Edith Cowan University

2022 ATAR Revision Seminar

ATAR Physics
Curriculum Dot points

Examination and study tips

Revision notes Examination questions

Examination marker comments

Prepared and presented by

Darin Carter

Page 1
 ATAR Physics - Revision Seminar 2022
𝐺𝑀1 𝑚2 𝐹𝑔 𝑀
Topic 1. GRAVITY 𝐹𝑔 = 𝑔= = 𝐺
𝑟2 𝑚 𝑟2
❑ Newton described gravity as a force of ______________ between objects with ______________.
❑ The force is proportional to the product of the two masses and ______________ proportional to the
______________ of the distance between them.
❑ A gravitational field is a region in which a mass experiences a force.
❑ Its strength is given in _____ (Newton’s per kg) or as an acceleration in _______
❑ Gravity decreases with radius according to the inverse square law.
❑ 2r = _____ gravity; 3r = ______ , 4r = _______ etc …

Example 1
The international space station orbits the Earth with an altitude of about 3.80x103 km and has a mass of 4.20 x 105 kg.
What is the gravitational field strength and force at this distance?

Example 2
Mercury has a mass 22.6 times that of Pluto but its radius is only 2.06 times larger.
If the gravitational acceleration on the surface of Pluto is 0.700 m.s-2, what is it on Mercury?

Topic 2. Projectile Motion 𝑠

𝑣𝑎𝑣 =
❑ Horizontal and vertical motion can be thought of ______________. 𝑡
❑ In the absence of air resistance, the vertical aspect of motion is the only one with ______________.
❑ Therefore horizontal motion is considered to be ______________ velocity.
❑ The single most important aspect of any projectile calculation is “__________________” since it is
______________ to both aspects of motion. 1
❑ Air time is generally calculated using vertical motion first. 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
❑ Projectile motion calculations can be divided into three main types.
❑ Horizontal projection –
Angle of launch = 0o,
s is __________.
❑ Angular projection, landing at same height.
vh= vacos θ vv= vasin θ
s = 0 m (_____________ vertical displacement)
The greatest range is from 45o projection.
❑ Angular projection, lands at different height.
vh= vacos θ vv= vasin θ
s = _____________ or _____________.
s = total vertical _____________ (up or down)

Key aspects of air resistance trajectory:

❑ Maximum __________ is lower and occurs at a

lower ____________.
❑ Overall ____________ is lower.
❑ Trajectory is _______________ → downward trajectory ____________________.

Page 2
Example 3 – Unknown Horizontal Displacement

A basketballer, throws a shot into the basket as shown.

How far is the basket from the player?
Quadratic Method

Two Step Method

Example 4 – Unknown INITIAL VELOCITY

A volcanic eruption launches a piece of molten rock 5.00km from the vent as
shown. With what velocity was the rock erupted?

Page 3
Topic 3. HORIZONTAL CIRCULAR MOTION
❑ In circular motion, an object _________________ towards the centre of the circle.
❑ This is the ______________ acceleration - 𝑎𝑐
❑ The centripetal force 𝐹𝑐 that causes the acceleration must also be towards the _______________ of the circle
❑ Centripetal Force is always the _________________ in circular motion.

Example 5 - CHANGE IN VELOCITY and ACCELERTION

If a car is travelling the wrong way around a roundabout as shown. What is the direction of its change in
velocity from the moment that it is heading north, to the moment it is heading west? Prove your answer
using vectors.

2018 ATAR

EXAMPLE 7 – Gerbils

Two small furry gerbils are taking a ride on

an old school turntable spinning at 33⅓ rpm.
They have identical masses.
If the turntable speed is slowly increased to
78 rpm, which gerbil is most likely to slide off
first?
Prove your answer using appropriate
equations that show the relationship
between the force required to hang on and
radius.

