OCR A-Level Physics
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course H556Official specification (opens in a new tab)
Course version · H556Version from Sept 2015Change version
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Explore your topics
7 topics
Development of practical skills in physics1 topic
Practical skills assessed in a written examination
Planning9 objectives- Implementing9 objectives
- Analysis18 objectives
- Evaluation15 objectives
Practical Endorsement in physics1 topic
Development of practical skills in physics
Practical skills78 objectives
Foundations of physics1 topic
Forces and motion2 topics
- Kinematics12 objectives
- Linear motion21 objectives
- Projectile motion6 objectives
- Dynamics36 objectives
- Equilibrium18 objectives
- Density and pressure9 objectives
- Work and conservation of energy15 objectives
- Kinetic and potential energies9 objectives
- Power18 objectives
- Springs18 objectives
- Mechanical properties of matter24 objectives
- Newton’s laws of motion15 objectives
12 of 13 shown
Electrons, waves and photons2 topics
- Power18 objectives
- Charge21 objectives
- Mean drift velocity9 objectives
- Circuit symbols6 objectives
- E.m.f. and p.d15 objectives
- Resistance18 objectives
- Resistivity15 objectives
- Series and parallel circuits18 objectives
- Internal resistance15 objectives
- Potential dividers15 objectives
- Wave motion39 objectives
- Electromagnetic waves21 objectives
12 of 17 shown
Newtonian world and astrophysics1 topic
- Temperature12 objectives
- Solid, liquid and gas21 objectives
- Thermal properties of materials24 objectives
- Ideal gases36 objectives
- Kinematics of circular motion9 objectives
- Centripetal force18 objectives
- Simple harmonic oscillations27 objectives
- Energy of a simple harmonic oscillator6 objectives
- Damping21 objectives
- Point and spherical masses15 objectives
- Newton’s law of gravitation9 objectives
- Planetary motion15 objectives
12 of 16 shown
Particles and medical physics1 topic
- Capacitors21 objectives
- Energy9 objectives
- Charging and discharging capacitors21 objectives
- Point and spherical charges12 objectives
- Coulomb’s law12 objectives
- Uniform electric field9 objectives
- Electric potential and energy15 objectives
- Magnetic fields24 objectives
- Motion of charged particles9 objectives
- Electromagnetism30 objectives
- The nuclear atom21 objectives
- Fundamental particles36 objectives
12 of 16 shown
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
AO1
31%-34%Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures.
AO2
40%-43%Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in a theoretical context, in a practical context, when handling qualitative data and when handling quantitative data.
AO3
25%-28%Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to make judgements and reach conclusions and to develop and refine practical design and procedures.
Exam Structure
OCR A-Level (H556)
Modelling physics
2h 15m
Duration
100
Marks
37%
Weighting
Exploring physics
2h 15m
Duration
100
Marks
37%
Weighting
Unified physics
1h 30m
Duration
70
Marks
26%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Listing apparatus without linking each item to what it measures; correction: state the quantity, the instrument and why its resolution is adequate.
- •Changing more than one variable at once; correction: identify the independent variable and keep all other relevant quantities constant.
- •Giving a single reading as the whole method; correction: plan a range of values and repeats so a pattern or relationship can be seen.
- •Confusing the independent variable with a controlled variable; correction: the independent variable is deliberately changed, while controlled variables are held fixed.
- •Assuming every conceivable quantity must be controlled; correction: control only those that could measurably affect the dependent variable.
- •Naming a controlled variable without saying how it will be kept constant; correction: give the practical method, such as using the same spring each time.
- •Listing generic errors such as human error without linking them to the specific method; correction: name the source, such as reaction time when using a stopwatch, and explain its effect.
- •Suggesting improvements that do not address the identified weakness; correction: match each improvement directly to the problem it solves.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Write the plan as a sequence another student could follow, naming each instrument and the quantity it measures.
- •Justify choices of range and resolution using the expected size of the measurements, not just personal preference.
- •State how you will process the data and how that processing will answer the question asked.
- •Read the practical context carefully and link each controlled variable to the physics of the measurement.
- •For each controlled variable, add a short phrase explaining how it is kept constant.
- •Reject variables that cannot plausibly affect the result, and be ready to say why they can be ignored.
- •Structure the evaluation around apparatus, range, control of variables and error, then give an overall judgement.
- •For each weakness, state the effect on the data and a specific improvement.
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