BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications — Physics Syllabus

Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications — Physics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications — Physics in BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Electricity

   4 topics

   • Charge, current and potential difference
     • Definitions and units
     • Relationship Q = It
   • Resistance and circuits
     • Ohm's law and V = IR
     • Series and parallel circuits
     • Combining resistors
   • Electrical power and energy
     • P = IV and P = I squared R
     • Energy transfer and cost calculations
   • Mains electricity
     • Alternating and direct current
     • Transformers and the National Grid
2. 2

   Mechanics and Motion

   4 topics

   • Kinematics
     • Speed, velocity and acceleration
     • Distance-time and velocity-time graphs
     • Equations of motion
   • Forces and Newton's laws
     • Resultant force and F = ma
     • Weight, mass and gravity
     • Equilibrium and free-body diagrams
   • Momentum
     • Calculating momentum
     • Conservation of momentum
   • Moments and pressure
     • Principle of moments and levers
     • Pressure in solids and fluids
3. 3

   Energy, Waves and Radioactivity

   3 topics

   • Work, energy and power
     • Kinetic and gravitational potential energy
     • Conservation of energy and efficiency
   • Wave properties
     • Wavelength, frequency and the wave equation
     • Reflection, refraction and the electromagnetic spectrum
   • Radioactivity
     • Alpha, beta and gamma radiation
     • Half-life and decay
     • Nuclear fission and fusion basics
4. 4

   Mathematical Tools for Physics

   3 topics

   • Rearranging formulae
     • Changing the subject of an equation
   • Units and standard form
     • SI units and prefixes
     • Standard form and significant figures
   • Graphical analysis
     • Gradient and area under a graph
     • Interpreting physical meaning

Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications — Physics flashcards for BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

24 of 51 cards from the Section 2: Scientific Knowledge and Applications — Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define electric current and state its SI unit.

   Current is the rate of flow of electric charge: $I = \frac{Q}{t}$. SI unit is the ampere (A), where $1\,\text{A} = 1\,\text{C s}^{-1}$.

2. What is the relationship between charge, current and time?

   $Q = It$, where $Q$ is charge (C), $I$ is current (A) and $t$ is time (s).

3. Define potential difference (voltage) and give its unit.

   Potential difference is the energy transferred per unit charge passing between two points: $V = \frac{W}{Q}$. Unit is the volt (V), where $1\,\text{V} = 1\,\text{J C}^{-1}$.

4. What is the charge on a single electron?

   The elementary charge is $e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}\,\text{C}$ (negative for an electron).

5. State Ohm's law and the condition under which it holds.

   $V = IR$. It holds for an ohmic conductor at constant temperature, where current is directly proportional to potential difference.

6. Define electrical resistance and give its unit.

   Resistance is the opposition to current flow: $R = \frac{V}{I}$. Unit is the ohm ($\Omega$), where $1\,\Omega = 1\,\text{V A}^{-1}$.

7. How do you calculate the total resistance of resistors in series?

   Resistances add directly: $R_{\text{total}} = R_1 + R_2 + R_3 + \dots$

8. How do you calculate the total resistance of resistors in parallel?

   $\frac{1}{R_{\text{total}}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + \frac{1}{R_3} + \dots$ The total is always less than the smallest individual resistance.

9. In a series circuit, how do current and potential difference behave?

   Current is the same everywhere; potential difference is shared between components and the individual p.d.s sum to the supply voltage.

10. In a parallel circuit, how do current and potential difference behave?

    Potential difference across each branch is the same (equal to the supply); current is shared between branches and the branch currents sum to the total.

11. How does the resistance of a metallic conductor change as its temperature increases?

    Resistance increases, because lattice ions vibrate more and impede the flow of conduction electrons (more frequent collisions).

12. Describe the I–V characteristic of a filament lamp.

    A non-linear S-shaped curve: as current increases the filament heats up, resistance rises, so the graph curves and the gradient ($\frac{I}{V}$) decreases.

13. Describe the I–V characteristic of a diode.

    Current only flows in the forward direction above a threshold voltage; in reverse bias the resistance is very high and almost no current flows.

14. Give two equivalent formulae for electrical power in a component.

    $P = IV$ and, using Ohm's law, $P = I^{2}R = \frac{V^{2}}{R}$. Unit is the watt (W).

15. How is electrical energy transferred related to power and time?

    $E = Pt = IVt$, where $E$ is energy (J), $P$ is power (W) and $t$ is time (s).

16. How do you convert energy in kilowatt-hours to joules?

    $1\,\text{kWh} = 1000\,\text{W} \times 3600\,\text{s} = 3.6 \times 10^{6}\,\text{J}$.

17. What are the typical voltage and frequency of UK mains electricity?

    Approximately $230\,\text{V}$ alternating current (a.c.) at a frequency of $50\,\text{Hz}$.

18. Distinguish between direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.).

    In d.c. (e.g. a battery) charge flows in one direction only; in a.c. (e.g. mains) the direction and magnitude of the current reverse periodically.

19. State the colour and role of each of the three wires in a UK three-pin plug.

    Live (brown) carries the alternating p.d. from the supply; neutral (blue) completes the circuit near $0\,\text{V}$; earth (green/yellow) is a safety wire connected to the case.

20. Explain how a fuse protects an appliance.

    A fuse contains a thin wire that melts and breaks the circuit if the current exceeds its rating, preventing overheating and fire.

21. Define speed and velocity, noting the key difference.

    Speed is distance travelled per unit time (scalar); velocity is displacement per unit time (vector, has direction): $v = \frac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}$.

22. Define acceleration and give its formula and unit.

    Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity: $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$. Unit is $\text{m s}^{-2}$.

23. State the four SUVAT equations of motion for uniform acceleration.

    $v = u + at$;\quad $s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^{2}$;\quad $v^{2} = u^{2} + 2as$;\quad $s = \frac{(u+v)}{2}t$.

24. What does the gradient of a distance–time graph represent?

    The gradient equals speed (or velocity). A curved line indicates acceleration; a steeper line means a greater speed.

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