Specification points

OCR A-level Physics B (Advancing Physics) H557

410 points in 8 topics, with OCR's codes and titles.

Codes and titles are read by a script from OCR's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: OCR’s specification.

1 Development of practical skills in physics

1.1 Practical skills assessed in a written examination
1.1.1 Planning
1.1.1(a) Designing experiments to solve practical problems
1.1.1(b) Identifying variables to control
1.1.1(c) Judging whether a method suits the aims
1.1.2 Implementing
1.1.2(a) Using practical apparatus and techniques correctly
1.1.2(b) Units for measurements
1.1.2(c) Presenting observations and data
1.1.3 Analysis
1.1.3(a) Processing and interpreting experimental results
1.1.3(b) Maths skills for analysing quantitative data
1.1.3(c) Significant figures
1.1.3(d) Plotting and interpreting graphs of results
1.1.3(d)(i) Choosing and labelling graph axes
1.1.3(d)(ii) Gradients and intercepts from graphs
1.1.4 Evaluation
1.1.4(a) Evaluating results and drawing conclusions
1.1.4(b) Spotting anomalies in measurements
1.1.4(c) Limitations of experimental procedures
1.1.4(d) Precision, accuracy, errors and uncertainties
1.1.4(e) Improving experimental procedures and apparatus
1.2 Practical skills assessed in the Practical Endorsement
1.2.1 Practical skills
1.2.1(a) Investigative approaches in practical work
1.2.1(b) Safe, correct use of practical equipment
1.2.1(c) Following written instructions
1.2.1(d) Making and recording observations and measurements
1.2.1(e) Keeping records of practical activities
1.2.1(f) Presenting information and data scientifically
1.2.1(g) Software and tools for data and research
1.2.1(h) Research skills using online and printed sources
1.2.1(i) Citing sources of information
1.2.1(j) Range of practical instruments and techniques
1.2.2 Use of apparatus and techniques
1.2.2(a) Analogue apparatus and reading scales
1.2.2(b) Digital instruments and multimeters
1.2.2(c) Improving accuracy of measurements
1.2.2(d) Timing with stopwatches and light gates
1.2.2(e) Calipers and micrometers
1.2.2(f) Building circuits from diagrams
1.2.2(g) Designing and checking circuits
1.2.2(h) Signal generators and oscilloscopes
1.2.2(i) Generating and measuring waves
1.2.2(j) Investigating light with lasers
1.2.2(k) ICT, sensors and data loggers
1.2.2(l) Ionising radiation and detectors

2 Fundamental data analysis

2(a) Accuracy and uncertainty of measurements
2(a)(i) What affects measurement accuracy and uncertainty
2(a)(ii) Largest source of uncertainty
2(b) Units, terms and plots in data analysis
2(b)(i) SI units, prefixes, standard form and angles
2(b)(ii) Measurement terms such as precision and resolution
2(b)(iii) Plotting distributions and spotting outliers
2(b)(iv) Graphs and uncertainty bars
2(c) Calculations and estimates with uncertainties
2(c)(i) Uncertainty, spread and best-fit gradients
2(c)(ii) Combining uncertainties
2(c)(iii) Estimating everyday quantities