Page 4
Topic 4. VERTICAL CIRCULAR MOTION
❑ As with all circular motion, the __________________ is always the
Centripetal force.
❑ In vertical circular motion, the weight force of can have a component
that acts in the __________________ or __________________
direction to the required centripetal force.
❑ This can mean that the external force required to maintain circular
motion is either __________________ or __________________,
depending on position in the circle.
❑ Depending on the situation in the problem, the external force may be
described as a __________________ force, __________________,
or __________________ force

2013 ATAR

2016 ATAR

Page 5
Pendulums and Non-Uniform Circular Motion
❑ A pendulum is an example of _________________ circular motion.
❑ The mass swings through a circular arc but its _________________ changes
due to _________________ to _________________ energy conversions.
❑ Because the speed is not constant, the required _________________ force
also changes.
❑ This means that the _________________ varies as well.
❑ A roller coaster could also be used as an example of non-uniform circular
motion.

Example 8 - Non-Uniform Circular Motion

Mr Carter’s dog “Tess” enjoys playing on the swing when she goes for “walkies” down at the park.

The swing has two 2.50 m long cables, and each is under a maximum tension of 341 N. If Tess swings
back and forward from a height of 1.65 m above her lowest position, what is her mass?

Topic 5. Orbital CIRCULAR MOTION

❑ Orbital motion, is a form of circular motion that where the centripetal
force is provide by gravity.
❑ In his third law of planetary motion, Kepler stated that “The ratio of
period ______________to orbital radius ______________will be the
same for all objects orbiting the same body”. i.e is a
constant for orbits around the same central _______________.
❑ By substituting the formula for circular velocity into Newtons
equations, we can demonstrate that Kepler’s 3rd law holds true with
Newton’s law of gravitation.

Deriving Kepler's 3rd LAW

NOTE – ALL geostationary satellites:

1. orbit above the ____________ in

the same direction as the Earth’s
rotation.
2. have a ___________ of exactly
24hrs.
3. have the same orbital speed and
altitude.

Page 6
Example – The International Space Station

The international space station orbits the Earth once every 92 minutes. What
is its altitude above the Earth’s surface?

Topic 6. TORQUE and Equilibrium

❑ Torque or “moment of a force” is the rotational effect of a force which
is applied to an object which can pivot.

❑ Torque is measures in ___________ (Newton metres)

❑ Torque is increased when:
❑ A greater ___________ is used.
❑ The force is applied at a greater __________ from the pivot.
❑ The force is closer to _______________ with the pivot.
❑ If the force and radius of the lever arm are not perpendicular, the
component of the radius which is perpendicular to the line of action
of the force is used.

❑ This is equal to _______________where θ is the angle between

the radius and force.

❑ Equilibrium in any context is about _________________.

❑ In Physics there are a number of different ways we can classify
equilibrium.
❑ ____________ , ____________ or ____________ Equilibrium

❑ Translational , Rotational or Static Equilibrium

WRITTEN Example – Equilibrium (Similar to the Bobo Question in 2021 WACE exam)

Weeble’s were a range of children's toys released by Hasbro in 1971, but have had a number of “comebacks in
recent times”. Tipping a Weeble over to one side caused a weight located at the bottom-centre to be lifted off the
ground. Once released, the Weeble quickly rocked back into an upright position. With the aid of a diagram as well
as your understanding of equilibrium and moments, explain how a Weeble works.

ANSWER

The Weeble’s __________________________ is very

low and its bottom is curved.
When the Weeble is tipped over on its side, its centre of
mass needs to be _________________, indicating that it
is in _________________ equilibrium.
If the force is removed, the ___________________ from
the centre of mass falls ________________ the
________________.
This causes a ______________________________ that
returns the Weeble back to its original position.

Page 7
Example - Translational Equilibrium

A 2000 N mass 4 hangs by two cords connected as shown. Calculate the tension in each cord.

Example - Static Equilibrium

A woman with a mass of 50.0 kg stands 1.50 m away from one end of a
uniform 6.00 m long scaffold whilst washing some windows. The scaffold h
as a mass of 70.0 kg and is suspended from the side of the building by two
cables. Find the tensions in the two vertical cables supporting the scaffold.

FOR EXPERTS - STATIC Equilibrium

A uniform 40.0-kg scaffold of length 6.0 m is supported by two light cables, as shown.
An 80.0-kg painter stands 1.0 m from the left end of the scaffold, and his painting
equipment is 1.5 m from the right end. If the tension in the left cable is twice that in the
right cable, find the tensions in the cables and the mass of the equipment.

