Physics

Nathan Piper
2023-2024

1 Intro to motion
Linear = one direction
Suvat formulae are used in motion questions.

s= (u+v)
2 t s = ut + 12 at2
v=u=at v 2 = u2 + 2as

s = displacement (m) u = initial velocity (ms−1 )

v = final velocity (ms−1 ) a = acceleration (ms2 )
t = time (s)

Table 1: Suvat formulae

1.1 Practice questions

• A melon is rolled off a sloped table, pushed at 0.2ms−1 . The table is 1.2m
long and the melon leaves the tale at 0.6ms−1 . Calculate the acceleration.

s = 1.2m
u = 0.6ms− 1
v = 0.2ms− 1
a=?
t = n/a

(v 2 −u2 )
v 2 = u2 + 2as → v 2 − u2 = 2as → 2s =a
(v 2 −u2 ) (0.62 −0.22 )
2s =a→ 2(1.2) =a
−
a=0.13ms 1

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• A tiger can accelerate at 14ms−1 from rest. Its to speed is 60kmph−1 ,
calculate the time it takes to reach top speed.

s = n/a
u = 0ms− 1
v = 60kmph− 1
a = 14ms−1 )
t=?

60,000mph 1000mpm
60 = 60 = 16.67mps−1
(v−u)
v = u + at → v − u = at → a =t

(16.67−0)
14 = 1.19. s

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2 Drift velocity
I = Anev

I = current n = numberof chargesperm3

e = charge of an electron A = cross sectional area of the conductor
v = drift velocity

Table 2: Drift velocity variables

Drift velocity is the average velocity acquired by a charged particle. Usually

an electron inside a conductor when P.D is applied to it.
Drift velocity is directly proportional to current.

2.1 Electricity

Charge c [Coulombs]
current I [Amps]
Potential Difference (P.D) V [Volts]
Electromotive force ϵ or V [V]

Table 3: Electricity variables

Current is the movement of charge.

Potential difference is the work done per unit charge. And the difference in
electrical potential between two points.
The charge of an electron and proton is:
e = −1.60x10−19 C
p = 1.60x10−19 C

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2.2 Practice questions
• A spoon carries 2.0*1018 extra electrons, calculate the charge of the
spoon. (2.0 ∗ 101 8) ∗ (−1.6 ∗ 10− 19) = −0.32C

• A gold nucleus has 79 protons. Calculate the charge of gold.

79 ∗ (1.60 ∗ 10−19 ) = 1.2641018
• How many electrons are there in -1C of charge?
-1c = −1/(−1.60 ∗ 10−19 ) = 6.25 ∗ 1018 e−

2.3 Current
I = ∆Q
∆t (Change in charge over a certain time)
Conventional current is a way of identifying the direction of current. (+ → −)

2.4 Practice questions

• A current of 0.6A is used to power a lamp. its used for 20 minutes.
calculate the number of electrons that pass through.
20min = 20*60 = 1200seconds
∆Q
I= ∆t → I ∗ ∆t = ∆Q ∆Q = 0.6 ∗ 1200 = 720
720/e = 4.5 ∗ 1021

2.5 Electricity and current + Electron drift velocity

The metal structure consists of a lattice of positive metal ions in a fixed
position vibrating in a sea of delocalised electrons.

Electrons change direction due to collisions with the ions.

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2.6 Practice questions
• Wire samples have a diameter of 1.3 ∗ 104 . Each sample has been cut to
have a resistance of 0.32kΩ. The samples get a supply of 5v.
I = nAveV = IR
5 = I(0.32 ∗ 103 ) → I = 5/320 → 0.016A
• Calculate drift velocity for 2 metals at 20◦ C
I = Anev
4 2
A = ((1.3∗10
4
) )
= 1.3x10−8
0.016
I = (8.0∗1028 )∗(1.3∗10−9 )∗e

−9.62 ∗ 10−5

2.7 Conductors + Semiconductors

In a semi conductor the electrons are stationary within the trough of the
conductor. When the electrons gain more energy through either heat or light,
they will be able to break through the barrier and move freely to the positive
location (Increasing n).

Thermisters and Light Dependent Resistors are made from semi conductors.
(changing resistance due to increasing energy.

2.8 Potential difference and emf

emf is the force caused by seperating charges that will act on the charges in a
circuit, leading to work being done.
emf is the maximum work done per unit charge in an electrical supply.
emf = energytransf
charge
erred
→v= W Q
emf is only at the source

2.9 Potential difference

Potential Difference (P.D) i the work done by the charges in a circuit. It’s
caused by the resistive forces that lead to energy transfer.
P.D = Wcharge
orkdone
→V = W Q

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2.10 Electricity
emf is work done at the supply/cell/battery whilst potential difference is the
work done at the components.
The sum of the potential difference is equal to the sum of the emf.
W orkdone W
P.D = charge → Q

1V = 1jC−1
Kirchhoff’s second law:
Σemf = ΣP.D (in a closed loop)

A parallel circuit can be broken into its sub circuits. Where the emf can be
calculated as the sum of the voltage in the cells.

2.11 Electricity: Energy, Power, Resistance

R=V/I
Metallic conductors have less resistance in them as there is more space for the
charges to move around.
Semiconductors have a higher resistance as the electrons need more energy to
freely move.
Resistance is caused by the charges colliding with the ions, causing more work
to be done.

2.12 Practice Questions

A metallic wire has a radius of 2mm and a length of 10cm. with 10V applied,
it allows 3.6A of current to flow.

• R = V /I → 10/3.6 = 2.8Ω
if wire length is increased to 30cm, what is the new resistance and
current.
• If wire length triples, resistance will also triple.
∴ R = 2.8 ∗ 3 = 8.4Ω

• current = 10/8.4 = 1.2A

• The relationship between doubling radius and effect on resistance.
As radius affects the area (A = πr2 ). doubling r will quadruple the area,
which would quarter the resistance as there will be 4x more empty space
for the charges to move.
• If the wire is placed in the fridge, what will be observed on the ammeter
as the wire cools?

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Current will increase as the vibrations of the ions reduce, causing less
collisions which will have less effect on the drift velocity.