The Secret of Physics

PART1:MASTERINGTHEDEFINITION
PHYSICSTERM
Physicalquantity
Basequantity
Derivedquantity
Scalarquantity
Vectorquantity
Distance
Displacement
Speed

DEFINITION
FORM4CHAPTER1INTRODUCTIONTOPHYSICS
Isaquantitythatcanbemeasured.
Isaquantitythatcannotbedefinedinothertermsofphysicalquantities.

EXAMPLE/QUESTION

Isaquantitythatcanbedefinedinothertermsofphysicalquantitiesbyeithermultiplication
ordivisionorboth.
Isaquantitywithmagnitudeonly.
Example:distance,speed,time,mass,temperature
Isaquantitywithbothmagnitudeanddirection.
Example:displacement,velocity,acceleration,force
FORM4CHAPTER2FORCESANDMOTION
Isthetotallengthbetweentwopoints.
Measuretheactuallength.
Isthetotallengthbetweentwopointsatcertaindirection.
Measuretheshortcutlength
Distance
Istherateofchangeofdistance.
Speed=

Time taken

Unitofspeedisms1.
Velocity

Istherateofchangeofdisplacement.

Velocity,v=

Displacement

Time taken

Unitofvelocityisms1.
Acceleration

Istherateofchangeofvelocity.

Acceleration,a=

Change of velocity

Time taken

Unitofaccelerationisms2.
Anda=
Inertia

Momentum
Principleofconservationof
momentum
Impulse

No formula as it is not a physical quantity that can be

measured.
BUTinertiadependsonthemass.Biggermasshasbigger
inertia.
Momentum,p=mvm=mass,v=velocity
Unitofmomentumiskgms1
Statesthatinclosedsystem,totalmomentumbeforecollisionisequaltothetotal Elastic:m1u1+m2u2=m1v1+m1v2
momentumafterthecollisionsuchthatthetotalmomentumisconserved.
Inelastic:m1u1+m2u2=(m1+m1)v
Explosion:0=m1v1+m1v2
Isthechangeofmomentum.
Impulse=FtF=force,t=time
Impulse=mvmu
Unitofimpulseiskgms1
Isthetendencyofobjecttoresistthesuddenchangeactingonthesystem
OR
Isthetendencyofobjecttoremainatrestifrestorcontinuetomovewithuniform
velocityinstraightlineifmovingunlessexternalforceactingonit.
Istheproductofmassandvelocity.

v-u

PHYSICSTERM
Impulsiveforce

DEFINITION
Istherateofchangeofmomentum.

EXAMPLE/QUESTION
Impulsiveforce,F=

mv - mu

Unitofimpulsiveforceiskgms2
Shorterimpacttime,biggerimpulsiveforce.
Force
Istheproductofmassandacceleration.
Force,F=mam=mass
a=acceleration
Unitofforceiskgms2orNewtonorN
Newtonsfirstlawofmotion Statesthatabodycontinuesinstateofrestoruniformvelocityinstraightlineunless Alwaysreferredtoinertiacondition!!
acteduponbyanexternalforce.
Newtonssecondlawof
States that the rate of change of momentum of moving object is directly Alwaysreferredtocollisionsystems!!
motion
proportionaltoandinthesamedirectionastheforceactingonit.

Newtonsthirdlawof
States that if one body exerts a force on another, there is an equal but opposite Alwaysreferredtoactionandreaction!!
motion
forcecalledreactionexertedonthefirstbodybythesecond.
(Ihitballaction)
(Theballcausesmyhandpainreaction)
Energy
Istheabilityofdoingwork.

Workdone
Istheproductofforceanddisplacementwhichisparalleltothedisplacementofthe Workdone,W=Fs[noangle]
object.
Workdone,W=Fscos[ifangle]
F=force
s=displacement
UnitofworkdoneisJouleorJ
Potentialenergy
Istheenergypossessedbytheobjectduetoitspositionorlocation.
Potentialenergy,Ep=mgh
m=mass
g=gravityvalue=10ms2
h=height

UnitofpotentialenergyisJoule
Kineticenergy
Istheenergypossessedbytheobjectduetoitsconditionofmovement.
Kineticenergy,Ek=mv2
m=mass
v=velocity

UnitofkineticenergyisJoule
Principleofconservationof Statesthatinaclosedsystem,theenergycannotbecreatedordestroyedbutitcan
energy
be changed from one form to another form that is the total energy is being
conserved.

