SPM PHYSICS CHECKLIST

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Quantities
1. Physical Quantities quantities can be measured.
2. Base quantities cannot be measured in terms of other physical quantities. 5 basic
quantities
3. Derived quantities - produced by combination of base quantities through
multiplication or division or both.
4. Conversion of Prefixes? Tera (T), giga (G), mega (M), kilo (k), deci (d) centi (c),
milli (m), micro (m), nano (n), pico (p). Conversion length, area (x2) & volume (x 3)
.
5. Scalar quantities magnitude only.
6. Vector Quantities magnitude & direction.
Measurements (Questions page 6, 9, 10, 11)
1. Vernier Calipers (measure < 0.1cm) precision 0.01 cm or 0.1mm
2. Micrometer Screw Gauge (measure 0.01cm) precision 0.001 cm or 0.01 mm
3. Precision - Ability of instruments to give consistent readings with lower relative
deviation.
4. Accuracy - Ability of instruments to give readings close to actual value.
5. Sensitivity - Ability of instruments to detect small changes in quantities measured.
6. Consistency tendency of readings to be close to each other (concentrated at
certain value)

Errors
1. Systematic errors - Caused by error in instrument - calibration or zero errors.
How to reduce? conduct experiments with care, calibrate instruments
periodically, check zeros errors & make corrections.
2. Random errors personal errors, drastic change in temperature, wind, lightning,
etc.
How to reduce? avoid parallax errors, take repeated readings & find average.
3. Zero errors in vernier calipers & micrometer screw gauge? +ve & -ve? Examples.

CHAPTER 2: FORCES AND MOTION

1. Distance total length passed through from one location to another.

Speed rate of change in distance.
2. Displacement distance travelled from initial position to final position?
Velocity rate of change in displacement.
3. Acceleration - rate of change in ..?
4. Ticker Tape (page 19)
a. Make sure you determine the u & v of an object by observing direction
movement given.
b. For acceleration computation, dont forget to subtract 1 part/strip of time!
5. Motion Graphs [units by multiplication or gradient (by dividing)]
a. Displacement Time Graph: Gradient?
b. Velocity Time Graph: Gradient? Area?
c.Acceleration Time Graph: Area?
6. Inertia Newtons First Law? Tendency an object to remain at rest of moving at
constant speed unless an external force is applied to it. Depend of mass.
a. Examples explain coin falling into glass, tightening loose hammer (pg 21)
b. Applications Stopping Ship & aeroplane, lorry carrying liquid (pg. 22)
7. Momentum product of mass & velocity
a. Conservation of Momentum? Type of collisions? Formulas for 3 types of collision.
b. Kinetic energy is conserved in elastic collision but not in in-elastic collision!
c. Applications: rocket launching, swing with full speed to hit golf ball (pg. 24)
8. Force?
a. Newtons Second Law, a = F/m [(acceleration (a) of body directly proportional to
net force (F) acting upon it and inversely proportional to its mass (m)]
b. Balanced force: Net force = 0 (cause object to be stationary or moving at
constant velocity)
c. Unbalanced force: causes object to start moving, speed up, slow down or stop
(pg. 26)
9. Impulse: change in momentum & Impulsive force: rate of change in momentum
a. Reduce lengthening time of impact (use thick, soft & elastic materials
mattress etc.)
b. Increase shortening time of impact (golf, mortar etc.)
c. Safety features in vehicles? Pg. 29

pg. 27 - 28

10. Gravity all objects are pulled towards centre of earth by the earths
gravitational force.
a. An object undergoing free fall at rate of gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s).
b.
c.
11.
a.

Compare in air & vacuum. Free fall (a =g), R = mg ma =0

Weight? W = mg
Lifts 4 situations ( F = ma +/- mg)
Forces in Equilibrium
Newtons Third Law: For every action there is an equal reaction but in opposite

direction.
b. Resultant force: A net force that represents two or more forces by taking into
accounts both magnitude & direction the forces.

c. Forces in equilibrium when object is stationary or moving at constant velocity.

d. Resultant force which are not parallel: Use Parallelogram or Calculation
e. Resolution of forces: Horizontal, Fx = F cos Vertical, Fy = F sin pg. 33
f.

34)
Calculation of pulley, hanging frame & inclined plane etc. Use Trigonometry.
(SN 10 & 11)

12.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Work, Energy, Power and Efficiency

Work, W = F x s product of force applied and displacement (J or Nm)
Energy, E potential or ability of a system to do work (J). (pg. 35 - 36)
Power, P rate at which energy is used or rate of work done? Example pg. 35
Principle of Conservation of energy Energy cannot be created or destroyed

but can change from one form to another.

e. Formulas for potential energy (Gravity & Elastic), kinetic energy, efficiency. (pg.
36)
13. Elasticity
a. Elasticity ability of a body to return to its original shape & size when force
acting on it is removed. The elasticity is caused by strong forces of attraction.
b. Hookes Law state that the extension or compression of a spring is directly
proportional to the force acting on it provided the elastic limit of spring is not
exceeded)
c. Gradient of graph & area under graph (force vs. extension)? Pg. 38
d. Factors affecting spring elasticity (stiffness): 5 factors?
e. Applications? Pg. 39

