GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS

Define gravitational field

A gravitational field is a region in space where a mass experiences a force due to gravity.
The gravitational field strength at a point is defined as the force per unit mass at that point

Three similarities and three differences between gravitational potential

and electric potential​
Similarities:
●​ Both gravitational potential and electric potential follow an inverse proportionality to
distance
●​ Both are measures of potential energy per unit property
●​ The total potential at a point due to multiple masses or charges is the algebraic sum
of the potentials due to individual sources
Differences:
●​ Attractive vs. Repulsive –
○​ Gravitational potential is always negative, as gravity is always attractive.
○​ Electric potential can be positive or negative, as electric forces can be
attractive or repulsive depending on the charge sign.
●​ Source Property –
○​ Gravitational potential is created by mass.
○​ Electric potential is created by charge.
●​ Strength of Interaction –
○​ The gravitational force is much weaker than the electric force for particles of
similar mass and charge.
○​ The electric force is significantly stronger in interactions between charged
particles.

State what is meant by a gravitational force

Gravitational force is the attractive force that acts between two masses due to their mass. It
follows Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, which states that the force between two
objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to
the square of the distance between them

State Newton’s law of gravitiation​

Newton’s Law of Gravitation states that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe
with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between their centers

Define gravitational potential at a point

Gravitational potential at a point is the work done per unit mass to bring a small test mass
from infinity to that point in a gravitational field.

Define gravitational field strength

Gravitational field strength at a point is the force per unit mass experienced by a small test
mass placed at that point in a gravitational field.
State what is meant by a field of force
A field of force is a region in which a force is exerted on an object without direct contact.
Examples include gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, where forces act on masses,
charges, or magnetic materials, respectively.

State the relationship between gravitational potential and gravitational

field strength
Gravitational field strength (g) is the rate of change of gravitational potential (V) with
distance. It shows how quickly potential decreases as you move away from a mass

State what is indicated by the direction of the gravitational field line at a

point in a gravitational field
The direction of the gravitational field line at a point indicates the direction of the force
experienced by a small test mass placed at that point. It always points toward the mass
creating the field.

Explain, in context to gravitational field lines, why the gravitational field

near the surface of the Earth is approximately constant for small
changes in height
Near the surface of the Earth, gravitational field lines are nearly parallel and evenly spaced,
indicating a uniform field. For small changes in height, the variation in gravitational field
strength is negligible, making it approximately constant.

Three Key Conditions That Make a Satellite Geostationary

●​ Orbital Period Equals Earth’s Rotation Period
●​ Orbit Must Be Directly Above the Equator
●​ Correct Altitude (Approximately 35,786 km)

FORMULAS
𝐺𝑚1𝑚2
𝐹= 2
𝑟
𝐹
𝑔= 𝑚
𝐺𝑀
𝑔= 2
𝑟
𝐺𝑀
Φ =− 𝑟
2 𝐺𝑀
𝑣 = 𝑟
3

2π𝑟 2
𝑇= ​
𝐺𝑀

𝐹 = Gravitational force (𝑁)

2 −2
𝐺 = Gravitational constant (𝑁 • 𝑚 • 𝐾𝑔 )
𝑚1, 𝑚2 = Masses of two objects (𝐾𝑔)
𝑟 = Distance between the centers of the two masses (𝑚)
−2
𝑔 = Gravitational field strength or acceleration due to gravity (𝑚𝑠 )
𝑀 = Mass of the large body (𝐾𝑔)
𝐽
Φ = Gravitational potential ( 𝐾𝑔 )
−1
𝑣 = Orbital velocity of an object in a circular orbit (𝑚𝑠 )
𝑟 = Radius of the orbit (𝑚)
𝑇 = Orbital period (𝑠)
 COULUMB’S LAW
Define electric field
An electric field is a region in space where a charged particle experiences an electric force.
The electric field strength at a point is defined as the force per unit charge at that point

State three similarity and three difference between the fields of force
produced by an isolated point charge and by an isolated point mass

●​ Similarities:
○​ Both fields follow an inverse square law and have a radial field pattern.
○​ The field strength in both cases is proportional to the source property
○​ Both fields exert a force on objects placed within them without direct contact
(gravitational force on masses, electric force on charges).
●​ Differences:
○​ Gravitational fields are always attractive, while electric fields can be attractive
or repulsive, depending on the charge type.
○​ Gravitational fields are due to mass, while electric fields are due to charge.
○​ Electric forces are much stronger than gravitational forces for fundamental
particles like electrons and protons.

