What this topic covers
Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) has 2 subtopics:
- Periodic motion (A-level only)
- Thermal physics (A-level only)
← Back to topics
A Level AQA Physics · Topic 6 of 13
Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) covers Periodic motion (A-level only) and Thermal physics (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 16 lessons in 2 subtopics.
Revise Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) for A Level AQA Physics, including Periodic motion (A-level only). 16 lessons across 2 subtopics.
16
Lessons
2
Subtopics
Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) lessons by subtopic
16 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Periodic motion (A-level only)
- Introduction to Circular Motion: Explore the basics of circular motion, understanding centripetal force and acceleration, and angular speed.
- Centripetal Acceleration and Force: Investigate the equations for centripetal acceleration and force, and their relationship to circular motion.
- Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion: Explore the characteristics and defining equation of Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM).
- SHM Equations: Displacement, Velocity & Time: Learn how to use the equations for displacement and velocity in SHM and their relationships.
- Graphical Representations of SHM: Understand the graphical relationships between displacement, velocity, and acceleration in SHM.
- Mass-Spring Systems & Simple Pendulums: Explore the equations governing the period of mass-spring systems and simple pendulums. Also covers other harmonic oscillators.
- Energy in SHM & Damping: Understand the interchange of kinetic and potential energy in SHM, and investigate the effects of damping on oscillations.
- SHM Practical Investigation: Hands-on investigation into simple harmonic motion using a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.
Thermal physics (A-level only)
- Ideal Gas Laws and Absolute Zero: Explore the relationships between pressure, volume, temperature, and mass in gases, and define absolute zero.
- The Ideal Gas Equation and Work Done: Understand and apply the ideal gas equation (pV=nRT and pV=NkT), and calculate work done by a gas.
- Avogadro Constant, Molar Gas Constant, Boltzmann Constant, and Molar/Molecular Mass: Define Avogadro's constant, molar gas constant, Boltzmann constant, and differentiate between molar and molecular mass.
- Practical: Investigating Gas Laws: Carry out an investigation of Boyle's law (constant temperature) and Charles's law (constant pressure) for a gas.
- Internal Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics: Explore internal energy, its components, and the first law of thermodynamics.
- Specific Heat Capacity: Define and calculate heat transfer using specific heat capacity.
- Specific Latent Heat: Define and calculate heat transfer during changes of state using specific latent heat.
- Brownian Motion & Molecular Model: Explore Brownian motion as evidence for atoms, and learn how a simple molecular model explains the relationships between pressure, volume, and temperature.
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 Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only)?
Further mechanics and thermal physics (A-level only) covers Periodic motion (A-level only) and Thermal physics (A-level only) in A Level AQA Physics. 16 lessons in 2 subtopics.
What is the specific heat capacity equation?
The specific heat capacity equation is Q = mcΔθ, where Q is energy transferred, m is mass in kg, c is specific heat capacity and Δθ is the temperature change. The Specific Heat Capacity notes cover this in full.
What is the specific heat capacity of water?
The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, one of the highest values of any common substance. The Specific Heat Capacity notes cover this in full.
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
The first law of thermodynamics states that the internal energy of a system increases when energy is transferred to it by heating or when work is done on it, and decreases when it heats its surroundings or does work on them. The Internal Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics notes cover this in full.
What is specific heat capacity?
Specific heat capacity c is the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K (or 1 °C) without causing a change of state. The Specific Heat Capacity notes cover this in full.
What is the unit of specific heat capacity?
The SI unit of specific heat capacity is J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹, joules per kilogram per kelvin, which is numerically identical to J kg⁻¹ °C⁻¹. The Specific Heat Capacity notes cover this in full.
What is absolute zero?
Absolute zero is the theoretical minimum temperature, 0 K or −273.15 °C, where the extrapolated pressure of a gas would be zero. The Ideal Gas Laws and Absolute Zero notes cover this in full.
What is internal energy?
Internal energy is the sum of the randomly distributed kinetic energies and potential energies of all the particles in a body. The Internal Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics notes cover this in full.
How do you convert degrees to radians?
To convert degrees to radians, multiply by π/180. The Introduction to Circular Motion notes cover this in full.