Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics | AQA A-Level Physics (7408)
Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
- 254 questions
- 7 subtopics
- Split across Paper 1 and Paper 2
- Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3
Further mechanics and thermal physics is examined on Papers 1, 2 and 3, with periodic motion on Paper 1 and thermal physics on Paper 2.
It extends mechanics to circular and oscillating motion, then treats heat, the gas laws and the kinetic theory that explains them.
Sample questions from Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Circular motion
State the formula for centripetal acceleration in terms of linear speed and radius.
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a = v²/r, where a is centripetal acceleration, v is linear speed, and r is radius. -
Circular motion
Calculate the centripetal acceleration when angular speed = 3 rad s⁻¹, radius = 19.5 m.
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Centripetal acceleration = 3 × 3 × 19.5 = 176 m s⁻². -
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
Calculate the maximum speed when angular frequency = 3.5 rad s⁻¹, amplitude = 0.12 m.
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Maximum speed = 3.5 × 0.12 = 0.42 m s⁻¹. -
Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
What is the phase relationship between the velocity-time graph and the displacement-time graph for SHM?
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The velocity-time graph leads the displacement-time graph by a quarter of a period (or π/2 radians). -
Simple harmonic systems
At what point during simple harmonic motion is the potential energy at its greatest value?
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At maximum displacement (the amplitude positions). -
Simple harmonic systems
How does the total mechanical energy of a damped oscillating system change over time?
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The total mechanical energy decreases exponentially over time. -
Forced vibrations and resonance
Define damping in the context of oscillating systems.
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The process by which energy is removed from an oscillating system, usually through resistive forces. -
Forced vibrations and resonance
How can resonance affect buildings during an earthquake?
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If the frequency of seismic waves matches a building's natural frequency, resonance causes large-amplitude oscillations that can lead to structural damage.
The 7 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Circular motion | Angular speed, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force, and what supplies it. | 37 |
| Simple harmonic motion (SHM) | The defining condition a = −ω²x, the displacement, velocity and acceleration equations, and the graphs. | 30 |
| Simple harmonic systems | The mass-spring system and the simple pendulum, energy in SHM, damping, and the two required practicals. | 47 |
| Forced vibrations and resonance | Free and forced vibration, the condition for resonance, and how damping changes the resonance curve. | 30 |
| Thermal energy transfer | Specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, changes of state, and measuring both. | 33 |
| Ideal gases | Boyle's and Charles's laws, pV = nRT and pV = NkT, absolute zero, and work done by a gas. | 44 |
| Molecular kinetic theory model | Deriving the kinetic theory equation, root mean square speed, and internal energy of an ideal gas. | 33 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA A-Level Physics Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 3,682 questions with their answers.