Most A-level physics questions require you to undertake some mathematical analysis. In the early stages of your A-level this is likely to consist of pushing your algebra and trigonometry further than was needed for your GCSEs. At some point trigonometry is extended to take in oscillations, which involves the use of radians, which many students find more difficult – even when they remember to set their calculators to radian mode.
This simple harmonic motion question is from the WJEC Unit 3 A-level paper from 2024, with the removal of some non-mathematical sections, but could equally well have been in Eduqas Component 1. Only parts (b), (c), (d)(i), (e)(ii) and (f) of question 4 have been reproduced here. Please note that the exam also featured parts (a), (d)(ii) and (e)(i). In part (a) of the question students were required to draw a curve of best fit on the graph in the question. Since this part has been omitted, we have added this to the student answers below.
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