3 Physics in action

3.1 Communication
3.1.1 Imaging and signalling
3.1.1(a) Imaging and signalling: describing and explaining
3.1.1(a)(i) Real images from a converging lens
3.1.1(a)(ii) Storing and enhancing digital images
3.1.1(a)(iii) Digitising signals and digital signals' pros and cons
3.1.1(a)(iv) Evidence for polarisation of electromagnetic waves
3.1.1(b) Imaging and signalling: terms and diagrams
3.1.1(b)(i) Imaging and signalling terms
3.1.1(b)(ii) Ray diagrams for converging lenses
3.1.1(b)(iii) Diagrams of wave-forms
3.1.1(c) Imaging and signalling: calculations
3.1.1(c)(i) Information in an image
3.1.1(c)(ii) Lens power: P = 1/f
3.1.1(c)(iii) The lens equation (Cartesian convention)
3.1.1(c)(iv) Linear magnification
3.1.1(c)(v) Wave speed, frequency and period
3.1.1(c)(vi) Bits and number of alternatives
3.1.1(c)(vii) Minimum sampling rate
3.1.1(c)(viii) Digital transmission rate
3.1.1(c)(ix) Graphs of digitising an analogue signal
3.1.1(c)(x) Bits needed from signal and noise voltages
3.1.1(d) Imaging and signalling: practical activities
3.1.1(d)(i) Measuring power or focal length of lenses
3.1.1(d)(ii) Observing polarisation with microwaves and light
3.1.2 Sensing
3.1.2(a) Sensing: describing and explaining
3.1.2(a)(i) Current as flow of charge
3.1.2(a)(ii) Potential difference as energy per charge
3.1.2(a)(iii) Resistance and conductance in combinations
3.1.2(a)(iv) E.m.f. and internal resistance
3.1.2(a)(v) Power dissipation in circuits
3.1.2(a)(vi) Ohm's law for ohmic resistors
3.1.2(a)(vii) How a potential divider works
3.1.2(a)(viii) Conductors, semiconductors and insulators by carrier density
3.1.2(a)(ix) Conservation of charge and energy
3.1.2(b) Sensing: terms, symbols and graphs
3.1.2(b)(i) Electrical circuit terms
3.1.2(b)(ii) Standard circuit symbols
3.1.2(b)(iii) Current–p.d. and resistance–temperature graphs
3.1.2(c) Sensing: calculations
3.1.2(c)(i) Resistance, conductance, power and energy equations
3.1.2(c)(ii) Current and combining resistances and conductances
3.1.2(c)(iii) Resistivity and conductivity
3.1.2(c)(iv) Potential divider calculations
3.1.2(d) Sensing: practical activities
3.1.2(d)(i) Investigating ohmic and non-ohmic components
3.1.2(d)(ii) Measuring resistivity or conductivity of a metal
3.1.2(d)(iii) Potential divider circuits with sensors
3.1.2(d)(iv) Calibrating a sensor or instrument
3.1.2(d)(v) Measuring internal resistance
3.2 Mechanical properties of materials
3.2(a) Mechanical properties: describing and explaining
3.2(a)(i) Elastic and plastic deformation and fracture
3.2(a)(ii) Evidence for particle size and spacing
3.2(a)(iii) Structure and behaviour of metals, ceramics and polymers
3.2(a)(iv) A method for measuring Young modulus
3.2(b) Mechanical properties: terms, graphs and tables
3.2(b)(i) Terms for mechanical properties of materials
3.2(b)(ii) Graphs of force–extension and stress–strain to fracture
