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ScotlandPhysics

Area 2: Quanta and Waves

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do coherent waves interfere by division of amplitude and division of wavefront?

Coherence and path difference, constructive and destructive interference, division of amplitude in thin films and wedges, and division of wavefront in Young's double-slit experiment.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on interference, covering coherence and path difference, the conditions for constructive and destructive interference, division of amplitude in thin films and wedges, and division of wavefront in Young's double-slit experiment.
15 min answer →

How does quantum theory describe light, matter and the limits of measurement?

Photons and quantised energy, wave-particle duality and the de Broglie wavelength, the uncertainty principle, and quantum tunnelling.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on quantum theory, covering photons and quantised energy, wave-particle duality and the de Broglie wavelength, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and quantum tunnelling.
14 min answer →

How do charged particles from space move in magnetic fields and produce aurorae?

Cosmic rays and the solar wind, the motion of charged particles in magnetic fields, and the formation of aurorae.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on particles from space, covering cosmic rays and the solar wind, the helical motion of charged particles in magnetic fields, and how charged particles interacting with the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere produce aurorae.
13 min answer →

How does polarisation reveal that light is a transverse wave?

Plane polarisation of transverse waves, the action of polarisers and Malus's law, polarisation by reflection and Brewster's angle, and applications.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on polarisation, covering plane polarisation as a property of transverse waves, the action of polarisers and Malus's law, polarisation by reflection and Brewster's angle, and practical applications.
13 min answer →

How do we describe oscillations where acceleration is proportional to displacement?

The definition of simple harmonic motion, displacement, velocity and acceleration as functions of time, energy in SHM, and damping.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on simple harmonic motion, covering the defining relationship a equals minus omega squared y, displacement, velocity and acceleration as functions of time, the interchange of kinetic and potential energy, and damping.
14 min answer →

How do we describe a travelling wave and the stationary waves it can form?

The travelling-wave equation, phase and phase difference, and the formation and properties of stationary waves.
An SQA Advanced Higher Physics answer on waves, covering the travelling-wave equation, the meaning of phase and phase difference, and the formation of stationary waves by superposition with their nodes and antinodes.
13 min answer →