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I. PHYSICS

A. Kinematics

1. Vectors

• Define a vector as a physical quantity that has both magnitude and

direction and give examples
• Define a scalar quantity as a physical quantity that has magnitude
only and give examples
• Define resultant vector as the single vector which has the same
effect as the original vectors acting together
• Determine the resultant vector of any two vectors
• Determine two perpendicular components of any vector (e.g. force
at an angle, weight on an inclined plane)

2. Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration

• Describe position relative to a reference point

• Know that position is a vector quantity that points from the reference
point as the origin
• Define distance as the length of path travelled and know that
distance is a scalar quantity
• Define displacement as a change in position
• Know that displacement is a vector quantity that points from the
initial to the final position
• Define speed as the rate of change of distance and know that speed
is a scalar quantity
• Define velocity as the rate of change of position or the rate of
displacement or the rate of change of displacement and know that
velocity is a vector quantity
• Distinguish between average velocity and instantaneous velocity
• Define acceleration as the rate of change of velocity

3. Vertical Projectile Motion in One Dimension (near the surface of

the Earth in the absence of air resistance)

• Explain that projectiles fall freely with gravitational acceleration 'g',

where g = 9,8 m·s−2 near the surface of the Earth
• Know that projectiles take the same time to reach their greatest
height from the point of upward launch as the time they take to fall
back to the point of launch

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4. Graphs of Motion

For either horizontal motion or vertical motion with constant

acceleration:

• Draw position vs time, velocity vs time and acceleration vs time

graphs for one dimensional motion
• Interpret graphs of motion:
- Explain the meaning of the gradient of a given graph
- Explain the meaning of the area under a given graph
• Interpret graphs of motion:
- Determine the velocity of an object from the gradient of a
position vs time graph
- Determine the acceleration of an object from the gradient of a
velocity vs time graph
- Determine the displacement of an object by finding the area
under a velocity vs time graph

5. Equations of Motion

• Use equations of motion to solve problems involving either

horizontal motion or vertical motion with constant acceleration:

v = u + at v f = v i + at
v = u + 2as
2 2
v f 2 = v i 2 + 2ax
v +u   v + vi 
s= t x =  f  t
 2   2 
s = ut + 21 at 2 x = v i t + 21 a( t )2

Note: both versions of the equations will be accepted. For the purpose
of this document, u, v, a, t and s will be used.

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B. Newton's Laws and Application of Newton's Laws

1. Different Kinds of Forces: weight, normal force, frictional force,

applied (push, pull) force, tension (strings or cables)

• Define weight Fg as the gravitational force the Earth exerts on any

object on or near its surface
• Calculate weight using the expression Fg = mg where g is the
acceleration due to gravity. Near the surface of the earth the value
is approximately 9,8 m·s−2.
• Define normal force, FN, as the perpendicular force exerted by a
surface on an object in contact with it
• Define frictional force due to a surface, Ff, as the force that opposes
the motion of an object and acts parallel to the surface with which
the object is in contact
• Explain what is meant by the maximum static friction
• Calculate the value of the maximum static frictional forces for objects
at rest on horizontal and inclined planes using:
Ffsmax = s FN
where s is the coefficient of static friction
• Solve problems where the static frictional force is less than the
maximum frictional force
• Distinguish between static and kinetic friction forces
• Calculate the kinetic frictional force using:
Ffk = k FN
where k is the coefficient of kinetic friction

2. Force Diagrams, Free Body Diagrams

• Draw a labelled free-body diagram by drawing the object of interest

as a dot and all the forces acting on it drawn as arrows pointing
away from the dot. The forces must be fully named (e.g. weight,
normal, force A on B, friction, air resistance)
• Resolve forces into parallel (x) and perpendicular (y) rectangular
components appropriate to the set of axes used (e.g. the weight of
an object with respect to an inclined plane)
• Calculate the resultant or net force in the x-direction as a vector
sum of all the components in the x-direction and the resultant or net
force in the y-direction as a vector sum of all the components in the
y-direction
• Calculate the resultant or net force using the resultant x and y
components

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3. Newton's First, Second and Third laws

• State Newton's first law: An object continues in a state of rest or

uniform (moving with constant) velocity unless it is acted upon by a
net or resultant force
• Define inertia as the property of an object that causes it to resist a
change in its state of rest or uniform motion
• State Newton's second law: When a net force, Fnet , is applied to
an object of mass, m, it accelerates in the direction of the net force.
The acceleration, a, is directly proportional to the net force and
inversely proportional to the mass
• Solve problems using: Fnet = ma
• Apply Newton's laws to a variety of equilibrium and non-equilibrium
problems.
(e.g. Discuss, using Newton's first law, why it is important to wear
seatbelts)
(e.g. Use Newton's second law to solve problems including an
object moving on a horizontal/inclined plane (frictionless and
rough), vertical motion (e.g. rockets, scales in lifts, hoisting masses)
and also two-body systems (e.g. two masses joined by a light
(negligible mass) string which may be over a pulley, two masses
touching)
• State Newton's third law: When object A exerts a force on object B,
object B simultaneously exerts an oppositely directed force of
equal magnitude on object A
• Identify action-reaction pairs (e.g. for a donkey pulling a cart, for a
book on a table)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the properties of action-reaction
pairs (are equal in magnitude, act in opposite directions, act on
different objects, occur simultaneously, act along the same line)

