During the exams you have done up to now, you have answered questions that relate to the modules which you have studied. If a topic were not on the module syllabus, no questions would be asked on it. For example when you did force and speed, you could work out the power of an electric train with P = Fv. However you could not be asked the current it took off a 25 000 volt overhead line, because P = IV is not part of the module.
Of course the boundaries of the modules are entirely arbitrary. In the old linear courses the boundaries were not there, and the questions could cover several related topics. And this is what the synoptic paper does.
You need to be able to answer questions that cover all the AS and A2 core syllabus. Questions from the options will NOT be asked.
This topic is based on the AQA June 2002 past paper. We will look at each question in turn and discuss what topics are covered. Where appropriate, there will be hyperlinks to take you back to the topic in a modular context.
So let's go...
This is simple alpha decay. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus (NOT atom), consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. So work out the numbers for the equations and click on the ANSWER to see if you have got it right.
In (i) this is kinetic energy from Module 2 and in (ii) we have momentum.
Can you see what the bear traps are? You need to look up in your data sheet what the atomic mass unit u is in kg. 1 u = 1.66 × 10-27 kg. What is the other bear trap? Now answer this question and click on ANSWER
(i) Calculate the resistance of R.
(ii) Calculate the electrical power supplied to the diode.
(iii) Calculate the energy of a photon of wavelength 635 nm.
(iv) Estimate the number of photons emitted per second by the diode.
(v) State an assumption you made in your estimation in part (iv).
This is a question that combines simple ohm's law, power from Module 3, E = hf from Module 1, and the wave equation from Module 4. ANSWER
This is Young's Double Slits and Diffraction which we saw in Module 4. By qualitative description it means that you need to explain what you understand by the process in prose. The marks for written communication are given for this section. ANSWER
This question is about your understanding of l = ws/D
While these bits are about critical angle in Module 1. ANSWER
Now go on to the next page for Questions 4, 5, and 6.