Type equation here .

Introduction to physics
Physics as a science

Physics is the study of matter and its relation to energy.

Branches of physics

Mechanics –Study of motion under the influence of forces.

Thermodynamics-Transformation of heat to and from other forms of energy

Waves-Propagation of energy through space

Electricity and magnetism –Deals with the relationship between electric

currents and magnetic fields

Geometrical optics-Behavior of light as it traverses through various media

Atomic Physics-Involves the study of behavior of particles constituting the

nucleus and accompanying energy changes

Relationship between physics and other

subjects
Physics and mathematics

Many concepts in physics are expressed mathematically.

Physics and Religion

Religion deals with how the world came into existence while physics looks at the
world in terms of mass among many other things.

Physics and History

Early explorers like Vasco da Gama made use of the magnetic properties of
lodestone to determine direction.

PHYSICS IS LIFE
Physics and Geography

Heat transfer by convection explains the formation of convectional rainfall and

pressure variations that determine wind pattern.

Physics and Home Science

Physics knowledge has been applied in the design and manufacture of domestic
equipment.

Physics and Biology

Knowledge of lenses has helped in the making of the microscope which has
assisted in the study of the cell.

Physics and Chemistry

Physics helps in explaining the forces within an atom while Chemistry explains the
structure of an atom.

Career opportunities in physics

1) Bachelor of Architecture
2) Bachelor of Medicine
3) Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering)
4) Bachelor of Science (Civil Engineering)
5) Bachelor of Science (Computer science)
6) Bachelor of Education (Technology)

BASIC LABORATORY RULES

I. Never plug foreign objects into the socket
II. While working in the laboratory all windows and doors should be kept open
III. When handling electrical apparatus hands must be dry
IV. The locations of electricity switches, first aid kits, gas supply and water
supply must be noted
V. ANY INSTRUCTION GIVEN MUST BE FOLLOWED CAREFULLY

PHYSICS IS LIFE
TOPIC 2: MEASUREMENT (1)
BASIC PHYSICAL SYMBOL OF UNITS
QUANTITY SI UNIT
LENGTH Meters m
MASS Kilogram Kg
TIME Second S
ELECTRIC CURRENT Ampere A
THERMODYNAMIC Kelvin K
TEMPERATURE
LUMINOUS INTENSITY Candela Cd
AMOUNT OF SUBSTANCE mole mol

BASIC PHYSICAL QUANTITIES-Quantities which cannot be obtained

from any other physical quantities.

DERIVED QUANTITIES-Quantities obtained from multiplication or

division of basic quantities e.g.area, volume, and density.

LENGTH
 Length is a measure of distance between two points.
 The SI unit is metre(m)

Measurement of length

The choice of measurement of length depends on;

 Level of accuracy desired

 Size of the object to be measured

Instruments used to measure length include;

 Metre rule
 Tape measure
Metre rule

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 The following procedure should be followed when using a
metre rule;
 Place the metre rule in contact with the object
 Place the end of the object against the zero mark on the scale
 Position your eye perpendicularly above the scale
Tape measure
There are several types of tape measures including;
 Tailor’s
 Carpenter’s
 Surveyor’s

The choice of measure is determined by the nature of the of the determined by

the nature of the distance to be measured

Always ensure that the tape measure is stretched tightly when measured

Estimation of length

Height of tree formula

H OF TREE L OF SHADOW OF TREE
=
H OF ROD LOF SHADO W OF ROD

AREA

Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a given surface on a plane

It is a derived quantity

The SI unit square metre (m2)

Area of regularly shaped objects

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 Volume

Volume is the space occupied by matter

The SI unit is Cubic metre (m3)

volume=base area × height

4
volume of a sphere= πr 3
3

Measuring the volume of an irregularly shaped solid;

Displacement method is used

It works with solids that are;

 Insoluble in water
 Do not absorb water
 Do not absorb water
 Sink in water
mass

This is the quantity of matter in an object

Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass

The mass of an object depends on its size and the number of particles it
contains

The SI unit is kilogram (kg)

Mass of an object is the same everywhere because the number of particles it

contains remains constant

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It is measured with instruments including;

 Top pan balance

 Beam balance
 Lever balance

Densityφ

Density of a substance is its mass per unit volume

The SI unit is kilogram per cubic metre (kgm-3)

NB;1 gcm−3=1000 kgm−3

Example; A block of glass of mass 187.5g is 5cm long 2cm thick

and

7.5 cm high. Calculate the density of the glass in kgm -

3

Volume=L×W × HType equation here .

=2.0×5.O×7.5

=75

Þ=m/v

=187.5/75

=2.5gcm-3

=2500kgm-3

Density bottle

A density bottle is a small glass bottle fitted with glass stopper which has a
hole through which excess liquid flows out.

