01Physical Quantities and Units
Physical quantities as magnitude and unit; reasonable estimates · SI base units; derived units and homogeneity of equations · Prefixes from pico to tera · The mole and the Avogadro constant …
Measurement Techniques
Measuring length, mass, time, temperature, current and voltage · Choosing and using appropriate measuring instruments · Calibration curves
Kinematics
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration · Motion graphs: gradients and area under the graph · Equations of uniformly accelerated motion · Free fall and determination of the acceleration of free fall …
Dynamics
Mass, resistance to change; F = ma · Linear momentum; force as rate of change of momentum · Newton's three laws of motion; weight · Frictional and drag forces; terminal velocity …
Forces, Density and Pressure
Centre of gravity · Moment of a force; couples and torque · Principle of moments; equilibrium and vector triangle · Density and pressure …
Work, Energy and Power
Work done by a force · Conservation of energy and efficiency · Power; P = W/t and P = Fv · Gravitational potential energy Ep = mgh …
Deformation of Solids
Hooke's law and the spring constant · Stress, strain and the Young modulus · Determining the Young modulus of a wire · Elastic and plastic behaviour; elastic limit …
Waves
Progressive waves and wave terminology · Wave equation v = f lambda · Intensity and its relation to amplitude · Transverse and longitudinal waves …
Superposition
Principle of superposition · Stationary waves; nodes and antinodes · Diffraction · Two-source interference and coherence …
Electric Fields
Concept of an electric field · Uniform electric fields E = V/d · Motion of charged particles in a uniform field
Electricity
Electric current as flow of charge; Q = It · Charge carriers and I = Anvq · Potential difference and power (P = VI, I^2R, V^2/R) · Resistance, V = IR and Ohm's law …
D.C. Circuits
Circuit symbols and circuit diagrams · Electromotive force and internal resistance · Kirchhoff's first and second laws · Combining resistors in series and in parallel …
Particle Physics
Alpha-particle scattering and the nuclear atom · Nucleon and proton number; isotopes and nuclide notation · Composition of alpha, beta and gamma radiation · Antiparticles, neutrinos and decay energies …