What this topic covers
Fields and their consequences (A-level only) has 5 subtopics:
- Fields (A-level only)
- Gravitational fields (A-level only)
- Electric fields (A-level only)
- Capacitance (A-level only)
- Magnetic fields (A-level only)
← Back to topics
A Level AQA Physics · Topic 7 of 13
Fields and their consequences (A-level only) – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Fields and their consequences (A-level only) covers Fields (A-level only), Gravitational fields (A-level only), Electric fields (A-level only), and Capacitance (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 31 lessons in 5 subtopics.
Revise Fields and their consequences (A-level only) for A Level AQA Physics, including Fields (A-level only) and Gravitational fields (A-level only).
31
Lessons
5
Subtopics
Fields and their consequences (A-level only) lessons by subtopic
31 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Fields (A-level only)
- Introduction to Force Fields: Learn about force fields, their representation as vectors, and their origins from mass and charge interactions.
- Gravitational vs. Electrostatic Fields: Explore the similarities and differences between gravitational and electrostatic forces, focusing on inverse-square laws, field lines, potential concepts, and attraction/repulsion.
Gravitational fields (A-level only)
- Gravitational Potential Fundamentals: Explore the definition of gravitational potential, potential difference, and the work done in moving a mass within a gravitational field. Understand equipotential surfaces and their properties.
- Gravitational Potential in Radial Fields: Examine the relationship between gravitational potential and radial distance, including the significance of the negative sign. Analyze graphical representations of g and V with respect to r.
- Linking g, V and ΔV: Understand the relationship between g and V, expressed as g = -ΔV/Δr. Learn how to determine ΔV from the area under a graph of g against r.
- Orbital Motion and Energy: Explore the relationship between orbital period, speed, and radius, and derive the equation T^2 ∝ r^3. Then, investigate the energy considerations for satellites in orbit, including total energy.
- Escape Velocity and Orbit Types: Learn about escape velocity and how it relates to gravitational fields. Discover the properties and uses of synchronous, low, and geostationary orbits, including the plane and radius of geostationary orbits.
- Gravitational Field Strength: Explore gravitational field lines, define gravitational field strength (g) as force per unit mass, and calculate g in a radial field.
- Newton's Law of Gravitation: Explore gravity as a universal force and learn to calculate the magnitude of gravitational force between two point masses using Newton's Law of Gravitation.
Electric fields (A-level only)
- Electric Fields and Field Strength: Explore electric field lines, electric field strength, and the relationship between force and charge.
- Uniform Electric Fields: Investigate uniform electric fields, including calculations of electric field strength and the derivation of related formulas.
- Radial Electric Fields: Learn about radial electric fields and calculate electric field strength in such fields.
- Coulomb's Law: Force Between Charges: Introduction to Coulomb's Law, calculating the force between point charges, and understanding the permittivity of free space.
- Electrostatic vs. Gravitational Forces: Comparing the magnitudes of electrostatic and gravitational forces between subatomic particles.
- Electric Potential: Definition and Work Done: Understand the definition of absolute electric potential and how it relates to the work done in moving a charge within an electric field.
- Equipotential Surfaces and Radial Fields: Explore equipotential surfaces, understanding that no work is done when moving a charge along them. Calculate the magnitude of potential in a radial field.
- E and V Relationships: Analyse the relationship between electric field strength and electric potential, including graphical representations and calculations.
Capacitance (A-level only)
- Energy in a Capacitor: Learn to interpret charge-pd graphs and calculate energy stored in a capacitor.
- Capacitor Charging & Discharging: Graphs & the Time Constant: Explore the graphical representation of capacitor charging and discharging, understand the significance of gradients and areas, and define and calculate the time constant RC.
- Time to Halve & Quantitative Discharge: Learn how to calculate the time to halve and understand the quantitative treatment of capacitor discharge, including using equations for voltage and current.
- Quantitative Charging & Practical Investigation: Understand the quantitative treatment of capacitor charge and perform a practical investigation of capacitor charging and discharging, determining the time constant through log-linear plotting.
- Dielectrics in Parallel Plate Capacitors: Explore how dielectrics affect capacitance, learn about relative permittivity, and understand the behaviour of polar molecules in electric fields.
- Capacitance: Definition: Learn the definition of capacitance and the formula C = Q/V.
Magnetic fields (A-level only)
- Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges: Learn how to calculate the force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field and determine the direction of the force.
- Circular Motion and Cyclotrons: Explore how magnetic fields cause charged particles to move in circular paths and understand the application of this principle in devices like the cyclotron.
- Electromagnetic Induction: Experiments & Laws: Explore the experimental basis of electromagnetic induction and understand Faraday's and Lenz's Laws.
- Quantifying Electromagnetic Induction: Learn to calculate induced emf using the rate of change of flux linkage and apply this to scenarios like a moving conductor.
- EMF in a Rotating Coil: Derive and apply the equation for emf induced in a coil rotating uniformly in a magnetic field.
- Magnetic Forces on Current-Carrying Wires: Explore the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field, understand Fleming's left-hand rule, and define magnetic flux density (B) and the tesla.
- Understanding Magnetic Flux: Learn about magnetic flux, flux linkage, and how they are calculated. We will explore the relationship between magnetic field strength, area, and the number of turns in a coil.
- Understanding RMS and Peak Values: Learn about sinusoidal voltages and currents, and how to calculate RMS, peak, and peak-to-peak values. Includes calculations for mains electricity.
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 Fields and their consequences (A-level only)?
Fields and their consequences (A-level only) covers Fields (A-level only), Gravitational fields (A-level only), Electric fields (A-level only), and Capacitance (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 31 lessons in 5 subtopics.
What is electric potential difference?
Electric potential difference is the difference in potential between two points, the potential at B minus the potential at A, measured in volts. The Electric Potential: Definition and Work Done notes cover this in full.
What is Coulomb's law?
Coulomb's law states that the electrostatic force between two point charges is F = (1/4πε₀) × Q₁Q₂/r², where r is their separation and ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C² N⁻¹ m⁻² is the permittivity of free space. The Coulomb's Law: Force Between Charges notes cover this in full.
What is Faraday's law?
Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction states that the induced EMF equals the rate of change of flux linkage: ε = -Δ(NΦ)/Δt. The Electromagnetic Induction: Experiments & Laws notes cover this in full.
How do you use Fleming's left-hand rule?
Fleming's left-hand rule uses the left hand with thumb, first finger and second finger mutually perpendicular: the first finger points along the magnetic field, from N to S, the second finger along the conventional current, and the thumb gives the direction of the force. The Magnetic Forces on Current-Carrying Wires notes cover this in full.
What is the formula for gravitational field strength in a radial field?
In a radial field, g = GM/r², where M is the mass creating the field and r is the distance from its centre. The Gravitational Field Strength notes cover this in full.
What is the capacitor charging equation?
The capacitor charging equation is Q = Q₀(1 − exp(−t/RC)), where Q₀ = CV₀ is the maximum charge. The Quantitative Charging & Practical Investigation notes cover this in full.
What is magnetic flux?
Magnetic flux Φ is the product of the magnetic flux density B and the cross-sectional area A through which the field passes at right angles: Φ = BA, measured in webers, where 1 Wb = 1 T m². The Understanding Magnetic Flux notes cover this in full.
What is the motor effect?
The motor effect is the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field, which makes the wire move without any contact. The Magnetic Forces on Current-Carrying Wires notes cover this in full.