Assessed mathematical skills and measurement conventions

Recognise and use appropriate units in calculations, including identifying derived units and converting between units with different prefixes.

Recognise and use decimal and standard form, including physical constants such as c = 3.00 × 10^8 m s−1.

Use ratios, fractions and percentages, including efficiency and percentage uncertainty calculations.

Estimate results, including the effect of changing experimental parameters on measurable values.

Use calculators for power functions. Exponential and logarithmic functions, including radioactive-decay calculations such as N = N0e^(−λt), are A2-only applications.

Use calculators for sin, cos and tan when angles are expressed in degrees or radians, including calculating the direction of resultant vectors.

Know and convert between the SI prefixes giga, mega, kilo, centi, milli, micro and nano, as clarified by Pearson for International A Level Physics candidates.

Use an appropriate number of significant figures and report results consistently with the precision of raw data and the least accurate measurement.

Calculate arithmetic means, including a mean value from repeated experimental readings.

Understand simple probability, including probability in radioactive decay as an A2 application.

Make order-of-magnitude calculations, including evaluating equations whose variables have different orders of magnitude.

Identify measurement uncertainties and determine uncertainty when data are combined by addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or powers.

C.2.1—Mathematical symbols

Understand and use =, <, ≪, ≫, >, ∝, ≈ and Δ in physical relationships.

C.2.2—Changing the subject of equations

Change the subject of equations, including non-linear equations such as rearranging E = mc².

C.2.3—Substitution into equations

Substitute numerical values into algebraic equations using appropriate units for physical quantities.

C.2.4—Solving algebraic equations

Solve algebraic equations, including quadratic equations and kinematic equations for constant acceleration.

C.2.5—Logarithmic quantities

Use logarithms for quantities spanning several orders of magnitude and interpret real-world logarithmic scales.

Translate information between graphical, numerical and algebraic forms, including using stress–strain graphs to calculate Young modulus.

Plot two variables from experimental or other data, including extension against applied force.

Understand that y = mx + c represents a linear relationship and compare physical equations with that form.

Determine the slope and intercept of a linear graph and interpret their physical significance.

Calculate rate of change from a graph showing a linear relationship, such as acceleration from a velocity–time graph.

Draw and use the slope of a tangent to a curve as a measure of rate of change.

Distinguish between instantaneous and average rates of change and interpret them physically.

Interpret and calculate or estimate the physical significance of the area between a curve and the x-axis. A2 applications include energy stored under a capacitor voltage–charge graph.

Apply concepts underlying calculus without explicit differentiation or integration by solving rate-of-change equations graphically or with spreadsheet modelling.

Interpret logarithmic plots, including obtaining a capacitor-discharge time constant from log voltage against time.

Use logarithmic plots to test exponential and power-law variations, including radioactive decay and capacitor charging or discharging.

Sketch relationships modelled by reciprocal, inverse-square, square, linear, trigonometric and exponential functions. Exponential and squared-trigonometric forms are A2-only applications.

Use angles in regular two- and three-dimensional structures, including interpreting force diagrams.

Visualise and represent two- and three-dimensional forms, including two-dimensional representations and force diagrams.

Calculate triangle and circle areas, circumferences, and surface areas and volumes of blocks, cylinders and spheres.

Use Pythagoras' theorem and the angle sum of a triangle, including resultant-vector calculations.

Use sin, cos and tan in physical problems, including resolving forces into components.

Use small-angle approximations sin θ ≈ θ, tan θ ≈ θ and cos θ ≈ 1 where appropriate, including interference-fringe calculations.

Understand the relationship between degrees and radians and convert between them.