OCR A A-level Physics Year 12 revision

Topic 1: Development of practical skills in physics

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Practical and maths skills, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with planning investigations, and finish with measuring instruments and techniques.

1. 1.1Planning investigations: variables, methods and risk assessment41 questions
2. 1.2Evaluating methods and conclusions; research sources and referencing50 questions
3. 1.3Measuring instruments and techniques: micrometer, calipers, oscilloscope, light gates and data loggers68 questions

Topic 2: Foundations of physics

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Practical and maths skills, and takes it further.

There are 5 parts: we start with units, estimation and uncertainty, and finish with graphs.

1. 2.1Units, estimation and uncertaintyFree 15 questions
2. 2.2Mathematical skills: standard form, significant figures, logarithms, exponentials, trigonometry and small-angle approximations25 questions
3. 2.3Random and systematic errors, precision, accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and resolution47 questions
4. 2.4Combining uncertainties: absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainty34 questions
5. 2.5Graphs: linearisation, error bars, and gradient and intercept uncertainties32 questions

Topic 3.1: Motion

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Forces, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with motion and projectiles, and finish with the practical on determining g by free fall.

1. 3.1.1Motion and projectilesFree 61 questions
2. 3.1.2Practical: determining g by free fall34 questions

Topic 3.2: Forces in action

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Forces, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with scalars, vectors and moments, and finish with density, pressure in fluids and upthrust.

1. 3.2.1Scalars, vectors and momentsFree 47 questions
2. 3.2.2Centre of mass, couples and equilibrium of coplanar forces77 questions
3. 3.2.3Density, pressure in fluids and upthrustFree 59 questions

Topic 3.3: Work, energy and power

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Energy, and takes it further.

We will go through it step by step.

1. 3.3.1Conservation of energy, efficiency and energy transfers72 questions

Topic 3.4: Materials

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Forces, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with materials, and finish with the practical on determining the Young modulus of a wire.

1. 3.4.1Materials20 questions
2. 3.4.2Stress–strain behaviour of ductile, brittle and polymeric materials, hysteresis and elastic strain energy72 questions
3. 3.4.3Practical: determining the Young modulus of a wire25 questions

Topic 3.5: Newton's laws of motion and momentum

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Forces, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with Newton's laws, momentum, work and power, and finish with impulse, force–time graphs, elastic and inelastic collisions and explosions.

1. 3.5.1Newton's laws, momentum, work and power59 questions
2. 3.5.2Impulse, force–time graphs, elastic and inelastic collisions and explosions75 questions

Topic 4.1: Charge and current

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Electricity and magnetism, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with current, resistance and resistivity, and finish with charge carriers and drift velocity (I = nAvq).

1. 4.1.1Current, resistance and resistivityFree 71 questions
2. 4.1.2Charge carriers and drift velocity (I = nAvq): conductors, semiconductors and insulators65 questions

Topic 4.2: Energy, power and resistance

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Electricity and magnetism, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with I–V characteristics, and finish with the practical on determining the resistivity of a wire.

1. 4.2.1I–V characteristics: ohmic conductors, filament lamps, diodes, thermistors and LDRs73 questions
2. 4.2.2Electrical energy and power: P = IV, I²R, V²/R and the kilowatt-hour69 questions
3. 4.2.3Practical: determining the resistivity of a wire26 questions

Topic 4.3: Electrical circuits

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Electricity and magnetism, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with circuits, EMF and potential dividers, and finish with the practical on determining the EMF and internal resistance of a cell.

1. 4.3.1Circuits, EMF and potential dividers76 questions
2. 4.3.2Practical: determining the EMF and internal resistance of a cell69 questions

Topic 4.4: Waves

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Waves and radioactivity, and takes it further.

There are 8 parts: we start with progressive and stationary waves, and finish with total internal reflection, critical angle and optical fibres.

1. 4.4.1Progressive and stationary wavesFree 55 questions
2. 4.4.2Longitudinal and transverse waves and polarisation74 questions
3. 4.4.3The electromagnetic spectrum and intensity of waves61 questions
4. 4.4.4Refraction, diffraction and interference26 questions
5. 4.4.5Practical: stationary waves on a string (frequency, length, tension and mass per unit length)60 questions
6. 4.4.6Practical: speed of sound in air (oscilloscope method and resonance tubes)70 questions
7. 4.4.7Practical: wavelength of light using double slits and diffraction gratings55 questions
8. 4.4.8Total internal reflection, critical angle and optical fibres45 questions

Topic 4.5: Quantum physics

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Waves and radioactivity, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with photons, photoelectric effect and energy levels, and finish with wave–particle duality.

1. 4.5.1Photons, photoelectric effect and energy levels54 questions
2. 4.5.2Practical: estimating the Planck constant using LEDs32 questions
3. 4.5.3Wave–particle duality: de Broglie wavelength and electron diffraction53 questions

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