Physics
O-Level Physics — chapter notes and interactive labs.
Physics Theory Resources
1. Physical Quantities, Units & Measurement
SI base quantities and prefixes, choosing and reading instruments, precision and errors, and the difference between scalars and vectors.
- SI units
- Prefixes
- Precision
- Vectors
2. Kinematics
Speed, velocity and acceleration, then reading motion straight off distance–time and speed–time graphs — gradients, areas and free fall.
- d–t graphs
- v–t graphs
- Acceleration
- Free fall
3. Dynamics
Contact and non-contact forces, mass versus weight, Newton's laws and free-body diagrams, friction and terminal velocity.
- Forces
- Newton's laws
- Free-body
- Friction
4. Turning Effect of Forces
Moments, the principle of moments and equilibrium, centre of gravity and what makes an object stable or topple. Not examined in G2 ScPhy.
- Moments
- Equilibrium
- Centre of gravity
- Stability
5. Pressure
Density, pressure as force per unit area, hydraulic systems, and pressure in liquids including the mercury barometer.
- Density
- p = F/A
- Liquids
- Barometer
6. Energy
Energy stores and transfer pathways, kinetic and gravitational potential energy, conservation of energy, work done and power.
- Stores
- KE & GPE
- Work done
- Power
7. Kinetic Particle Model of Matter
How the particle model explains solids, liquids and gases, temperature and average kinetic energy, and changes of state.
- States
- Particle model
- Temperature
- Changes of state
8. Thermal Processes
Thermal equilibrium, then conduction, convection and radiation — the mechanism behind each and where they show up every day.
- Equilibrium
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
9. Thermal Properties of Matter
Internal energy, specific heat capacity and latent heat, with heating and cooling curves and the physics behind the flat plateaus. Not examined in G3 ScPhy and G2 ScPhy.
- Internal energy
- Heat capacity
- Latent heat
- Curves
10. General Properties of Waves
Describing wave motion, the wave equation v = f λ, transverse versus longitudinal waves, and sound including echoes.
- Wave terms
- v = f λ
- Transverse
- Sound
11. Electromagnetic Spectrum
The seven regions in order, the properties every electromagnetic wave shares, and the uses and dangers of each region.
- Spectrum
- c = f λ
- Uses
- Dangers
12. Light
Reflection and plane mirrors, refraction and refractive index, total internal reflection, and ray diagrams for converging lenses. Not examined in G2 ScPhy.
- Reflection
- Refraction
- TIR
- Lenses
13. Static Electricity
Charging by friction and by induction, the law of charges, electric field patterns, and the hazards and uses of electrostatics. Not examined in G3 ScPhy and G2 ScPhy.
- Charging
- Induction
- Fields
- Hazards
14. Current of Electricity
Charge and current, conventional current versus electron flow, e.m.f. and potential difference, resistance and I–V characteristics.
- Current
- e.m.f. & p.d.
- Resistance
- I–V graphs
15. D.C. Circuits
Circuit symbols and diagrams, the rules for series and parallel circuits, combined resistance and potential dividers.
- Symbols
- Series
- Parallel
- Dividers
16. Practical Electricity
Electrical power and energy, the kilowatt-hour and your bill, the dangers of electricity, and fuses, circuit breakers and earthing.
- Power
- kW h & cost
- Fuses
- Earthing
17. Magnetism
Properties of magnets, induced magnetism, temporary versus permanent magnets, and plotting magnetic field patterns. Not examined in G2 ScPhy.
- Magnets
- Induced
- Fields
- Plotting
18. Electromagnetism
The magnetic effect of a current, fields around wires and solenoids, the force on a conductor and how a d.c. motor turns. Not examined in G2 ScPhy.
- Solenoids
- Motor effect
- Left-hand rule
- d.c. motor
19. Electromagnetic Induction
Inducing an e.m.f., Lenz's law, the a.c. generator, and transformers and why the grid transmits at high voltage. Not examined in G3 ScPhy and G2 ScPhy.
- Induction
- Lenz's law
- Generator
- Transformers
20. Radioactivity
The nuclear atom and nuclide notation, alpha, beta and gamma radiation, half-life and background, plus uses and hazards.
- Nuclide
- α β γ
- Half-life
- Hazards
Physics Driller
Endless generated calculation questions across the syllabus — kinematics, forces, moments, pressure, energy and power, thermal, waves and light, circuits, practical electricity, transformers and radioactivity — marked instantly with the working shown, tagged by syllabus, plus printable worksheets with answer keys for teachers.
- 14 chapters, 50+ skills
- Auto-marked practice
- Printable worksheets
Physics Interactives
Measurement Lab
Practise reading a digital vernier caliper, a micrometer screw gauge and a simple pendulum — including spotting and correcting zero errors.
- Vernier caliper
- Micrometer
- Pendulum
- Zero error
Optics Explorer
Drag the incident ray and change the medium to see reflection, refraction and total internal reflection — plus plane mirrors and converging lenses.
- Reflection
- Refraction
- Critical angle
- Lenses
DC Circuit Constructor
Build circuits from cells, resistors, switches and meters — watch conventional current flow and read the voltmeters and ammeters you place.
- Series & parallel
- Voltmeters
- Ammeters
- Resistance
Forces: When does an object slide down a ramp? (FYI)
Raise or drag the ramp and watch gravity, the normal reaction and friction change — find the critical angle where static friction can no longer hold the cube.
- Forces
- Normal reaction
- Static friction
- Critical angle