State what is meant by electric field strength

The electric field strength (E) at a point is the force per unit positive charge experienced by a
small test charge placed at that point.

Define electric potential at a point

Electric potential at a point is the work done per unit charge to bring a positive test charge
from infinity to that point in an electric field.

State Coulomb’s law

Coulomb’s law states that the electrostatic force between two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them.

FORMULAS
𝑄1𝑄2
𝐹= 2
4πε0 𝑟
𝑄
𝐸= 2
4πε0 𝑟
𝑄
𝑉= 4πε0 𝑟

∆𝑉 =
𝑄 ⎡1 − 1 ⎤
4πε0 ⎢𝑟 𝑟2 ⎥
⎣ 1 ⎦
∆𝑉
𝐸= ∆𝐷
𝐹 = Electrostatic force between two charges (𝑁)
𝑄1𝑄2 = Magnitudes of the two charges (𝐶)
𝐹
ε0 = Permittivity of free space ( 𝑚 )
𝑟 = Distance between the two charges (𝑚)
𝑁
𝐸 = Electric field strength ( 𝐶 )
𝑄 = Charge creating the field (𝐶)
𝑉 = Electric potential at distance r from charge Q (𝑉)
𝑄 = Charge creating the potential (𝐶)
∆𝑉 = Electric potential difference (𝑉) between two points at distances r₁ and r₂
𝑟1, 𝑟2 = Distances from the charge (𝑚)
∆𝑉 = Change in electric potential (𝑉)
∆𝐷 = Distance over which potential changes (𝑚)
 CIRCULAR MOTION
In terms of velocity and acceleration, describe uniform circular motion
●​ Velocity: The magnitude (speed) remains constant, but since velocity is a vector, its
direction changes continuously as the object moves around the circle.
●​ Acceleration: The object experiences centripetal acceleration, which is always
directed toward the center of the circle. This causes a continuous change in velocity
direction without changing the speed.

State what is meant by centripetal acceleration

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration of an object moving in a circular path, always
directed toward the center of the circle. It keeps the object in motion along the curve

Define the radian​

A radian is the angle subtended at the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to
the radius of the circle.

FORMULAS
𝑠
Θ= 𝑟
𝑣
ω= 𝑟
∆Θ
ω= ∆𝑇
𝑣 = ω𝑟
2
𝑣
𝑎= 𝑟
2
𝑎 = 𝑟ω
2
𝑚𝑣
𝐹= 𝑟
2
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑟ω

Θ = angle (𝑟𝑎𝑑)
𝑠 = length of arc
−1
ω = Angular velocity (𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑠 )​
∆Θ = Angular displacement (𝑟𝑎𝑑)
∆𝑇 = Time taken for the displacement (𝑠)
−1
𝑣 = Linear velocity (𝑚𝑠 )
𝑟 = Radius of circular path (𝑚)
−2
𝑎 = Centripetal acceleration (𝑚𝑠 )
𝐹 = Centripetal force (𝑁)
𝑚 = Mass of the object (𝐾𝑔)
 OSCILLATIONS
State what is meant by a simple harmonic motion
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a type of periodic motion where the acceleration of an
object is directly proportional to its displacement from a fixed equilibrium position and is
always directed toward the equilibrium position.

State what is meant by resonance

Resonance occurs when a system is driven at its natural frequency, resulting in a maximum
amplitude of oscillation due to the efficient transfer of energy from the driving force.

State what is meant by damping

Damping is the gradual loss of energy from an oscillating system due to resistive forces such
as friction or air resistance, causing a decrease in amplitude over time.

