ESAT-PHYOfficial Spec: P1–P715 Master Archetypes88.8s / 90s Standard
ESAT Physics
Official UAT-UK specification codes P1–P7. Mechanics, electricity, waves, thermal physics, radioactivity, and magnetic fields with non-calculator shortcuts. Master all 15 core question patterns, eliminate classroom method calculation traps, and lock in sub-90-second execution times for Cambridge and Imperial College London.
Cambridge Courses Requiring Physics
- Engineering (Standard Module)
- Natural Sciences (Physical Sciences)
Imperial College London Courses Requiring Physics
- Physics
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Official Specification Breakdown (P1–P7)
UAT-UK StandardP1
Electricity & Circuits
Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, potential dividers, internal resistance, and circuit power.
P2
Motion & Forces
SUVAT kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum conservation, impulse, and circular dynamics.
P3
Waves & Optics
Transverse/longitudinal waves, Snell's law, total internal reflection, interference, and diffraction.
P4
Thermal Physics & Matter
Specific heat capacity, latent heat, ideal gas laws, kinetic theory, and pressure-density relations.
P5
Radioactivity & Nuclear
Alpha, beta, gamma decay, half-life arithmetic, nuclear equations, and mass-energy balance.
P6
Energy & Power
Work done, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, power output, and mechanical efficiency.
P7
Magnetism & Induction
Magnetic fields, Lorentz force on charges, electromagnetic induction, Faraday and Lenz laws.
All 15 Master Question Archetypes
Reverse-engineered from past ESAT and NSAA/ENGAA papers with classroom trap timings vs Sub-90 benchmarks.
ARCH-P-01 • Spec P19.87% Exam Share
Series-Parallel Resistor Networks, Potential Dividers & Variable Sensor Meter TablesTopic: Electricity
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Use the product-over-sum shortcut R_p = (R1*R2)/(R1+R2) (and R/n for n identical parallel resistors). In meter trend tables, take the extreme limit R_var -> infinity (open circuit) to read ammeter/voltmeter changes in 5 seconds.
Trap: 145sSub-90: 40s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-02 • Spec P14.72% Exam Share
Electrical Power Dissipation (P = IV = I^2R = V^2/R), Grid Efficiency & Energy (E = VIt)Topic: Electricity
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Match the formula to the invariant: use P = I²*R for series components and transmission lines (same I); use P = V²/R for parallel branches connected across a fixed supply (same V).
Trap: 140sSub-90: 40s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-03 • Spec P23.86% Exam Share
Magnetic Flux Patterns & Motor Effect Force on Current-Carrying Conductors (F = BIL)Topic: Magnetism
Sub-90 Shortcut:
In F = BIL = B(Q/t)L, L is strictly the perpendicular segment inside the magnetic field (in metres) and t must be in seconds. Parallel current wires attract; antiparallel wires repel.
Trap: 135sSub-90: 35s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-04 • Spec P35.15% Exam Share
1D Multi-Stage Kinematics (v–t Graph Areas/Gradients) & Constant-Acceleration SUVATTopic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Never use algebraic SUVAT if a v-t sketch gives a triangle/trapezium: displacement is simply average velocity (u+v)/2 * t. Always use g = 10 N/kg for vertical free-fall.
Trap: 145sSub-90: 40s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-05 • Spec P34.72% Exam Share
1D Coupled Multi-Body Resultant Force (F_net = ma), Lifts & Internal TensionTopic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Two-line coupled-body rule: Line 1 (Whole System) a = F_net_total / (m1 + m2). Line 2 (Trailing Body only) T - F_drag_2 = m2 a. If resistive force is proportional to mass, tension split is purely T = F_drive m_rear / (m1 + m2).
Trap: 150sSub-90: 40s(Saves 110s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-06 • Spec P36.01% Exam Share
Equilibrium of Coplanar Forces, Drag/Terminal Velocity Balancing & Tension-Spring/Pulley SystemsTopic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
In static or dynamic equilibrium (at rest or constant terminal velocity), net force in every direction is zero: upward tension/drag balances downward weight (T = mg or F_drag = mg), and pulley rope tension is uniform throughout a frictionless massless cord.
Trap: 140sSub-90: 35s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-07 • Spec P32.15% Exam Share
Hooke's Law, Springs in Series (½k) vs. Parallel (2k) & Elastic Potential Energy (½kx^2)Topic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Spring stiffness behaves OPPOSITE to resistors: two identical springs in parallel are stiffer (k_eff = 2k, half the extension); in series they are softer (k_eff = k/2, double the extension). Always compute x = |L - L₀| first.