PHYSICSTERM
Power

DEFINITION

EXAMPLE/QUESTION

Istherateofworkdone.

Power,P=

WorkDone

Time

OR
Power,P=

Energy

Time

UnitofpowerisWattorW
Efficiency

Istheratioofoutputworkdonetotheinputenergysuppliedbythesystem.

Hookeslaw

Statesthattheextensionofspringisdirectlyproportionaltotheforceactingonit Force,F=kx
suchthattheelasticlimitisnotexceeded.
k=forceconstant
x=extensionofspring
Fistotheweightofobjectwhereweight=massx10
Is the ability of an object to resume to its original state once the applied force is
removed.
Istheforceperunitlengthofextension.
k=F/x

UnitofspringconstantisNm1
FORM4CHAPTER3FORCESANDPRESSURE
Istheforceactingnormallytothesurfaceperunitarea.
Pressure,p=F/A[ifsolid]
F=force
A=area

UnitofpressureisNm2orPascalorPa

OR
Pressure,p=hg[ifliquid]
h=depth
=densityofliquid
g=gravityvalue=10ms2

UnitofpressureisNm2orPascalorPa

OR
Pressure,p=76cmHg+unbalance[mercury]

Isthepressureexertedbytheatmosphereonthesurfaceoftheearth.

Elasticity
Springconstant

Pressure

Atmosphericpressure

Efficiency,e=

OutputWork
x100%
InputEnergy

PHYSICSTERM
Pascalsprinciple

DEFINITION
States that in enclosed system, the applied pressure will be transmitted equally to
everypartofthefluidandalsotothewallofthecontainer.

EXAMPLE/QUESTION
F1 F2
=

A1 A2

AndA1d1=A2d2
A=area
d=distancemoved
Achimedesprinciple
Statesthatwhenanobjectisimmersedpartiallyorwhollyintoafluid,theweightof Buoyantforce,F=Vg
water being displaced due buoyant force is equal to the weight of object being =densityofliquid
immersed.
V=Immersedvolumeoftheobject
g=gravityvalue=10ms2
UnitofbuoyantforceisNewtonorN
Bernoullisprinciple
Statesthataregionwhereexperienceshighairspeedwillhaslowairpressureand Highspeedlowpressure
viceversa.
Lowspeedhighpressure
FORM4CHAPTER4HEAT
Thermalequilibrium
Isaconditionwheretwoobjectsincontacthavethesametemperatureandthereis
nonettransferofheatbetweentwoobjects.
Heat
Isaformofenergy.

Temperature
Isthedegreeofhotnessofanobject.

Specificheatcapacity
Istheamountofheatrequiredtoincreasethetemperatureof1kgobjectby1C Heat,H=mc
withoutchangeinphysicalstate.
m=mass,c=specificheatcapacity,=riseintemperature
UnitofheatisJouleorJ
Lowspecificheatcapacityfastergettinghot
Highspecificheatcapacityslowergettinghot
Waterisagoodcoolingagentasithashighspecificheat
capacity
Meltingpoint
Isthemaximumtemperaturepointthatcanbesustainedbytheobjectbeforethe Highmeltingpointcanwithstandhightemperature
objectstartstomelt.
beforeitgetsmelt
Boilingpoint
Isthemaximumtemperaturepointthatcanbesustainedbytheobjectbeforethe
objectstartstoboil.

Specificlatentheatoffusion Is the amount of heat required to change the 1 kg object physically from solid to Heat,H=mLf
liquidwithoutthechangeintemperature.
m=mass
Lf=specificlatentheatoffusion

Specificlatentheatof
vapourisation

UnitofheatisJouleorJ
Is the amount of heat required to change the 1 kg object physically from liquid to Heat,H=mLv
steamwithoutthechangeintemperature.
m=mass
Lv=specificlatentheatofvapourisation

UnitofheatisJouleorJ
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PHYSICSTERM
Boyleslaw
Charleslaw

DEFINITION
Statesthatforafixedmassofgas,thepressureofgasisinverselyproportionaltoits
volumesuchthatthetemperatureofgasiskeptconstant.
Statesthatforafixedmassofgas,thevolumeofgasisdirectlyproportionaltoits
absolutetemperaturesuchthatthepressureofgasiskeptconstant.

