REVISION GUIDE
Pearson
Edexcel
IAS
PHYSICS
WPH11/WPH12
, CONTENTS
• Unit 1: Topic 1 (Mechanics) and Topic 2 (Materials)
• Unit 2: Topic 3 (Waves and Particle Nature of Light) and Topic 4 (Electric
Circuits)
, Unit 1: Topic 1 and Topic 2
Topic 1:: Mechanics
1 use the equations for uniformly accelerated motion in one dimension, v = u + at,
s = ut + ½at2, v2 = u2 + 2as
1. v = u + at
2. s = ut + ½ at2
3. v2 = u2 + 2as
2 demonstrate an understanding of how ICT can be used to collect data for, and display,
displacement/time and velocity/time graphs for uniformly accelerated motion and
compare this with traditional methods in terms of reliability and validity of data
Motion can be represented using graphs. Traditionally, data might have been collected using
rulers and stopwatches. ICT methods are now readily available, for example using a motion
sensor.
This setup records displacement at regular intervals and can be used to create graphs of
displacement against time or velocity against time. Light gates can also be used to measure
motion. Both of these methods will eliminate human error, so time or displacement will be
measured more accurately. They also allow greater precision than stopwatches. The data will
have improved validity and reliability. With light gates, the length of the object interrupting the
beam, or the distance between the gates, must still be measured manually.
Experiment: Determine speed and acceleration, for example use light gates
Measuring speed using light gate method
1. Attach a cart of measured length centrally to the top of the toy car.
, 2. Air track ensures a frictionless way for the toy car.
3. A gentle push can move the toy car at a steady speed.
4. Arrange for the card to block a light gates beam as it passes through it.
5. Electronic timer measures how long the card takes to pass through the beam.
6. Now calculate the toy car's average velocity as it passes the light gate by:
Measuring acceleration using light gate method
1. A card is mounted on the top of a trolley. The length of the card is measured.
2. One light is set at the top of the track and the second one is at the end of the track.
3. The trolley is given a gentle push to move through the track.
4. When the trolley passes through the first light gate the electronic timer measures the t1
to cross the length of the card.
5. So the velocity at the position of first light gate is measured by velocity.
a. V1= length of the first card ÷t1
6. During passing the second light gate, if the time measured by electronic timer is t2 then
the velocity can be measured by:
a. V2 = length of the second card ÷t2
7. The time t3 is measured for the trolley to travel from first light gate to the second light
gate by using a stopwatch.
8. Now acceleration is = velocity difference÷t3
= {(length of the first card ÷t1)-(length of the second card ÷t2)} ÷ t3
3 identify and use the physical quantities derived from the slopes and areas of
displacement/time and velocity/time graphs, including cases of non-uniform acceleration
Displacement – time graphs
Pearson
Edexcel
IAS
PHYSICS
WPH11/WPH12
, CONTENTS
• Unit 1: Topic 1 (Mechanics) and Topic 2 (Materials)
• Unit 2: Topic 3 (Waves and Particle Nature of Light) and Topic 4 (Electric
Circuits)
, Unit 1: Topic 1 and Topic 2
Topic 1:: Mechanics
1 use the equations for uniformly accelerated motion in one dimension, v = u + at,
s = ut + ½at2, v2 = u2 + 2as
1. v = u + at
2. s = ut + ½ at2
3. v2 = u2 + 2as
2 demonstrate an understanding of how ICT can be used to collect data for, and display,
displacement/time and velocity/time graphs for uniformly accelerated motion and
compare this with traditional methods in terms of reliability and validity of data
Motion can be represented using graphs. Traditionally, data might have been collected using
rulers and stopwatches. ICT methods are now readily available, for example using a motion
sensor.
This setup records displacement at regular intervals and can be used to create graphs of
displacement against time or velocity against time. Light gates can also be used to measure
motion. Both of these methods will eliminate human error, so time or displacement will be
measured more accurately. They also allow greater precision than stopwatches. The data will
have improved validity and reliability. With light gates, the length of the object interrupting the
beam, or the distance between the gates, must still be measured manually.
Experiment: Determine speed and acceleration, for example use light gates
Measuring speed using light gate method
1. Attach a cart of measured length centrally to the top of the toy car.
, 2. Air track ensures a frictionless way for the toy car.
3. A gentle push can move the toy car at a steady speed.
4. Arrange for the card to block a light gates beam as it passes through it.
5. Electronic timer measures how long the card takes to pass through the beam.
6. Now calculate the toy car's average velocity as it passes the light gate by:
Measuring acceleration using light gate method
1. A card is mounted on the top of a trolley. The length of the card is measured.
2. One light is set at the top of the track and the second one is at the end of the track.
3. The trolley is given a gentle push to move through the track.
4. When the trolley passes through the first light gate the electronic timer measures the t1
to cross the length of the card.
5. So the velocity at the position of first light gate is measured by velocity.
a. V1= length of the first card ÷t1
6. During passing the second light gate, if the time measured by electronic timer is t2 then
the velocity can be measured by:
a. V2 = length of the second card ÷t2
7. The time t3 is measured for the trolley to travel from first light gate to the second light
gate by using a stopwatch.
8. Now acceleration is = velocity difference÷t3
= {(length of the first card ÷t1)-(length of the second card ÷t2)} ÷ t3
3 identify and use the physical quantities derived from the slopes and areas of
displacement/time and velocity/time graphs, including cases of non-uniform acceleration
Displacement – time graphs
