Examius

🇬🇧 Scottish Advanced Higher · subject

Scottish Advanced Higher Physics Syllabus

The Physics syllabus for Scottish Advanced Higher in full: 5 chapters, 18 topics and 42 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 50 Physics flashcards with answers.

5Chapters
18Topics
42Sub-topics
50Flashcards

Physics syllabus: all 5 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Rotational Motion and Astrophysics

     4 topics
    • Kinematic relationships
      • Calculus derivation of equations of motion
      • Motion under constant and varying acceleration
    • Angular motion
      • Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration
      • Tangential and centripetal acceleration
      • Torque and moment of inertia
      • Angular momentum and rotational kinetic energy
    • Gravitation
      • Newton's law of universal gravitation
      • Gravitational field and potential
      • Satellite motion and escape velocity
    • General relativity and stellar physics
      • Equivalence principle and spacetime
      • Black holes and Schwarzschild radius
      • Stellar evolution and the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

  2. Quanta and Waves

     4 topics
    • Introduction to quantum theory
      • Wave-particle duality and de Broglie wavelength
      • Heisenberg uncertainty principle
      • Quantum tunnelling
    • Particles from space
      • Cosmic rays and the standard model
    • Simple harmonic motion
      • SHM equations and energy
      • Damping and resonance
    • Waves and interference
      • Travelling and stationary waves
      • Interference, coherence and path difference
      • Polarisation

  3. Electromagnetism

     4 topics
    • Electric fields
      • Coulomb's law and field strength
      • Electric potential and motion of charges
    • Capacitance
      • Charging and discharging of capacitors
      • Energy stored and time constant
    • Magnetic fields
      • Force on current-carrying conductors and charges
      • Magnetic induction and solenoids
    • Electromagnetic induction
      • Self-inductance and back EMF
      • Inductors in DC circuits

  4. Units, Prefixes and Uncertainties

     3 topics
    • Measurement and units
      • SI base and derived units
      • Dimensional analysis
    • Uncertainties
      • Random, systematic and calibration uncertainties
      • Combining uncertainties
    • Data handling and analysis
      • Graphical analysis and linearisation
      • Significant figures and scientific notation

  5. Investigation and Practical Skills

     3 topics
    • Experimental design
      • Variables, controls and reliability
      • Risk assessment
    • Project investigation
      • Aim, hypothesis and underlying physics
      • Data collection and uncertainty treatment
      • Evaluation and conclusions
    • Scientific reporting
      • Structure of a formal report
      • Referencing and presentation of results

Scottish Advanced Higher Physics flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. State the three equations of motion for uniform acceleration (the 'suvat' equations).

    $v = u + at$, $\quad s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^{2}$, $\quad v^{2} = u^{2} + 2as$.

  2. In calculus-based kinematics, how are velocity and acceleration obtained from displacement $s(t)$?

    Velocity is the first derivative, $v = \frac{ds}{dt}$, and acceleration is the second derivative, $a = \frac{dv}{dt} = \frac{d^{2}s}{dt^{2}}$.

  3. How do you recover displacement and velocity from acceleration by integration?

    Velocity is $v = \int a\,dt$ and displacement is $s = \int v\,dt$, with constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.

  4. Define angular velocity $\omega$ and give its relationship to period and to linear (tangential) speed.

    $\omega = \frac{d\theta}{dt}$ (rad s$^{-1}$). $\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T}$ and tangential speed $v = r\omega$.

  5. Write the angular equations of motion for constant angular acceleration $\alpha$.

    $\omega = \omega_{0} + \alpha t$, $\quad \theta = \omega_{0}t + \frac{1}{2}\alpha t^{2}$, $\quad \omega^{2} = \omega_{0}^{2} + 2\alpha\theta$.

  6. Give the expressions for centripetal acceleration in terms of $v$ and in terms of $\omega$.

    $a = \frac{v^{2}}{r} = r\omega^{2}$, directed toward the centre of the circle.

  7. What is the central (centripetal) force required to keep mass $m$ in circular motion of radius $r$?

    $F = \frac{mv^{2}}{r} = mr\omega^{2}$, directed toward the centre.

  8. Define the moment of inertia $I$ and state the rotational analogue of Newton's second law.

    $I = \sum m_{i}r_{i}^{2}$, a measure of resistance to angular acceleration. Torque $T = I\alpha$.

  9. Give the formulas for rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum of a rigid body.

    Rotational KE $= \frac{1}{2}I\omega^{2}$ and angular momentum $L = I\omega$.

  10. State the principle of conservation of angular momentum and when it applies.

    In the absence of an external torque, total angular momentum is conserved: $I_{1}\omega_{1} = I_{2}\omega_{2}$.