EXAMPLE/QUESTION
P1V1=P2V2
P=pressure,V=volume
V1 V 2
=
T1 T2

V=volume,T=temperaturemustbeinunitKelvin
T=(+273)K
Pressurelaw

Snellslaw

Mirror
Lens
Refractiveindex

Statesthatforafixedmassofgas,thepressureofgasisdirectlyproportionaltoits P1 P2
=

absolutetemperaturesuchthatthevolumeofgasiskeptconstant.
T1 T2

P=pressure,T=temperaturemustbeinunitKelvin
T=(+273)K

FORM4CHAPTER5LIGHT
Statesthattheangleofincidence,angleofreflectionandthenormaltothesurface
all lie in the same plane such that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection.
Isanobjectwithonlyonesideoffocus/viewwhereitwillreflecttheincidentray.

Isanobjectwithtwosidesoffocus/viewwhereitallowstherefractionoflight.

sin i
Istheratioofsineofincidenceangletothesineofrefractedangle.
Refractiveindex,n=
sin r
imustbeinairandrinmedium

Apparentdepth
Realdepth

Isthedistanceofthevirtualimagefromthesurfaceofthewater.
Isthedistanceoftherealobjectfromthesurfaceofthewater.

Criticalangle

1
Is defined as the angle of incidence in the denser medium when the angle of
Refractiveindex,n=

refractioninthelessdensemediumis90.
sin c
c=criticalangle
Statesthatwhentheangleofincidenceisfurtherincreasesothatitisgreaterthan Example:mirage,opticalfibre
thecriticalangle,thenthelightisnolongerrefractedbutitisreflectedinternally.
Isapointwherealltherayswillfocusat.

IsthedistancebetweenthecentreofthelenswiththeprincipleF.

Isthereciprocalofthefocallengthofalens.
Poweroflens,P=1/f
f=focallength(mustconverttounitmetre)
UnitofpoweroflensisDioptreorD

Formulaoflens: 1 + 1 = 1

Totalinternalreflection
Focalpoint
Focallength,f
Poweroflens

Refractiveindex,n=

Real Depth
Apparent Depth

u=objectdistance,v=imagedistance,f=focallength
Imagemagnification,m=v/u

PHYSICSTERM
Wave
Transversewave

DEFINITION
EXAMPLE/QUESTION
FORM5CHAPTER1WAVES
Isthevibrationoroscillationofparticlewhichtransfersenergywithouttransferring
matterandthesevibrationsarerepeatedperiodically.
Is a wave where the direction of vibrations of particles is perpendicular to the Anytypesofwavesexceptsoundwave!!
propagationofwave
Forexample:electromagneticwave,light,waterwave
#producecrestsandtroughs

Longitudinalwave

Isawavewherethedirectionofvibrationsofparticlesisparalleltothepropagation Soundwaveonly
ofwave
#Produceaseriesofcompressionsandrarefactions

Dampedoscillations

Isanoscillationwhereitsamplitudedecreaseswithtimebutthefrequencyremains
constantandthisvibrationwillcometoastop.

Resonance

Is the vibration where is forced frequency is equal to the natural frequency of the
object.
Asoundwhereitdependsonitsamplitude
Asoundwhereitdependsonitsfrequency
Refraction,diffraction,reflectionandinterference
Refractionpassesthrough/seethroughthemedium
frequencyconstant
decreaseinspeed,wavelength(deeptoshalloworlessdensetodenser)

Loudnessofsound
Pitchofsound
Phenomenonofwave
Refraction

Example:Bridgefallsbywindblow

PHYSICSTERM
Diffraction

DEFINITION
Diffractionpassesthroughthegaporhole
frequency,wavelengthandspeedconstant
changeinshapeonlydependsonsizeofgap

EXAMPLE/QUESTION
Wavelengthissmallerthansizeofgap
diffractioneffectislessobvious
strongerenergyofwaveenteringthegap

Wavelengthisbiggerthansizeofgap
diffractioneffectismoreobvious
lesserenergyofwaveenteringthegap

Reflection

Interference

Diffractiongoandreboundedbyshinnysurfaceorreflector
frequency,wavelengthandspeedconstant
changeindirectionofmovingonly
Interferenceresultantofallwaves