Trap: 140sSub-90: 35s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-08 • Spec P34.29% Exam Share
1D Momentum Conservation, Vector Rebound Impulse (FΔt = Δp) & CollisionsTopic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Draw a (+) arrow on the page before writing a single number: rebounding off a wall ALWAYS gives |Δp| = m(|v| + |u|), and kinetic energy relates to momentum via E_k = p² / (2m).
Trap: 135sSub-90: 35s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-09 • Spec P37.3% Exam Share
Work-Energy-Power Conservation (ΔE_p = mgΔh, E_k = ½mv^2) & Resistive Drag WorkTopic: Mechanics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Write the Master Energy Accounting line: E_k_initial + mgh_initial = E_k_final + mgh_final + F_drag d (with g = 10 N/kg). For constant velocity v against drag F, Mechanical Power is simply P = F v.
Trap: 140sSub-90: 40s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-10 • Spec P44.72% Exam Share
Specific Heat Capacity (Q = mcΔT), Latent Heat (Q = mL) & Electrical Heating Curves (Pt = mcΔT)Topic: Thermal physics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Check mass units first: if c is in J/(kg °C), convert grams -> kg (÷1000) immediately. On a ΔT vs t graph with constant heater power P, gradient k = ΔT/t = P/(Mc).
Trap: 140sSub-90: 40s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-11 • Spec P615.02% Exam Share
Wave Equation (v = fλ), Refraction Invariance, Pulse-Echo Sonar (d = ½vt), Relative Waves & RedshiftTopic: Waves
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Refraction invariant: frequency f NEVER changes across a boundary (v1/λ1 = v2/λ2). For echo/ultrasound, halve time (t/2) immediately; for a particle on a transverse wave, distance per cycle = 4 * Amplitude.
Trap: 130sSub-90: 35s(Saves 95s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-12 • Spec P717.17% Exam Share
Nuclear Decay Chains (α, β⁻, γ), Isotope Algebra & Background-Corrected Half-Life CalculusTopic: Radioactivity
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Decay chain 2-step rule: (1) Mass number A only changes via alpha: N_alpha = (A_start - A_end)/4. (2) Proton number: N_beta = Z_end - (Z_start - 2*N_alpha). For count rates: Net = Raw - Background.
Trap: 130sSub-90: 30s(Saves 100s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-13 • Spec P23.43% Exam Share
Electromagnetic Induction (Faraday/Lenz Coil Graphs), AC Generators & Transformer Scaling (V_p/V_s = N_p/N_s)Topic: Magnetism
Sub-90 Shortcut:
For any magnet-coil motion graph: (1) Induced V = 0 whenever magnet velocity v = 0; (2) V flips sign on return journey; (3) Faster return = taller, narrower peak (same area ∫V dt = ΔΦ).
Trap: 140sSub-90: 35s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-14 • Spec P56.01% Exam Share
Hydrostatic Fluid Pressure (P = ρgh), Archimedes Upthrust, Composite Density & Ideal Gas Pistons (P_1V_1 = P_2V_2)Topic: Matter
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Isothermal gas shortcut: since P*V = const and ρ = m/V, gas density ρ scales directly with absolute pressure: ρ_2 / ρ_1 = P₂ / P₁ = (P_atm + mg/A) / P_atm.
Trap: 145sSub-90: 40s(Saves 105s)
Open Study GuideARCH-P-15 • Spec P45.58% Exam Share
Thermal Conduction Rod Scaling (Q̇ ∝ AΔT/L), Convection Density Currents & Radiative Power (P ∝ R^2 T^4)Topic: Thermal physics
Sub-90 Shortcut:
Thermal Conduction Scaling Law: Rate Q̇ ∝ A ΔT / L ∝ d² (T2 - T1) / L. Radiation Law: Dull/black = best emitter & absorber; Shiny/white = worst emitter & best reflector.
Trap: 135sSub-90: 35s(Saves 100s)
Open Study Guide The Sub-90 Speed Advantage
Why A-Level Classroom Methods Fail on the ESAT
The ESAT allows precisely 40 minutes for 27 questions — exactly 88.8 seconds per question. Standard school syllabus derivations take 120s to 180s per question, leaving typical high-achieving students with 6 to 9 unattempted questions per section. sub90 ESAT compresses multi-step working into 2-line dry-wipe structural invariants so you finish with time to spare.