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C. Momentum, Impulse, Work, Energy and Power

1. Linear Momentum (1D)

• Define linear momentum as the product of the mass and velocity of

the object
• State that linear momentum is a vector and is the same direction as
the velocity vector
• Calculate the linear momentum in one dimension of a moving object
using p = mv

2. Newton's Second Law expressed in terms of Momentum

• State Newton's second law in terms of momentum: The net force

acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum.
(Note: there are two acceptable statements of Newton's Second
Law)
p
• Solve problems for constant mass using Fnet =
t

3. Conservation of Momentum and Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

• Explain that an isolated system is one that has no net external force
acting on it
• Explain (when working with isolated systems) what is meant by
internal and external forces
• State the law of conservation of linear momentum: The total linear
momentum of an isolated system remains constant (is conserved)
• Solve problems by applying the law of conservation of momentum
to interactions of two objects moving in one dimension (along a
straight line) with the aid of an appropriate sign convention
• Define an elastic collision as a collision in which both momentum
and kinetic energy are conserved
• Define an inelastic collision as a collision in which only momentum
is conserved
• Identify elastic and inelastic collisions using calculations where
necessary

4. Impulse

• Define impulse (J) as the product of the net force and the contact
time
• Solve problems using J = Fnet t
• Know that impulse is a vector quantity and is in the same direction
as the net force vector
• Know that impulse and change in momentum are equivalent, i.e.
J = p
• Solve problems using p = Fnet t
• Apply the concept of impulse in everyday life, e.g. airbags, catching
a hard ball

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5. Work, Energy and Power

(a) Definition of Work

• Define the work done on an object by a force as the product

of the displacement and the component of the force parallel
to the displacement
• Solve problems using:
W = Fs (or W = F x or W = F x cos )
• Know that work is a scalar quantity and is measured in joules
(J)
• Know that if energy is gained by the object, work done on
that object is considered positive
• Know that if energy is lost by the object, work done on that
object is considered negative

(b) Mechanical Energy

• Define gravitational potential energy as the energy an object

possesses due to its position relative to a reference point
• Calculate the gravitational potential energy of an object using
EP = mgh
• Define kinetic energy as the energy an object has as a result
of the object's motion
1
• Calculate the kinetic energy of an object using EK = mv 2
2
• Define mechanical energy as the sum of gravitational
potential and kinetic energy at a point
• Use the equation: EM = EP + EK
• State the law of conservation of energy as the total energy in
a system cannot be created nor destroyed; only transformed
from one form to another
• State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy: In
the absence of air resistance or any external forces, the
mechanical energy of an object is constant
• Apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy and
solve problems using
(EP + EK )i = (EP + EK )f

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(c) Work–Energy Theorem

• State that the work done by a net force on an object is equal

to the change in the kinetic energy of the object – the work–
energy theorem
• Apply the work–energy theorem to objects on horizontal and
inclined planes or curved surfaces (frictionless and rough)
• Kinetic energy of a system is increased when Fnet is in the
same direction as s or x
• Kinetic energy of a system is decreased when Fnet is in the
opposite direction to s or x

(d) Conservation of Energy with External Forces and/or

Resistive Forces Present

• Solve conservation of energy problems (with and without

external forces and/or resistive forces present) by applying
the law of conservation of energy

(e) Power

• Define power as the rate at which work is done or the rate at

which energy is transferred
• State that the unit of power is the watt (W). One watt is
defined as the power when one joule of work is done in one
second. (1 W = 1 J·s−1)
• Calculate the power involved when work is done using
W
P=
t
• If a force causes an object to move at a constant velocity,
calculate the power using P = Fv
• Define efficiency as the ratio of output power to input power
• Calculate percentage efficiency using:
powerout
% efficiency = 100
powerin

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D. Gravitational and Electric Fields

