Name:

House:

Westminster Physics:
GCSE to A level preparation

• This is designed to help you become accustomed to some expected

topics and the level of difficulty you are likely to encounter as you
embark on the A level course
• It should be completed and marked by you by the time of the first
week of the new Sixth Form term
• Answers will be posted on firefly before the end of the summer
holiday

1
Maths basics
Standard Form
You will get used to writing in standard form very quickly. The table below shows the most common prefixes
used at A level.
Prefix Name Abbreviation
× 10−12 pico p
−9 nano n
× 10
−6 micro μ
× 10
−3 milli m
× 10
× 10−2 centi c
3 kilo K
× 10
6 mega M
× 10
9 giga G
× 10
× 1012 tera T

Units
Similar to GCSE, units are very important. Now, you need to acquire the skill of deriving units. The table below
shows the base SI Units.
Physical Quantity Symbol Unit Abbreviation
Mass m kilogram kg
Length l metre m
Time t second s
Electric current I ampere A
Temperature T kelvin K
Amount of substance N mole mol

Notice that joules, newtons, volts, and ohms are not present in the table. They can all be defined by the above
quantities above. The simplest way to do this is to use the basic equations.
Example: What is the SI equivalent of newtons?
Working:
Newtons are units of force.
An equation that we know which involves force is 𝐹 = 𝑚 × 𝑎
Let’s set the equation up in terms of units
𝑁 = 𝑘𝑔 × 𝑚𝑠 −2
We have reached a point where all of the units on the RHS are base units. So now we can say that ..
𝑘𝑔 × 𝑚
1𝑁 =1
𝑠2

2
You could also be asked to show that two sides of an equation agree with each other in terms of units.
Example: Using the equation P=IV, show that both sides of the equation agree in terms of units.
Working:
Write out the equation in terms of units.
𝑃 =𝐼×𝑉
𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 × 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠
But this does not help us. We can use SI Units to help us get further.
𝐽 𝐽
= ×𝐴
𝑠 𝐶
We are nearly there, but need to go a bit further. Remember charge = current x time…
𝐽 𝐽
= ×𝐴
𝑠 𝐶
𝐽 𝐽
= ×𝐴
𝑠 𝐴×𝑠
Here amps will cancel and we are left with
𝐽 𝐽
=
𝑠 𝑠

3
Plotting straight line graphs

Equation Rearrangement in the

Equation Plot y v x Gradient
form y = mx + c

𝑉
𝑅= IvV
𝐼

𝑉
𝑅= VvI
𝐼

𝐹×𝐿
𝐸= FvX
𝑥×𝐴

𝜌𝐿
𝑅= RvL
𝐴

𝜌𝐿
𝑅= R v (1/A)
𝐴

1
𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝐹𝑠 s v v2
2
(KE = work done)

𝑎𝑥
𝜆= x v (1/a)
𝐷

𝑎𝑥
𝜆= xvD
𝐷

𝐼 × 𝑉 × 𝑡 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × ∆𝑇 T v t

𝐸𝐾 = ℎ𝑓 − 𝜙 EK v f

𝑒 × 𝑉𝑠 = ℎ𝑓 − 𝜙 Vs v f

4
Practising fundamentals
A. Rewrite the following using standard form

a. 1502 metres in kilometres

b. 0.000 45 grams in micrograms

c. 0.000 45 metres in millimetres

d. 1055 kilometres in metres

e. 180 megaseconds in seconds

f. 2500 centimetres in millimetres

𝐽𝑠
B. Show that the Ohm  is equivalent to 𝐽𝑠𝐶 −2 or
𝐶2

C. Complete the following rearrangements

D.

5
E.

F. Work out the missing lengths of the triangles below.

a.

b.

6
GCSE Revision questions: these should now be straightforward!

Q1.
Figure 1 shows a cyclist riding along a straight, level road at a constant speed.

Figure 1

(a) Complete the sentences.

As the cyclist rides along the road, the _______________________ energy store

in the cyclist’s body decreases.

The speed of the cyclist is constant when the work done by the cyclist is

_______________________ the work done against air resistance.

(2)

Figure 2 shows how the speed changes as the power output of the cyclist changes.