AntinodeAlinejoiningalltheconstructivepoints
NodeAlinejoiningallthedestructivepoints

Wavelength,=

Monochromaticlight
Coherent
Electromagneticspectrum

ax
D

a=sizeofgap/distancebetweensource
x=distancebetweentwoadjacentbrightfringeOR
distancebetweentwoadjacentdarkfringe
D=distancebetweenthescreenwithgaps

Isonewavelengthoronecolouroflight

Samefrequencyandsamephase

Isthecontinuousspreadoflightrayintosevencolourswithdifferentwavelengths Gammaray(highfrequency,lowwavelength)dangerous
andfrequencies.
andkillscancercells
#Gamma,Xray,ultraviolet,visiblelight,infrared,microwave,radiowave
Xray(Scanning),ultraviolet(detectforgenote),
infrared(shortdistancelinking),microwave(heatingand
satellite),radiowave(aerial/signalreceiver)
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PHYSICSTERM
Charge

DEFINITION
FORM5CHAPTER2ELECTRICITY
Isthetotalamountofelectronsflow

EXAMPLE/QUESTION
Charge,Q=nen=numberofelectrons,e=1.67x1019C
Charge,Q=ItI=current,t=timeinseconds

UnitforchargeiscoulomborC
I=Q/t
UnitforcurrentisampereorA

##Lowcurrentifhighresistance!!
Higherresistanceproducemoreheat
morevoltage
lowercurrent

Unitforresistanceisohmor

Current

Istherateofelectronflow

Resistance

Istheoppositionofcurrentflow.
Note:Resistance,R=L/A
Higherresistancehigherresistivity,longerwirelengthbutthinnerwire
Coppergoodconductorofelectricity
Aluminiumgoodaselectriccableascheapandlowrustingrate
Tungstengoodasfilamentbulbasitcanionizeeasilytogiveoutray
Copperveryhighresistanceandthusitisgoodasheatingelement
Is the work done when one coulomb of charge passes from one point to another Voltage,V=IR
point

##Morevoltageifhighresistance!!
##Highvoltagedoesnotmeanhighcurrent!!
##Highvoltagecansayhighresistance!!
States that the potential difference across an ohmic conductor is directly OhmslawmeansV=IR
proportional to its current flow such that the temperature and other physical
##AnytypesofwiresobeyOhmslaw
quantityarekeptconstant!
##Bulbandheatingmaterialsdoesnotobeyohmslaw

Voltage
Potentialdifference

Ohmslaw

Electricalenergy

Totalworkdonetomoveonecoulombofchargeinonesecond

Electricpower

Istherateofelectricenergy

Electricalenergy,E=VIttinsecond

InunitJouleorJ
Power,P=IV=V2/R=I2/R

InunitWattorW

PHYSICSTERM
240V,300W

Fuse

Electromagnet
Righthandgriprule
Flemingslefthandrule

Flemingsrighthandrule

Lenzslaw

Faradayslaw
Inducedcurrent

Thermionicemission

Cathoderayoscilloscope

DEFINITION
EXAMPLE/QUESTION
Means the device is supplied with potential difference of 240 V and releases the 240V,300WV=240
powerat300Joulesinonesecond
P=300
FromP=IV
300=I(240)
I=1.25A
Isanelectriccomponentinstalledinelectricsockettosurgethepowerdownonce Fusemustcangethoteasily
thecurrentisoverloadedbyburningthefuseitself
canbeburnteasily
lowmeltingpoint
highresistanceandproducesheatfast
FORM5CHAPTER3ELECTROMAGNETISM
Istheflowofelectricaroundthecoilofwirewhichproducemagnet

Statethatforacurrentcarryingconductor,thethumbwillpointtothedirectionof
currentflowwhereastherestoffingerwillpointtothemagneticdirection
Statethatwhenthethumb,forefingerandmiddlefingerareextendedattheright Forelectricmotorwhichcarriescurrent
angletoeachothersforsystemwhichcarriescurrent,thenthethumbwillshowthe Thumbdirectionofforce
magnetic force, the forefinger will point to the direction of magnetic field and the Forefingerdirectionofmagnet(fromnorthtosouth)
middlefingerwillpointtothecurrentdirection.
Middlefingercurrentdirection

