COURSE: PH 110 INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS

TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN EACH TERM

TERM 1

1. Units and Measurements

TERM 2

7. Gravitation and Circular Motion

TERM 3
12. Geometrical Optics
13. Elastic Properties of Solids
14. Fluid Mechanics
15. Thermal Physics

DETAILS

1. Units and Measurements:

Base quantities and their S. I units -derived quantities and their SI units- dimensional equations for
derived quantities-use dimensions to check the homogeneity of physical equations-Derive equations
using dimensional analysis, limitations of dimensions, Conversions, Estimates and order of
magnitude, Prefixes, Scientific notation, significant figures

2. Scalar and Vectors.

Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities Find the resultant of two vectors using
parallelogram, triangle and polygon rules. Calculation of Unit vectors. Resolve a vector into two
perpendicular vectors. Use of component method to add a number of coplanar vectors acting at a
point. Dot and Cross product of two vectors

3. Kinematics.

Define displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration. Displacement-time graph velocity –time graph
equations of motion for uniformly accelerated motion, solving problems. Relative motion in one
dimension. Equations of motion for bodies projected vertically upwards and falling under gravity.
Derive expressions for h max, t, and R max for projectile motion.

4. Newton’s Laws of Motion

State Newton’s laws of motion. Forces in equilibrium. Static and kinetic friction, Coefficient of
friction;. Applications of forces.

5. Work, Energy, Power

Energy
Definition of energy, Types of energy, Kinetic energy E k = ½ m v2,, Gravitational potential energy E
p = m g h. Mechanical energy, State the law of conservation of energy.
Work
Define work, Work done by a constant force, Work done by a variable force. Work-energy
Theorem, Work done by a conservative and non-conservative forces
Power
Define power, Solve problems involving work, energy and power.

6. Linear Momentum and Collisions

State the law of conservation of momentum, Impulse-momentum theorem, Elastic and inelastic
collisions.

8. Motion in a circle

Explain the meaning of ‘uniform circular motion’. Express angular displacement in radians. Derive
the relation between linear velocity and angular velocity. Show that centripetal acceleration is given
by a = rꞷ2; also a = v2 /r. and centripetal force by Fc = m v2/ r Explain centrifugal force as a force
equal and opposite to centripetal force. Applications of centripetal force and centrifugal force.

9. Gravitational Field.

State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. Newton’s law of Universal Gravitation. Define gravitational
constant ‘G’. Newton’s law in deriving an expression to determine the mass of the Sun. Derive the
expression, g = GM / r2 for the gravitational field strength of a point mass, gravitational field and
electric field. Show an understanding of the geostationary orbits and their applications. Understand
the concept of escape velocity and recall and use the equation v = 2GMe / re
10. Rotational Motion.

Use a vector diagram to represent forces in equilibrium. Define moment of a force and torque State
the principle of moments-conditions of equilibrium for a system of coplanar forces. ∑ F sin Ө= 0; ∑
F cosӨ = 0;∑ F r = 0 Verify the principle of moments. Explain the difference between circular
motion and rotational motion Use equations of angular motion. Derive expression for the kinetic
energy of a rotating body and define moment of inertia I = 1/2mr2. Derive expression for the moment
of inertia of a flywheel. Determine the moment of inertia of a flywheel. Derive the relationship
between torque, moment of inertia and angular velocity. Define angular momentum and use the
equation L = I ꞷ. State the law of conservation of angular momentum and give a few applications
solve problems in solving problems.
11. Oscillations.

Explain the meaning of the terms; amplitude, frequency, angular velocity, period, phase difference
,period in terms of both frequency and angular velocity. Derive y = r sin ꞷt, V = +/- ꞷ (r2- x 2) 1/2 and a
= -ꞷ2x for a body in SHM. Graphical illustration of the change in displacement, velocity and
acceleration during SHM with time. Describe the interchange between kinetic and potential energy
during SHM. practical examples of damping oscillations with particular reference to the effects of
degree of damping and the importance of critical damping in the case as car suspension system.
Explain the meanings of forced oscillations, resonance and sharpness of resonance. Determine ‘g’
using simple pendulum and centi-seconds timer.

12. Electrostatics

13. Direct current Circuits.

Define charge, current, potential difference, resistance, power and energy and their units. State and
verify Ohm’s law, resistors in series and in parallel. Define temperature coefficient of resistance.
Sketch and explain the I-V characteristics of a metallic conductor at constant temperature, a filament
lamp and a semi conductor diode. Define resistivity (ρ) and use R = ρ l / A. in calculations.
Determine resistivity of a wire using a metre bridge. e. m. f. of a cell and internal resistance r = (E -
V)/I. State Kirchoff’s laws and use them in simple circuits. Use potentiometer to determine the ratio
of e. m. fs of two cells, ratio of small resistances and to determine the internal resistance of a cell.

14. Geometrical Optics.

Define refractive index and use the equation n1sinθ1 = n2 sinθ2.; show that n = 1/ sin C.
Determine ‘n’ using real depth and apparent depth and using air cell. Total reflection prisms.
Applications of fibre optics in industries, medicine and in telecommunications. Use spectrometer
to determine the refractive index of a glass prism.

15. Elastic properties of Solid

Describe the behaviour of springs in terms of load and extension, elastic limit . State Hooke’s law
and explain spring constant. Verify Hooke’s law and determine spring constant Define the terms
stress, strain and Young’s modulus Determine young’s modulus of a metal wire. Distinguish between
elastic and plastic deformation of a material. Deduce the strain energy in a deformed material (W = ½
F s). Show that the energy per unit volume of a stretched string is = ½ x stress x strain Understand
the force- extension graph for ductile, brittle and polymeric materials including an understanding of
ultimate tensile stress.

16. Fluids in Motion.

Explain steady flow, turbulent flow, laminar flow and viscosity. Derive and use the equation of
continuity.
Derive Bernoulli’s equation and use it in solving problems. Apply Bernoulli’s equation in aerofoil,
spinning ball, Bunsen burner, carburetor, sprayer etc Define viscosity and give the S I unit and
dimension of viscosity.

17. Temperature scales.

Explain the different physical quantities that vary with temperature for different thermometers.
Describe the principal features of liquid in glass, resistance, constant volume and constant pressure
thermometers and their relative advantages and disadvantages. Describe the range of the different
types of thermometers.

18. Thermal Expansion.

Define linear, areal and cubic expansivities. Determine the linear expansivity of a metal rod. Define
real and apparent expansivities of a liquid and determine them experimentally Solve problems
Describe anomalous expansion of water. State, verify and use Boyle’s law, Charle’s law and Pressure
law. Draw the volume- temperature and pressure – temperature graphs and determine the relationship
between Kelvin scale and Celsius scale of temperatures. Describe some of the consequences and
application of expansion.

19. Heat Transfer.

Describe qualitatively conduction, convection, evaporation and radiation. Explain the meaning of
temperature gradient. Define thermal conductivity, thermal resistance and thermal conductance and
use them in solving problems. Determine the thermal conductivity of a good conductor. Explain the
Lee’s disc method to determine the conductivity of a bad conductor. Explain the applications of good
conductors and bad conductors in heat transfer. Explain convection currents in domestic hot water
systems and sea and land breezes.

20. Heating Matter.

Define heat capacity and specific heat capacity (c) Determine the specific heat capacity of a solid and
a liquid using electrical method. Explain the method of mixtures. Continuous flow method. Define
specific latent heat of ice and of steam. Determine the specific latent heat of ice and of 6 steam by the
method of mixtures. Explain the different methods of applying cooling correction. Newton’s law of
cooling. Solve problems involving heat capacity and latent heats.