AQA A level Physics - Unit 4
probably not overly useful, but i've attempted to answer the learning objective in the nelson thornes textbook
- Created by: Jess Andrews
- Created on: 10-06-12 20:27
Prefixes
Peta 10^15 P
Tera 10^12 T
Giga 10^9 G
Mega 10^6 M
Kilo 10^3 k
Centi 10^-2 c
Milli 10^-3 m
Micro 10^-6
Nano 10^-9 n
Pico 10^-12 p
Momentum and Impulse
How do we calculate momentum (P)?
P = m * v
Newton's first and second laws:
An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a force
Rate of change of momentum is proportional to the resultant force
What is impulse? How is it measured?
an impulse is a force acting on an object multiplied by the time over which it acts
Impulse F * t = delta(mv) / t OR area under Force time graph
Impact Forces
What happens to the impact for if duration of force is reduced and why?
F = (mv-mu) / t
Therefore as time is reduced, the Force is increased
How do we calculate change in momentum for an object stopping or reversing?
Choose a positive and negative direction
What happens to the momentum of a ball which hits a wall?
If the ball hit the wall 'normally' the velocity after is opposite to the velocity before
If the ball hits the wall at an angle the component of the velocity which is at a normal to the wall after is the same as before
Conservation of Momentum
Is Momentum ever lost in a collision?
No
What do we mean by conservation of momentum?
Momentum before = Momentum after
What condition must be fulfilled if the momentun is to be conserved?
No external forces must be acting on the system
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
What are elastic and inelastic collisions?
Elastic no loss of kinetic energy
Inelastic colliding objects stick together
Partially inelastic colliding object move apart with less kinetic energy
What is conserved in elastic conditions?
Momentum and kinetic energy
Are any real collisions ever perfectly elastic?
No, some of the kinetic energy is converted to other forms of energy such as sound
Explosions
What energy changes take place in an explosion?
Chemical energy is transformed into kinetic energy, heat and sound
What can we always say about total momentum of an explosive system?
The total momentum of the system before is equal to the momentum after
What are the consequences after an explosion when two bodies move apart?
The two bodies move apart with equal momentum, hence why a gun recoils.
Uniform Circular Motion
How do we recognise uniform circular motion?
For an object to move in uniform circular motion it must rotate at a steady rate
How do we measure the speed of an object moving in circular motion?
v = 2r(pi) / T = 2rf(pi)
What are angular displacement and angular speed?
angular displacement the angle an object moving in uniform circular motion goes through (rad)
angular speed angular displacement per second (rad per s)
Centripetal Acceleration
Why is the velocity not constant for a body in uniform circular motion?
Velocity is speed in a given direction, so as the direction is always changing, so is the velocity
In which direction does the acceleration take place?
Acceleration is towards the centre of the circle
How is centripetal force calculated? Where does it act?
F = (m * v^2) / r
Towards the centre of the circle
On the road
Why are passenger thrown outwards going quickly round a bend?
The centripetal force is not big enough to hold the passenger on the circular path
Which forces are acting when going over a curved bridge?
mg - S = mv^2 / r weight and support force
What forces provide the centripetal force on a banked track?
Horizontal component of the support forces provide the centripetal force
At the fairground
When is the contact force on a 'big dipper' passenger greatest?
S - mg = mv^2 / r at the bottom
What condition applies when a passenger just fails to stay in his seat?
S > mg
Oscillations
What is one complete oscillation?
One full cycle of motion, which ends in the same place as it started.
How are amplitude, frequency and period defined?
Amplitude maximum displacement
Frequency number of cycles per second
Period time taken for one compete oscillation
What is the phase difference between two oscillation?
2t(pi) / T
SHM
What condition apply to the acceleration of SH oscillations?
always in the opposite direction to the displacement
is zero when v-t graph gradient is zero
What is the phase difference between displacement, velocity and acceleration?
D V T/4
D A T/2
V A T/4
Energy and SHM
How do KE and PE vary with displacement?
KE EP maximum displacement Etotal o equilibrium 0 Etotal
How do KE and PE vary with time if damping is negligible?
Maximum KE and Pe remain the same
What is the effect of damping on oscillations?
Light damping displacement in oscillations reduce Critical damping stop oscillations just after mass passes equilibrium Heavy/over damping slows return to equilibrium
Forced oscillations and resonance
When does resonance occur?
When the applied frequency is equal to the natural frequency.
What are free and forced oscillations?
Free oscillations are not subjected to any periodic force.
Why does a resonant system reach maximum amplitude of vibration?
Because the amplitudes of both the free and forced oscillations add together.
Gravitational field strength
How do we represent a gravitational field?
Arrows in the direction of the field
What is gravitational field strength?
Force per unit mass on a test mass placed in a field
What is a radial field? a uniform field?
Radial field is around an entire planet
Uniform field is over a small area
Gravitational potential
What is gravitational potential?
Work done per unit mass to get an object from infinity to that point
What is the gravitational potential difference between two points?
Change in W = m * change in velocity
Where is the gravitational potential of an object zero?
Wherever there is no overall gravitational force acting upon it
Newton's law of gravitation
How does gravitational attraction vary with distance?
2d F/4 3d F/9 4d F/16
What do we mean by inverse square law?
The force is inversely proportional to the distance squared
Can we treat spherical objects as point masses?
Over large distances, yes
Planetary fields
What is the shape of g against r for points outside a planet?
Exponential decay curve where g is proportional to r^2
What is the shape of a V - r graph?
Exponential curve where V is proportional to -1/r
What is the significance of the gradient of the V - r graph?
Gradient of a V-r graph is -g
Satellite Motion
When does a satellite stay in a stable orbit?
What happens to the speed of a satellite as it moves closer to earth?
The speed increases
Why must a geostationary satellite be in orbit above the equator?
So that its time period is 24h and doesn't move relative to the earth.
Field Patterns
How do we charge an object?
Add or remove electrons
What does the direction of a field line show concerning a test charge?
the direction is that which a positive test charge would follow
How is the strength of an electric field represented?
Where the field is strongest the lines and most concentrated11
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