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Component 1 Newtonian Physics

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does the random motion of molecules produce the pressure of a gas, and how is temperature linked to molecular kinetic energy?

Kinetic theory: the assumptions of the kinetic model, the derivation of pV = (1/3)Nm<c^2>, and the link between absolute temperature and the mean kinetic energy of a molecule.
A focused answer to the Eduqas A-Level Physics Component 1 kinetic theory content, covering the assumptions of the kinetic model of a gas, the derivation of the kinetic theory equation pV = (1/3)Nm<c^2>, and the link between absolute temperature and the mean kinetic energy of a molecule.
12 min answer →

How do damping and a driving force change an oscillation, and why does resonance produce such large amplitudes?

Vibrations: free and forced oscillations, light, heavy and critical damping, the resonance condition, and the effect of damping on the resonance curve.
A focused answer to the Eduqas A-Level Physics Component 1 content on damping and resonance, covering free and forced oscillations, light, heavy and critical damping, the resonance condition when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency, and how damping affects the resonance curve.
12 min answer →

How are the pressure, volume, temperature and amount of a gas related, and what is an ideal gas?

Kinetic theory: the gas laws, the absolute temperature scale, the equation of state pV = nRT (and pV = NkT), and the conditions under which a real gas behaves ideally.
A focused answer to the Eduqas A-Level Physics Component 1 ideal gas content, covering the experimental gas laws, the absolute temperature scale, the equation of state pV = nRT and pV = NkT, and the conditions under which a real gas behaves ideally.
12 min answer →

How do we quantify internal energy, temperature, heat capacity and the energy needed for changes of state?

Thermal physics: internal energy and the kinetic model, temperature and thermal equilibrium, specific heat capacity, and specific latent heat for changes of state.
A focused answer to the Eduqas A-Level Physics Component 1 thermal physics content, covering internal energy and the kinetic model, temperature and thermal equilibrium, specific heat capacity with Q = mc(delta theta), and specific latent heat for changes of state.
12 min answer →

What defines simple harmonic motion, and how do displacement, velocity, acceleration and energy vary through a cycle?

Vibrations: the defining condition for simple harmonic motion, displacement, velocity and acceleration in SHM, the period of mass-spring and pendulum systems, and the interchange of kinetic and potential energy.
A focused answer to the Eduqas A-Level Physics Component 1 vibrations content, covering the defining condition for simple harmonic motion, the displacement, velocity and acceleration equations, the period of a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum, and the interchange of kinetic and potential energy.
13 min answer →