Marshall, R. (2023) ‘de Broglie waves’, Physics Review, 32 (3), pp.5-7.
Rick Marshall explores the wavelike behaviour of particles, bringing together theory and experimental evidence. An understanding of de Broglie waves involves ideas about waves and the energy and momentum of particles. This unit supports your study of wave-particle duality in your unit on Quantum physics. Look out for the practice-for-exam questions in this article.
(2021) ‘Atmospheric waves’, Physics Review, 30 (4), p.34.
In 2020 scientists at the Universe of Hawaii (USA) and Kyoto (Japan) reported the discovery of large-scale atmospheric pressure waves that circle the globe at speeds of over 1100km h-1.
Bell, N. (2021) ‘Waves inside the Earth’, Physics Review, 30 (4), pp.24-28.
How do we know about Earth’s interior structure? And what is a seismometer doing on Mars? This article supports your study linking to earthquakes which produce seismic longitudinal and transverse waves, which undergo reflection and refraction as they travel. Seismologists analyse seismic wave records in order to model the interiors of Earth and Mars. Look out for the practice-for-exam questions in this article.
Lovat, I. (2021) ‘Skillset: determining the wavelength of light’, Physics Review, 30 (3), pp.10-12.
Ian Lovat discusses using double-slit interference to determine the wavelength of light.
Follows, M. (2020) ‘Structural colour’, Physics Review, 30 (1), pp.2-6.
We perceive colour all around us, and animals use it to attract mates or warn off predators. Mike Follows explains how colour can be produced without chemical pigments.
Kelly, G. (2020) Exam talkback: the photoelectric effect’, Physics Review, 30 (1), pp.7-9.
Many areas of physics that were developed in the twentieth century are treated qualitatively at A-level. The photoelectric effect is one of the few to be treated mathematically.
Marshall, R. (2020) ‘The photoelectric effect revisited’, Physics Review, 29 (3), pp.8-10.
In this series of articles, Rick Marshall looks at some key discoveries. Here he discusses the photoelectric effect.
Tear, C. (2020) ‘Regulating the heart’, Physics Review, 29 (4), pp.2-5.
The human heartbeat is controlled by regular electrical signals. When the heart fails to maintain a regular beat, an artificial pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can help to restore the correct rhythm.
Holt, R. (2016) ‘The Compton effect’, Physics Review, 26 (2), pp.6-9.
When Einstein suggested that photons (‘particles’ of light) have momentum, the idea was controversial. Arthur Holly Compton showed that encounters between X-ray photons and electrons can be analysed in terms of momentum conservation; his work was crucial in establishing the photon model.
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