← Physics syllabus

ScotlandPhysics

Area 1: Our Dynamic Universe

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

How is momentum conserved in collisions and explosions, and how is impulse linked to force and time?

Conservation of momentum in one dimension, elastic and inelastic collisions, explosions, and the link between impulse, force and the change in momentum.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on collisions, momentum and impulse, covering the conservation of momentum in one dimension, the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions and explosions, and how impulse links force, time and the change in momentum.
11 min answer →

How do we describe and predict the motion of an object moving with constant acceleration?

Vectors and scalars, the equations of motion for constant acceleration, and the interpretation of velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs for motion in a straight line.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on the equations of motion, covering the difference between vectors and scalars, the four equations of motion for constant acceleration, deriving them, and how to read and draw velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs.
11 min answer →

How do Newton's laws and the work-energy ideas explain the motion of objects?

Newton's laws of motion, free-body diagrams and resolving forces, balanced and unbalanced forces, motion on a slope, tension, and work done, kinetic and potential energy and power.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on forces, energy and power, covering Newton's laws of motion, free-body diagrams, resolving forces on a slope, tension, work done, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and power.
12 min answer →

How do we describe projectile motion and the gravitational force between masses?

Projectile motion resolved into independent horizontal and vertical components, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the gravitational field around a mass.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on gravitation, covering projectile motion resolved into independent horizontal and vertical components, Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the idea of a gravitational field around a mass.
12 min answer →

Why do time and length change for an observer when objects move at speeds close to the speed of light?

The postulates of special relativity, time dilation and length contraction for an observer in relative motion, and the constancy of the speed of light.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on special relativity, covering the two postulates, the constancy of the speed of light, and how time dilation and length contraction are calculated for an observer in relative motion.
11 min answer →

What is the evidence that the universe is expanding and began with the Big Bang?

The Doppler effect for sound and light, redshift of distant galaxies, Hubble's law and the age of the universe, and the evidence supporting the Big Bang.
An SQA Higher Physics answer on the expanding universe, covering the Doppler effect for sound and light, the redshift of distant galaxies, Hubble's law and the age of the universe, and the evidence supporting the Big Bang.
11 min answer →