A-Level Electricity and Magnetism

Define electric potential energy and electric potential, distinguishing them from electric force and field.

Calculate the electric potential due to point charges and continuous charge distributions.

Relate electric field and potential using E = -∇V and interpret equipotential surfaces.

Compute the work done by the electric field when moving a charge between points of different potential.

Apply conservation of energy to solve problems involving charged particles moving through potential differences.

Interpret potential-vs-distance graphs and resolve common conceptual traps about potential and field.

Solve problems involving accelerating potential differences (e.g., electron guns, particle accelerators).

Define capacitance and derive the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor.

Derive and apply expressions for the equivalent capacitance of capacitors in series and parallel.

Calculate the energy stored in a capacitor and the energy density of the electric field.

Explain the microscopic and macroscopic effects of inserting a dielectric into a capacitor.

Analyse how changing a capacitor's properties (dielectric, geometry) affects its charge, voltage, and stored energy, considering both isolated and battery-connected cases.

Solve complex conceptual problems and puzzles involving capacitor networks and dielectrics.

Review and deepen understanding of Ohm's law, resistivity, and electrical power, including microscopic model of current.

Distinguish EMF from terminal voltage and analyse circuits with sources of internal resistance.

State and apply Kirchhoff's junction and loop rules to solve for currents and voltages in multi-loop DC circuits.

Analyse a Wheatstone bridge circuit and derive the condition for it to be balanced.

Explain the principle of a potentiometer and how it can be used to measure EMF and internal resistance.

Apply symmetry arguments to find the equivalent resistance of non-trivial resistor networks.

Analyse the effect of real ammeters and voltmeters on circuit measurements.

Describe magnetic field lines and calculate the magnetic force on a moving charge using F = q(v × B).

Analyse the circular or helical motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Explain the operating principles of a velocity selector and a mass spectrometer.

Explain the operating principle of a cyclotron, including the resonance condition.

Calculate the magnetic force on a current-carrying wire and the torque on a current loop in a magnetic field.

Explain the Hall effect and its use in determining properties of charge carriers.

State the Biot-Savart law and apply it to derive the magnetic field of a finite straight wire and a circular loop on its axis.

State Ampère's law and explain its relationship to current and magnetic fields.

Apply Ampère's law to derive the magnetic field of an infinite wire, an ideal solenoid, and a toroid.

Calculate the force per unit length between two parallel current-carrying wires and relate it to the SI definition of the Ampere.

Solve problems involving the superposition of magnetic fields from multiple current sources.

Define magnetic flux and calculate it for uniform fields.

State Faraday's law of induction and Lenz's law, and use them to determine the magnitude and direction of induced EMF and current.

Distinguish between and calculate motional EMF (for a conductor moving in a B-field) and induced EMF from a time-varying B-field.

Apply conservation of energy to motional-EMF scenarios, relating mechanical work to electrical energy dissipated.

Analyse a coil rotating in a uniform magnetic field to derive the generation of sinusoidal EMF (AC generator).

Define self-inductance (L) and mutual inductance (M), and calculate the inductance of an ideal solenoid.

Calculate the energy stored in an inductor and the energy density of the magnetic field.

Analyse the charging and discharging of an RC circuit, deriving and applying the exponential equations for charge, current, and voltage.

Analyse the current growth and decay in an LR circuit, deriving and applying the exponential equations for current.

Define peak, average, and RMS values for sinusoidal AC currents and voltages.

Analyse the phase relationships between voltage and current for pure R, L, and C components in an AC circuit.

Define reactance (capacitive and inductive) and impedance, and calculate the total impedance of a series RLC circuit.

Analyse resonance in a series RLC circuit, including calculating the resonance frequency and understanding the qualitative behavior of the Q-factor.

Calculate average power dissipated in an AC circuit.

Explain the operation of an ideal transformer and its role in power transmission.

Apply a systematic strategy to solve qualitative and quantitative exam-style problems.

Identify and avoid common conceptual traps in electrostatics and capacitor problems.

Solve complex problems involving charged particles under the influence of combined electric and magnetic fields.

Analyse circuits where electromagnetic induction is the source of EMF (e.g., sliding rod, falling loop).

Resolve advanced induction puzzles involving Lenz's law, eddy currents, and energy conservation (e.g., magnet falling through a copper tube).

Use limiting cases, symmetry, and dimensional analysis to quickly evaluate potential answers in multiple-choice questions.

Develop a process for diagnosing and correcting conceptual errors through reflective problem review.