Physics might seem intimidating, but it's actually about understanding the...
Physics1,078 views·Updated Jun 2, 2026·5 pagesAQA Combined Science: Higher Tier Physics Paper 2 Study Guide
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Lily Purser@lilypurser_
1 / 5
1
of 5
Forces and Newton's Laws
Scalar quantities (like speed) only have size, whilst vector quantities (like velocity) have both size and direction - think of it like the difference between saying "30 mph" versus "30 mph north". Forces are vectors, which is why we draw them as arrows where the length shows the strength.
Forces split into two types: contact forces (like friction and air resistance) need objects to touch, whilst non-contact forces (like weight and magnetism) work at a distance. Newton's three laws govern how forces work: objects keep doing what they're doing unless a resultant force acts on them, force equals mass times acceleration, and every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Mass (measured in kg) tells you how much matter something contains and stays constant everywhere, but weight (measured in N) is the gravitational force acting on that mass and changes depending on gravity's strength. When multiple forces act on an object, you find the resultant force by adding them as vectors - sometimes using scale diagrams or Pythagoras' theorem.
💡 Quick Check: If you're in a lift accelerating upwards, you feel heavier because there's a resultant force - your weight plus the extra force needed for acceleration!
2
of 5
Motion, Momentum and Graphs
Distance tells you how far something travels, but displacement includes direction too - crucial for understanding motion properly. Similarly, speed is just distance per time, whilst velocity includes direction, making acceleration the change in velocity over time.
Distance-time graphs reveal motion patterns: horizontal lines show stationary objects, straight slopes show constant speed (steeper means faster), and curved lines show changing speed. Velocity-time graphs work differently - horizontal lines show constant velocity, upward slopes show speeding up, and downward slopes show slowing down.
Momentum (mass × velocity) describes an object's tendency to keep moving in the same direction. Heavy, fast-moving objects have loads of momentum, whilst stationary objects have none. The conservation of momentum means the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after - letting you predict what happens in crashes and explosions.
💡 Memory Tip: Think of momentum like a rugby player charging towards the try line - the bigger and faster they are, the harder they'll be to stop!
3
of 5
Wave Properties and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Waves transfer energy without moving matter. Transverse waves (like water ripples) vibrate perpendicular to their direction, whilst longitudinal waves (like sound) vibrate parallel to their direction with compressions and rarefactions. The key equation connects wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
Electromagnetic waves form a continuous spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays, all travelling at 3×10⁸ m/s through a vacuum. Your eyes detect visible light, but the full spectrum includes radio, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays - each with different properties and uses.
These waves can be absorbed, transmitted, refracted, or reflected depending on the material and wavelength. Refraction happens when waves change speed entering different materials. Some EM waves are dangerous: infrared causes burns, UV increases skin cancer risk, and X-rays plus gamma rays are ionising radiation that can cause mutations.
💡 Real World: Your mobile phone uses microwaves, your TV remote uses infrared, and hospitals use X-rays - all part of the same electromagnetic spectrum!
4
of 5
Magnetism and Motors
The motor effect happens when a current-carrying conductor sits in a magnetic field - it experiences a force. Use Fleming's left-hand rule to predict the direction: thumb shows force, first finger shows field, middle finger shows current direction.
This works because the current creates its own magnetic field around the wire, which interacts with the external magnetic field. Electromagnets are solenoids (coiled wire) with iron cores that become magnetic when current flows through them, much stronger than the coil alone.
Electric motors work by placing a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field - the motor effect makes it rotate. The coil experiences forces on opposite sides that create rotation, forming the basis of countless devices from washing machines to electric cars.
💡 Think About It: Every time you use an electric toothbrush, hair dryer, or computer fan, you're seeing the motor effect in action!
5
of 5
Required Practicals
Force and extension experiments use springs, weights, and rulers to investigate Hooke's Law - that force is proportional to extension within the elastic limit. Set up carefully, measure initial length, add weights systematically, and plot force against extension to get a straight line through the origin.
Force and acceleration experiments use toy cars, weights, pulleys, and timers. Attach the car to string with weights over a pulley, time the motion, and calculate acceleration. Change the pulling force by adding weights, or change the mass by loading the car differently.
Wave experiments need ripple tanks with shallow water, wooden rods connected to motors, and lamps for clear shadows. Measure wavelength by counting wave fronts over a known distance, measure frequency by timing waves passing a point, then calculate wave speed using the wave equation.