FORMULAS
1
𝑓= 𝑇
1
𝑇= 𝑓
ω = 2π𝑓
2π
ω= 𝑇
𝑥 = 𝑥0𝑠𝑖𝑛(ω𝑡)
𝑥 = 𝑥0𝑐𝑜𝑠(ω𝑡)
2 2
𝑣 = ±ω (𝑥0) − 𝑥
1 2 2
𝐸 0
= 2
𝑚ω (𝑥0)
𝑡
ϕ = 2π 𝑇
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥​ = ω𝐴

−1
𝑓 = Frequency of oscillation (𝐻𝑧 or 𝑠 )
𝑇 = Time period of oscillation (𝑠)
ω = Angular frequency ( 𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝑠
)​
𝑥 = Displacement from equilibrium position (𝑚)
𝑥0​= Maximum displacement (amplitude) (𝑚)
𝑡 = Time (𝑠)
𝑚
𝑣 = Velocity of the oscillating object ( 𝑠
)
𝐸0​= Total energy of the system (𝐽)
𝑡 = Time lag between waves (s)
𝐴 = Amplitude (m)
 CAPACITANCE
Define the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is the ability of the capacitor to store charge per
unit potential difference between its plates

State three functions of capacitors in electrical circuits

●​ Energy Storage – Capacitors store electrical energy and release it when needed,
acting as temporary batteries.
●​ Filtering and Smoothing – In power supplies, capacitors smooth voltage fluctuations
by filtering out AC ripples.
●​ Timing and Frequency Control – Capacitors are used in oscillators and timing circuits
to control signal frequencies.

Capacitors in Parallel
𝑄𝑇​ = 𝑄1​ + 𝑄2​ + 𝑄3​
𝑄𝑇​ = 𝑉(𝐶1​ + 𝐶2​ + 𝐶3)
𝑄𝑇​
𝑉
= 𝐶1​ + 𝐶2​ + 𝐶3​
𝐶𝑇 = 𝐶1​ + 𝐶2​ + 𝐶3

Capacitors in Series
𝑉𝑇​ = 𝑉1​ + 𝑉2​ + 𝑉3​
1 1 1
𝑉𝑇​ = 𝑄( 𝐶 ​ + 𝐶2
​+ 𝐶3
)
1
𝑉𝑇​ 1 1 1
𝑄
= 𝐶1
​+ 𝐶2
​+ 𝐶3
​
1 1 1 1
𝐶𝑇
= 𝐶1
​+ 𝐶2
​+ 𝐶3

FORMULA
𝑄
𝐶= 𝑉
1
𝑊 = 2 𝑄𝑉
1 2
𝑊= 2
𝐶𝑉
2
1 𝑄
𝑊= 2 𝐶
τ = 𝑅𝐶
𝑡
𝐼 = 𝐼0𝑒𝑥𝑝(− 𝑅𝐶
)
𝑡
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒𝑥𝑝(− 𝑅𝐶
)
𝑡
𝑉 = 𝑉0𝑒𝑥𝑝(− 𝑅𝐶
)
𝐶 = Capacitance (𝐹)
𝑄 = Charge stored on the capacitor (𝐶)
𝑉 = Voltage across the capacitor (𝑉)
𝑊 = Energy stored in the capacitor (𝐽)
τ = Time constant (𝑠)
𝑅 = Resistance in the circuit (Ω)
𝐼 = Current at time t (𝐴)
𝐼0​= Initial current (𝐴)
𝑄 = Charge on capacitor at time t (𝐶)
𝑄0 = Initial charge (𝐶)
𝑉 = Voltage across the capacitor at time t (𝑉)
𝑉0​= Initial voltage (𝑉)

QUANTUM PHYSICS
State what is meant by a photon
A photon is a quantum (packet) of electromagnetic energy that has no mass and always
travels at the speed of light in a vacuum

State an experimental phenomenon that provides evidence for:

(i) The particulate nature of electromagnetic radiation
Photoelectric Effect – Demonstrates that light consists of photons (discrete energy packets)
that eject electrons from a metal surface, supporting the particle nature of light.
(ii) The wave nature of matter
Electron Diffraction – When electrons pass through a thin crystal, they create an interference
pattern, proving that particles like electrons exhibit wavelike behavior.

