Further Mechanics | Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0)
Further Mechanics
- 98 questions
- 10 subtopics
- Paper 1: Advanced Physics I
- Paper 1 and Paper 3
Paper 1 content that extends momentum into two dimensions and introduces circular motion: impulse and force-time graphs, elastic and inelastic collisions, the radian and angular velocity, and centripetal acceleration and force..
It covers impulse and force-time graphs, conservation of momentum in two dimensions, investigating momentum and analysing collisions on video, elastic and inelastic collisions, kinetic energy, momentum and collision calculations, the radian, angular displacement and angular velocity, angular velocity, period and frequency of rotation, centripetal acceleration, centripetal force and what provides it and vertical loops and centripetal force calculations.
Sample questions from Further Mechanics
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Impulse and force-time graphs
What is meant by the impulse of a force?
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Impulse is the product of a force and the time for which it acts, FΔt, and it equals the change of momentum it produces. -
Conservation of momentum in two dimensions
How does conservation of momentum follow from Newton's third law?
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Two interacting bodies exert equal and opposite forces on each other for the same length of time, so they receive equal and opposite impulses and their momentum changes cancel exactly. -
Investigating momentum and analysing collisions on video
In the core practical linking force to change of momentum, what systematic error affects the results, and how can it be reduced?
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Friction in the wheels and pulley makes the measured momentum change too small; it is reduced by tilting the runway slightly so the trolley moves at constant velocity when given a gentle push. -
Elastic and inelastic collisions
What calculation do you carry out to decide whether a collision is elastic or inelastic?
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Work out the total kinetic energy of all the bodies before the collision and again afterwards; if the two totals are equal the collision is elastic, and if the total falls it is inelastic. -
Kinetic energy, momentum and collision calculations
An electron of mass 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg has a momentum of 2.0 × 10⁻²⁴ kg m s⁻¹. What is its kinetic energy?
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Using Eₖ = p²/(2m), Eₖ = (2.0 × 10⁻²⁴)² ÷ (2 × 9.11 × 10⁻³¹) = 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ J. -
The radian, angular displacement and angular velocity
What is 2.0 rad expressed in degrees?
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2.0 × 180/π = 115° to 3 significant figures. -
Angular velocity, period and frequency of rotation
Two points sit at different radii on the same rotating disc. How do their angular velocities and their linear speeds compare?
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Both points have the same angular velocity because they sweep the same angle in the same time, but the point at the larger radius has the greater linear speed since v = ωr. -
Centripetal acceleration
In a vector diagram of the velocities at two nearby points on a circular path, why does the change in velocity point towards the centre of the circle?
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For a very small angle the vector difference between the two velocities lies almost perpendicular to both of them, which is along the radius directed inwards.
The 10 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Impulse and force-time graphs | Recall questions on impulse and why it shares momentum's unit, Newton's second law in momentum form, the area under a force-time graph, and why a crumple zone reduces force. | 9 |
| Conservation of momentum in two dimensions | Recall questions on resolving momenta into components, why magnitudes cannot simply be added, and applying conservation to an explosion or a glancing collision. | 8 |
| Investigating momentum and analysing collisions on video | Recall questions on the core practical linking force to change of momentum, the graph and its gradient, the systematic error, and video analysis of colliding spheres. | 9 |
| Elastic and inelastic collisions | Recall questions on the definitions, the calculation that distinguishes them, where the missing kinetic energy goes, and whether a collision can lose all of it. | 9 |
| Kinetic energy, momentum and collision calculations | Recall questions on the derivation of Eₖ = p²/(2m) and its limits, comparing particles of equal energy or equal momentum, and the relative speeds in an elastic collision. | 12 |
| The radian, angular displacement and angular velocity | Recall questions on the definition of the radian, converting between degrees and radians, the arc-length relationship, and the definitions of angular displacement and velocity. | 14 |
| Angular velocity, period and frequency of rotation | Recall questions on v = ωr, the relationships between angular velocity, period and frequency, and comparing two points at different radii on one disc. | 11 |
| Centripetal acceleration | Recall questions on why circular motion at constant speed is accelerated, the direction of the acceleration, the two equations, and how each responds to a change of speed or radius. | 9 |
| Centripetal force and what provides it | Recall questions on why a resultant force is needed, why centripetal force is not an extra force, why it does no work, and what supplies it for a car and a satellite. | 9 |
| Vertical loops and centripetal force calculations | Recall questions on the forces at the top and bottom of a vertical loop, the minimum speed condition, and what happens when the centripetal force is removed. | 8 |
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
Edexcel A-Level Physics Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 1,616 questions with their answers.