Page 8
Example - Static Equilibrium

An 80.0 kg bricklayer places a 3.9 m long ladder with a mass of 12.0 kg

against a vertical brick wall so that it makes a 60 degree angle with the
ground. He then climbs two-thirds of the way up the ladder. What forces are
provided by the contact with the wall, and with the ground? Assume the brick
wall is frictionless.

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Example - Static Equilibrium

A 12.0-m boom (AB) of a crane lifting a 3000 kg load is

shown left. The boom’s centre of mass is exactly halfway
up its length and it weighs 1000 kg.

For the position shown, calculate tension T in the cable

and the force at the axle A.

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Topic 7. Graphs and Equations
1. Identify the variables in the data
2013 ATAR
given.

2. Determine the dependent and

independent variable.

3. Examine the formulae given or

on data sheet) to see how they
are related.

4. Rearrange the equation in a

𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 format, so that the
______________ variable is in
the x position and the
___________ variable is in the
𝑦 position.

5. If the data needs to be

manipulated (e.g. ___________
or ____________) to match the
equation style, this should be
done prior to graphing.

6. Determine the part of the

equation which is the
_______________. There may
or may not be a “+𝒄 " in the
equation.

7. Draw the graph with the correct variable

Length of a Pendulum vs. Period Squared
on each axis. 4

8. Draw in a “trend line” or “line of best fit”. 3.5

3
9. Choose two DISTANT points on the line
2.5
and draw ____________________ lines.
T2 (s2)

2
10. Calculate the _______________ of the
1.5
line of best fit.
1
11. Remember to include the units for the
0.5
gradient. (__ units / ___ units or ______)
0
12. Apply gradient to equation to calculate 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
unknown,
Length (m)

Page 11
Topic 8. Forces in Electric and Magnetic Fields
Coulombs Law 1 𝑞1 𝑞2
❑ The force between two charged particles is 𝐹=
________________ to the product of their charges 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
❑ and inversely proportional to the ________________
between them.
❑ The constant of proportionality is known as Coulombs
constant and is sometimes presented as 9.0x109 Nm2 C-2. 1
❑ Students should avoid using this value as it is rounded The value of is using εo
4𝜋𝜀0
and our formulae sheet uses εo is called the permittivity of
free space
is a constant for air/vacuum and
❑ εo=8.85 x 10-12 F m-1 (See constants sheet) equal to

MOVING CHARGE and MAGENTIC FIELDS

Any moving charge results in a magnetic field.

❑ This could be:

• individual charged ________________ or
• ________________ in a wire

❑ The magnetic field is _________________, and ________________ to the direction of

conventional current. (_________ charge flow)
❑ The direction can be predicted using the “right hand _____________” rule.

❑ Because it has a magnetic field, a current carrying conductor or moving

charge will experience a ________________ when it interacts with other
magnetic fields.
❑ The direction can of force be predicted using the” Right Hand” Rule.

Field around a Single Current carrying wire

Point A is 5 cm to the left the wire as you look straight down at it. The wire carries 0.325 A of current. What is the field
strength and direction at A? Ignore any fields produced by the other wires.

The magnetic field at point P is zero. What are the magnitude and direction of the current in the lower wire?

A. 10 A to the right.
B. 5 A to the right.
C. 2.5 A to the right.
D. 10 A to the left.
E. 5 A to the left.
F. 2.5 A to the left.

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right,
into the page, or out of the page.
THE MOTOR EFFECT
a) I b) B field c)

B field
I

B field

d) e) X X X X f)
B field X X X X I B field out of page
2. The following diagrams show the direction of the force a
X X X X X
direction of an external magnetic field. Give the direction
X X X X of
B field into page the current as up the page, down the page, to the left, t
X X X X
X
I
X X X X a) . .
b) . .
N . . . .
THE SOLENOID RULE F
Wire . . . .
2. The following diagrams show the direction of the force acting on a wire
S
carrying a current at 90 0
.to the
. . .
direction of an external magnetic field. Give the direction of the current in each case. Give the direction
of F
the current as up the page, down the page, to the left, to the right, into the page, or out of the page.

a) b) . . . . . c) Wire
3. The coils shown below are wound on soft iron cores. A cu
N . .as . . . B
F
Wire . . .indicated.
. Wire
. Show on each diagram F
X the magnetic poles, th
the
S . . .conductor
.B . will move.

