Determining a spring toy’s jump height is a useful exercise in the application of physics, not only in terms of this specific example but also in highlighting contrasting approaches to answering any sort of physics question. As is so often the case, there are two possible starting points; the first is theoretical whereas the second … Continue reading How high does a spring toy jump?
Particle Physics (IYQ 2025)
Despite 2025 being designated the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) we still know surprisingly little about how quantum effects “work”. According to this year’s anniversary, the quantum story started in 1925 when Werner Heisenberg formulated his matrix mechanics while spending time on the German island of Helgoland. But Heisenberg was not the … Continue reading Particle Physics (IYQ 2025)
What is the Strong Nuclear Force?
When thinking about atoms, one of the obvious puzzles is how a nucleus stays together when it is packed with positively charged particles (protons). Why don't the positive protons simply repel each other, causing the nucleus to disintegrate? The fact that there are also neutral particles (neutrons) in the nucleus may “dilute” the positive charge … Continue reading What is the Strong Nuclear Force?
Hideki Yukawa and Meson Theory
How does the nucleus of an atom stay together? Why don’t the positively-charged protons repel each other and cause the nucleus to disintegrate? The early models of the atom imagined solid spheres, perhaps with different sizes, shapes or “colours” distinguishing one type of atom from another. Then came J J Thomson’s discovery of the electron … Continue reading Hideki Yukawa and Meson Theory
Half-term Revision: Forces and Paper 2
Last year (2022) I created two sets of questions that are designed to test your knowledge of the Forces and their Interactions topic for Paper 2 of AQA Trilogy Physics. One test is for Higher Tier and can be accessed by clicking here; the other is for Foundation Tier and can be accessed here. Both … Continue reading Half-term Revision: Forces and Paper 2
Balloon on the Moon
Imagine that you could take a helium-filled balloon to the moon. If you stood on the lunar surface, holding the ribbon tied to the bottom of the balloon, what would you expect to happen when it was released? We'll assume that the balloon doesn't burst and I'll give you four possible outcomes; The balloon rises … Continue reading Balloon on the Moon
Why does hot air rise?
Easy question! It's because hot air is less dense than cold air. Except that things aren't really this simple. How does hot air know its own density and the density of the cold air that surrounds it? For that matter, how does hot air know which way is up? You might say that hot air … Continue reading Why does hot air rise?
Revision 2022: The Final Straight
With Biology and Chemistry finished, it's all systems go in the final phase of science revision for the second Physics paper later this week (Thursday 23rd June). As was the case for Paper 1, I have created an index page of links to relevant physbang content using the Advanced Information provided by AQA. The index … Continue reading Revision 2022: The Final Straight
Electric Motors
Having covered Fleming's Left-Hand Rule previously, we will now apply its general principles to the specific application of an electric motor. In particular, we will look at how the sideways motion due to a linear force, as predicted in Fleming's Left-Hand Rule, can be used to produce continuous rotation. We will be focusing on a … Continue reading Electric Motors
Drawing Magnetic Fields
The shape of the magnetic field around a bar magnet should be familiar to you as it has been covered in detail in a previous article, which you can read here. But rather than just knowing this shape, it is important that you can describe how to investigate it. There are two versions of this … Continue reading Drawing Magnetic Fields
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 