
Along these lines both ΔV and ΔW are zero, the objects
Frequency to be emitted from the surface of a metal.
energy isn't changing.
Work The minimum quantity of energy which is required to
Satellite Are smaller objects orbiting a larger object, they are
Function remove an electron to infinity from the surface of a
kept in orbit by the force due to the larger body's gravit​‐
given solid, usually a metal.
ational field.
Φ = hf0

In terms of planets  Orbits are ≈ circular, therefore

circular motion equations apply.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 13 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

EM Radiation and Quantum (cont) EM Radiation and Quantum (cont)

Maximum The energy a photon is carrying minus any other energy Line-A​‐ When light with a continuous spectrum of energy (white
Kinetic loses. These energy loses explain the range of kinetic bso​‐ light) pass through a cool gas. Most of the electrons will
Energy energies of the photons. The max is equal to hf, with no rption stay in their ground states but some will be absorbed and
energy loss. Spectra excite them to higher states, these photons are then
hf = Φ + 1/2(m)(vmax) 2 missing from the spectrum causing black lines on the

Stopping The potential difference required to stop the fastest continuous spectrum.

Potential moving electrons travelling at Ek(max) Diffra​‐ When a beam of light passes through a narrow gap and
eVs = Ek(max) ction spreads out.

Electron The kinetic energy carried by an electron after it has Wave- An entity behaving with both particle and wave-like
Volt been accele​rated from rest to a pd of 1 V. P​article behaviour. Light has a relati​onship between wavelength
1eV = 1.6 x10 -19
J Duality and momentum: DeBrog​lie's Wavele​ngth:
λ = h/mv
Ground The lowest energy level of an atom/e​lectron inside an
State atom. Electron When electrons are accele​rated and sent through a
Diffra​‐ graphite crystal, they pass through the spaces between
Excitation The movement of an electron to a higher level in an
ction the atoms producing a diffra​ction pattern
atom, requiring energy.
ΔE = E1 - E2 = hf
Waves
De-Exc​‐ An electron moving towards ground state releasing
Reflection When a wave is bounced back when hitting a
itation energy equal to the difference between the states in the
boundary
form of a photon.
Refraction When a wave changes direction as it enters a
Fluore​‐ The tubes contain mercury vapour, when a high voltage
different boundary medium. The change in direction is
scent is passed across, producing free electrons, which collide
as a result of the wave changing speed in the new
Tubes with the mercury electrons exciting them. When they
medium
return to the ground state, they release a photon in the
UV range. These then collide with the tubes phosphorus Diffra​ction When a wave spreads out as it passes through a gap
coating exciting it's electrons, and then when they return or around a obstacle.
to the ground state they release photons in the visible Displa​‐ The distance a wave has moved from its undist​urbed
light range cement positi​on/its starting point. It is a vector quantity
Line-E​‐ A series of bright lines against a black backgr​ound, with (x/m)
mission each line corres​ponding to a wavelength of light. Amplitude The maximum magnitude of displa​cement.
Spectra (A/m)
Wavelength The length of one whole oscill​ation of the wave.
(λ/m)

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 14 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Waves (cont) Waves (cont)

Period The time taken for a whole wave cycle. Constr​‐ When 2 waves meet and their displa​cements are in the
(T/s) T = 1/f uctive same direction, the displa​cements combine to give a
Frequency The number of whole waves per second, passing a Interf​‐ bigger one.
(f/Hz) given point. erence
f = 1/T Destru​‐ When 2 waves meet and their displa​cement is in
Phase A measur​ement of the position if a certain point along ctive opposite direct​ions, they cancel out 'destr​oying' the
the wave cycle Interf​‐ displa​cement. The displa​cement of the combined wave
erence is the sum of the individual displa​cem​ents.
Phase The amount by which one wave differs from another
Difference Exactly When 2 points on a wave are a odd multiple of 180°/Ⲡ
Out of apart.
Wave c = fλ
Phase
Speed
In phase When the phase difference of 2 points is 0 or a multiple
Transverse The displa​cement of the partic​les​/field is at a right
of 360°/2Ⲡ.
Wave angle to the direction of energy transfer. e.g. a spring
shaking up and down as displa​cement  and energy Stationary The superp​osition of 2 progre​ssive waves with the
transfer is  Wave same freque​ncy​/wa​vel​ength and amplitude moving in
opposite directions
Longit​‐ The displa​cement of the partic​les​/fields is along the
udinal line of energy transfer Node A point on a stationary wave where no movement
Wave occurs - zero amplitude. There is total destru​ctive
interf​erence.
Polari​‐ A wave passing through a filter resulting in a polarised
sation wave that oscillates in one direction only. 2 polarising Antinode Points on a stationary wave with maximum amplitude -
filters at right angles blocks all light as it blocks both constr​uctive interf​erence
direct​ions. Polarising filters are common sunglasses Resonant When the stationary wave produced has an exact
Glare Polarising filters reduces the amount of reflected light Frequency number of half-w​ave​lengths
Reduction therefore reducing the intensity of the light on your First When the stationary wave is at its lowest possible
eyes Harmonic frequency - a single loop with one antinode and a node
TV Signals TV signals are polarised by the rod orient​ation on the at each end. To find the freq of the nth harmonic,
transm​itting aerial. If the rods are lined up, you receive multiply the 1st harmonics freq. by n.
a good signal. f = 1/2l x sqrt(T/μ)
where μ is the mass per unit length, T is the tension in
Superp​‐ When 2 waves pass through each, at the instance
the string and l is the length of the vibrating string.
ostion where the wave cross, the displa​cement is combined,
then each wave continues. Second Twice the frequency of the 1st harmonic. With 2 loops,
Harmonic 2 antinodes and 3 nodes (one in the center)

