A level · OCR

Physics H556

Every topic OCR can examine you on. Open a topic to see its sub-topics, lessons and practice questions.

  • 3 papers
  • 111 sub-topics
  • Y12Y13When each is usually taught

Official specification (PDF)

Module 2: Foundations of physics

Compulsory

Assessed on all three papers.

2.1Physical quantities and unitsPhysical quantities, S.I. units.Y122 sub-topics
  1. 2.1.1Physical quantitiesY12
  2. 2.1.2S.I. unitsY12
2.2Making measurements and analysing dataMeasurements and uncertainties.Y121 sub-topic
  1. 2.2.1Measurements and uncertaintiesY12
2.3Nature of quantitiesScalars and vectors.Y121 sub-topic
  1. 2.3.1Scalars and vectorsY12

Module 3: Forces and motion

Compulsory

Paper 1 (Modelling physics) and Paper 3.

3.1MotionKinematics and linear motion, projectile motion.Y122 sub-topics
  1. 3.1.1-3.1.2Kinematics and linear motionY12
  2. 3.1.3Projectile motionY12
3.2Forces in actionDynamics, motion with non-uniform acceleration, equilibrium, density and pressure.Y124 sub-topics
  1. 3.2.1DynamicsY12
  2. 3.2.2Motion with non-uniform accelerationY12
  3. 3.2.3EquilibriumY12
  4. 3.2.4Density and pressureY12
3.3Work, energy and powerWork and conservation of energy, kinetic and potential energies, power.Y123 sub-topics
  1. 3.3.1Work and conservation of energyY12
  2. 3.3.2Kinetic and potential energiesY12
  3. 3.3.3PowerY12
3.4MaterialsSprings, mechanical properties of matter.Y122 sub-topics
  1. 3.4.1SpringsY12
  2. 3.4.2Mechanical properties of matterY12
3.5Newton's laws of motion and momentumNewton's laws of motion, collisions.Y122 sub-topics
  1. 3.5.1Newton's laws of motionY12
  2. 3.5.2CollisionsY12

Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons

Compulsory

Paper 2 (Exploring physics) and Paper 3.

4.1Charge and currentCharge, mean drift velocity.Y122 sub-topics
  1. 4.1.1ChargeY12
  2. 4.1.2Mean drift velocityY12
4.2Energy, power and resistanceCircuit symbols, E.m.f. and p.d., resistance, resistivity, power.Y125 sub-topics
  1. 4.2.1Circuit symbolsY12
  2. 4.2.2E.m.f. and p.d.Y12
  3. 4.2.3ResistanceY12
  4. 4.2.4ResistivityY12
  5. 4.2.5PowerY12
4.3Electrical circuitsSeries and parallel circuits, internal resistance, potential dividers.Y123 sub-topics
  1. 4.3.1Series and parallel circuitsY12
  2. 4.3.2Internal resistanceY12
  3. 4.3.3Potential dividersY12
4.4WavesWave motion, electromagnetic waves, superposition, stationary waves.Y126 sub-topics
  1. 4.4.1Wave motionY12
  2. 4.4.1Wave motion: longitudinal and transverse waves, and polarisationY12
  3. 4.4.2Electromagnetic waves: refraction and total internal reflectionY12
  4. 4.4.3Superposition: interferenceY12
  5. 4.4.3Superposition: diffraction and the diffraction gratingY12
  6. 4.4.4Stationary wavesY12
4.5Quantum physicsPhotons, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality.Y123 sub-topics
  1. 4.5.1PhotonsY12
  2. 4.5.2The photoelectric effectY12
  3. 4.5.3Wave-particle dualityY12

Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics

Compulsory

Paper 1 (Modelling physics) and Paper 3.

5.1Thermal physicsTemperature, solid, liquid and gas, thermal properties of materials, ideal gases.Y135 sub-topics
  1. 5.1.1TemperatureY13
  2. 5.1.2Solid, liquid and gasY13
  3. 5.1.3Thermal properties of materialsY13
  4. 5.1.4Ideal gasesY13
  5. 5.1.4Ideal gases: the kinetic theory modelY13
5.2Circular motionKinematics of circular motion, centripetal force.Y132 sub-topics
  1. 5.2.1Kinematics of circular motionY13
  2. 5.2.2Centripetal forceY13
5.3OscillationsSimple harmonic oscillations, energy of a simple harmonic oscillator, damping.Y133 sub-topics
  1. 5.3.1Simple harmonic oscillationsY13
  2. 5.3.2Energy of a simple harmonic oscillatorY13
  3. 5.3.3DampingY13
5.4Gravitational fieldsPoint and spherical masses, Newton's law of gravitation, planetary motion, gravitational potential and energy.Y134 sub-topics
  1. 5.4.1Point and spherical massesY13
  2. 5.4.2Newton's law of gravitationY13
  3. 5.4.3Planetary motionY13
  4. 5.4.4Gravitational potential and energyY13
5.5Astrophysics and cosmologyStars, electromagnetic radiation from stars, cosmology.Y133 sub-topics
  1. 5.5.1StarsY13
  2. 5.5.2Electromagnetic radiation from starsY13
  3. 5.5.3CosmologyY13

Module 6: Particles and medical physics

Compulsory

Paper 2 (Exploring physics) and Paper 3.

