| Syllabus |
Notes |
Experimental Work |
| Gases Ideal gases |
Macroscopic definition of an ideal gas as
one which an obeys Boyle's law (pV = constant) and for which PV
T, where
T defines temperature on the ideal gas scale. The
equation of state P V = n R T, where n = number of moles. |
|
| A model for a gas: the
kinetic theory. Use of model to provide a microscopic interpretation
of macroscopic phenomena. |
Microscopic definition of definition of an
ideal gas. Assumptions of the kinetic model and derivation of 
Order of magnitude of  . Distribution
of molecular speeds (qualitatively). Avogadro' s law and the Avogadro constant.
Interpretation of temperature for an ideal gas using  . |
|
| Real gases |
Brief discussion of the departure of real
gases from ideal behavior at high pressures and low temperatures. Brief
qualitative treatment of critical points, experimental details not required. |
|
| Solids structures |
Crystalline/amorphous structures (very briefly.
Details of packing or of the theory and experimental details of X-ray diffraction
not required). |
|
| Physical properties |
Stress-strain behavior for metals and non-metals:
brief qualitative descriptions of strength, stiffness, brittleness and
ductility. Young modulus defined as stress over strain. Typical orders
of magnitude. Energy stored in stretching (1/2 force 
extension) and energy per unit volume (1/2 stress
strain). |
E39 Measurement of Young modulus for various
material (e.g. copper wire). |
| A model for a solid |
Derivation of model from observed resistance
of solids to deformation (compression and extension). Representation as
curves of force and potential energy against interatomic separation.  .
Brief mention of diverse origins of binding (bonding) energy ( electrostatic,
metallic, covalent). |
|
| Use of the model to provide microscopic interpretations
of macroscopic phenomena |
Equilibrium spacing. Elasticity and Hooke's
law. Microscopic interpretation of Young modulus as E = k / r, where
r is the equilibrium spacing and k is the force constant.
Thermal expansion. |
|
| Fluids. Fluids in motion Bernoulli's Principle |
Derivation of  constant.
Applications to include jets and nozzles (bunsen burner, filter pump, sprays,
motor vehicle carburetors), spinning tennis or golf balls, aerofoils (aircraft,
yachts sailing into the wind). The Pitot-static tube for measurement of
fluid speed (quantitatively). |
E40 Study of Bernoulli effects using
(a) sheets of paper;
(b) an air blower and a polystyrene ball; and
(c) Bernoulli tubes. (Nuffield O-level Physics, Guide to Experiments
IV.)
|
| Heat and energy |
Distinction between heat and internal energy.
Consideration of all forms of energy on microscopic scale as kinetic or
potential. Heat and work as measures of energy transferred from one form
to another. The first haw of thermodynamic 
(increase in internal energy of a system equals the sum of heat transfer
to and work done on the system) as an extension of the principle of conservation
of energy to include heat. |
|
| Conservation of energy. Its transformation
from one form to another, degradation of other forms to thermal energy. |
Illustrative examples from other pasts of
the syllabus. Coal and oil resources. Alternative energy resources (e.g.
nuclear, solar. Tidal and wind-based). Principles of methods and relative
conversion efficiencies (briefly). |
|
| Electrons. Electron beams : production and
properties. The electron-volt. Determination of e/m. |
Thermionic emission. Deflection of electrons
in electric and magnetic fields. Thomson's method using v = E / B
for zero deflection. Or any other method. |
E41 Investigation of the properties of cathode
rays using Teltron Maltese Cross and Deflection tubes.
E42 Measurement of e/m using Deflection tube. |
| The cathode ray oscilloscope |
Functional description of the main units.
Circuit details not required. Use as (i) an a.c. and d.c. voltmeter (ii)
for time and frequency measurement (iii) as a display device (including
use of external input). |
E43 Use of the cathode ray oscilloscope. |
| Extra- nuclear structure of the atom. Evidence
for energy level |
Ionization and excitation energies. Elastic
and inelastic collisions of electrons with atoms. Principle of Franck-Hertz
type experiments. |
|
| Evidence for light quanta Photons |
The photoelectric effect. Einstein's photoelectric
equation. Uses of photoelectric cells. |
|
| Emission and absorption spectra |
Line spectra of monatomic gases explanation
in terms of light quanta and energy levels. The hydrogen spectrum and energy
levels. The hydrogen spectrum and interpretation in terms of the energy
level equation  . Bohr theory of the atom not
required. |
E44 Observation of various line spectra (e.g.
hydrogen, sodium, mercury, neon) using a diffraction grating (e.g. NAP
10.5/L5).
E45 Observation of absorption spectrum (NAP9.7) |
| X-rays |
Production and properties. Maximum frequency
for given tube potential. Uses in medicine, industry and crystallography
(all briefly no quantitative work is required).
X-ray spectra. Energy level interpretation of line spectra. |
|
| Continuous spectra |
Sun's spectrum and Fraunhofer lines. Band
spectra not required. |
|
| Stimulated emission of radiation |
Brief qualitative discussion of laser action.
The uses of lasers. |
|
Radioactivity. Properties of  radiation |
Mass, charge, energy , relative ranges in
air and other materials, relative ionizing power. Familiarity with cloud
chamber tracks assumed from lower form work. |
E46 Magnetic deflection of 
rays (NAP 5.1/F1).
E47 Investigation of the absorption of a, b
and g radiations by different materials of various
thickness. |
| Detectors |
Structure and use of (i) an ionization chamber
(ii) one type of cloud chamber (iii) the Geiger-Muller counter (count-voltage
characteristic and details of scalar not required). Suitability of there
detectors for emissions. |
|
| Random nature of
decay |
 derived from analogy
with dice decay. Interpretation of decay constant
k as the constant
chance of an atom decaying per unit time. |
E48 Simulation of radioactive decay by throwing
dice (NAP 5.11/F8)
E49 Demonstration of random variation of count rate using G.M. counter
and source. |
| Natural nuclear transformations |
Change of N and Z in radioactive
decay (details of radioactive series not required). |
|
| Exponential law of decay. Half-life. The
Becquerel. |
 . Relationship between
k and t1/2. Relevance of long half-lives to the
disposal of radioactive waste and to radioactive fallout. Carbon-14 dating. |
|
| Radiation hazards |
Sources of background radiation and typical
radiation doses. Hazards due to open and sealed sources. Handling precautions. |
|
| Isotopes |
The uses of radioisotopes (briefly). |
|
| The nucleus. The Rutherford model of the
atom. The mass energy relationship. The unified atomic mass unit (carbon
scale). Binding energy. Energy release in fission
and fusion. |
Interpretation of equations representing
nuclear reaction. Nuclear power: advantages and disadvantages. The principle
of the fission reactor. Qualitative treatment of fission and the chain
reaction, and the role of fuel, moderator, coolant and controls rods are
expected. |
|