Sassy O Level Maths Tuition, Questions & Tips from Singapore's Favorite Private Tutor

Physics Exam Checklist

Measurement

• Converting these prefixes (p, n, μ, m, c, k, M, G) to numbers
• Reading off the vernier calipers (zero error included)
• Reading off the micrometers screw gauge (zero error included)

Kinematics

• Applying the following formulae:

  1. (when the velocity is constant)
  2. , (when there is constant acceleration)
• Interpreting, obtaining data and sketching different types of graphs (distance-time graph, displacement-time graph, speed-time graph, velocity-time graph and acceleration-time graph)

Dynamics

• Using Newton’s 1st Law and Newton’s 3rd Law to answer descriptive questions involving inertia and forces
• Drawing vector diagrams using parallelogram method and tip-to-tail method
• Applying the formula: F = ma

Work, Energy & Power

• State Principle of Conservation of Energy

• Applying these formulae

  1. W = Fs
  2. E_p = mgh
  3. E_k =
  4. 

Moments

• State Principle of Moments
• Solving all 3 types of moment questions
• Questions involving only one pivot – apply principle of moments to solve
• Questions involving two pivots – assume that one pivot is a dummy, apply principle of moments and resolve forces to find the two unknown forces
• Questions involving a force that is inclined at an angle (usually involving tension on a rope) – use sin, cos and tan to calculate the perpendicular distance of the unknown force from the pivot and use principle of moments to solve

Pressure

• Applying the formulae

  1. 
  2. 
• Reading off the mercury barometer and manometer

Simple Kinetic Molecular Theory

• Using kinetic theory to explain pressure and evaporation

Temperature

• Explain the relationship between the bulb size, thickness of bore and glass wall, thickness of capillary tube with range, sensitivity and responsiveness

Transfer of Thermal Energy

• Explain mechanism of conduction (using key words like molecular vibration in all solids and electron diffusion in metals) and convection (using key words like “being denser, it will sink”, “being less dense, it will rise”, “setting up a convection current”)

Thermal Properties of Matter

• Applying the formulae

  1. Q = Pt
  2. Q = mcΔθ
  3. Q = CΔθ
  4. C = mc
  5. Q = mlf
  6. Q = mlv

Reflection of Light

• State the difference between real and virtual image
• Draw ray diagrams involving one mirror and two mirrors placed at 90º to each other

Refraction and Total Internal Reflection

• Calculating the refractive index using the following equations

  1. 
  2. 
  3. n = real depth/apparent depth
  4. 
• Give special emphasis to optical fibres and its applications in everyday life

Lens

• Drawing of lens diagram (especially diagrams involving distant object)

• Using the two equations to check for the accuracy of ray diagram drawn

  1. 
  2. 

General Wave Properties

• State Transverse Waves and Longitudinal Waves and terms used to describe the two types of waves

• Obtaining information like amplitude, wavelength and period from the following diagrams

  

  General Wave Properties (click to enlarge)

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• List the different electromagnetic waves in increasing order of wavelengths and frequencies
• State the applications of each type of electromagnetic wave

Sound

• Calculating the speed of sound using both the direct () and echo method ()
• Obtaining information (pitch and loudness) by interpreting diagrams from a CRO

Electrostatics

• Answering questions using the laws of electrostatics
• Drawing of electric field patterns

Current Electricity & D.C. Circuits

• Applying the formulae

  1. 
  2. 
  3. V = IR
• State Ohm’s Law and interpreting the I–V and V–I graphs
• Solving questions involving series and parallel circuits (usually a combination of both types together, to find V, I and/or R)

Practical Electricity

• Explain the function of a fuse and the earth wire
• Understanding what is meant by double insulation
• Connecting the live, neutral & earth wire to a socket, plug, ring mains

• Applying correct equations to find effective operating power and power loss

  1. P = IV
  2. P = I²R

Magnetism & Electromagnetism

• Drawing of magnetic field patterns for permanent magnets & electromagnets
• Answer questions involving electric bell, loudspeaker and D.C. Circuit (MUST KNOW)

Electromagnetic Induction

• Understanding how an A.C. Generator works (MUST KNOW)
• Explain using Faraday Laws and Lenz’s law, the working principle of a transformer (MUST KNOW)

• Applying the formulae

  1. 
  2. Efficiency =