MODULE 2. : PHYSICS

2.1 Matter

Nature of matter: the chemical elements, structure of atoms, molecules;
Chemical compounds;
States: solid, liquid and gaseous;
Changes between states.

2.2 Mechanics
2.2.1 Statics

Forces, moments and couples, representation as vectors;
Center of gravity;
Elements of theory of stress, strain and elasticity: tension, compression, shear and torsion;
Nature and properties of solid, fluid and gas;
Pressure and buoyancy in liquids (barometers).

2.2.2 Kinetics

Linear movement: uniform motion in a straight line, motion under constant acceleration (motion under gravity);
Rotational movement: uniform circular motion (centrifugal/centripetal forces);
Periodic motion: pendular movement;
Simple theory of vibration, harmonics and resonance;
Velocity ratio, mechanical advantage and efficiency.

2.2.3 Dynamics

(a) Mass; Force, inertia, work, power, energy (potential, kinetic and total energy), heat, efficiency;

(b) Momentum, conservation of momentum; Impulse; Gyroscopic principles; Friction: nature and effects, coefficient of friction (rolling resistance).

2.2.4 Fluid dynamics

(a) Specific gravity and density;

(b) Viscosity, fluid resistance, effects of streamlining; Effects of compressibility on fluids; Static, dynamic and total pressure: Bernoulli’s Theorem, venturi.

2.3 Thermodynamics

(a) Temperature: thermometers and temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin; Heat definition;

(b) Heat capacity, specific heat; Heat transfer: convection, radiation and conduction; Volumetric expansion; First and second law of thermodynamics; Gases: ideal gases laws; specific heat at constant volume and constant pressure, work done by expanding gas; Isothermal, adiabatic expansion and compression, engine cycles, constant volume and constant pressure, refrigerators and heat pumps; Latent heats of fusion and evaporation, thermal energy, heat of combustion.

2.4 Optics (Light)

Nature of light; speed of light;
Laws of reflection and refraction: reflection at plane surfaces, reflection by spherical mirrors, refraction, lenses;
Fibre optics.

2.5 Wave Motion and Sound

Wave motion: mechanical waves, sinusoidal wave motion, interference phenomena, standing waves;
Sound: speed of sound, production of sound, intensity, pitch and quality, Doppler effect.