[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” padding_top_1=”50px” padding_bottom_1=”30px” padding_bottom_2=”0px” padding_top_bottom_link_1=”false” padding_top_bottom_link_2=”false” padding_left_right_link_1=”false” padding_left_right_link_2=”false” padding_1_tablet=”0px||0px||true|false” padding_1_phone=”” padding_1_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f8f9fa” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#f9ce6e” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”120px” height=”7px” box_shadow_style=”preset7″ box_shadow_horizontal=”40px” box_shadow_vertical=”0px” box_shadow_color=”#f9ce6e” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_4_font=”PT Sans|700||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#ffc107″ header_4_font_size=”11px” header_4_letter_spacing=”1px” custom_margin=”-38px|||130px|false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Topic<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_font_size=”60px” header_line_height=”1.1em” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Watt is the significance of the apparatus shown opposite? <\/span><\/p>\n Is it possible to measure something precisely? <\/span><\/p>\n How do we know that light travels at exactly 299,792,458 m\/s? <\/span><\/p>\n Find the answers to these and many more fundamental questions by studying this course.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/doctorp4physics.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tutor-09.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ positioning=”absolute” vertical_offset=”-10px” horizontal_offset=”-115px” z_index=”1″ vertical_offset_tablet=”-60px” vertical_offset_phone=”” vertical_offset_last_edited=”on|phone” width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/doctorp4physics.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/kibble-balance.jpg” title_text=”kibble balance” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ max_height_tablet=”400px” max_height_phone=”” max_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”|-10vw|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/doctorp4physics.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tutor-10.png” _builder_version=”4.16″ positioning=”absolute” position_origin_a=”bottom_left” vertical_offset=”-33px” horizontal_offset=”-80px” width=”100%” scroll_vertical_motion_enable=”on” scroll_vertical_motion=”0|50|50|100|2|0|-2″ scroll_rotating_enable=”on” scroll_rotating=”0|50|50|100|30\u00b0|0|-30\u00b0” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”||6px|||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quantities & Units” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Derived Units” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Scalar vs Vector” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Vector Addition” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Resolving Vectors” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”More on Vectors” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#007aff” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”800px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text quote_border_weight=”8px” quote_border_color=”#f9ce6e” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#2A3749″ header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” header_3_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_3_font_size=”40px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”38px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”34px” header_3_font_size_phone=”24px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#62748a” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Physics is built on precise definitions, measurements, and the ability to apply mathematical tools to physical problems. In this unit, you\u2019ll learn how to distinguish between different kinds of physical quantities and why units matter in every calculation.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#62748a” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also gain confidence manipulating vectors \u2014 quantities that have both magnitude and direction, which are crucial for understanding motion, forces, and fields. These core skills will help you interpret experimental results, solve problems accurately, and prepare for more advanced Year 12 and 13 topics.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|||” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Who knew that Napoleon Bonepart would have such a big impact on science? The metric system was born out of the French Revolution, but would take more than 100 years to be widely adopted, and America, Liberia and Myanmar are still holding on to the awkward imperial system of units. Even though the UK officially transitioned to the metric system in 1965, we still use a hybrid system of units – ultra awkward!<\/p>\n The appeal of the metric system is its simplicity – there are only 7 base units to know, and it’s quite fun to explore the history of how they’ve been defined. There was a large overhaul agreed in 2019 with the kilogram no longer being defined by a physical object.\u00a0 But we’re probably not settled yet, a new definition of the second could be announced in 2030!<\/p>\n We can use prefixes in base 10 or standard form to cover the smallest and largest amounts of these quantities.\u00a0 At A-level you’ll need to know…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Seneca” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OCR A: 1.1.2 Prefixes, standard form and units<\/p>\n AQA: ?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n A3: Standard form and prefixes<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Here you can practice reading some of the key measuring instruments:<\/p>\n Virtual micrometer<\/a><\/p>\n Virtual vernier calliper<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n See below for a quick selection of the relevant videos, you can find Lewis’ full playlist for quantities and units here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”quantities vs units” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iwWfoet4-zc” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”physical quantities” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jPm_5eNy1MU” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”the Greek alphabet” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_bfgch6q5Rk” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”base units” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jLRoseFxm30″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”unit prefixes” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=O4tA6Nt_iig” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-88px|||||” custom_padding=”||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u00a0There are many other quantities, which all have a named unit associated with it – almost always in honour of a relevant scientist: Isaac Newton, James Watt, James Prescot Joule, Georg Ohm, Alessandro Volta, Nikola Tesla, Michael Faraday, Blaise Pascal, Anders Celcius, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, Henri Bequerel, Heinrich Hertz etc. How many more can you name?<\/p>\n These examples are all also SI units, but we can break them down and build them up from a combination of the 7 fundamental base SI units in the previous section. Most of them are some combination of metres, seconds and kilograms, and sometimes the amp.\u00a0<\/p>\n At A-level you’ll be expected to be able to…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Seneca” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OCR A: 1.1.1 SI Units, 1.1.3 End of topic test: U<\/span>nits & Prefixes<\/span><\/p>\n AQA: ?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n A2: Derived and base SI units<\/a><\/p>\n A4: Converting units<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n See below for a quick selection of the relevant videos, you can find Lewis’ full playlist for quantities and units here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”derived units” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Sb8cxC4lOy8″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”converting units” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=h9hUmp4eU_w” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”converting units ev to J” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YB3dmRMTCKU” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Any physical quantity can be put into one of two baskets – they all have a magnitude (or size), but some of them also carry information about direction. These are things we can usually represent with an arrow – e.g. force, velocity, acceleration, momentum and fields.