3.2(b)(iii) Comparing materials by their properties
3.2(b)(iv) Images of material structures
3.2(c) Mechanical properties: calculations
3.2(c)(i) Hooke's law and elastic strain energy
3.2(c)(ii) Stress, strain and Young modulus
3.2(d) Mechanical properties: practical activities
3.2(d)(i) Force–extension characteristics of springs and bands
3.2(d)(ii) Measuring Young modulus of a wire

4 Understanding processes

4.1 Waves and quantum behaviour
4.1(a) Waves and quanta: describing and explaining
4.1(a)(i) Standing waves
4.1(a)(ii) Two-slit interference
4.1(a)(iii) Refraction and the wave model
4.1(a)(iv) Diffraction through a narrow gap
4.1(a)(v) Diffraction by a grating
4.1(a)(vi) Evidence that photons carry energy in quanta
4.1(a)(vii) Quantum behaviour and probability of arrival
4.1(a)(viii) Electron diffraction as evidence of quantum behaviour
4.1(b) Waves and quanta: terms
4.1(b)(i) Terms for waves and quantum behaviour
4.1(c) Waves and quanta: calculations
4.1(c)(i) Wavelength of standing waves
4.1(c)(ii) Snell's law
4.1(c)(iii) Path difference for slits and gratings
4.1(c)(iv) Photon energy across the spectrum
4.1(c)(v) De Broglie wavelength
4.1(d) Waves and quanta: practical activities
4.1(d)(i) Measuring frequency with an oscilloscope
4.1(d)(ii) Refractive index of a transparent block
4.1(d)(iii) Superposition experiments
4.1(d)(iv) Wavelength of light by double slit and grating
4.1(d)(v) Speed of sound by resonance tube
4.1(d)(vi) Planck constant from coloured LEDs
4.2 Space, time and motion
4.2(a) Space, time and motion: describing and explaining
4.2(a)(i) Vectors for displacement, velocity and acceleration
4.2(a)(ii) Trajectories under constant acceleration
4.2(a)(iii) Independent perpendicular force components
4.2(a)(iv) Work done by a force at an angle
4.2(a)(v) Conservation of energy
4.2(a)(vi) Power as rate of energy transfer
4.2(a)(vii) Measuring displacement, velocity and acceleration
4.2(a)(viii) Newton's laws of motion
4.2(a)(ix) Momentum conservation and Newton's third law
4.2(b) Space, time and motion: terms and graphs
4.2(b)(i) Terms for motion and forces
4.2(b)(ii) Graphs of accelerated motion
4.2(b)(iii) Graphical addition of vectors
4.2(c) Space, time and motion: calculations
4.2(c)(i) Resolving a vector into components
4.2(c)(ii) Adding two vectors
4.2(c)(iii) Kinematic equations for constant acceleration
4.2(c)(iv) Momentum
4.2(c)(v) Force and rate of change of momentum
4.2(c)(vi) Conservation of momentum
4.2(c)(vii) Work done
4.2(c)(viii) Kinetic energy
4.2(c)(ix) Gravitational potential energy
4.2(c)(x) Force, energy and power relationships
4.2(c)(xi) Modelling motion in small time steps
4.2(d) Space, time and motion: practical activities
4.2(d)(i) Investigating motion and collisions
4.2(d)(ii) Measuring acceleration of free fall
4.2(d)(iii) Investigating terminal velocity