1. Gravitational Fields
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
• State Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: Every particle
with mass in the universe attracts every other particle with a
force which is directly proportional to the product of their
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between their centres
• Use the equation for Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation to
mm
solve problems: F =G 1 2 2
r
• Define weight (Fg) as the gravitational force the Earth exerts on
any object on or near its surface
• Describe a gravitational field as a region in space where a mass
will experience a force
• Define gravitational field as the force acting per unit mass
• Solve problems using:
F
g=
m
where F is the force experienced by mass m in a gravitational
field g
• Know that gravitational field and acceleration due to gravity are
equivalent
• Calculate the acceleration due to gravity on any planet using
M
the equation: g = G 2
r
• Calculate the gravitational force on an object on other planets
with different values of gravitational acceleration
• Distinguish between mass and weight
• Know that the unit of weight is the newton (N) and that of
mass is the kilogram (kg)
2. Electrostatics
(a) Coulomb's Law
• State Coulomb's law in words: Two point charges in free
space or air exert forces on each other. The force is directly
proportional to the product of the charges and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the
charges
• Know Coulomb's law can be represented mathematically as
kq q
F = 12 2
r
• Solve problems using Coulomb's law to calculate the force
between two charges
• Determine the resultant force on a charge for a system with
a maximum of three charges in one dimension or in two
dimensions, restricted to charges at the vertices of a right-
angled triangle
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(b) Electric Fields

• Describe an electric field as a region of space in which an

electric charge experiences a force. The direction of the
electric field at a point is the direction that a positive test
charge would move if placed at that point
• Draw electric field lines for various configurations of charges
(point charges, two point charges, outside a charged hollow
sphere, parallel plates)
• Define the magnitude of the electric field at a point as the
F
force per unit positive charge E = where E and F are
q
vectors
F
• Solve problems using E = (no parallel plates)
q
• Calculate the electric field at a point due to a point charge,
kQ
using the equation E = 2 to determine the contribution to
r
the field due to each charge
(Convention: Q represents the charge responsible for the
electric field. q represents the charge experiencing the
electric field)
• Determine the resultant electric field for a maximum of two
charges in one dimension or in two dimensions, restricted to
charges at the vertices of a right-angled triangle

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E. Electric Circuits

1. Ohm's Law

• Define potential difference as the work done per unit positive charge
W
V=
Q
q
• Define current as the rate of flow of charge I =
t
• Determine the relationship between current and potential difference
at constant temperature
• State Ohm's Law: Current through a conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference across the conductor at
constant temperature
• Distinguish between ohmic and non-ohmic conductors
• Define resistance as a material's opposition to the flow of electric
current
• State that the unit of resistance is the ohm
• Calculate the effective resistance of resistors in series using
RS = R1 + R2 +
• Calculate the effective resistance of resistors in parallel using
1 1 1
= + +
RP R1 R2
• Interpret circuit diagrams containing a source, switches, resistors,
ammeters and voltmeters
• Solve problems using the mathematical expression of Ohm's Law
V
R = for series and parallel circuits, limited to a maximum of three
I
external resistors

2. Power and Energy

• Solve problems using electrical energy W = Pt

• State that electrical energy is measured in joules (J)
• Know that electrical power dissipated in a device is equal to the
product of the potential difference across the device and current
flowing through it
V2
Solve problems using P =VI or P = I R or P =
2
•
R
V2
• Solve problems using W =VIt or W = I Rt or W = t
2

R
• Know that the kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy and that 1 kWh
is the amount of energy used when 1 kilowatt of electricity is used
for 1 hour
• Perform calculations involving the cost of electricity usage given
relevant information such as the power specifications of the
appliances used, and the cost per kWh

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3. Internal Resistance and Series and Parallel Networks

• Solve problems involving current, voltage and resistance for circuits

containing arrangements of resistors in series and in parallel for a
maximum of three external resistors
• State that a real battery has internal resistance
• Define emf as the total energy supplied per coulomb of charge by
the cell
• The sum of the voltages across the external circuit plus the voltage
across the internal resistance is equal to the emf:
emf =Vload +Vinte rnal resis tan ce or emf = I ( Rext + r )
• Solve circuit problems in which the internal resistance of the battery
must be considered
• Solve circuit problems, with internal resistance, involving series-
parallel networks of resistors to a maximum of three external
resistors

F. Electrodynamics

1. Electromagnetism

• State that a magnetic field exists around a permanent magnet or a

current-carrying conductor
• Draw the magnetic field lines and determine the direction of the
magnetic field associated with:
- A straight current-carrying conductor
- A current-carrying loop (single) coil of wire
- A solenoid
• State that a force might act on a current-carrying conductor placed
in a magnetic field
• Determine the direction of the force acting on a current-carrying
conductor when the current-carrying conductor is perpendicular to
the magnetic field
• Qualitatively explain the factors that affect the magnitude of the
force on a current-carrying conductor using the equation
F = I B sin where ℓ is the length of the conductor experiencing the
magnetic field and θ is the angle between the current and the
magnetic field (no calculations required)