  11. Define torque (moment) and give its formula for a force applied at a perpendicular distance.

    Torque $T = Fr$, where $r$ is the perpendicular distance from the axis to the line of action of the force $F$. Unit: N m.

  12. State Newton's universal law of gravitation.

    $F = \frac{G m_{1} m_{2}}{r^{2}}$, an attractive force along the line joining two point masses, where $G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}$ N m$^{2}$ kg$^{-2}$.

  13. Give the expression for gravitational field strength $g$ at distance $r$ from a mass $M$.

    $g = \frac{GM}{r^{2}}$, in N kg$^{-1}$ (equal to the gravitational acceleration).

  14. Define gravitational potential $V$ at a point in a field and give its formula.

    The work done per unit mass in bringing a small test mass from infinity to that point: $V = -\frac{GM}{r}$ (J kg$^{-1}$), always negative.

  15. Derive/state the expression for escape velocity from a body of mass $M$ and radius $r$.

    $v_{\text{esc}} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{r}}$, found by equating kinetic energy to the magnitude of gravitational potential energy.

  16. State Kepler-type result for the orbital speed of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius $r$.

    Equating gravity to centripetal force, $v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$.

  17. What is the Schwarzschild radius and how is it calculated?

    The radius of the event horizon of a black hole: $r_{\text{Sch}} = \frac{2GM}{c^{2}}$. At this radius the escape velocity equals $c$.

  18. State Einstein's equivalence principle (general relativity).

    A uniform gravitational field is locally indistinguishable from an accelerating reference frame; gravitational and inertial mass are equivalent.

  19. What is gravitational time dilation, qualitatively?

    Clocks run slower in stronger (more negative) gravitational potential; a clock deeper in a gravitational well ticks more slowly than one further out.

  20. How does general relativity describe gravity geometrically?

    Mass and energy curve spacetime; objects follow geodesics (the straightest possible paths) in this curved spacetime, which we perceive as gravitational attraction.

Show the other 30 Physics flashcards

  1. Define a light-year and state its approximate value.

    The distance light travels in one year in a vacuum: $\approx 9.46 \times 10^{15}$ m.

  2. State Stefan–Boltzmann law and Wien's displacement law for stellar physics.

    Power radiated $P = \sigma A T^{4}$ (with $\sigma = 5.67 \times 10^{-8}$ W m$^{-2}$ K$^{-4}$). Wien: $\lambda_{\max} = \frac{b}{T}$, $b \approx 2.90 \times 10^{-3}$ m K.

  3. What does the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram plot, and where do most stars lie?

    Luminosity (or absolute magnitude) versus surface temperature (or spectral class). Most stars lie on the diagonal main sequence.

  4. State the photoelectric equation and what it expresses.

    $E_{k(\max)} = hf - W$, where $hf$ is the photon energy, $W$ the work function, and $E_{k(\max)}$ the maximum kinetic energy of emitted photoelectrons.

  5. State the de Broglie relationship for the wavelength of a particle.

    $\lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{mv}$, where $h$ is Planck's constant and $p$ is momentum.

  6. State Heisenberg's uncertainty principle for position–momentum and energy–time.

    $\Delta x\,\Delta p_{x} \geq \frac{h}{4\pi}$ and $\Delta E\,\Delta t \geq \frac{h}{4\pi}$.

  7. What is the energy of a photon of frequency $f$ (or wavelength $\lambda$)?

    $E = hf = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$, where $h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}$ J s.

  8. Describe quantum tunnelling.

    A quantum particle has a finite probability of passing through a potential barrier higher than its energy, because its wavefunction extends into and beyond the barrier — impossible in classical physics.

  9. What are cosmic rays and what are they primarily composed of?

    High-energy charged particles from space, mostly protons (about 89%) and alpha particles (about 10%), with a small fraction of heavier nuclei and electrons.

  10. How does the geomagnetic field affect charged cosmic-ray particles approaching Earth?

    The magnetic field exerts a force $F = qvB\sin\theta$, deflecting charged particles toward the magnetic poles and trapping some in the Van Allen radiation belts.

  11. Define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and give its defining equation.

    Motion where acceleration is proportional to displacement and directed toward equilibrium: $a = -\omega^{2}y$.

  12. Give the SHM solutions for displacement starting from (a) the equilibrium and (b) maximum displacement.

    (a) $y = A\sin(\omega t)$; (b) $y = A\cos(\omega t)$, where $A$ is the amplitude.

  13. State the SHM expression for velocity as a function of displacement, and its maximum value.

    $v = \pm\omega\sqrt{A^{2} - y^{2}}$; maximum at $y = 0$ giving $v_{\max} = \omega A$.

