STPM Physics 960 study plan

Derive and apply Coulomb's law, electric field strength E and potential V for point charges and simple symmetric charge distributions, solving at least 15 numerical problems without notes.

Compute the resultant electric field and potential at a point due to two or three point charges, resolving components correctly and stating direction to the nearest degree.

Derive capacitance formulae for parallel-plate and spherical capacitors, then calculate combined capacitance for series and parallel networks in at least 10 circuit problems.

Analyse charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistor using Q = Q0 e^(-t/RC), including time constant, half-life and initial current.

State SI base units and use homogeneity of units to check the validity of at least 8 physical equations.

Apply Kirchhoff's laws to multi-loop DC circuits, solving at least 8 networks for unknown currents and potential differences.

Calculate the terminal potential difference, internal resistance effects and power dissipation in circuits containing cells in series and parallel.

Describe and calculate the force on a current-carrying conductor and on a moving charge in a magnetic field, including F = BIL sin θ and F = qvB sin θ.

Derive and apply the formula for the magnetic flux density at the centre of a circular coil and inside a long solenoid.

Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws to predict the direction and magnitude of induced e.m.f. in at least 6 changing-flux situations.

Resolve vectors into perpendicular components and solve projectile problems (horizontal and angled launch) for range, maximum height and time of flight.

Apply Newton's three laws to systems with pulleys, inclines and connected masses, drawing correct free-body diagrams for each body.

Apply conservation of linear momentum to elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions, calculating velocities and energy loss.

Calculate work done by constant and variable forces, and apply the work-energy theorem and conservation of mechanical energy to at least 10 problems.

Compute power output and efficiency in mechanical systems, including motion against friction and air resistance.

Derive and apply centripetal acceleration and force to conical pendulum, vertical circle and banked-track problems.

Apply Newton's law of gravitation to calculate gravitational field strength, potential and orbital speed for satellites at given radii.

Derive Kepler's third law from gravitational force and use it to compare orbital periods of planets or satellites.

Define simple harmonic motion and derive expressions for displacement, velocity and acceleration, then solve problems using x = A sin ωt and a = -ω²x.

Distinguish free, damped and forced oscillations, and explain resonance curves in terms of amplitude, damping and driving frequency.

Define and apply the zeroth law of thermal equilibrium, and convert between Celsius, Kelvin and thermometric scales.

Solve calorimetry problems involving specific heat capacity, latent heat and mixtures, including heat loss to surroundings.

Apply the ideal gas equation pV = nRT to closed and open systems, converting between mass, moles and number of molecules.

Use kinetic theory to derive pV = (1/3)Nm<c²> and relate mean kinetic energy of molecules to absolute temperature.

Apply the first law of thermodynamics to isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric and isochoric processes, calculating work done and internal energy change.

Apply the principle of superposition to sketch and analyse stationary waves on strings and in air columns, identifying nodes, antinodes and harmonics.

Use the conditions for constructive and destructive interference to solve two-source interference problems, including path difference in terms of wavelength.

Describe single-slit diffraction and diffraction grating patterns, and use d sin θ = nλ to calculate wavelength or slit spacing.

Explain the operation of a p-n junction diode and a half-wave rectifier circuit, sketching input and output waveforms.

Analyse the transistor as a switch and as a simple amplifier, calculating base current, collector current and current gain hFE.

Design and analyse operational amplifier circuits (inverting, non-inverting, comparator) using the ideal op-amp assumptions, calculating gain and output voltage.

Construct truth tables for AND, OR, NOT, NAND and NOR gates, and simplify at least 5 combinational logic expressions using Boolean algebra.

Apply the photoelectric equation hf = W + Kmax to calculate threshold frequency, work function and stopping potential.

Explain wave-particle duality using the photoelectric effect and electron diffraction, and calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron.

Calculate photon energy and hydrogen line wavelengths from atomic energy level differences using E = hf = hc/λ.

Describe nuclear binding energy and mass defect, and calculate energy released in fission and fusion reactions using E = mc².

Write balanced nuclear equations for alpha, beta and gamma decay, applying conservation of nucleon number and charge.

Explain the principles of a school-based experiment: identify independent, dependent and control variables, and describe how to reduce systematic and random errors.

Calculate absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties, and combine uncertainties for sums, products and powers.

Plan a full experimental write-up (aim, variables, apparatus, procedure, data table, analysis, safety and evaluation) for one chosen practical.