State what is meant by the work function energy of a metal

The work function energy of a metal is the minimum energy required to eject an electron
from the surface of the metal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

FORMULAS
𝐸 = ℎ𝑓
ℎ𝑐
𝐸= λ

1 2
𝑒𝑉 = 2
𝑚𝑣
2𝑒𝑉
𝑣= 𝑚
1 2
ℎ𝑓 = Φ + 2
𝑚(𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥)
ℎ𝑐 1 2
λ
= Φ+ 2
𝑚(𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥)
ℎ𝑓 = 𝐸1 − 𝐸2
ℎ𝑐
λ
= 𝐸1 − 𝐸2
ℎ
λ= 𝑝
ℎ
λ= 𝑚𝑣
𝐸
𝑝= 𝑐

𝐸 = Energy of the photon (J)

−34 −1
ℎ = Planck’s constant (6. 626×10 𝐽𝑠 )
−1
𝑓 = Frequency of the photon (Hz or 𝑠 )
8 −1
𝑐 = Speed of light (3×10 𝑚𝑠 )
λ = Wavelength of the photon (𝑚)
−19
𝑒 = Elementary charge (1. 602×10 𝐶)
𝑉 = Potential difference (V)
−31
𝑚 = Mass of the electron (9. 11×10 𝐾𝑔)
−1
𝑣 = Velocity of the electron (𝑚𝑠 )
Φ = Work function (minimum energy required to remove an electron 𝐽)
−1
𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥​= Maximum velocity of the emitted photoelectron (𝑚𝑠 )
𝐸1, 𝐸2​= Energy levels of an atom (𝐽)
−1
𝑝 = Momentum of the particle/photon (𝐾𝑔 • 𝑚𝑠 )
 P5 PLANNING QUESTION

Tips for Writing a P5 Planning Answer (Cambridge A-Level Physics

Practical Paper)
Structure of a Good Planning Answer:
The planning question in Paper 5 (P5) – Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation requires you to
design an experiment, including setup, method, and data analysis. Here’s a general template
for any planning question, ensuring that all key points are covered.

1. Aim
●​ State the objective clearly.
●​ Example: "To investigate how the length of a pendulum affects its period of
oscillation."​

2. Variables
●​ Independent Variable (IV): The factor you change (e.g., length of the pendulum).
●​ Dependent Variable (DV): The factor you measure (e.g., period T).
●​ Control Variables (CVs): Factors kept constant (e.g., mass of bob, amplitude).​

3. Apparatus
●​ List all equipment (with precision if needed).
●​ Example: Stopwatch (±0.01 s), meter rule (±1 mm), retort stand, pendulum bob.​

4. Method (Step-by-Step)
1.​ Set up the apparatus with an initial length of 0.50 m.
2.​ Pull the bob to a small angle (<15°) and release it.
3.​ Time 10 oscillations and divide by 10 to get T.
4.​ Repeat for 5 different lengths (e.g., 0.40 m, 0.30 m, etc.).
5.​ Take three readings per length and calculate the average.​

5. Data Processing
●​ Use the equation:​
𝑙
𝑇 = 2π 𝑔
​
2
●​ Plot 𝑇 against 𝑙 (should give a straight line).​

6. Precautions & Errors

●​ Use a fiducial marker to improve timing accuracy.
●​ Avoid large angles to ensure a simple harmonic motion.
●​ Keep the stand stable to prevent vibrations.​
7. Safety Considerations
●​ Ensure the apparatus is securely clamped.
●​ Keep the working area clear of obstacles.​

8. Expected Outcome
2
●​ 𝑇 should be directly proportional to 𝑙, confirming the equation.​

General Points for Any Planning Question

●​ Follow Aim → Variables → Apparatus → Method → Data → Precautions → Safety →
Conclusion.
●​ Include 5 different values for IV.
●​ Take 3 readings per value to improve accuracy.
●​ Suggest improvements (use sensors, minimize errors).
●​ Draw and label diagrams where needed.

Method of Analysis

🤗
●​ plot a graph of whatever against whatever

🤗
●​ Do some formula bull shit
●​ Do some more formula bull shit

Additional detail including safety considerations

●​ Precaution
●​ keep what constant
●​ use what instrument to measure
●​ repeat measurements of what and average
●​ method to reduce error
●​ method to keep the variables constant
●​ How to go about the experiment
●​ Relationship valid if a straight line is produced