CHAPTER 3: FORCES AND PRESSURE

1. Pressure: force acting normal to a surface per unit area (Unit: N/m2 = 1 Pa)
a. Relationship: P = F / A
b. Applications (Football shoe studs, wide tyres of tractor, wide foundation, thumbtacks)
pg. 41

2. Liquid Pressure: P = h x r x g (relationship)

a. Applications (dams, water tank, intravenous drip, deep sea drivers) pg. 43 44
3. Atmospheric Pressure: pressure exerted by atmosphere on the surface of earth
& objects

a. Standard atmospheric pressure: 76cm Hg or 10m water or 1 atm or 1 bar.

(gets lower when altitude increase because less denser)
b. Convert to Pascal: P = h rg = 0.76 x 13,600 x 10 = 103,360 Pa
c. Type of instrument to measure: Mercury Barometer. Aneroid Barometer
d. Applications (straw, siphon, lift pump, plunger, vacuum cleaner, dropper)
pg. 46-47
4. Gas Pressure: Collision of molecules on the wall / surface
a. Type of instrument to measure: Manometer, Bourdon Gauge
b. Formula: P(gas) = P(atm) + h rg

5. Difference between Gas Pressure & Atmospheric Pressure?

6. Pascals principle: pressure which exerted onto surface of fluid in closed
container will be transferred uniformly throughout the entire fluid.
a. Hydraulic System why oil is used? Why not water?
b. Applications Hydraulic brakes, hydraulic jack? Hydraulic pump? Refer to S.N.
pg. 3 - 4
7. Archimedes Principle: when an object is partially or fully immersed in fluid, it
undergoes buoyant force, which is equal to the weight of fluid displaced.

a. Applications submarine, hydrometer, hot air balloon, gas balloon, ships?

SN: 5 6
8. Bernoullis Principle: when velocity of a flowing fluid increases, the pressure at
that point decreases. Fluid = gas or liquid
a. Why velocity increase at tube?
b. Why pressure drops along same diameter of tube? page 55.
c. Application Aerofoil, Bunsen burner, insecticide sprayer, racing car, surfing,
long jump, carburetor pg. 56 57 & also SN.

CHAPTER 4: HEAT
1. Thermal Equilibrium?
2. Thermometer
a. Why mercury is used in thermometers?
b. Calibration of thermometer.
3. Heat Capacity? Specific Heat Capacity?
a. Factors? Formula & unit?
b. Experiments: why wooden block & cotton wool used?
c. Sample calculation Pg. 61 & 62.
d. Substance with low SHC, will get hot fast or slow?

e. Applications Car cooling system, pot, sea breeze, land breeze

4. Specific Latent Heat? no change in temperature (heat release or absorbed)
a. SLH Fusion melting & freezing (Solid Liquid)
b. SLH Vapourisation boiling & condensation (Liquid Gas)
c. Applications?

5. Absolute Zero: -273oC & Absolute Temperature: 0 Kelvin = -273oC

6. Gas Laws P, V, T (mass & number of molecules fixed)
a. Boyles Law (PV) T Constant
i.
P inversely proportional to V: P1V1 = P2V2 (make sure to add Atmospheric
ii.

Pressure)
Applications air bubbles in water, Bourdon Gauge, syringe injection,

breathing.
b. Charles Law (V/T) P Constant
i.
V directly proportional to T: V1/T1 = V2/T2
ii.
Applications dented ball, Hot Air Balloon, Helium Balloon
c. Pressure Law (P/T) V Constant
i.
P directly proportional to T: P1/T1 = P2/T2
ii.
Applications Pressure cooker, inflating car tyre, gun shot
d. Universal Gas Law (combine 3 laws: P1V1/T1 = P2V2/T2)
____________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 5: LIGHT
1. Reflection on plane mirror:
a. Incident ray, reflected ray & normal line lie on same plane.
b. Identify angle of incidence & angle of reflection.
2. Characteristics of an Image formed by a Plane Mirror:

a. Same, Upright (laterally inverted), Virtual & Same Distance.

b. Method of drawing Ray Diagram by reflection of Plane Mirror?
3. Concave Mirror & Convex Lens: Converging (learn to draw)?
4. Convex Mirror & Concave Lens: Diverging (learn how to draw)?

5. Method to determine characteristics of image (f = 1/2radius; 2f = centre of

curve):

6. Application of Reflection of Light: Side-view mirror, dental mirror, periscope &

safety mirror.
7. Refraction of Light?
a. Ray from less density to high density: bending direction, velocity & compare
angle?
b. Ray from high density to less density: bending direction, velocity & compare
angle?
c. Refractive Index, n = sin i / sin r = c / v (Snells Law)
d. Real Depth & Apparent Depth, n= D/d
e. Phenomenon: object look nearer in water, pencil bend etc.
8. Total Internal Reflection?
a. Happens when light passes from high density medium to low density
medium.
b. Angle of Incidence, i > critical angle, c, (no refraction occurs) n = 1 / sin c
c. Phenomenon: Diamond, rainbow, mirage
d. Application: Prismatic Periscope, Binoculars, camera, optical fibres, fist eye view
etc.
9. Linear Magnification?
a. m = h1/ho = v / u
b. Magnifying Glass, object between O & f. Draw ray diagram?
10. Lens equation? Remember to +ve length for convex lens & -ve length for
concave lens.