5 Rise and fall of the clockwork universe

5.1 Models and rules
5.1.1 Creating models
5.1.1(a) Creating models: describing and explaining
5.1.1(a)(i) Capacitance
5.1.1(a)(ii) Energy stored on a capacitor
5.1.1(a)(iii) Exponential discharge of a capacitor
5.1.1(a)(iv) Exponential radioactive decay as a random process
5.1.1(a)(v) Simple harmonic motion and restoring force
5.1.1(a)(vi) SHM equation and its solutions
5.1.1(a)(vii) Energy changes in simple harmonic motion
5.1.1(a)(viii) Free and forced vibrations, damping, resonance
5.1.1(b) Creating models: terms and graphs
5.1.1(b)(i) Capacitor time constant
5.1.1(b)(ii) Terms for radioactive decay
5.1.1(b)(iii) Terms for oscillating systems
5.1.1(b)(iv) Rate of change proportional to amount
5.1.1(b)(v) Exponential curves on linear and log scales
5.1.1(b)(vi) Capacitor energy from a Q–V graph
5.1.1(b)(vii) Graphs of simple harmonic motion and phase
5.1.1(b)(viii) Resonator amplitude against driving frequency
5.1.1(c) Creating models: calculations
5.1.1(c)(i) Activity and half-life from data
5.1.1(c)(ii) Iterative solution of decay equations
5.1.1(c)(iii) Capacitor time constant from data
5.1.1(c)(iv) Capacitor charge and discharge equations
5.1.1(c)(v) Capacitance, current and stored energy equations
5.1.1(c)(vi) Period of a mass on a spring
5.1.1(c)(vii) Period of a simple pendulum
5.1.1(c)(viii) Spring force and stored energy
5.1.1(c)(ix) Iterative solution of the SHM equation
5.1.1(c)(x) Sinusoidal solutions for SHM
5.1.1(c)(xi) Total energy in SHM
5.1.1(d) Creating models: practical activities
5.1.1(d)(i) Measuring the period of oscillators
5.1.1(d)(ii) Observing forced and damped oscillations
5.1.1(d)(iii) Investigating capacitor charge and discharge
5.1.1(d)(iv) Measuring the half-life of protactinium
5.1.2 Out into space
5.1.2(a) Out into space: describing and explaining
5.1.2(a)(i) Gravitational and kinetic energy changes
5.1.2(a)(ii) Motion in a uniform gravitational field
5.1.2(a)(iii) Field and potential of a point mass
5.1.2(a)(iv) Angular velocity
5.1.2(a)(v) Circular motion and circular orbits
5.1.2(b) Out into space: terms, graphs and diagrams
5.1.2(b)(i) Terms for gravitational fields and energy
5.1.2(b)(ii) Areas under gravitational field and force graphs
5.1.2(b)(iii) Tangents to gravitational potential graphs
5.1.2(b)(iv) Gravitational field and equipotential diagrams
5.1.2(c) Out into space: calculations
5.1.2(c)(i) Potential energy change in a uniform field
5.1.2(c)(ii) Work done and moving along equipotentials
5.1.2(c)(iii) Centripetal acceleration and force
5.1.2(c)(iv) Radial gravitational force and field strength
5.1.2(c)(v) Gravitational potential energy
5.1.2(c)(vi) Gravitational potential
5.1.3 Our place in the universe
5.1.3(a) Our place in the universe: describing and explaining
5.1.3(a)(i) Radar measurement of solar system distances
5.1.3(a)(ii) Relativistic time dilation
5.1.3(a)(iii) Relative velocities by radar
5.1.3(a)(iv) Red-shift and microwave evidence for the big bang
5.1.3(b) Our place in the universe: logarithmic scales
5.1.3(b)(i) Logarithmic scales of magnitudes
5.1.3(c) Our place in the universe: calculations
5.1.3(c)(i) Distances and ages of astronomical objects
5.1.3(c)(ii) Distances and velocities from radar
5.2 Matter
5.2.1 Matter: very simple
5.2.1(a) Matter: describing and explaining
5.2.1(a)(i) Specific thermal capacity
5.2.1(a)(ii) Behaviour of ideal gases
5.2.1(a)(iii) Impulse and change of momentum
5.2.1(a)(iv) Kinetic theory of ideal gases
5.2.1(a)(v) Temperature and average particle energy
5.2.1(a)(vi) Random walk of gas molecules
5.2.1(b) Matter: terms and graphs
5.2.1(b)(i) Terms for gases and kinetic theory
5.2.1(b)(ii) Ideal gas relationships between p, V, N and T
5.2.1(b)(iii) Impulse from force–time graphs
5.2.1(c) Matter: calculations
5.2.1(c)(i) Energy change and specific thermal capacity
5.2.1(c)(ii) Ideal gas equation
5.2.1(c)(iii) Kinetic theory equation
5.2.1(d) Matter: practical activities
5.2.1(d)(i) Measuring specific thermal capacity electrically
5.2.1(d)(ii) Investigating gas laws and absolute zero
5.2.1(d)(iii) Investigating pressure and volume of a gas
5.2.2 Matter: hot or cold
5.2.2(a) Hot or cold: describing and explaining
5.2.2(a)(i) Ratios of particles in energy states
5.2.2(a)(ii) Temperature and activation energy processes
5.2.2(b) Hot or cold: Boltzmann factor graphs
5.2.2(b)(i) Boltzmann factor against energy and temperature
5.2.2(c) Hot or cold: calculations
5.2.2(c)(i) Energies compared with kT
5.2.2(c)(ii) Boltzmann factor e^(−E/kT)

