Physics .

• The final examination in Physical Sciences will cover the topics outlined below
• Paper 1: Physics


  • Vectors in two dimensions
  • Newton's laws and application of Newton's laws
  • Electrostatics
  • Electric circuits
  • Electromagnetism
• Resultant of vectors


  1. Define a resultant as the vector sum of two or more vectors

  2. Determine the resultant of vectors (maximum four) on a Cartesian plane, using the component method

  3. Sketch the resultant vertical vector (R,) and the resultant horizontal vector (R.)

  4. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant using the theorem of Pythagoras

  5. Determine the direction of the resultant using simple trigonometric ratios
• Resolution of a vector into its horizontal and vertical components

  1. Use R, Roos8 for the resultant x component

  2. Use Ry Rsin8 for the resultant y component
• Normal force, N


  The force or the component of a force which a surface exerts on an object in contact with it, and which is perpendicular to the surface
• Frictional force, f


  The force that opposes the motion of an object and which acts parallel to the surface
• Static frictional force, fs


  The force that opposes the tendency of motion of a stationary object relative to a surface
• Kinetic frictional force, fk

  The force that opposes the motion of a moving object relative to a surface
• Force diagrams and free-body diagrams


  1. Draw force diagrams

  2. Draw free-body diagrams

  3. Resolve a two-dimensional force into its parallel and perpendicular components

  4. Determine the resultant/net force of two or more forces
• Newton's first law of motion

  A body will remain in its state of rest or motion at constant velocity unless a non-zero resultant/het force acts on it
• Inertia


  The resistance of an object to any change in its state of motion
• Newton's second law of motion


  When a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force at an acceleration directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object
• Application of Newton's second law of motion

  Apply Newton's second law of motion to a variety of equilibrium and non-equilibrium problems
• Newton's third law of motion

  When object A exerts a force on object B, object B SIMULTANEOUSLY exerts an oppositely directed force of equal magnitude on object A
• Newton's law of universal gravitation


  Each particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a gravitational force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres
• Weight


  The gravitational force, in newton (N), exerted by the Earth on an object
• Mass


  The amount of matter in a body measured in kilogram (kg)
• Weightlessness


  The sensation experienced when all contact forces are removed, i.e. no external objects touch one's body
• Coulomb's law


  The magnitude of the electrostatic force exerted by two point charges (Q and Q2) on each other is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance (r) between them
• Electric field


  A region in space in which an electric charge experiences a force
• Electric field strength

  The electrostatic force experienced per unit positive charge placed at that point
• Ohm's law


  The potential difference across a conductor is directly proportional to the current in the conductor at constant temperature
• Ohmic and non-ohmic conductors

  Ohmic conductors follow Ohm's law, non-ohmic conductors do not
• Power


  The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh)


  The use of 1 kilowatt of electricity for 1 hour
• Magnetic field associated with current-carrying conductors

  1. Use the right hand rule to determine the magnetic field

  2. Draw the magnetic field pattern
• Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction

  The magnitude of the induced emf across the ends of a conductor is directly proportional to the rate of change in the magnetic flux linkage with the conductor
• Lenz's law


  Predict the direction of the induced current in a coil