Figure 2

(b) Write down the equation that links power, time and work done.

___________________________________________________________________
7
 (1)

(c) Calculate the work done by the cyclist when his power output is 200 W for 1800
seconds.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Work done = ______________________ J

(3)

(d) Calculate the percentage increase in speed of the cyclist when the power output
changes from 200 W to 300 W.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Percentage increase in speed = ___________

(2)

(e) The maximum speed this cyclist can travel on a level road is 14 m/s.

How does cycling uphill affect the maximum speed of this cyclist?

Explain your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 11 marks)

8
Q2.
The diagram shows the velocity-time graph for an object over a 10 second period.

(a) Use the graph to calculate the distance travelled by the object in 10 seconds.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Distance = ______________________________ m
(2)

9
(b) Complete the distance-time graph for the object over the same 10 seconds.

(2)
(Total 4 marks)

10
Q3.
(a) Complete the sentence. Choose answers from the box.

potential
charge power temperature time
difference

The current through an ohmic conductor is directly proportional to the

_______________________ across the component, provided

that the _______________________ remains constant.

(2)

(b) Figure 2 shows a current − potential difference graph for a filament lamp.

Figure 2

Explain how the resistance of a filament lamp changes as the potential difference
across it increases.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Many householders are replacing their filament lamps with LED lamps which are
more energy efficient.

What does more energy efficient mean?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is used to turn on an outside lamp when it gets dark.

Part of the circuit is shown in Figure 3.

11
 Figure 3

(d) The light intensity decreases.

What happens to the potential difference across the LDR and the current in the
LDR?

Potential difference ___________________________________________________

Current ____________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) What is the resistance of the LDR when the potential difference across it is 4 V?

Give a reason for your answer.

Explain your answer.

Resistance = _______________________ Ω

Reason ____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) Calculate the current through the LDR when the resistance of the LDR is 5000 Ω.

Give your answer to 2 significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Current = _______________________ A
(4)
(Total 14 marks)

12
Q4.
A satellite is in a circular orbit around the Earth.

Figure 4 shows the velocity of the satellite at two different positions in the orbit.

Figure 4

(a) Explain why the velocity of the satellite changes as it orbits the Earth.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b) The graph shows how the length of a satellite orbit depends on the height of the
satellite above the Earth’s surface.

13
A satellite orbits 300 km above the Earth’s surface at a speed of 7.73 km/s.

Calculate how many complete orbits of the Earth the satellite will make in 24 hours.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Number of complete orbits = __________________________

(5)
(Total 8 marks)

14
Q5.
In bungee jumping, a fixed rubber cord is fastened to the jumper’s ankles.

The graph shows how the bungee jumper’s velocity changes during part of the jump.

(a) Calculate the acceleration of the bungee jumper between 2 and 4 seconds. Show
your working.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Acceleration = ________________ m/s2

(3)

15
(b) Describe, in as much detail as you can, what happens to the bungee jumper after
4 seconds.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

16
Q6.
The diagram shows a design for a crane. The crane is controlled by a computer.

The purpose of the motors and gears is to change the pulling force in the steel cable.
This is done so that the jib stays horizontal whatever the size of the load or the position of
the load.

(a) Calculate the moment caused by the load in the position shown in the diagram.

Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Moment = ____________________________________
(3)

(b) Calculate the pulling force that is needed in the steel cable to keep the jib horizontal.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Pulling force = _________________________ N

(2)
(Total 5 marks)

17
Q7.
(a) In any collision, the total momentum of the colliding objects is usually conserved.

(i) What is meant by the term ‘momentum is conserved’?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) In a collision, momentum is not always conserved.

Why?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) The diagram shows a car and a van, just before and just after the car collided with
the van.

After collision
Before collision

(i) Use the information in the diagram to calculate the change in the momentum
of the car.

Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Change in momentum =_________________________

(3)

18
(ii) Use the idea of conservation of momentum to calculate the velocity of the van
when it is pushed forward by the collision.

Show clearly how you work out your answer.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Velocity =_________________________ m/s forward

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

19
Q8.
A student investigated how the pressure of a gas varied with the volume of the gas.

The mass and temperature of the gas were constant.

