Specification points

OCR AS Level Physics B (Advancing Physics) H157

212 points in 6 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

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

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 Power functions 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
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
M3.12 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