  14. Give the kinetic and potential energy expressions in SHM.

    $E_{k} = \frac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}(A^{2} - y^{2})$ and $E_{p} = \frac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}y^{2}$; total energy $= \frac{1}{2}m\omega^{2}A^{2}$.

  15. Describe the difference between underdamping, critical damping and overdamping.

    Underdamping: oscillates with decaying amplitude. Critical damping: returns to equilibrium fastest without oscillating. Overdamping: returns to equilibrium slowly without oscillating.

  16. Write the general equation of a travelling wave.

    $y = A\sin 2\pi\!\left(ft - \frac{x}{\lambda}\right)$, equivalently $y = A\sin(\omega t - kx)$ with $k = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda}$.

  17. Define phase difference between two points a distance $\Delta x$ apart on a wave.

    $\phi = \frac{2\pi \Delta x}{\lambda}$ (radians).

  18. State the condition for constructive and destructive interference in terms of path difference.

    Constructive: path difference $= m\lambda$. Destructive: path difference $= (m + \tfrac{1}{2})\lambda$, for integer $m$.

  19. Give the diffraction-grating equation.

    $d\sin\theta = m\lambda$, where $d$ is the slit separation, $\theta$ the angle to the $m$-th order maximum, and $m$ an integer.

  20. What condition produces a phase change on reflection, relevant to thin-film interference?

    A phase change of $\pi$ (half a wavelength) occurs when a wave reflects off a medium of higher refractive index; no phase change off a lower-index medium.

  21. State Coulomb's law for the force between two point charges.

    $F = \frac{Q_{1}Q_{2}}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0} r^{2}}$, with $\varepsilon_{0} = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}$ F m$^{-1}$.

  22. Give the electric field strength and electric potential of a point charge $Q$.

    $E = \frac{Q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0} r^{2}}$ (N C$^{-1}$) and $V = \frac{Q}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0} r}$ (V).

  23. Relate electric field strength to potential gradient, and give the field between parallel plates.

    $E = -\frac{dV}{dr}$. For uniform parallel plates, $E = \frac{V}{d}$.

  24. What is the energy gained by a charge $q$ accelerated through a potential difference $V$, and the resulting speed?

    $E_{k} = qV$, so $\frac{1}{2}mv^{2} = qV$ giving $v = \sqrt{\frac{2qV}{m}}$ (non-relativistic).

  25. Define capacitance and give the energy stored in a capacitor.

    $C = \frac{Q}{V}$ (farads). Energy stored $= \frac{1}{2}QV = \frac{1}{2}CV^{2} = \frac{Q^{2}}{2C}$.

  26. Give the charging equations for a capacitor in an RC circuit (time constant).

    Charging: $V_{C} = V_{0}(1 - e^{-t/RC})$ and $I = I_{0}e^{-t/RC}$. Time constant $\tau = RC$.

  27. State the force on a current-carrying conductor and on a moving charge in a magnetic field.

    Conductor: $F = BIL\sin\theta$. Moving charge: $F = qvB\sin\theta$.

  28. Give the magnetic flux density at distance $r$ from a long straight current-carrying wire.

    $B = \frac{\mu_{0} I}{2\pi r}$, where $\mu_{0} = 4\pi \times 10^{-7}$ H m$^{-1}$ (T m A$^{-1}$).

  29. State Faraday's law and Lenz's law of electromagnetic induction.

    Faraday: induced EMF $\varepsilon = -N\frac{d\Phi}{dt}$. Lenz: the induced current opposes the change in flux producing it (the negative sign).

  30. How is the absolute uncertainty in a result combined when quantities are multiplied or divided?

    Add the fractional (percentage) uncertainties in quadrature: $\frac{\Delta Z}{Z} = \sqrt{\left(\frac{\Delta a}{a}\right)^{2} + \left(\frac{\Delta b}{b}\right)^{2}}$; for addition/subtraction add absolute uncertainties in quadrature: $\Delta Z = \sqrt{(\Delta a)^{2} + (\Delta b)^{2}}$.

Scottish Advanced Higher Physics FAQ

What is in the Scottish Advanced Higher Physics syllabus?

Scottish Advanced Higher Physics is split into 5 chapters: Rotational Motion and Astrophysics, Quanta and Waves, Electromagnetism, Units, Prefixes and Uncertainties and Investigation and Practical Skills. Together they contain 18 topics and 42 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in Scottish Advanced Higher Physics?

5 chapters, containing 18 topics and 42 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Rotational Motion and Astrophysics, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for Scottish Advanced Higher Physics?

Yes — a 50-card Physics deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.