Physics for the CSCA test

After this unit you know how the course works, read the key physics terms in English, and know where to start.

1. 1How to get the most from this courseHow the three levels fit together, how the exercise after each lesson works, and how to read the «To review» list after each result.
2. 2The language of physics in EnglishThe names of quantities and units in English, such as velocity, acceleration and current, and how to read their symbols in a question.
3. 3Find where to startTake the free practice test to see which units you start from Foundation and which you can take straight in the Syllabus.

After this unit you handle units, vectors and graphs without mistakes.

1. 1Quantities and SI unitsBase and derived units, prefixes, and converting between units.
2. 2Scalars and vectorsAdding vectors and resolving them into two components.
3. 3Reading graphsSlope and area under the curve, and what each one means in physics.

After this unit you rearrange formulas and use trigonometry to resolve forces.

1. 1Rearranging formulasIsolating the unknown, substituting with units, and checking dimensions.
2. 2Trigonometry for resolving forcesSine and cosine on inclined planes and in projectiles.

After this unit you solve the syllabus problems on motion, forces, energy and momentum.

1. 1Motion in a straight lineDisplacement, velocity and acceleration, the constant-acceleration equations, and free fall.
2. 2Motion in two dimensions and projectilesSplitting motion into horizontal and vertical, range and maximum height.
3. 3Forces and Newton's lawsFree-body diagrams, the second law, and action and reaction.
4. 4Friction and equilibriumStatic and kinetic friction, and equilibrium on an inclined plane.
5. 5Circular motionAngular velocity, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.
6. 6Gravitation and satellitesThe law of universal gravitation and satellites in orbit.
7. 7Work, energy and powerThe work–energy theorem, conservation of mechanical energy, and power.
8. 8Momentum and collisionsImpulse, conservation of momentum, and elastic and inelastic collisions.
9. 9Oscillations and mechanical wavesSimple harmonic motion, the pendulum, and wave properties and speed.

After this unit you solve problems on electrostatics, circuits, magnetism and induction.

1. 1Charge, electric field and potentialCoulomb's law, field strength, potential difference, and work done on a charge.
2. 2CapacitorsCapacitance, stored energy, and connecting capacitors.
3. 3Current, Ohm's law and circuitsResistance, series and parallel connections, EMF and internal resistance.
4. 4Electrical energy and powerWorking out power and the energy used in a circuit.
5. 5Magnetic field and magnetic forceThe force on a current-carrying wire and on a moving charge, and its path in the field.
6. 6Electromagnetic inductionFaraday's law, Lenz's rule, and induced EMF.
7. 7Alternating current and transformersRMS values and the turns ratio of a transformer.

After this unit you solve problems on gases, internal energy and heat.

1. 1Kinetic theory and temperatureMolecular motion, what temperature means, and internal energy.
2. 2The gas lawsHow pressure, volume and temperature relate, and the ideal gas equation.
3. 3The first law of thermodynamicsHeat, work and the change in internal energy, and the sign of each.
4. 4The second law and heat enginesThe direction of heat flow and the efficiency of a heat engine.

After this unit you solve the syllabus problems on geometric and wave optics.

1. 1Reflection and refractionThe laws of reflection and refraction, and the refractive index.
2. 2Total internal reflectionThe critical angle and its uses, such as optical fibres.
3. 3Lenses and image formationConverging and diverging lenses, the lens equation, and magnification.
4. 4Interference, diffraction and polarisationThe double-slit experiment, the conditions for interference, and what diffraction and polarisation mean.

After this unit you explain light as particles and the structure of the atom and nucleus, and calculate their quantities.

1. 1The photoelectric effect and the photonPhoton energy, the work function, and wave–particle duality.
2. 2Atomic models and energy levelsThe Rutherford and Bohr models, and atomic spectra.
3. 3The nucleus and radioactivityTypes of radiation, half-life, fission and fusion, and binding energy.

After this unit you spread your time across the paper and rule out wrong options quickly.

1. 1Reading a physics question in English, fastThe words that flip a question's meaning, such as not, except and at least, and how to catch them on the first reading.
2. 2Managing time on the paperA pace of about 75 seconds a question, based on the official paper format, and when to leave a question and come back.
3. 3Ruling out options and quick checksEstimating, plugging in the options, and checking units and signs before you commit to an answer.

After this unit you move between Syllabus units within one set without losing your pace.

1. 1Mixed set: mechanicsVaried questions from mechanics at the official pace.
2. 2Mixed set: electromagnetism and thermodynamicsVaried questions from the two units at the official pace.
3. 3Mixed set: optics and modern physicsVaried questions from the two units at the official pace.
4. 4Mixed set: every unitQuestions from all five units in random order, as on the paper.

After this unit you know your strong and weak points in every unit before your test date.

1. 1First full practice testA full paper in the official format, then a unit-by-unit reading of your result.
2. 2Your mistake logGo back to every question you missed and name the cause: an idea, a calculation, the reading, or time.
3. 3Final reviewA plan for the last days before the test, built from your «To review» list.
4. 4Before test dayWhat to check before you start. The test's rules and instructions are on csca.cn and on your admission ticket.