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 15 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Waves (cont) Waves (cont)

Amount of When a wave is passed through a narrow gap. Diffra​ction Lots of equally spaced slits very close together,
Diffra​ction Gap > Wavelength  No diffra​ction Grating produces a sharp interf​erence pattern, therefore
Gap = n x Wavelength  Minimal Diffra​ction allowing more accurate measur​ements. The formula
Gap = Wavelength  Maximum Diffra​ction relates the distance between slits (d/m), the angle to the
Monoch​‐ Light of a signal wavele​ngt​h/f​req​uency and therefore a normal (θ/°), the wavelength (λ/m) and the order of
romatic single colour. Best for producing clear diffra​ction maximum(n)
Light patterns. dSin(θ) = nλ
The order of maximum is the number of bright spots
White When white light is diffra​cted, the different wavele​ngths
away from the central spot (which has order 0)
Light of light diffract by different amounts. The result is a
Diffra​ction diffra​ction pattern of spectra instead of single coloured Refractive A measure of how optically dense a material is - the
fringes Index more optically dense, the higher refractive index.
n = c/cs
Two- When waves from 2 sources interfere to produce a
where c is the speed of light and cs is the speed of light
Souce pattern. In order to get a clear pattern, the sources
in the material.
Interf​‐ must be monoch​romatic and coherant
erence
Common Refractive Indexes
Coherancy If the waves produce have the same wavele​ngt​h/f​req​‐
Vacuum = 1
uency and have a fixed phase differ​ence.
Glass ≈ 1.5
Double​-Slit Young's double​-slit formula relate a waves fringe Water ≈ 1.33
Formula spacing (w/m), its wavele​ngt​h(λ/m), the slit separa​tio​‐
n(s/m) and the distance from the screen​(D/m) into a At a boundary: 1n2 = c1/c2 = n2 / n1
single formula The relative refractive index from material 1 to material
w = λD/s 2. Note when using the refractive indexes of the
materials its 2/1 rather than 1/2 with the speeds.
Snells n1Sin(θ1) = n2Sin(θ2)
Law When a ray of light travels from one refractive medium
to another.
Critical The angle of incidence at which the angle of refraction =
Angle 90° i.e. Sin(θcrit) = n2/n1 where n1>n2

Total When all light is completely reflected back into a

Internal medium at a boundary with another medium instead of
Reflection being refracted. Occurs when θi > θcrit

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 16 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Waves (cont) Nuclear (cont)