Statethatwhenthethumb,forefingerandmiddlefingerareextendedattheright Forelectricdynamowhichgenerateelectriccurrent
angle to each others for system generating current, then the thumb will show the Thumbdirectionofforce
magnetic force, the forefinger will point to the direction of magnetic field and the Forefingerdirectionofmagnet(fromnorthtosouth)
middlefingerwillpointtothecurrentdirection.
Middlefingercurrentdirection

States that the direction of induced current is always opposing to the direction determinethedirectionofinducedcurrent
whichproducesthecurrent.
determinethemagneticpole(northorsouth)

Statesthatthemagnitudeofinducedcurrentisalwaysdirectlyproportionaltothe determinethemagnitudeofinducedcurrent
rateofmagneticfluxbeingcutbymovingmagnetinsolenoid
Is the produce of current by movement of magnet bar in solenoid and there is no
physicalcontactbetweenthem
FORM5CHAPTER4ELECTRONICS
Istheprocessofreleasingelectronsfromtheheatedcathode
Moreelectronscanbereleasedif
cathodeisheatedathightemperature
moresurfaceareaisexposedtoheat
typeofmaterialwhichcanproducemoreelectrons
Is a device used to display waveform, measure short time intervals or to measure
the potential difference
9

PHYSICSTERM
Rectification
Semiconductor

Logicgate

Radioisotopes
Radioactivity
Spontaneous
Random
Halflife
Whatisalpha

Whatisbeta

Whatisgamma

DEFINITION
EXAMPLE/QUESTION
Istheprocessofchangingalternatingcurrenttodirectcurrent
Usediode
Isamaterialwhichhastheconductivitybetweentheconductorandinsulatorandits ptypesemiconductorsilicondopedwithtrivalent
conductivitycanbeimprovedbyincreasingitstemperature.
majoritychargecarrierofhole

ntypesemiconductorsilicondopedwithpentavalent
majoritychargecarrierwhichis
calledelectron
Isgatewhichhasoneormorethanoneinputsbutwithonlyoneoutputandlogic
gatesarereferredtoswitch

FORM5CHAPTER5RADIOACTIVITY
Isunstablesubstancewhichhassameprotonnumberbutdifferentnucleonnumber
Is the spontaneous and random disintegration of unstable substance to become
stablenucleusbyemittingradiationsandhugeenergy
Meanshappenautomaticallybyitselfwithouttriggeredbyanyexternalsourcelike
temperatureorpressure
Meansthereisnowaytotellwhichradioisotopewillundergothedecayprocessand
whenitwillhappen
Isthetimetakenforhalfoftheradioactivesubstancetodisintegrateordecay

Alphaisheliumparticle
Range0fewcm(canbestoppedbypaper)
highionizingpower(canchangethestructureof)
positiveheavychargewithsmalldeflectiontoward
negativeplate
deflectupfromthemagneticfield
lowpenetratingpower
movesstraightin
Betaisafastmovingelectronbeam
Range0fewm(canbestoppedbyaluminiumfoil)
mediumionizingpowerandpenetratingpower
negativelightchargewithbigdeflectiontoward
positiveplate
deflectdownfromthemagneticfield
Gammaisanenergeticelectromagneticray
Range0fewhundredm
(canbestoppedonlybylead)
lowionizingpower
veryhighpenetratingpower(killthe.)
nochargeandnodeflectionneitherinelectricfield
normagneticfield
10

PHYSICSTERM
Nuclearfusion
Nuclearfission

Chainreaction

DEFINITION
EXAMPLE/QUESTION
is the combining of two lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a vast
amountofenergyduringtheprocess
isthesplittingofaheavynucleusintotwolighternucleiafterthenucleusofanatom 1 n 235U 91Kr 142Ba 3 1 n Energy
0
92
36
56
0
is bombarded with a neutron with the release of a large amount of energy during
theprocess.
isaselfsustainingreactioninwhichtheproductsofareactioncaninitiateanother Theprocessisexpandingandnonstopasthenumberof
similar reaction. For instance, as uranium atoms continue to split, a significant neutronskeepsonmultiplyingwithtime
amountofenergyisreleasedduringeachreaction.Theheatreleasedisharnessed
andusedtogenerateelectricalenergy.

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