OCR A-Level Physics A Active Recall Guide (H556)

OCR · A-Level

OCR A-Level Physics A Active Recall Guide

A question-and-answer revision guide for OCR A-Level Physics A, built to be worked in three passes rather than read.

OCR
A-Level
Specification H556
16 topics

See what is inside or try the sample questions.

OCR A-Level Physics A Active Recall Guide cover

£8 GBP

Get the guide

Digital PDF, sent to the email address on your order.

The 3-step active recall method

Re-reading notes is a futile process when your aim is to remember the information and successfully apply it in exam settings. Active recall is the method you use to ensure the information sticks for a long period of time.

But even active recall can be futile unless you have a structured way of implementing it. This is where the 3-step active recall method comes in, a structured method that is signature to the Levo Learning guides.

Step 1
Answer up to 10 questions cold, closed book, even if you are unsure on the topic.
Step 2
Answer the same questions again, but open book. Write the correct answer down even if it seems pointless.
Step 3
Repeat as step 1 and answer the questions closed book again.

Worked across the OCR A-Level Physics A specification, one subtopic at a time.

The subject, and what is assessed

OCR A-Level Physics A (specification H556) is assessed by three written components. Component 01, modelling physics, and Component 02, exploring physics, each last 2 hours 15 minutes and carry 100 marks.

Component 03, unified physics, lasts 1 hour 30 minutes, carries 70 marks and draws on all six teaching modules. Practical work is reported separately through the Practical Endorsement.

Paper	Covers	Length	Marks	Weighting
Component 01	Modelling physics	2 hours 15 minutes	100 marks	37%
Component 02	Exploring physics	2 hours 15 minutes	100 marks	37%
Component 03	Unified physics	1 hour 30 minutes	70 marks	26%
Component 04	Practical Endorsement in physics			Reported separately

Memorisation, then application

Marks are given for applying content to the question that has been set, which cannot happen while the content is still being looked up. Step 1 shows what is actually held.

Step 2 puts the correct wording in front of you while the gap is still fresh. Step 3 repeats the cold test, and the difference between the first and third attempt is the part that has moved.

Every question in the guide is paired with its answer in the same document, so step 2 is done from the guide itself rather than from a separate set of notes.

What is inside the guide

Questions are grouped by topic and then by subtopic, following the OCR specification. Open a topic to see its subtopics.

Development of Practical Skills in Physics1 subtopic

Practical skills assessed in a written examination83

Practical Skills Assessed in the Practical Endorsement2 subtopics

Practical skills39
Use of apparatus and techniques43

Foundations of Physics3 subtopics

Physical quantities and units38
Making measurements and analysing data26
Nature of quantities25

Forces and Motion5 subtopics

Motion54
Forces in action64
Work, energy and power42
Materials57
Newton's laws of motion and momentum39

Electrons, Waves and Photons2 subtopics

Charge and current32
Electrical circuits43

Energy, Power and Resistance5 subtopics

4.2.1 Circuit symbols19
4.2.2 E.m.f. and p.d17
4.2.3 Resistance29
4.2.4 Resistivity23
4.2.5 Power27

Waves4 subtopics

4.4.1 Wave motion41
4.4.2 Electromagnetic waves46
4.4.3 Superposition36
4.4.4 Stationary waves51

Quantum Physics3 subtopics

4.5.1 Photons17
4.5.2 The photoelectric effect25
4.5.3 Wave-particle duality18

Thermal Physics4 subtopics

5.1.1 Temperature17
5.1.2 Solid, liquid and gas30
5.1.3 Thermal properties of materials53
5.1.4 Ideal gases32

Newtonian World and Astrophysics2 subtopics

Circular motion28
Oscillations68

Gravitational Fields4 subtopics

5.4.1 Point and spherical masses16
5.4.2 Newton's law of gravitation17
5.4.3 Planetary motion22
5.4.4 Gravitational potential and energy29

Astrophysics and Cosmology3 subtopics

5.5.1 Stars46
5.5.2 Electromagnetic radiation from stars35
5.5.3 Cosmology49

Capacitors3 subtopics

6.1.1 Capacitors34
6.1.2 Energy18
6.1.3 Charging and discharging capacitors41

Particles and Medical Physics2 subtopics

Electric fields47
Electromagnetism67

Nuclear and Particle Physics4 subtopics

6.4.1 The nuclear atom26
6.4.2 Fundamental particles35
6.4.3 Radioactivity62
6.4.4 Nuclear fission and fusion56

Medical Imaging3 subtopics

6.5.1 Using X-rays27
6.5.2 Diagnostic methods in medicine26
6.5.3 Using ultrasound29

Sample questions

Taken from the OCR A-Level Physics A guide. Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.

Development of Practical Skills in Physics

What must be considered when selecting apparatus for an experiment?

Show the answer
The apparatus must be suitable for the measurements required, have appropriate range and resolution, and be capable of providing the precision needed for the experiment.
Practical Skills Assessed in the Practical Endorsement

What analogue apparatus is commonly used to measure temperature in a physics laboratory?

Show the answer
A liquid-in-glass thermometer (e.g. mercury or alcohol thermometer).
Foundations of Physics

When estimating a physical quantity, to what level of precision should the estimate typically be expressed?

Show the answer
To an appropriate order of magnitude (power of ten).
Forces and Motion

Why is displacement classified as a vector rather than a scalar?

Show the answer
Because displacement has both magnitude and direction, specifying not just how far an object has moved but also in which direction from the reference point.
Electrons, Waves and Photons

In the equation I = Q/t, what does each symbol represent?

Show the answer
I represents current, Q represents charge, and t represents time.
Energy, Power and Resistance

How does the circuit symbol for a battery differ from that of a single cell?

Show the answer
A battery symbol shows two or more cells in series, represented as alternating long and short parallel lines, whereas a cell has just one pair.
Waves

What does a progressive wave transfer, and what does it not transfer?

Show the answer
A progressive wave transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.
Quantum Physics

What does the photon model describe about the nature of electromagnetic radiation?

Show the answer
Electromagnetic radiation has a particulate nature, consisting of discrete packets of energy called photons.

Questions about this guide

How do you use active recall for OCR A-Level Physics A?

Answer up to 10 questions cold and closed book. Answer the same questions again open book, writing the correct answer down.

Then answer them closed book one more time. The difference between the first and third attempt is what has moved into recall.

How is OCR A-Level Physics A assessed?

OCR A-Level Physics A is assessed by 4 components: Component 01, modelling physics (2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 37%); Component 02, exploring physics (2 hours 15 minutes, 100 marks, 37%); Component 03, unified physics (1 hour 30 minutes, 70 marks, 26%); Component 04, practical endorsement in physics (Reported separately).

What topics does the OCR A-Level Physics A active recall guide cover?

It covers Development of Practical Skills in Physics, Practical Skills Assessed in the Practical Endorsement, Foundations of Physics, Forces and Motion, Electrons, Waves and Photons, Energy, Power and Resistance, Waves, Quantum Physics, Thermal Physics, Newtonian World and Astrophysics, Gravitational Fields, Astrophysics and Cosmology, Capacitors and Particles and Medical Physics.

The full list is set out on this page.

Is the OCR A-Level Physics A guide a PDF?

Yes. It is a digital PDF sent to the email address on your order after purchase.

Check the address is correct at checkout, and check junk or spam if it has not arrived.

Does the guide include the answers?

Yes. Every question has its answer in the same document, grouped by topic, so step 2 of the method is done from the guide.