Optical A very thin flexible tube of glass/​plastic fibre in which Distance of Ek = Eelec = Qnucleusqalpha/4πε0r
Fibre light signals are carried across long distances and Closest where r is the distance of closest approach
around corners by applying TIR. The fibres are Approach
surrounded by a cladding with a high refractive index Electron λ≈hc/E where the first minimum occurs at:
and a core of a lower refractive index. The light is Diffra​ction sinθ ≈ 1.22λ/2R
refracted where the mediums meet and travels along
Nuclear R = R0A1/3
the fibre.
Radius
Signal When some of the signals energy is absorbed by the
Alpha Charge​(rel): +2
Absorbtion material of the fibre. The final amplitude is reduced.
Decay (α) Mass(u): 4
Signal When the final pulse is broader than expected, which Penetration: low
Dispersion can cause inform​ation loss as it may overlap with Ionising: high
another signal. Speed: slow
Modal Light entering at different angles and taking different Affected by mag. field: y
Dispersion paths, resulting in signals arriving in the wrong order Stopped by: paper/​~10cm air
 Single​-mode fibre is used to prevent this - light is
only allowed to folllow a very narrow path. Used for: Smoke alarms  if the particles cant reach
Material Different amounts of dispersion depending on wavele​‐ the detector, the smoke must be stopping them
Dispersion ngth.  Monoch​romatic light prevents this. Beta Charge​(rel): ±1
Decay(β^±) Mass(u): n/a
Nuclear Penetration: mid
Ionising: weak
Rutherford An experiment that proved the current model of the
Speed: fast
Scattering atom  that it is mostly empty space.
Affected by mag. field: y
Stopped by: ~3mm of aluminium
Rutherford set up an experi​ment, with an alpha emitter
pointed at gold foil. He observed the deflection of the
Used for: PET Scanners, In production of metals 
particles and it showed that atoms have a concen​trated
the levels penetr​ating through the metal can be used
mass at the centre and are mostly empty space, which
to control the thickness.
disproved the plum-p​udding model which was
accepted previously. Gamma Charge​(rel): 0
Decay(γ) Mass(u): 0
It showed that: Penetration: low
• Atoms = mostly empty space Ionising: very weak
• Nucleus has a large positive charge, as some of the Speed: c (speed of light)
+ve charged alpha particles are repelled and deflected Affected by mag. field: n
• Nucleus must be tiny due to few particles being Stopped by: several cm of lead.
deflected by an angle > 90°
• Mass must be concen​trated in the nucleus Used for: PET Scanners  produced through annihi​‐
lation, cancer treatment.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 17 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Nuclear (cont) Nuclear (cont)

Background The low level of radiation that always exists. Must be Number N = N0e-λt
Radiation taken into account when measuring radiation. of where N0 is the original number of the unstable nuclei
Sources of • The Air  Radioa​ctive radon gas released from unstable
Background rocks Nuclei N = nNA
Rad. • Ground​/Bu​ildings  Nearly all rock contains (N) where n is the number of moles and NA is Avogadro's
radioa​ctive materials constant
• Cosmic Radiation  nuclear radiation from particle Half-Life The average time the isotope takes for the number of
collisions due to cosmic rays (T1/2) nuclei to halve.
• Living things  living things are made of carbon, T 1/2 = ln2/λ
some of which is radioa​ctive carbon-14 (Derived from N = N0e-λt)
• Man-Made  Radiation from indust​ria​l/m​edical
Uses of • Carbon Dating  Using the amount of C-14 left in the
sources
Radiation organic material. Problems are that the material may
Intensity I = k/x2
have been contam​inated, high background count,
Intensity (Wm-2) = constant of propor​tio​nality (W)/di​‐
uncert​ainty in c-14 in the past and sample size may be
stance from source (m)
too small
Radioa​ctive It both sponta​neous and random. • Medical Diagnosis  Tracers that emit radiation to
Decay track things in the body
Sponta​neous: Decay is not affected by external
Instab​ility Nuclei are unstable when:
factors
• Too many/not enough neutrons
Random : It cannot be predicted when the next decay
• Too many nucleons
occurs
• Too much energy
Decay The probab​ility of a specific nucleus decaying per
Constant unit time. It is a measure of how quickly a isotope will
decay. If they nuclei lies on the N=Z line they are generally
Activity (Bq) The number of nuclei that will decay each second. stable. If they lie above, they undergo β- decay, if they
lie below, the undergo β + decay. If they have a Z number
A = λN of over ~82 (Protons) they undergo α decay.
where λ is the decay constant, and N is the number Mass The mass of a nucleus is less than the mass of its
of unstable nuclei in the sample Defect consti​tuents. This energy difference is the mass defect
and is lost to energy as E = mc2, energy and mass are
It can also be written as: equiva​lent.
Binding If you were to pull a nucleus apart, this binding energy
ΔN/Δt = -λN
Energy would be the energy required to do so, equal to the
(ΔN is always a decreasing number hence the neg
energy released when the nucleus formed.
sign)

A = A0e-λt
A0 is the activity at t=0

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 18 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Nuclear (cont) Nuclear (cont)

