Resistor networks sometimes look scary but they can be solved by taking things one step at a time and applying basic circuit rules. The rules concerned are the calculations for combining series and parallel resistors, together with Kirchoff’s two laws for circuits. To combine resistors, we add their values if they are arranged in series … Continue reading How to determine voltages inside a resistor network
How to read a micrometer
Being able to take measurements using common items of instrumentation is an expected skill for A-Level Physics and can be tested in examinations using diagrams or photographs. This post is the first in a short series that will look at measurement skills, starting with a piece of equipment that often causes difficulties; the micrometer. To … Continue reading How to read a micrometer
Effective Revision
The following information is specifically for the benefit of my students who are studying the AQA A-Level Physics course, 7408, for examination this summer (2025). That said, the principles of revision are well known and apply much the same to every subject at every level. With that in mind, here are my top six tips. … Continue reading Effective Revision
Active Reading
Little is made of the fact that the skills required to read a textbook are different from those used when reading a consumer magazine or a work of fiction. The reasons for this difference are the greater density of information and sequencing of concepts that occur in non-fiction publications. As a result, skimming is best … Continue reading Active Reading
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
Radioactivity mini-test
There is a short online test that you can use to check your understanding of the key facts covered in the radioactivity topic for GCSE Physics. The test, available here, is hosted on liveworksheets.com so you will be able to see your score immediately after completing the test. Note that Q4 is not marked because … Continue reading Radioactivity mini-test
Specific Heat Capacity and Energy Stores
Two ways are suggested in GCSE Physics for measuring the specific heat capacity of a material. I have already explained the electrical method (see here) but it looks likely, from the advanced information supplied by AQA, that the other method will feature in this summer's Trilogy physics examination. So here's what you need to know … Continue reading Specific Heat Capacity and Energy Stores
Physics Paper 1: physbang revision Index
I previously provided an index of BBC Bitesize links for content that is most likely to appear in this year's AQA Trilogy Physics Paper 1 exam: I have now created a similar list for content posted on physbang, which you can access via this link. For convenience, you can swap from one index to the … Continue reading Physics Paper 1: physbang revision Index
Revising Atomic Structure
Tucked away inside a website of astronomy resources I have just found a brilliant little tool for revising atomic structure, which is required knowledge for AQA Trilogy (and other) GCSE examinations in both physics and chemistry. You can find it at https://astro.unl.edu/newRTs/nuclei/. The assessment is a two-part, drag-and-drop ranking exercise where you have to rearrange … Continue reading Revising Atomic Structure
Energy Revision – new resource
Energy stores and transfers are one of the really big ideas in physics and this is also a topic that AQA has announced will be in Paper 1 for the Trilogy examination this month. With that in mind, I have created a new revision resource that you can use to check your knowledge and understanding. … Continue reading Energy Revision – new resource
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 