It has the capacity indicated on the side

Precautions when using a density bottle

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o The outside of the density bottle should be wiped dry
o Ensure that there are no air bubbles inside
o It should be held by the neck when wiping it. This is because when held
in the hands it may expand due to body warmth

mass of mixture
density of mixture=
volume of mixture

PHYSICS IS LIFE
 time
Time is the measure of duration of an event

The SI unit is second

It is measured by a stop clock or a stop watch

Topic 3; force
A force is a push or a pull

The SI unit is Newton

Effects of force;

 Makes a stationary object move

 Increases the speed of a moving object
 Slows down a moving object
 Stops a moving object
 Changes the direction of a moving object
 Changes the shape of an object
Types of forces;
 Gravitational
 Tension
 Upthrust
 Frictional
 Magnetic
 Centripetal
 Cohesive & adhesive
 Surface tension
 Molecular force
 Electric force
 Nuclear force
 Electrostatic force
Gravitational force;

PHYSICS IS LIFE
 This is the force of attraction between two bodies
Pull of gravity;
Force which pulls a body towards the Centre of the earth
Weight;
Pull of gravity on a body towards the centre of the earth
Tension;
This is the quantity of the pulling force exerted by a string, spring on an
object
Upthrust;
This is the upward force acting on an object immersed in a fluid
upthrust =weight ∈air−weight ∈fluid

Electrostatic force;

Force of attraction or repulsion due to charges

Centripetal force;

Force which constrains a body to move in a circular path

Magnetic force;

Force which causes attraction or repulsion by a magnet

Frictional force;

Force that opposes relative motion between two surfaces in contact

Applications of friction;

 Walking
 Braking
 Writing

Ways of reducing friction;

o Using rollers
o Oiling
o Smoothening

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Cohesive & adhesive forces

Cohesive force-force of attraction between molecules of the same kind

Adhesive force-force of attraction between molecules of different kinds

Surface tension;

This is the force which causes the surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched
elastic skin.

Factors affecting surface tension

Impurities-impurities reduce the surface tension of a liquid

Temperature-increase in temperature lowers the surface tension of a liquid

MASS WEIGHT
Quantity of matter in a body Pull of gravity on a body
SI unit is kilogram SI unit is newton
It is the same everywhere Changes from place to place
Measured using a beam balance Measured using a spring balance
Has magnitude only Has both magnitude and direction
Scalar and vector quantities

Scalar quantity-quantity which has magnitude only but no direction e.g.

density, volume, time, pressure, temperature, length e.t.c.

Vector quantity-quantity which has both magnitude and direction e.g. force,
velocity, displacement, acceleration, momentum e.t.c.

The sum of 2 or more vectors is the resultant vector

4N 9N

5N

TOPIC 4; PRESSURE
Pressure is the force acting normally/perpendicularly per unit area

The SI unit is Newton per square metre (N/m2) / Pascal

PHYSICS IS LIFE
 force (f )
pressure( p)=
area(a)

Example;

A man of mass 84 kg stands upright on a floor. If the area of contact of his

shoes and floor is 420 cm2, determine the average pressure he exerts on the
floor. (Take g=10Nkg-1)

W=F=mg

=84×10

=840N

A=420cm2

=0.042m2

P=F/A

=840÷0.042

=20,000Nm-2
force
maximum pressure=
minimum area

force
minimum pressure=
maximum area

In solids pressure depends on;

 Force exerted by the object

 Area in contact with the solid

Pressure in liquids

Pressure in liquids increases with depth below the surface

Pressure in liquids increases with the density of the liquid

The distribution of pressure at a particular depth is the same in all

directions
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 pressure=density × gravity × height

p=Þgh

Example;

The density of mercury is 13600Kg/m3. Determine the liquid pressure at a

point 76 cm below the surface of mercury.

P=Þgh

=13600×10×0.76

=103,360Pa

Pascal’s principle/principle of transmission of pressure in liquids

states that; pressure applied at one part of an enclosed liquid is
transmitted equally to all the other parts in the enclosed liquid.

Hydraulic machines

They work with the Pascal’s principle

They include;

 Hydraulic lift
 Hydraulic brake system
1. Hydraulic brake system

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Force applied on the foot pedal exerts pressure on the master
cylinder. The pressure is transmitted by the brake fluid to the
slave cylinder. This causes the pistons of the slave cylinder to
open up the brake shoe and hence the brake lining presses the
drum. The rotation of the wheel is thus resisted.

When the force on the foot pedal is withdrawn, the return

spring pulls back the brake shoe which pushes the slave
cylinder piston back.

Properties of a brake fluid;

 Be incompressible, to ensure pressure exerted at one point is

transmitted equally to all other parts in the liquid.
 Have low melting and a high boiling point.
 Should not corrode the other parts of the brake system.

PHYSICS IS LIFE