Average Average Binding energy per nucleon = Binding Nuclear • Control Rods  Usually made of carbon, they are
Binding Energy​/Nu​cleon number Fission lowered and raised to control the rate of fission. The
Energy Reactors amount of fuel required to produce one fission per fission
Nuclear When large unstable nuclei randomly split into smaller is the critical mass. Any less (sub-c​rit​ical) then the
Fission more stable nuclei. Energy is released as the smaller reaction will eventually fizzle out. Any more, and the
nuclei have a higher avg. binding energy per nucleon reactor could go into meltdown, which is why control rods
are used.
Nuclear When 2 smaller nuclei combine to form a larger nuclei. A
• Moderator  Fuel rods are placed in the moderator,
Fusion lot of energy is released because the new heavier
this slows down/a​bsorbs neutrons to control the rate.
nucleus has a higher avg. binding energy (if the 2 original
The choice of moderator needs to slow down the
nuclei are light enough). This is the energy that keeps
neutrons enough to slow down neutrons enough to keep
stars burning
the rate of fission steady. It slows down neutrons through
elastic collis​ions, a moderator with a similar nucleo​n-
mass to the neutrons.
• Coolant  is sent around the reactor to remove heat
produced by the fissio. The material is either liquid or
gas at room temp. Often it is the same water (heavy​-
water) as the moderator and can be used to make steam
and turn turbines.
• Shielding  Reactors are surrounded by thick
concrete, which shields and protects from radiation
escaping and anyone working there.
• Emergency Shut-down  All reactors have an
emergency shutdown where the control rods are
completely lowered into the reactor, thus absorbing all
the neutrons produced and slowing the reaction down as
quickly as possible.
• Waste  Unused uranium only produces α so can be
easily contained. Spent uranium however emit β & γ
radiation. Once removed from the reactor they are
cooled and ten stored in sealed containers until the
activity is at a low enough level.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 19 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Further Mechanics Further Mechanics (cont)

Radian Objects in circular motion travel through angles, mostly Accele​‐ Is the gradient of the velocity time graph. Its maximum
measured in radians. ration (a) value is ω2A
Rads to Deg:
Angle in deg x π/180 a = ω2x
Angular The angle an object rotates through per second. Mass-S​‐ A mass on a spring is a simple harmonic oscillator.
Speed ω = θ/t = v/r = 2π/T = 2πf pring When the mass is pulled​/pushed from the equili​brium
Frequency The number of revolu​tions per second. System position, there is a force directed back towards the
f = 1/T equili​brium position.

Time The time taken for a complete revolu​tion.

F = kΔL where k is the spring constant and ΔL is the
Period
displa​cement.
Centri​‐ Objects travelling in a circle are accele​rating as their
petal velocity is changing consta​ntly. The accele​ration is
The Time period for a M-S System is given by:
Accele​‐ always acting towards the centre of the circle.
ration a = v2/r = ω2r
T = 2π x sqrt(m/k)
Centri​‐ Is the resolved force which is always directed towards
Pendulum A pendulum is an example of a Simple Harmonic Oscill​‐
petal the centre of the circle.
ator. The time period for a pendulum is given by:
Force F = mv2/r = mω2r
Simple An object undergoing SHM is oscill​ating to and fro, T = 2π x sqrt(l/g)
Harmonic either side of an equili​brium position.
Free Free vibrations involve no transfer of energy to/from the
Motion
Vibration surrou​ndings. If a mass-s​pring system is stretched, it
It is defined as An oscill​ation in which the accele​ration
will oscillate at its natural frequency fn.
of an object is directly propor​tional to its displa​cement,
Forced Forced Vibration occurs when there is an external
which is always directed towards the equili​brium
Vibration driving force. A system can be forced to vibrate by a
position
periodic external force. This is called the driving
Displa​‐ Displa​cement varies as a cosine​/sine wave with a
frequency, fd.
cement (x) maximum value of A (Amplitude)

fd << fn  Both are in phase

x = Acos(ωt)
fd >> fn  The oscillator will not be able to keep up
Velocity Is the gradient of the displa​cement time graph. Its
and will end up out of control. i.e. completely out of
(v) maximum value is ωA
phase.

v = ±ω x sqrt(A2 x 2)
v max = ωA

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 20 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com
 A-Level Physics Key Terms Cheat Sheet
by 0llieC (0llieC) via cheatography.com/38321/cs/11952/

Further Mechanics (cont)

Resonance As fd → fn, the system gains more and more energy

from the driving force, thus the amplitude rapidly
increases. The system is now considered to be
resona​ting. At resonance, the phase difference
between the driver and the oscillator is 90°.
Damping Any oscill​ating system loses energy to its surrou​ndings
 damping. System are also delibe​rately damped to
stop them oscill​ating or minimise resonance.

Light Damping  Take a long time for oscill​ation to

stop, the amplitude is decreased slowly. Displa​cem​‐
ent​-Time Graph: sharp peak.
Heavy Damping  The amplitude decreases rapidly,
and oscill​ation takes much less time to stop.D​isp​lac​‐
eme​nt-Time Graph: flat peak.
Critical Damping  Oscill​ation is stopped in the
shortest amount of time possible.
Over Damping  Systems with even heavier
damping, they take longer to reach equili​brium than a
critically damped system.

By 0llieC (0llieC) Published 3rd June, 2017. Sponsored by CrosswordCheats.com

cheatography.com/0lliec/ Last updated 3rd June, 2017. Learn to solve cryptic crosswords!
Page 21 of 21. http://crosswordcheats.com