DistanceLearningCentre.com
LEARNING MATERIALS
Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic 2: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
Essential reading
Any A-Level physics Text Book
Essential Maths Skills for AS/A Level Physics Paperback – 27 May
2016 by Ian Lovat (Author)
Recommended reading:
Recommended reading for this topic is listed in the back pages of
these learning materials.
Further resources:
Further resources to deepen your learning on specific aspects of this
topic are listed throughout these learning materials.
If you see this icon you will be able to listen to how the word is
pronounced
Read and make notes:
Making notes turns reading into studying. Notes should be brief, clear and
helpful.
To help your understanding:
• rewrite or summarise what you have learned (avoid copying what
you have read);
• note down any questions your studying has raised, either to ask
your tutor, or to develop into further research.
To help you to remember:
• sum things up to improve long term memory;
• write things down to aid motor memory;
• use colour, images or patterns to help visual memory.
To help you in your assessments:
• record where you will find information (e.g. page numbers);
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, • keep your notes organised and easy to navigate;
• highlight where further reading and research are needed,
including any recommended or further reading;
• use your notes to help you get started on your TAQs.
Read the Specification:
So that you will know the criteria you will be assessed on please read
the unit specification in my courses on the Materials page.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Contents
Press CTRL/⌘ + Click in the contents list to go to the relevant page
Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
1. Nuclear Physics ..................................................................................... 2
1.1 Isotopes ................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei ....................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Variation of N with Z for stable and unstable nuclei .................... 3
1.2.2 Possible modes of decay for unstable nuclei .............................. 4
1.3 Absorbing Radiation ................................................................................ 7
1.4 Exchange Particles ................................................................................ 10
1.4.1 Feynman Diagrams .................................................................. 12
2. Atomic physics .................................................................................... 16
2.1 Bohr model of the atom.......................................................................... 16
2.2 How do atomic electrons gain energy? .................................................. 18
2.2.1 Photon absorption .................................................................... 18
2.2.2 Collisions with free electrons .................................................... 18
3. Electricity ............................................................................................. 21
3.1 Mean drift velocity of electrons in a wire................................................. 21
3.2 DC Electricity ......................................................................................... 24
3.3 AC Electricity ......................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 Basic Concepts ........................................................................ 25
3.3.2 Root mean square (RMS) ........................................................ 25
3.3.3 Resistivity ................................................................................. 26
3.3.4 Potential dividers ...................................................................... 27
3.3.5 Electromotive force (EMF) and internal resistance ................... 29
References ................................................................................................... 33
Recommended reading ............................................................................... 33
Resources .................................................................................................... 33
Books, journals and CDs ................................................................................ 33
Websites ......................................................................................................... 33
Sources and credits..................................................................................... 35
Image credits .................................................................................................. 35
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Introduction
In this topic:
In this topic, we will explore some of the aspects of basic
mechanics and the formulae involved. We will then go on to
look at the basic structure of matter. Finally, we will discuss
the principles of the basic concepts of electricity.
Important points: Before you begin
Make sure that you understand how indices work.
e.g. to multiply indices, you add them together
106 x 106 = 1012
e.g., to divide indices, you subtract.
108 ⁄ 106 = 102
Also make sure that all superscript number are shown as
superscript
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022 1
LEARNING MATERIALS
Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic 2: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
Essential reading
Any A-Level physics Text Book
Essential Maths Skills for AS/A Level Physics Paperback – 27 May
2016 by Ian Lovat (Author)
Recommended reading:
Recommended reading for this topic is listed in the back pages of
these learning materials.
Further resources:
Further resources to deepen your learning on specific aspects of this
topic are listed throughout these learning materials.
If you see this icon you will be able to listen to how the word is
pronounced
Read and make notes:
Making notes turns reading into studying. Notes should be brief, clear and
helpful.
To help your understanding:
• rewrite or summarise what you have learned (avoid copying what
you have read);
• note down any questions your studying has raised, either to ask
your tutor, or to develop into further research.
To help you to remember:
• sum things up to improve long term memory;
• write things down to aid motor memory;
• use colour, images or patterns to help visual memory.
To help you in your assessments:
• record where you will find information (e.g. page numbers);
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, • keep your notes organised and easy to navigate;
• highlight where further reading and research are needed,
including any recommended or further reading;
• use your notes to help you get started on your TAQs.
Read the Specification:
So that you will know the criteria you will be assessed on please read
the unit specification in my courses on the Materials page.
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Contents
Press CTRL/⌘ + Click in the contents list to go to the relevant page
Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
1. Nuclear Physics ..................................................................................... 2
1.1 Isotopes ................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Stable and unstable nuclei ....................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Variation of N with Z for stable and unstable nuclei .................... 3
1.2.2 Possible modes of decay for unstable nuclei .............................. 4
1.3 Absorbing Radiation ................................................................................ 7
1.4 Exchange Particles ................................................................................ 10
1.4.1 Feynman Diagrams .................................................................. 12
2. Atomic physics .................................................................................... 16
2.1 Bohr model of the atom.......................................................................... 16
2.2 How do atomic electrons gain energy? .................................................. 18
2.2.1 Photon absorption .................................................................... 18
2.2.2 Collisions with free electrons .................................................... 18
3. Electricity ............................................................................................. 21
3.1 Mean drift velocity of electrons in a wire................................................. 21
3.2 DC Electricity ......................................................................................... 24
3.3 AC Electricity ......................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 Basic Concepts ........................................................................ 25
3.3.2 Root mean square (RMS) ........................................................ 25
3.3.3 Resistivity ................................................................................. 26
3.3.4 Potential dividers ...................................................................... 27
3.3.5 Electromotive force (EMF) and internal resistance ................... 29
References ................................................................................................... 33
Recommended reading ............................................................................... 33
Resources .................................................................................................... 33
Books, journals and CDs ................................................................................ 33
Websites ......................................................................................................... 33
Sources and credits..................................................................................... 35
Image credits .................................................................................................. 35
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022
, Subject: Physics
Unit: Principles of Physics
Topic: Principles of Physics
Level: 3
LEARNING MATERIALS
Introduction
In this topic:
In this topic, we will explore some of the aspects of basic
mechanics and the formulae involved. We will then go on to
look at the basic structure of matter. Finally, we will discuss
the principles of the basic concepts of electricity.
Important points: Before you begin
Make sure that you understand how indices work.
e.g. to multiply indices, you add them together
106 x 106 = 1012
e.g., to divide indices, you subtract.
108 ⁄ 106 = 102
Also make sure that all superscript number are shown as
superscript
© DistanceLearningCentre.com, 2022 1