6 Field and particle physics

6.1 Fields
6.1.1 Electromagnetism
6.1.1(a) Electromagnetism: describing and explaining
6.1.1(a)(i) How a transformer works
6.1.1(a)(ii) How a dynamo works
6.1.1(a)(iii) Electromagnetic forces
6.1.1(a)(iv) Linked electric and magnetic circuits
6.1.1(b) Electromagnetism: terms, graphs and diagrams
6.1.1(b)(i) Terms for magnetic fields and induction
6.1.1(b)(ii) Graphs of varying current, flux and induced e.m.f. over time
6.1.1(b)(iii) Flux lines in magnetic circuits
6.1.1(c) Electromagnetism: calculations
6.1.1(c)(i) Magnetic flux and Faraday's law
6.1.1(c)(ii) Force on a current-carrying wire
6.1.1(c)(iii) Ideal transformer voltage ratio
6.1.1(c)(iv) Ideal transformer current ratio
6.1.1(d) Electromagnetism: practical activities
6.1.1(d)(i) Observing induced e.m.f. with a falling magnet
6.1.1(d)(ii) Measuring magnetic flux density with a balance
6.1.1(d)(iii) Investigating transformers
6.1.2 Charge and field
6.1.2(a) Charge and field: describing and explaining
6.1.2(a)(i) Uniform electric field
6.1.2(a)(ii) Electric fields and forces on charges
6.1.2(a)(iii) Electric potential energy and potential of a point charge
6.1.2(a)(iv) Evidence for discrete electron charge
6.1.2(a)(v) Force on a moving charge in a magnetic field
6.1.2(a)(vi) Electric and gravitational fields compared
6.1.2(b) Charge and field: terms, graphs and diagrams
6.1.2(b)(i) Terms for electric fields and potential
6.1.2(b)(ii) Areas under electric field and force graphs
6.1.2(b)(iii) Tangents to electric potential graphs
6.1.2(b)(iv) Electric field and equipotential diagrams
6.1.2(c) Charge and field: calculations
6.1.2(c)(i) Radial electric force and field strength
6.1.2(c)(ii) Electric field and potential gradient
6.1.2(c)(iii) Electrical potential energy and potential
6.1.2(c)(iv) Magnetic force on a moving charge
6.2 Fundamental particles
6.2.1 Probing deep into matter
6.2.1(a) Probing matter: describing and explaining
6.2.1(a)(i) Particle accelerators and scattering
6.2.1(a)(ii) Scattering evidence for the nucleus
6.2.1(a)(iii) Evidence for discrete energy levels
6.2.1(a)(iv) Electrons confined in an atom
6.2.1(a)(v) Quark structure of protons and neutrons
6.2.1(a)(vi) Conservation laws in nuclear equations
6.2.1(a)(vii) Relativistic calculations for fast particles
6.2.1(b) Probing matter: terms and diagrams
6.2.1(b)(i) Terms for atomic and particle physics
6.2.1(b)(ii) Paths of scattered particles
6.2.1(b)(iii) Electron standing waves in atom models
6.2.1(c) Probing matter: calculations
6.2.1(c)(i) Charged particles in magnetic fields
6.2.1(c)(ii) Energy of a scattered charged particle
6.2.1(c)(iii) Rest energy and the relativistic factor
6.2.1(c)(iv) Total energy of a relativistic particle
6.2.2 Ionising radiation and risk
6.2.2(a) Ionising radiation: describing and explaining
6.2.2(a)(i) Ionising radiations and their effects
6.2.2(a)(ii) Nuclear stability and binding energy
6.2.2(a)(iii) Fission, fusion and nuclear power
6.2.2(b) Ionising radiation: terms and plots
6.2.2(b)(i) Terms for nuclei and radiation dose
6.2.2(b)(ii) Binding energy per nucleon plots
6.2.2(c) Ionising radiation: calculations
6.2.2(c)(i) Activity of a radioactive sample
6.2.2(c)(ii) Absorbed dose in gray
6.2.2(c)(iii) Effective dose in sievert
6.2.2(c)(iv) Energy from nuclear transformations

5d How Science Works (HSW)

HSW1 Theories and models to explain science
HSW2 Posing questions and presenting scientific arguments
HSW3 Methods, including ICT, to answer scientific questions
HSW4 Experimental work and risk management
HSW5 Analysing data, correlation and causation
HSW6 Evaluating methods, evidence and data
HSW7 How scientific knowledge develops over time
HSW8 Communicating science with correct terminology
HSW9 Applications, benefits and risks of science
HSW10 Ethical issues in science
HSW11 Scientific community and validating knowledge
HSW12 Science in society's decision making

5e Mathematical requirements

M0 Arithmetic and numerical computation
M0.1 Units in calculations
M0.2 Decimal and standard form
M0.3 Ratios, fractions and percentages
M0.4 Estimating results
M0.5 Powers, exponentials and logarithms on calculators
M0.6 Trigonometric functions on calculators
M1 Handling data
M1.1 Significant figures
M1.2 Arithmetic means
M1.3 Simple probability
M1.4 Order of magnitude calculations
M1.5 Combining uncertainties in data
M2 Algebra
M2.1 Mathematical symbols
M2.2 Rearranging equations, including non-linear ones
M2.3 Substituting values into equations
M2.4 Solving equations, including quadratics
M2.5 Logarithms for wide-ranging quantities
M3 Graphs
M3.1 Graphical, numerical and algebraic forms
M3.2 Plotting two variables from data
M3.3 Linear relationships: y = mx + c
M3.4 Slope and intercept of a linear graph
M3.5 Rate of change from a linear graph
M3.6 Tangents to curves as rates of change
M3.7 Instantaneous and average rates of change
M3.8 Area between a curve and the x-axis
M3.9 Calculus ideas by graphs or spreadsheets
M3.10 Logarithmic plots
M3.11 Testing exponential and power laws with log plots
M3.12 Sketching modelled relationships
M4 Geometry and trigonometry
M4.1 Angles in 2-D and 3-D structures
M4.2 Representing 2-D and 3-D forms
M4.3 Areas, surface areas and volumes
M4.4 Pythagoras' theorem and triangle angles
M4.5 Sine, cosine and tangent in physics
M4.6 Small angle approximations
M4.7 Degrees and radians