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LIST OF DEFINITION
Chapter 1 MEANING/DEFINITION
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
Physical quantities A quantity that can be measured.
Base quantities Physical quantities that cannot be defined in term of other physical quantities.
Derived quantities Physical quantities derived by combining base quantities. This can be done by multiplication or
division or both.
Accuracy The ability of an apparatus to give readings nearest to the actual value.
Systematic errors Cumulative errors that can be corrected, if errors are known like incorrect position of the zero point
and incorrect calibration of the measuring instrument.
Random errors Arise from unknown and unpredictable variations in condition, and will produce a different error
every time you repeat the experiment. They may vary from observation to observation.
Parallax error Is an error in reading an instrument because the observers eye and the pointer are not in a line
perpendicular to the plane of the scale.
Zero error The measuring instrument does not start from exactly zero.
CHAPTER 2
FORCE AND
DEFINITION UNIT
MOTION
Linear motion Motion in a straight line.
First Newtons Law An object at rest tends to stay at rest and a moving object tends to continue its uniform motion with the
same speed and in the same direction unless being acted upon by an external force.
(Inertia)
Second Newton s The net force on an object is proportional to the rate of change in momentum.
law F=ma
Third Newtons To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.
law
Free fall An object falling under the force of gravity only without any external forces.
W Work The product of force and the displacement. J
W =Fs
Ep Potential energy The energy stored in the object because of its position or its state. J
E p=mgh
Ep Elastic potential The energy possessed by an object due to its compressed or rarefaction. J
energy 1
E p= Fx
2
Pascal principle State that in an enclosed fluid an externally applied pressure is transmitted uniformly in all directions.
F1 A1
=
F2 A2
Chapter 4
DEFINITION UNIT
HEAT
Temperature The hotter measured on the object. C
Heat The one form energy was transfer by hot object to cold object. J
Q Specific heat The quantity of heat energy required to increase the temperatureof 1 kg of the substance by 1C or 1 K. J kg-1 C-
1
capacity
Q=mc
Specific latent The heat required for an object to change phase without a change in temperature.
heat
Specific latent The quantity of heat energy required to change 1kg of the substance from a solid to a liquid without a J kg-1
heat of fusion change in temperature.
Q=mL
Specific latent The quantity of heat energy required to change 1kg of the substance from a liquid to a gaseous without a J kg-1
heat of change in temperature.
vaporisation
Q=mL
Condensation A process matter changes from liquid to gaseous at random temperature lowest from that the boiling
point.
Boiling A process the liquid become vapour into bubble form gaseous to all boiling point of liquid.
Boyles law States that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume provided the
temperature of the gas is kept constant.
p1 V 1 = p 2 V 2
Charles Law States that the volume of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature provided
the pressure of the gas is kept constant.
V1 T1
=
V2 T2
Pressure law States that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature ( in
kelvin ) provided the volume of the gas is kept constant.
P 1 P2
=
T1 T 2
LIGHT
Reflected of light Occur when a light wave propagates into the plane reflector and it is reflection.
waves
The normal line, incident ray, reflection ray on the same plane.
Refraction of light Is phenomenon where the direction of light is changed when it crosses the boundary between two
waves materials of different optical densities.
Refraction of light The incident ray and the refracted ray are on the opposite sides of thenormal at the point of incidence, all
waves law three lie in the same plane
Total internal Total reflection of a beam of light at the boundary of two mediums, when the angle of incidence in the
reflection optically denser medium exceeds a specific critical angle.
1
n=
sin c
Critical angle Greatest angle of incidence in the optically denser medium for which theangle of refraction, r = 90
Power of lens Measure of its ability to converge or diverge an incident beam of light D
1
P=
f
IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS
WAVES
Waves A type of disturbance produced by an oscillating or vibrating motion in which apoint or body moves back
and forth along a line about a fixed central point produceswaves.
Wavefront Line or plane on which the vibrations of every point are in phase and are at thesame distance from the
source of the wave.
Transverse Wave Wave in which the vibration of particles in the medium isperpendicular to thedirection of propagation of
the wave.
Longitudinal Wave Wave in which the vibration of particles in the medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the
wave.
a Amplitude Maximum displacement forms its equilibrium positionmeasure of height of the wave crest or depth of the m
wave trough.
T Period Time taken to complete an oscillation, from one extreme point to the other and backto the same position. s
ELECTROMAGNETISM
Electromagnet Device in which magnetism is produced by an electric currenttemporary magnet which acts as a
magnet when the current is switched on and ceases to be a magnet when the current is switched off.
Magnetic field Region in which a magnetic material experiences a force as the result of a magnet or a current-carrying
conductor.
Radial field Magnetic field with the field lines pointing towards or away from the centre of a circle.
Electromagneticinduc Production of an electric current by a changing magnetic field.
tion
Transformer Equipment to raise or lower the potential difference of an alternating current supply.
V s Ns
=
V p Np
Faradays law The magnitude of the induced electromotive force (e.m.f.) is directly proportional to therate of change
of magnetic flux linkage with the solenoid or the rate at which a conductorcuts through the magnetic
flux
Lenzs law Lenzs law states that an induced electric current always flows in such a direction so as tooppose the
change (or motion) producing it.
Energy loss Energy loss in electricity transmission cables due to the heat generated in the cable.
E=I 2 Rt