What this topic covers
Engineering physics (A-level only) has 2 subtopics:
- Rotational dynamics (A-level only)
- Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only)
← Back to topics
A Level AQA Physics · Topic 11 of 13
Engineering physics (A-level only) – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Engineering physics (A-level only) covers Rotational dynamics (A-level only) and Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 16 lessons in 2 subtopics.
Revise Engineering physics (A-level only) for A Level AQA Physics, including Rotational dynamics (A-level only) and Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only).
16
Lessons
2
Subtopics
Engineering physics (A-level only) lessons by subtopic
16 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Rotational dynamics (A-level only)
- Moment of Inertia: Point Masses and Extended Objects: Explore the concept of moment of inertia, focusing on its calculation for point masses and extended objects. Investigate the factors influencing the moment of inertia.
- Angular Kinematics: Displacement, Speed & Acceleration: Learn the definitions of angular displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration, and how to represent angular acceleration graphically.
- Equations of Motion for Rotational Kinematics: Explore the equations for uniform angular acceleration and their application in solving rotational motion problems. Understand the analogy between rotational and translational motion.
- Rotational Kinetic Energy: An introduction to rotational kinetic energy, its formula, and its relationship to flywheels.
- Flywheel Energy Storage: Explore the factors affecting the energy storage capacity of a flywheel and its use in smoothing torque and speed.
- Flywheel Applications: Understand the applications of flywheels in machines, vehicles, and production processes.
- Angular Momentum: Definition and Conservation: Explore the definition of angular momentum (Iω) and the principle of its conservation.
- Angular Impulse and Real-World Applications: Understand angular impulse (T∆t = ∆(Iω)) and its connection to changes in angular momentum. Examine applications in sports and other scenarios.
Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only)
- Four-Stroke Engine Cycles and Indicator Diagrams: Explore the workings of four-stroke petrol and diesel engines, comparing theoretical and actual indicator diagrams. Use indicator diagrams to predict power and efficiency. (A-level only)
- Engine Power and Efficiency Calculations: Learn to calculate engine power using the formulas for input power, indicated power and output (brake) power. Also friction power. Explore efficiency calculations including overall, thermal and mechanical efficiencies. (A-level only)
- Reversed Heat Engines: Principles and Uses: Learn the basic principles and applications of heat pumps and refrigerators.
- Coefficient of Performance: Refrigerators and Heat Pumps: Understand and apply the formulas for the coefficient of performance for refrigerators and heat pumps.
- The Second Law and Engine Efficiency: Explore the limitations imposed by the Second Law of Thermodynamics on engine efficiency. Understand why engines can't solely rely on the First Law and must operate between a heat source and sink.
- Understanding p-V Diagrams: Learn how to represent thermodynamic processes on p-V diagrams and estimate work done.
- Cyclic Processes and Work Done: Explore cyclic processes on p-V diagrams and calculate work done per cycle, including the constant pressure case.
- The First Law of Thermodynamics: An introduction to the first law of thermodynamics, its equation, and its components. We will also look at applications of the first law.
More in this course
Go back to the full A Level AQA Physics topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Engineering physics (A-level only)?
Engineering physics (A-level only) covers Rotational dynamics (A-level only) and Thermodynamics and engines (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 16 lessons in 2 subtopics.
What is the second law of thermodynamics?
The second law of thermodynamics, applied to heat engines, states that no heat engine operating in a complete cycle can convert all of the heat it absorbs from a hot source into work. The The Second Law and Engine Efficiency notes cover this in full.
What is the parallel axis theorem?
The parallel axis theorem gives the moment of inertia about any axis as the value about a parallel axis through the centre of mass plus Md², where d is the perpendicular distance between the axes. The Moment of Inertia: Point Masses and Extended Objects notes cover this in full.
What is a flywheel?
A flywheel is a disc or wheel with a deliberately large moment of inertia, mounted on the rotating shaft of a machine. The Flywheel Applications notes cover this in full.
How does a ground-source heat pump work?
A ground-source heat pump extracts thermal energy from the cool ground, soil or groundwater outside a building, which stays at a relatively stable temperature year-round, and uses work to deliver a larger quantity of thermal energy into the building's central heating system. The Reversed Heat Engines: Principles and Uses notes cover this in full.
What are the units of moment of inertia?
Moment of inertia is measured in kg m², because I = mr² multiplies a mass in kg by a squared distance in m². The Moment of Inertia: Point Masses and Extended Objects notes cover this in full.
What is the conservation of angular momentum?
The total angular momentum of a system is constant provided no resultant external torque acts, so I₁ω₁ = I₂ω₂. The Angular Momentum: Definition and Conservation notes cover this in full.
What is combined heat and power?
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a scheme that captures the waste heat an engine must reject and uses it for space heating or industrial processes instead of dumping it. The The Second Law and Engine Efficiency notes cover this in full.
What is moment of inertia?
Moment of inertia I is rotational inertia: it measures how hard an object is to spin up or slow down. The Moment of Inertia: Point Masses and Extended Objects notes cover this in full.