Higher Physics

The difference between vector and scalar quantities, and using the equations of motion (suvat) for constant acceleration.

Newton's laws revisited at Higher depth, resolving a force into components, and friction leading to terminal velocity.

Calculating momentum, using conservation of momentum in collisions, and relating impulse to a force acting over time.

Resolving a launch velocity into components to analyse projectile motion, and Newton's law of gravitation for satellites in free fall.

The postulates of special relativity, and using the Lorentz factor to calculate time dilation and length contraction.

The Doppler effect and Hubble's law applied to distant galaxies, and the evidence for the Big Bang, dark matter and dark energy.

The fundamental particles making up matter, the four fundamental forces, and the role of antimatter.

Electric field strength, accelerating charges through a potential difference, and the magnetic force used in particle accelerators.

How nuclear fission and fusion release energy, and using mass-energy equivalence to calculate the energy released.

Light behaving as discrete photons, and the basics of the photoelectric effect as evidence for this particle-like behaviour.

The conditions for constructive and destructive interference, and how a diffraction grating splits light by wavelength.

Calculating a material's refractive index, and using it to find the critical angle for total internal reflection.

How line emission and absorption spectra arise from electron energy transitions, and what they reveal about a light source.

How charge and potential difference are related through an electric field, extending the National 5 picture of voltage.

Kirchhoff's current and voltage laws, and calculating output voltage from a potential divider circuit.

Why a real source's terminal voltage falls below its e.m.f., and calculating internal resistance and short-circuit current.

Capacitance, calculating the charge stored on a capacitor, and the energy stored in a charged capacitor.

Energy bands in conductors, semiconductors and insulators, doping and the p-n junction, and LEDs and solar cells.

The difference between peak and rms values for alternating current, and calculating rms voltage, current and power.