F
a) b
Force into the page

Question.
3. The coils shown below are wound on soft iron cores. A current carrying wire is placed between the coils
as Which of
indicated. these
Show on four
each diagram the magnetic poles, the magnetic fields produced and the direction
the
conductor solenoids
will move.
would have
a) b)
the strongest
field between
the ends of
the metal?

2015 ATAR

Page 13
DC MOTORS

Function of the Spilt Ring Commutator

1. ________________ direction of ________________ every 1800.
2. ________________ direction of ________________ on a specific wire when it reaches the other side.
3. Maintains ________________ direction of ________________ / spin on motor.

Motor Calculations
16.0 cm
The diagram to the right shows a motor constructed of 25 turns in a 0.250 T
magnetic field. The coils carries 0.925 A of current.
a) Label the direction of the f current and force on side YZ
b) Calculate the force on side YZ
c) Calculate the torque produced by the motor.

Forces on Charged Particles

2015 ATAR

Page 14
Topic 9. Induced EMF and Current

❑ An induced emf is produced by the ________________ motion of a straight conductor in a magnetic field
when the conductor cuts flux lines.
❑ Faraday’s Law – The emf induced is proportional to ________________________________________.
induced emf = v B
( 2 − 1 )   ( B A⊥ )
induced emf = - N = -N = -N
t t t
❑ Lenz’s law – The direction of any induced ________________ will be such that its own generated
________________ field opposes the change in ________________ that created it.
Example

❑ An airplane with a wing span of 40m is flying north at 100ms-1 in an

area where the Earth's magnetic field is angled downwards at 350 and
has an strength of 15.0 x10-5 T.
❑ What is the emf induced between the wing tips?

❑ Which wing tip becomes positive?

❑ Which hemisphere is the plane in?

2017 ATAR

Page 15
Generator Problems

The diagram shows the coil ABCD of an AC generator placed between magnetic
poles.
• The uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.204 T is indicated.
• The dimensions of the coil are: AB = DC = 16.0 cm and AD = BC = 10.0 cm
• The coil rotates about the axle as indicated as a torque is applied to the
handle.
• The coil has 350 turns of wire and is rotated at 750 rpm.

b) Calculate the maximum flux contained within the coil ABCD during rotation.

c) Draw on the diagram the direction of induced current along AB and DC as the coil rotates from the horizontal
position shown.

c) Calculate the magnitude of the maximum emf from the AC generator.

d) Determine the rms emf produced by this generator.

Emf at 750 rpm (%)

200

e) On the axes provided, sketch the shape of the

emf output for this generator as it rotates one
100
full turn from the initial position shown. Add a
suitable numerical time scale on the time axis
and label your curve ‘750 rpm’.
Time (s)

f) Sketch a second shape of the emf output for a

rate of rotation of 1500 rpm and label this curve
‘1500 rpm’. -100

-200

Transformer Calculations
2015 ATAR

Page 16
Transformer Calculations
2013 ATAR

Page 17
Topic 10. Wave Particle Duality and Quantum Physics

❑ EMR is a ________________ wave with mutually

perpendicular, ____________ and ______________ fields.
❑ Atomic phenomena and the interaction of light with matter
indicate that states of matter and energy are
________________ into ________________ values
❑ EMR has a dual nature, exhibiting both wave and as a
particle like properties simultaneously.

The Photoelectric EFFECT

❑ When EMR is shone onto certain metal surfaces, electrons are excited
and ejected creating a “___________________”
❑ If the incoming EMR is too ______ in frequency → _______ electrons
are ejected.
❑ Increasing the total energy of the incident EMR by increasing the
brightness or intensity, ____________ change this.
❑ If the frequency of incident EMR is ____________ than the
“____________ frequency” → photoelectrons will be ejected.
❑ Increasing the intensity of the incident EMR increases the
____________ of electrons released (increased photocurrent).
❑ Increasing intensity ________ change maximum _______energy.
❑ For every metal, there is a certain frequency of light (the threshold
frequency), below which no electrons are emitted, no matter how
intense the light.
❑ Increasing the frequency of incident radiation increases the
maximum __________ Energy of photoelectrons, but does not
change the _____________ of electrons ejected.
❑ We now understand that each photon can only be absorbed by a
_____________ electron.
❑ The maximum Kinetic Energy of ejected electrons can be
calculated by doing ____________ on them to reverse their flow.
❑ By applying a reverse potential, we create an electric field that
reverses the flow of electrons, “stopping” them from leaving the
metal surface.
❑ This is called the ______________ potential.
❑ Stopping potential is related to the work done on electrons to
reduce their kinetic energy to zero.
❑ We can then use EK(max) to calculate work functions for unknown metals.