6.1CapacitorsCapacitors, energy, charging and discharging capacitors.Y133 sub-topics
  1. 6.1.1CapacitorsY13
  2. 6.1.2EnergyY13
  3. 6.1.3Charging and discharging capacitorsY13
6.2Electric fieldsPoint and spherical charges, Coulomb's law, uniform electric field, electric potential and energy.Y134 sub-topics
  1. 6.2.1Point and spherical chargesY13
  2. 6.2.2Coulomb's lawY13
  3. 6.2.3Uniform electric fieldY13
  4. 6.2.4Electric potential and energyY13
6.3ElectromagnetismMagnetic fields, motion of charged particles, electromagnetism.Y134 sub-topics
  1. 6.3.1Magnetic fieldsY13
  2. 6.3.2Motion of charged particlesY13
  3. 6.3.3Electromagnetism: flux, flux linkage and inductionY13
  4. 6.3.3Electromagnetism: transformersY13
6.4Nuclear and particle physicsThe nuclear atom, fundamental particles, radioactivity, nuclear fission and fusion.Y134 sub-topics
  1. 6.4.1The nuclear atomY13
  2. 6.4.2Fundamental particlesY13
  3. 6.4.3RadioactivityY13
  4. 6.4.4Nuclear fission and fusionY13
6.5Medical imagingUsing X-rays, diagnostic methods in medicine, using ultrasound.Y133 sub-topics
  1. 6.5.1Using X-raysY13
  2. 6.5.2Diagnostic methods in medicineY13
  3. 6.5.3Using ultrasoundY13

Across the whole course

Compulsory

Module 1 (practical skills) and the mathematical requirements are assessed in every paper.

1Module 1: Development of practical skills in physicsPlanning, implementing, analysis, evaluation, practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement.5 sub-topics
  1. 1.1.1PlanningY13
  2. 1.1.2ImplementingY13
  3. 1.1.3AnalysisY13
  4. 1.1.4EvaluationY13
  5. 1.2Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsementY13
MSMathematical skillsThe maths you need in physics: units, standard form, uncertainties, rearranging equations, logarithms, graphs and trigonometry.35 sub-topics
  1. MS 0.1Units and prefixesY13
  2. MS 0.2Decimal and standard formY13
  3. MS 0.3Ratios, fractions and percentagesY13
  4. MS 0.4Estimating effects of changing parametersY13
  5. MS 0.5Calculator: powers, exponentials and logsY13
  6. MS 0.6Calculator: sin, cos and tanY13
  7. MS 1.1Significant figuresY13
  8. MS 1.2Means of repeated readingsY13
  9. MS 1.3Simple probabilityY13
  10. MS 1.4Order-of-magnitude calculationsY13
  11. MS 1.5Combining uncertaintiesY13
  12. MS 2.1Symbols =, <, ≪, ≫, >, ∝, ≈, ΔY13
  13. MS 2.2Changing the subjectY13
  14. MS 2.3Substituting values with unitsY13
  15. MS 2.4Solving equationsY13
  16. MS 2.5LogarithmsY13
  17. MS 3.1Graphical, numerical and algebraic formsY13
  18. MS 3.2Plotting dataY13
  19. MS 3.3y = mx + cY13
  20. MS 3.4Gradient and interceptY13
  21. MS 3.5Rate of change from a straight lineY13
  22. MS 3.6Tangents to curvesY13
  23. MS 3.7Instantaneous and average ratesY13
  24. MS 3.8Area under a graphY13
  25. MS 3.9Calculus ideas without calculusY13
  26. MS 3.10Logarithmic plotsY13
  27. MS 3.11Testing exponential and power laws with log plotsY13
  28. MS 3.12Sketching k/x, kx², kx, sin x, cos x, e^(±x), sin²x, cos²xY13
  29. MS 4.1Angles in 2D and 3D structuresY13
  30. MS 4.22D and 3D formsY13
  31. MS 4.3Areas and volumesY13
  32. MS 4.4Pythagoras and angle sum of a triangleY13
  33. MS 4.5Sin, cos and tan in physical problemsY13
  34. MS 4.6Small-angle approximationsY13
  35. MS 4.7Degrees and radiansY13

The exam papers

Paper 1: Modelling physics (Modules 1, 2, 3 and 5)2 h 15 min · 100 marks · 37%H556/01
Paper 2: Exploring physics (Modules 1, 2, 4 and 6)2 h 15 min · 100 marks · 37%H556/02
Paper 3: Unified physics (all modules)1 h 30 min · 70 marks · 26%H556/03