Definitions & Equations
Physics AS Level Booklet
1
, Table of Contents
Physical Quantities & Units........................................................................................................................... 2
Kinematics................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Dynamics................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Forces, Density, & Pressure........................................................................................................................... 7
......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Work, Energy, & Power..................................................................................................................................... 9
Deformation of Solids...................................................................................................................................... 10
........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Waves......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Superposition........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Electricity + D.C. Circuits............................................................................................................................... 19
Particle Physics.................................................................................................................................................. 21
Paper 3 - Practical........................................................................................................................................... 24
Physical Quantities & Units
Fundamental Quantities S.I Units
Name Symbol Name Symbol
Mass m Kilograms kg
Length Lowercase L Metres m
Time t Seconds s
2
, Current I Amperes A
Temperature T Kelvin °K
Fahrenheit °F
Celsius °C
Amount of n mol per cubic mol/c m 3
Substance metres
Luminous Intensity lv candela cd
Unit - From Greatest to Smallest Standard Form
(Using the example of metres)
12
Tm - Terameter ×10
9
Gm - Gigameter ×10
6
Mm - Megameter ×10
3
Km - Kilometer ×10
0
m - meter ×10
−2
cm - centimetre ×10
−3
mm - millimetre ×10
μ m - micrometre ×10
−6
−9
nm - nanometer ×10
−12
pm - picometer ×10
Systematic Errors An error caused by the use of faulty
instruments or flaws in the experimental
method
→ Affects accuracy
→ Solution: Recalibrate instruments or
correct/adjust experimental technique
3
Physics AS Level Booklet
1
, Table of Contents
Physical Quantities & Units........................................................................................................................... 2
Kinematics................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Dynamics................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Forces, Density, & Pressure........................................................................................................................... 7
......................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
Work, Energy, & Power..................................................................................................................................... 9
Deformation of Solids...................................................................................................................................... 10
........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Waves......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Superposition........................................................................................................................................................ 17
Electricity + D.C. Circuits............................................................................................................................... 19
Particle Physics.................................................................................................................................................. 21
Paper 3 - Practical........................................................................................................................................... 24
Physical Quantities & Units
Fundamental Quantities S.I Units
Name Symbol Name Symbol
Mass m Kilograms kg
Length Lowercase L Metres m
Time t Seconds s
2
, Current I Amperes A
Temperature T Kelvin °K
Fahrenheit °F
Celsius °C
Amount of n mol per cubic mol/c m 3
Substance metres
Luminous Intensity lv candela cd
Unit - From Greatest to Smallest Standard Form
(Using the example of metres)
12
Tm - Terameter ×10
9
Gm - Gigameter ×10
6
Mm - Megameter ×10
3
Km - Kilometer ×10
0
m - meter ×10
−2
cm - centimetre ×10
−3
mm - millimetre ×10
μ m - micrometre ×10
−6
−9
nm - nanometer ×10
−12
pm - picometer ×10
Systematic Errors An error caused by the use of faulty
instruments or flaws in the experimental
method
→ Affects accuracy
→ Solution: Recalibrate instruments or
correct/adjust experimental technique
3