EXAMPLE - Stopping potential

Light of wavelength 300 nm is incident on a sodium surface , creating a photocurrent. The stopping potential was
measured to be 2.29 V. Calculate the work function of sodium. (c = 3.0 x 108 m.s-1 and h = 6.63 x10-34 Js)

Page 18
Spectra

❑ When excited electrons drop down energy levels within an

atom, they emit _____________ with energies (and thus
frequencies) corresponding to the energy difference between
the two levels. This results in _____________ spectra.

❑ Electrons can also absorb _____________ if the photon

_____________ matches the difference between their energy
levels. If white light (a continuous spectrum) is passed through
a vapour, only those specific _____________ will be absorbed
leaving an absorption spectra (dark lines).

2014 ATAR
Number of Number of
levels above possible
ground state unique
transitions

2016 ATAR

The electrons are exhibiting ____________ behaviour.

As they pass through the slits, ____________ occurs causing them to spread out into two circular waves
The two waves have alternating constructive and destructive ____________. (Bright lines vs darker areas).
Page 19
Topic 11. Special Relativity

Two Postulates of Special Relativity

❑ The laws of physics are the ___________for all frames of reference moving at a ___________velocity with
respect to each other. (No test to prove motion)

❑ The velocity of light in a vacuum c is constant for all observers, independent of their state of motion

Motion at relativistic velocities, results in:

❑ Time ____________________ 𝑡0
❑ 𝑡= 𝑣2
Length ____________________
2 𝑙 = 𝑙0 √1 − 2
❑ Momentum and mass ____________________ √1 − 𝑣 2 𝑐
❑ Energy ____________________. 𝑐

(As observed from an external reference frame).

𝑚0 𝑣
𝑝𝑣 =
2
√1 − 𝑣 2
𝑐

𝑚0 𝑐 2 𝑢−𝑣
𝐸𝑡 = 𝑢′ =
2 𝑣𝑢
√1 − 𝑣 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

𝑚0 𝑐 2
𝐸𝑘 = − 𝑚0 𝑐 2 𝑣 + 𝑢′
𝑣2 𝑢=
√1 − 𝑣 𝑢′
𝑐2 1+ 2
𝑐

Page 20
Time Dilation

2015 ATAR

Simultaneity

There are two pulse lights at each end of car in a train

moving with relativistic velocity.

Observer B (outside the train) sees the two pulses at

the exact moment that observer A is in line with him.

He notes that the two ends of the car are an equal

distance from him at the time of the pulses which
reach him at the same time. Thus he concludes that
they must have been simultaneous.

What does observer A see?

Page 21
Length Contraction

Doc Brown has just built a barn, in which he plans to hide his time travelling DeLorean.
Marty looks at the barn and tells Doc that there is no way 3.50 m long DeLorean, will fit
in the 1.50 m long barn.
th
The Doc tells Marty .., “It’s perfect! You just need to think 4 dimensionally about it. If
the DeLorean goes fast enough…… It WILL fit!”

Calculate how fast the DeLorean needs to go.

Marty wants to test out your calculation, so he hops in the DeLorean and accelerates to 0.904c before driving though
the barn. Marty tells Doc that your calculations were wrong. The DeLorean had more than 1.4 m of its length hanging
out each end of the barn.