2. Direct-Current Motors

• State that motors convert electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Explain why a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field will
turn by referring to the forces exerted on the sides of the coil
perpendicular to the field
• Given a diagram of a direct current (d.c.) motor, explain the basic
principles of operation including why a d.c. motor has a split-ring
commutator

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3. Electromagnetic Induction

• State that magnetic flux density (B) is a representation of the

magnitude and direction of the magnetic field
• Describe that for a loop of area (A) in the presence of a uniform
magnetic flux density (B), the magnetic flux (Ф) passing through the
loop is Ф = BA cos θ where θ is the angle between the magnetic flux
density (B) and the normal to the loop of the area (A). (No
calculations required)
• Define magnetic flux linkage as the product of the number of turns
on the coil and the flux through the coil (NФ)
• Infer from appropriate experiments on electromagnetic induction:
- That changing magnetic flux can induce an emf in a circuit
- That the direction of the induced emf opposes the change
producing it
- The factors affecting the magnitude of the induced emf
• State Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction: the emf induced
is directly proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux (flux
linkage)
• State Lenz's law: the induced current flows in a direction so as to
set up a magnetic field to oppose the change in magnetic flux
• Apply Lenz's law qualitatively (e.g. For relative motion of magnets
and coils, generators and transformers)
• Explain simple applications of electromagnetic induction (e.g. the
induced current and its direction when a magnet is passed through
a coil)
• Draw and interpret graphs of magnetic flux vs time (e.g. for an AC
generator indicating how the position of the coil relative to the
magnetic field relates to the magnitude of the flux)
• When given a magnetic flux vs time graph, sketch the
corresponding induced emf vs time graph (and vice versa)

4. Alternating Current Generators and Transformers

• State that generators convert mechanical energy to electrical

energy
Ф
• Use the equation emf = -N for Faraday's law to explain
t
qualitatively the operation of generators and transformers. (No
calculations required)
• State with reasons which factors affect the emf induced
• Given a diagram, explain the basic principle of an AC generator
(alternator) in which a coil is mechanically rotated in a magnetic field
• State that an AC generator has slip rings
• Show an understanding of the principle of operation of a simple iron-
cored transformer
• State that for an ideal transformer, input power is equal to output
power
Ns Vs
• Solve problems using VP I p =VsIs and = for an ideal
Np Vp
transformer

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5. Alternating Current

• Discuss the scientific and economic advantages of high voltages

and low currents for the transmission of electrical energy through
the national grid
• Draw a graph of potential difference vs time and current vs time for
an alternating current (AC) circuit and recognise that these graphs
are sinusoidal
• Relate the potential difference vs time graph to the emf produced
by an AC generator (e.g. indicate how the position of the coil relative
to the magnetic field relates to the magnitude of the emf)
• Define a diode as a component that only allows current to flow in
one direction
• Distinguish graphically between half-wave and full-wave
rectification
• Explain how a single diode is used for the half-wave rectification of
an alternating current
• Given a circuit diagram of a bridge rectifier, explain how four diodes
are used for the full-wave rectification of an alternating current

G. Photons and Electrons

1. Photoelectric Effect

• State that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant

(3 × 108 m·s−1)
• Solve problems using the equation c = f 
• State that the energy of a photon is directly proportional to the
frequency of the light
hc
• Solve problems using the equation E = hf or E =

• Know that electron-volts (eV) and joules (J) are suitable energy
units
• Convert between electron-volts and joules
1 eV = 1,6 × 10−19 J
• Describe the photoelectric effect as the process that occurs
when light shines on a metal and electrons are ejected
• State the significance of the photoelectric effect: it establishes
the quantum theory and it illustrates the particle nature of light
• Define threshold (cut-off) frequency (fo) as the minimum frequency
of incident radiation at which electrons will be emitted from a
particular metal
• Define work function (Wo) as the minimum amount of energy
needed to emit an electron from the surface of a metal and know
that the work function is material specific
• Know that the threshold frequency corresponds to a maximum
wavelength

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• Apply the photoelectric equation:

E =W0 + EK (max)
hc 1
where E = hf = , W0 = hf0 , and EK (max) = mv max
2

 2
• Explain why the number of electrons ejected per second
increases with the intensity of the incident radiation provided the
frequency is above the threshold frequency
• Explain why if the frequency of the incident radiation is above
the threshold frequency, then increasing the frequency of the
radiation will increase the maximum kinetic energy of the ejected
electrons

2. Emission spectra

• Explain the source of atomic emission spectra (of discharge

tubes) and their unique relationship to each element
• Relate the lines on the atomic emission spectrum to electron
transitions between energy levels
• Calculate the energy associated with a transition and the
hc
corresponding wavelength or frequency using E = hf =


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