Course Syllabus
Measurements
1.1 Basic quantities
1.1.1 Definition
1.1.2 Examples with base units (SI)
1.2 Derived quantities
1.2.1 Definition
1.2.2 Examples
1.3 Conversion of units
1.3.1 Prefixes and scientific notation
1.3.2 Techniques of unit conversion (between prefixes in SI system and between SI and other systems where
conversion factor is provided)
1.4 Measurement of length
1.4.1 Instruments - metre ruler, vernier callipers, micrometre screw gauge
1.4.2 Zero error
Kinematics
2.1 Vectors and scalars
2.1.1 Definitions
2.1.2 Distance and displacement
2.1.3 Speed and velocity
2.1.4 Acceleration
2.2 Graphs of linear motion
2.2.1 Displacement - time graph, velocity-time graph, acceleration-time graph
2.2.2 Gradient and area under the graph
2.3 Equations of linear motion
2.3.1 Motion with constant velocity
2.3.2 Motion with constant acceleration
2.3.3 Problem solving involving horizontal motion
2.4 Understanding gravity
2.4.1 Acceleration due to gravity
2.4.2 Problem solving involving gravity
Dynamics
3.1 Introduction: types of forces – definitions
3.2 Newton's first law of motion
3.2.1 Formal statement and examples
3.2.2 Concepts of mass and inertia
3.3 Newton's second law of motion
3.3.1 Formal statement and examples
3.3.2 Concepts of mass and weight
3.3.2 Concepts of mass and weight
3.3.3 Applications of force in compound system, one pulley system (no inclined plane)
3.3.4 Frictional force on a horizontal plane (excluding coefficient of friction)
3.4 Newton’s third law of motion
3.4.1 Formal statement and examples
3.5 Linear momentum and impulse
3.5.1 Definitions and concepts
3.6 Conservation of linear
3.6.1 Formal statement
3.6.2 Elastic, inelastic collisions and explosion
3.6.3 Problem solving excluding simultaneous equations (one dimension)
Energy
4.1 Work, energy and power
4.1.1 Definitions and concepts
4.1.2 Relationship between the three quantities
4.1.3 Problem solving involving work, energy and power
4.2 Kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy
4.2.1 Kinetic energy
4.2.2 Gravitational potential energy
4.2.3 Work and energy theorem
4.3 Principles of conservation of mechanical energy
4.3.1 Problem solving involving conservation of mechanical energy
Matters
5.1 Solid, liquid and gas
5.1.1 Arrangement of particles in solid, liquid and gas
5.2 Density
5.2.1 Definition
5.2.2 Relative density
5.2.3 Problem solving excluding mixture
5.3 Pressure
5.3.1 Definition and concepts of pressure in liquid
5.3.2 Application pressure in liquid
5.3.3 Pascal's principle (statement and application)
5.3.4 Problem solving involving pressure and Pascal’s principle
5.4 Buoyancy in fluid
5.4.1 Archimedes’ principle
5.4.2 Problem solving involving buoyant force and Archimedes' principle
1.1 Basic quantities
1.1.1 Definition
1.1.2 Examples with base units (SI)
1.2 Derived quantities
1.2.1 Definition
1.2.2 Examples
1.3 Conversion of units
1.3.1 Prefixes and scientific notation
1.3.2 Techniques of unit conversion (between prefixes in SI system and between SI and other systems where
conversion factor is provided)
1.4 Measurement of length
1.4.1 Instruments - metre ruler, vernier callipers, micrometre screw gauge
1.4.2 Zero error
Kinematics
2.1 Vectors and scalars
2.1.1 Definitions
2.1.2 Distance and displacement
2.1.3 Speed and velocity
2.1.4 Acceleration
2.2 Graphs of linear motion
2.2.1 Displacement - time graph, velocity-time graph, acceleration-time graph
2.2.2 Gradient and area under the graph
2.3 Equations of linear motion
2.3.1 Motion with constant velocity
2.3.2 Motion with constant acceleration
2.3.3 Problem solving involving horizontal motion
2.4 Understanding gravity
2.4.1 Acceleration due to gravity
2.4.2 Problem solving involving gravity
Dynamics
3.1 Introduction: types of forces – definitions
3.2 Newton's first law of motion
3.2.1 Formal statement and examples
3.2.2 Concepts of mass and inertia
3.3 Newton's second law of motion
3.3.1 Formal statement and examples
3.3.2 Concepts of mass and weight
3.3.2 Concepts of mass and weight
3.3.3 Applications of force in compound system, one pulley system (no inclined plane)
3.3.4 Frictional force on a horizontal plane (excluding coefficient of friction)
3.4 Newton’s third law of motion
3.4.1 Formal statement and examples
3.5 Linear momentum and impulse
3.5.1 Definitions and concepts
3.6 Conservation of linear
3.6.1 Formal statement
3.6.2 Elastic, inelastic collisions and explosion
3.6.3 Problem solving excluding simultaneous equations (one dimension)
Energy
4.1 Work, energy and power
4.1.1 Definitions and concepts
4.1.2 Relationship between the three quantities
4.1.3 Problem solving involving work, energy and power
4.2 Kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy
4.2.1 Kinetic energy
4.2.2 Gravitational potential energy
4.2.3 Work and energy theorem
4.3 Principles of conservation of mechanical energy
4.3.1 Problem solving involving conservation of mechanical energy
Matters
5.1 Solid, liquid and gas
5.1.1 Arrangement of particles in solid, liquid and gas
5.2 Density
5.2.1 Definition
5.2.2 Relative density
5.2.3 Problem solving excluding mixture
5.3 Pressure
5.3.1 Definition and concepts of pressure in liquid
5.3.2 Application pressure in liquid
5.3.3 Pascal's principle (statement and application)
5.3.4 Problem solving involving pressure and Pascal’s principle
5.4 Buoyancy in fluid
5.4.1 Archimedes’ principle
5.4.2 Problem solving involving buoyant force and Archimedes' principle
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 : Why should I learn basic physics?
A1 : Basic physics allows students to learn how the laws of nature can be used to describe the real-world phenomena. This course enables students to get familiar with the science of “how things work”, as simple as how you can walk easily, and how you are able to write with a ball point pen on a paper.
Q2 : What is the key aspect of studying basic physics effectively?
A2 : The key aspect of studying physics is UNDERSTANDING the concept, not MEMORIZATION. Once you grasp the basic theory of physics, by doing lots of practices it is easier to improve your physics problem-solving skills. Also, physics incorporates many mathematical elements. One of the best ways to excel in this course is to study mathematics alongside physics.
A1 : Basic physics allows students to learn how the laws of nature can be used to describe the real-world phenomena. This course enables students to get familiar with the science of “how things work”, as simple as how you can walk easily, and how you are able to write with a ball point pen on a paper.
Q2 : What is the key aspect of studying basic physics effectively?
A2 : The key aspect of studying physics is UNDERSTANDING the concept, not MEMORIZATION. Once you grasp the basic theory of physics, by doing lots of practices it is easier to improve your physics problem-solving skills. Also, physics incorporates many mathematical elements. One of the best ways to excel in this course is to study mathematics alongside physics.