INTRODUCTORY
PHYSICS
KAAF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
DEP. OF MED. LAB. SCIENCE
DR. PRINCE AGYEMANG
0202962402
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson student must understand;
i. The Meaning and Scope of Physics
ii.Some Early Developments
iii.The Method of Science
SCIENCE AND PHYSICS
• The word ‘science’ has its root in the Latin verb Scientia,
meaning “ ‘knowing the truth’
• The word ‘physics’ is derived from the Greek word “Fusis”,
meaning nature.
• The study of nature and natural phenomena is dealt within
physics.
Branches
of
Physics
Heat & light from burning Yellow orange colour of sky
Falling of objects Birds flying in the sky
Formation of ocean waves Sinking of objects
Spherical shape of soap bubbles Moon orbiting around the earth
• In order to play cricket, football, chess, hockey or any other
game we follow some rules
• Similarly, the physical phenomena of our nature follow some
rules or principles
NATURE
PHYSICAL
PHENOMENA Falling of an apple Orbiting of the moon
from a tree around the earth
OBSERVATION
Newton Observed
DISCOVER
BASIC LAWS Law of Gravitation Laws of motion
PHYSICS
Physics is the study of various physical
phenomena and the fundamental laws
governing them.
NOTE: The laws of physics are not invented by people,
they are only discovered
• Physics is a natural science
(Deals with natural phenomena)
• Physics is a physical science
(Deals with our physical world)
• Physics is a fundamental science
(Deals with most basic things of nature)
MOST BASIC THINGS OF NATURE
Force Motion Matter light
Sound Heat Electricity Magnetism
Natural Phenomena
Physical Chemical Biological
Conversion of wood Pumping of blood
Formation of rainbow
into ash by heart
Exchange of gases
Formation of clouds Rusting of iron
through lungs
BRANCHES
OF
PHYSICS
PHYSICS
Classical Physics Modern Physics
Developed before Developed after
19th century 19th century
• Classical mechanics • Atomic physics
• Wave physics • Nuclear physics
• Thermodynamics • Quantum mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Optics
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
Classical mechanics is the study of effects produced by a force.
Motion of a car Loading on a bridge Working of hydraulic machines
WAVE PHYSICS
Wave physics is the study of effects produced by a vibration
or an oscillation.
To and fro motion of swing Sound produced by a violin Waves on water surface
THERMODYNAMICS
Thermodynamics is the study of effects produced by a heat.
Expansion of mercury in a
Working of an engine Working of a refrigerator
thermometer
ELECTROMAGNETISM
Electromagnetism is the study of effects produced by an electric
charge or a magnet.
Working of a speaker Working of an UPS inverter Generation of electricity
OPTICS
Optics is the study of effects produced by light.
Image produced by a plane Eyesight correction using
Colour of the sky
mirror spectacles
ATOMIC PHYSICS
Atomic physics is the study of the structure of an atom and
characteristics of subatomic particles.
Neon sign board Working of a LASER Working of X-Ray Machine
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Nuclear physics is the study of an atomic nuclei and their
constituent particles.
Working of Radiotherapy
Nuclear power generation Carbon dating
Machine
QUANTUM MECHANICS
Quantum mechanics deals with the behavior of matter and energy
at atomic scale.
Smart phones Electron microscope Magnetic Resonance Imaging
IMPORTANCE
OF
PHYSICS
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Biologists cannot understand
• How brain controls our body?
• How plants carryout photosynthesis?
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Chemists cannot understand
• Why firework produce different colours?
• How Gold-plating works?
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Geologists cannot understand
• Formation and eruption of lava
• Why earthquake occurs?
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Astronomers cannot understand
• How planets revolve around the sun?
• Why stars shine in night sky?
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Civil Engineers cannot design buildings,
bridges, dams, overhead water tanks etc.
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Mechanical Engineers cannot design
automobiles, space vehicles, wind turbines,
machines etc.
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Electrical Engineers cannot design power
substations, transformers, motors, electrical
panels etc.
Without knowledge of fundamental
principles of physics
Electronic Engineers cannot design circuits,
antenna, radar system, robotic arm etc.
THANK
YOU