11.

Lenses Application: Optical devices (Microscope, Camera, Telescope & Human

Eye).
CHAPTER 5: WAVES
1. Wave? Movement to & from through a fixed path Oscillation which produce
WAVE.
2. Type of Waves: Transverse perpendicular: crest & trough? E.g. Water & light
Longitudinal parallel: compression & rarefaction? E.g. sound
3. Ripple Tank Water wave as convex & concave lens use of sponge &
stroboscope?
4. Wavefront Imaginary line that connects all crest or trough points?
5. Wavelength, Amplitude, Period, Frequency?
6. Wavelength perpendicular distance between 2 successive points of the same
phase in a wave, Formula v = f l & T = 1/f
7. Wavelength, Amplitude, Period, Frequency
8. Damping an oscillating system which reducing amplitude over time. Loss of
energy due to heat and friction.
9. Resonance occurs when a system is forced to oscillate at a frequency same as
the natural frequency of the system. Eg. Bartons pendulum system. Advantages
(3), Disadvantages (2)
10. Reflection obeys to the law of reflection (incidence & reflection).
a. Wavelength, Frequency & speed remain same but direction change &
amplitude decrease due absorption of energy by the reflector.
b. Uses: - periscope, fishing by SONAR, ultrasound, rear & side mirrors of car,
infrared waves (remote control).
11.

Refraction occurs when the speed of wave changes, as it moves from one

medium to another.
a. Frequency remains same but speed, wavelength & direction change.
Wavelength & speed increase in deep waters.
b. How to draw? Sound of wave day & night? Explain beach?

12.

Diffraction bending or spreading out of waves as they pass through a slit or

obstacles.
a. Wavelength, Frequency & speed remain same but amplitude decrease due
spreading of energy.
b. The effect is obvious if slit / obstacles small or the wavelength, l is large.
13. Interference is the effect of superimposition of two waves from coherent
sources (same frequency & constant phase difference).

Formula?

l= ax/D

(a?, x?, D?)

Eg. Sound, Light

Eg. page 20

14.

Sound Waves longitudinal waves (compression & rarefaction)

a. Travels faster through solid faster than liquid & gas.
b. Speed increase with temperature but unaffected by pressure.
c. Loudness depends on amplitude. Larger amplitude, louder sound.
d. Pitch depends on frequency. Higher frequency, higher pitch.
e. Application: determine depth of sea, create image of baby, internal organ &
detect flaws in metal structure.
f. Example pg. 23.

15.

Electromagnetic Waves ?
a. Characteristics 6
b. Uses 7

CHAPTER 6: ELECTRICITY
1. Electric Current, I = Q/t (define), 1A = 1 Cs-1
2. Effect of electric fields on metallic paint coated polystyrene ball to explain the
swinging.
3. Effect of electric fields on candle flame to explain the spreading inclination?
4. Potential Difference, V = Work done / Q (define), 1V = 1 J Cs-1
5. Ohms Law, R = V/I (define relation between I & V), 1 = 1 V A-1

6. Resistance of conductors increase with temperature, but Superconductors has

zero resistance temperature drops to critical temperature, hence large current
can flow.
a. Factors effecting resistance? Experiments ..
7. Formulas for I, V & R in series & parallel circuits?
8. Electromotive Force, e.m.f? & Internal Resistance, Ir?
a. Difference between e.m.f & PD? experiment .
b. The potential difference drops because of Ir within source, the net PD before
open & closed circuit = terminal potential difference.
c. E = V + I(R + r)
9. Electrical Energy? & Power?:
a. relationship between E, V, T, t (V = E/Q, E = VQ = VIt)
b. Power?, P = VI = I2R = V2/r
c. Efficiency?

CHAPTER 7: ELECTROMAGNETISM
1. Electromagnetism? Temporary magnet soft iron core
2. Magnetic fields in straight wire, coil & solenoid. RHGR.
3. Solenoid How to determine polarity? Clockwise (S) & Anti-clockwise (N) or
RHGR.
4. Factors affecting strength of Magnetic Field (3 factors)
5. Uses of electromagnets (5)
6. Magnetic Force combination magnetic fields from electric current & from
permanent magnets (current + magnets = force/movement) .
7. Catapult effect on current carrying conductor in MF? Direction of force? Use
Flemings LHR
8. Factors affecting magnitude of force (3 factors). Experiments
9. Turning effect use FLHR to determine the direction of turnings
10. Working principle of Ammeter.
11. DC (permanent magnets) & AC Motors (electromagnets) working principle?
12. Factor affecting speed of rotation?
13. Electromagnetic Induction inducing e.m.f & current.
a. Perpendicular movements of magnet towards/away solenoid or conductor in
magnetic field.