Who is right? Explain your answer. →

Relative Velocities 2015 ATAR

Page 22
Topic 12.The Standard Model and the Big Bang

Models of the Universe

❑ Steady State Theory

• Universe always the same ______________.
• Infinite and expanding with _______________ continually created to
maintain constant density
❑ Big Bang Theory
• Universe expanded from a single tiny point 13.7 billion years ago.
• The event caused the creation of space/time and matter.
• It is actually space that is expanding – not matter.
❑ Evidence For the Big Bang
• __________________ – Demonstrated that all galaxies are getting further
away from us. The universe is expanding from a highly dense starting point.
• ____________________________. Calculations suggest that energy
created at the beginning of the universe with the Big Bang, that has been
travelling through space ever since would be in the ______________ range
(very short _______________). The radiation we detect in every direction is
a much longer wavelength, in microwave range. Suggests that the waves themselves expanded with the
universe. Measured CBR wavelength match predictions based on how much the universe has expanded.
• Abundance of Hydrogen and Helium is greater than would be expected in steady state.

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Hubble’s Law

❑ Hubble noticed that spectra from distant

galaxies were ______________ -shifted
whichever way he observed the universe.
❑ They were moving ______________ from us.
(relative motion)
❑ More distant galaxies were redshifted more
than closer ones, indicating higher ________.
❑ Hubble's law is states that the distance to a
galaxy is directly proportional to its
recessional velocity.

❑ 𝐻0 is Hubbles constant,

which is roughly ______________________

**From data sheet

19 6
1 Mpc = 3.09 × 10 km = 3.26 × 10 ly

Example – Use Hubble's constant to determine the age of the Universe

❑ The time a galaxy has taken to reach its current distance is related to its recessional velocity and distance
travelled.

❑ Hubble's Law tells us that

❑ The age of the universe is therefore.

The Big Bang and the Standard Model of Matter

❑ Before the short period of cosmic inflation, physicists

believe that all matter in the universe was squeezed
into a space much smaller than an atom.

❑ The whole universe was in a hot dense state. ☺

❑ Interactions between particles were governed by a

single ______________ force.

❑ The unity broke down as the energy decreased, matter

formed and the four fundamental forces diverged as
shown

Page 24
Big bang
❑ ______________ and ____________
form with Gluons and Photons
❑ ______________ form (protons,
neutrons and mesons)
❑ Nucleosynthesis - ______________
and ______________ form
❑ ______________ condenses H and He
nuclei into the first stars.
❑ ______________ creates
______________ elements.
❑ Early stars go ______________
spreading heavier elements out into
universe.
❑ Gravity continues to cause H and He to form new stars, but heavier elements formed in earlier stars are also
condensed to form planetary systems.

Standard Model of Matter – Conservation Rules

Particle interactions, such as decays and collisions obey a number of conservation rules. Conservation of the
following quantities should be observed or used to support or invalidate proposed reactions.

• Baryon Number (of Baryons and quarks)

• Lepton Number (within each family e.g. Electrons, muons and Tau particles)

• Charge

Lepton Numbers
Baryon
Particle Symbol/s
Number
𝑳𝒆 (electrons) 𝑳μ (muons) 𝑳𝝉 (taus)

Proton or Neutron 𝑝 / 𝑛

Anti-proton or
𝑝̅ / 𝑛̅
anti-neutron

Electron or
𝑒 − 𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑒
electron neutrino

Positron or
𝑒 + 𝑜𝑟 𝑣̅𝑒
antielectron neutrino

Muon or muon
𝜇 − or 𝑣𝜇
neutrino

Anti-muon or anti
𝜇 + or 𝑣̅𝜇
muon neutrino

Tau or tau neutrino 𝜏 − or 𝑣𝜏

Anti-tau 𝜏 + or 𝑣̅𝜏

Quarks 𝑢 𝑑 𝑡 𝑏 𝑐 𝑠

Antiquarks 𝑢̅ 𝑑̅ 𝑡̅ 𝑏̅ 𝑐̅ 𝑠̅

Page 25
Which of the following decays cannot occur because conservation laws are violated? Show all conservation laws.

Page 26
Topic 13. EXTRA QUSTIONS

Banked Turns? (sort of)

2015 ATAR

Example - Static Equilibrium

A person holds an 80 N weight in their hand, at the end of their arm which has a
wright of 20N arm as shown. What force does the bicep muscle need to apply to
hold the mass?

Page 27
 Congratulations! You have now completed your revision booklet!

Edith Cowan University would like to wish all students the best of luck with their
future exams!

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