<\/p>\n There are some quantities which jump between baskets depending on the application, such as current and pressure, which are usually considered scalar quantities, but not when applying Flemings Left \/ Right Hand rules or cutting cheese with a knife etc.<\/p>\n At A-level you’ll be expected to be able to…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Seneca” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OCR A: \u00a01.3.1 Scalars & Vectors<\/span><\/p>\n AQA: ?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n See below for a quick selection of the relevant videos, you can find Lewis’ full playlist for scalars and vectors here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”scalars and vectors” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=60oM8QgOdqI” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”displacement v distance” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=04bki-87C60″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”7px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You’ll find plenty of situations where multiple forces are acting on an object that may or may not be in equilibrium. Finding out whether there is a resultant force will dictate how\/if the object will accelerate and its subsequent motion. These forces will usually act in a plane, so you’ll need to get used to using the key principles of trigonometry – Pythagoras’ Theorem and SOH-CAH-TOA. It could be helpful to also learn the sin and cosine rules, but I don’t think that’s actually necessary.<\/p>\n In reality forces could act in three dimensions and it’s helpful to know how to deal with 3D vectors – more so in Maths than A-level Physics. The rules of vector addition\/subtraction can be applied to many other contexts, such as working out relative velocities or momentum in collisions\/explosions etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n At A-level you’ll be expected to be able to…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Seneca” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OCR A: \u00a01.3.1 Scalars & Vectors<\/span><\/p>\n AQA: ?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n B2: Adding vectors<\/a><\/p>\n I1: Adding and resolving vectors<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n PhET: vector addition<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n See below for a quick selection of the relevant videos, you can find Lewis’ full playlist for scalars and vectors here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”adding vectors” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=l36IeG0dC64″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”subtracting vectors” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2ZPcFwbY9LI” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”7px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Breaking down (resultant) vectors into perpendicular components will be vital when looking at projectile motion and looking at objects travelling along slopes and ramps. If you don’t want to remember the sine or cosine rules, it will also allow you to add\/subtract non-perpendicular\/parallel vectors using basic trigonometry.<\/p>\n Tip: Always draw a large diagram and label the components clearly. If you’re going to use basic trigonometry, I expect to see a right-angled triangle in your diagram.\u00a0<\/p>\n At A-level you’ll be expected to be able to…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Seneca” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n OCR A: \u00a01.3.2 Resolving Vectors<\/span><\/p>\n AQA: ?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n B1: Resolving vectors<\/a><\/p>\n I1: Adding and resolving vectors<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n PhET: vector addition<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n See below for a quick selection of the relevant videos, you can find Lewis’ full playlist for scalars and vectors here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”adding vectors” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=l36IeG0dC64″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][et_pb_video_slider_item admin_title=”subtracting vectors” src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2ZPcFwbY9LI” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” show_image_overlay=”off”][\/et_pb_video_slider_item][\/et_pb_video_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Call to Action” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#007aff” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”19px||19px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”60px||60px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” border_radii=”on|30px|30px|30px|30px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ header_2_font=”Playfair Display|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”7px||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ text_font=”PT Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Practice makes perfect, so they say, and indeed you will get plenty of practice with vectors in both Maths and Physics. In Biology a vector is something entirely different!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tabs _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_tab title=”Brilliant” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There’s lots to do on Brilliant.org such as the course on linear algebra<\/a> which starts with a good introduction to vector properties<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Learning Checklist” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lewis Matheson has taken the specification and turned it into a bite-size student-friendly format. I recommend printing this out and having a learning checklist at the start of your folder for each section:<\/p>\n OCR A – module 2 – foundations<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Isaac Science” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sign up for a free account to Isaac Science and it’ll save and track your progress – working through these problems is necessary to secure that 30-40% of the paper that will be mathsy.<\/p>\n I2: Scalar Products<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n I3: Vector Products<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Simulations” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n PhET: vector addition<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”Physics Factsheets” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n I think these are fab, and hopefully your school has a subscription to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n 002: Vectors and Forces<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][et_pb_tab title=”A-level Physics Online – videos” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You can find Lewis’ full playlist for scalars and vectors here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_tab][\/et_pb_tabs][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|tablet” admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/doctorp4physics.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tutoring-Service_Footer.png” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_center” custom_padding=”||16vw||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”750px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Phone” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#aaaaaa” image_icon_width=”32px” content_max_width=”100%” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ header_font=”PT Sans|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#2a3749″ header_font_size=”16px” header_line_height=”1.9em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ icon_font_size=”32px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\nKey Concepts<\/h2>\n
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Why Foundations Matter in Physics<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Quantities and Units<\/h2>\n
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Derived Units<\/h2>\n
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Scalar and vector quantites<\/h2>\n
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Adding vectors<\/h2>\n
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Resolving vectors<\/h2>\n
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More on vectors<\/h2>\n
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