💡 Exam Success: Practice drawing the experimental setups from memory - you'll often need to identify equipment or suggest improvements in exam questions!
We thought you’d never ask...
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Physics1,078 views·Updated Jun 2, 2026·5 pagesAQA Combined Science: Higher Tier Physics Paper 2 Study Guide
L
Lily Purser@lilypurser_
Physics might seem intimidating, but it's actually about understanding the world around you - from why you feel pushed back in a car that's speeding up to how your phone receives radio signals. These fundamental concepts of forces, motion, waves,...
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of 5
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Forces and Newton's Laws
Scalar quantities (like speed) only have size, whilst vector quantities (like velocity) have both size and direction - think of it like the difference between saying "30 mph" versus "30 mph north". Forces are vectors, which is why we draw them as arrows where the length shows the strength.
Forces split into two types: contact forces (like friction and air resistance) need objects to touch, whilst non-contact forces (like weight and magnetism) work at a distance. Newton's three laws govern how forces work: objects keep doing what they're doing unless a resultant force acts on them, force equals mass times acceleration, and every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Mass (measured in kg) tells you how much matter something contains and stays constant everywhere, but weight (measured in N) is the gravitational force acting on that mass and changes depending on gravity's strength. When multiple forces act on an object, you find the resultant force by adding them as vectors - sometimes using scale diagrams or Pythagoras' theorem.
💡 Quick Check: If you're in a lift accelerating upwards, you feel heavier because there's a resultant force - your weight plus the extra force needed for acceleration!
2
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
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Motion, Momentum and Graphs
Distance tells you how far something travels, but displacement includes direction too - crucial for understanding motion properly. Similarly, speed is just distance per time, whilst velocity includes direction, making acceleration the change in velocity over time.
Distance-time graphs reveal motion patterns: horizontal lines show stationary objects, straight slopes show constant speed (steeper means faster), and curved lines show changing speed. Velocity-time graphs work differently - horizontal lines show constant velocity, upward slopes show speeding up, and downward slopes show slowing down.
Momentum (mass × velocity) describes an object's tendency to keep moving in the same direction. Heavy, fast-moving objects have loads of momentum, whilst stationary objects have none. The conservation of momentum means the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after - letting you predict what happens in crashes and explosions.
💡 Memory Tip: Think of momentum like a rugby player charging towards the try line - the bigger and faster they are, the harder they'll be to stop!
3
of 5Sign up to see the content. It's free!
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Wave Properties and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Waves transfer energy without moving matter. Transverse waves (like water ripples) vibrate perpendicular to their direction, whilst longitudinal waves (like sound) vibrate parallel to their direction with compressions and rarefactions. The key equation connects wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.
Electromagnetic waves form a continuous spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays, all travelling at 3×10⁸ m/s through a vacuum. Your eyes detect visible light, but the full spectrum includes radio, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays - each with different properties and uses.
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💡 Real World: Your mobile phone uses microwaves, your TV remote uses infrared, and hospitals use X-rays - all part of the same electromagnetic spectrum!
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Magnetism and Motors
The motor effect happens when a current-carrying conductor sits in a magnetic field - it experiences a force. Use Fleming's left-hand rule to predict the direction: thumb shows force, first finger shows field, middle finger shows current direction.
This works because the current creates its own magnetic field around the wire, which interacts with the external magnetic field. Electromagnets are solenoids (coiled wire) with iron cores that become magnetic when current flows through them, much stronger than the coil alone.
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Required Practicals
Force and extension experiments use springs, weights, and rulers to investigate Hooke's Law - that force is proportional to extension within the elastic limit. Set up carefully, measure initial length, add weights systematically, and plot force against extension to get a straight line through the origin.
Force and acceleration experiments use toy cars, weights, pulleys, and timers. Attach the car to string with weights over a pulley, time the motion, and calculate acceleration. Change the pulling force by adding weights, or change the mass by loading the car differently.
Wave experiments need ripple tanks with shallow water, wooden rods connected to motors, and lamps for clear shadows. Measure wavelength by counting wave fronts over a known distance, measure frequency by timing waves passing a point, then calculate wave speed using the wave equation.
💡 Exam Success: Practice drawing the experimental setups from memory - you'll often need to identify equipment or suggest improvements in exam questions!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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