Figure 5 shows the equipment the student used.

Figure 5

(a) What is the resolution of the syringe?

____________________ cm3
(1)

The student compressed the gas in the syringe and read the pressure from the pressure
gauge.

Figure 6 shows the student's results.

Figure 6

20
(b) What conclusion can the student make from the data in Figure 6?

Use data from Figure 6 in your answer.

Give the reason for your answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Explain why the pressure in the gas increases as the gas is compressed.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

21
Q9.
A set of lights consists of 20 lamps connected in series to the 230 V mains electricity
supply.

(a) When the lights are switched on and working correctly, the current through each
lamp is 0.25 A.

(i) What is the total current drawn from the mains supply?

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Calculate the charge passing through one of the lamps in 5 minutes.

Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Total charge = _________________________

(3)

22
(b) One of the lamps in the set is a fuse lamp. This contains a filament which melts if a
fault occurs. A short time after the lights are switched on, a fault causes the filament
inside the fuse lamp to melt and all the lamps go out.

The householder cannot find another fuse lamp so connects a piece of aluminium
foil across the contacts inside the fuse lamp holder.
When switched on, the nineteen remaining lamps work.
What the householder has done is dangerous.

Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

23
Q10.
A ‘can-chiller’ is used to make a can of drink colder.

The image below shows a can-chiller.

(a) The initial temperature of the liquid in the can was 25.0 °C.
The can-chiller decreased the temperature of the liquid to 20.0 °C.
The amount of energy transferred from the liquid was 6930 J.
The mass of liquid in the can was 0.330 kg.

Calculate the specific heat capacity of the liquid.

Give the unit.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Specific heat capacity = _____________________ unit ________________

(4)

(b) Energy is transferred through the metal walls of the can of drink by conduction.
Explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

24
(c) The energy from the can of drink is transferred to the air around the can-chiller.
A convection current is set up around the can-chiller. Explain how.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d) The can-chiller has metal cooling fins that are designed to transfer energy quickly to
the surroundings.

Give two features that would help the metal cooling fins to transfer energy quickly to
the surroundings.

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 13 marks)

25
Q11.
Figure 7 shows a ray of light travelling through a semicircular glass block.
The angle of incidence is labelled i.

Figure 7

(a) (i) The angle of incidence i equals the critical angle for the glass.

Complete Figure 7 to show what happens to the ray of light at the glass-to-air
boundary.
(1)

(ii) The critical angle for the glass is 41°.

Calculate the refractive index of the glass.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Refractive index = ______________________________

(2)

(b) Figure 8 shows what happens to a ray of light as it meets the boundary between air
and water.

26
 Figure 8

Not to scale

The refractive index of the water is 1.3.

Calculate the angle of refraction r.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Angle of refraction = ________ degrees

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

27
Research Exercise: Particle Physics

For the following questions, you will need to do some research. The purpose of this is to see your ability to
read, note take, infer, and convey information. Answer the following questions in as much detail as you can.
If there is any aspect of the Physics you do not understand, that is ok! Do not worry about being able to
explain everything.
1. What are fundamental particles?

2. Compare the following classes of particles and give an example of each

a. Hadrons

b. Baryons

c. Mesons

3. What is the quark make-up of the following particles

a. Proton

b. Neutron

c. + meson

d. 0 meson

e. ++ baryon

4. When, how, and by whom was the neutrino discovered? Why did it take so long?

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5. What is antimatter?

6. Define annihilation.

7. Define pair-production.

8. We know that momentum and energy are always conserved. But when dealing with particle
interactions, charge, lepton number, and baryon number also need to be conserved.
a. How do we assign the Lepton number?

b. How do we assign the Baryon number?

c. What is the charge on the following particles

i. Up quark

ii. Down quark

iii. Electron

iv. Positron

v. Electron neutrino

vi. Proton

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 9. Fill in the details of the four fundamental forces in the table below
Force Range Relative Strength Force Mediator

Electromagnetic

Gravitational

Strong Nuclear

Weak

10. Pick one of the following particle accelerators below and write a brief description of how it works.
a. Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
b. Cyclotron
c. Synchrotron

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READING: Food for Thought

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