TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS NEW SYLLABUS

PHYSICS: This is the branch science which deals with the study of matter, energy and the mutual interaction between them.

                                             OR

This is the branch of science which deals with the study of matter in relation to energy

                                             OR

This is the study of matter in relation to energy.

MATTER: Is any this that has mass and occupies space.

ENERGY: Is the ability of doing work.

SCIENCE: Is the systematic study of nature. A person who studies physics is called a Physicist

      BRANCHES OF PHYSICS

1. Mechanics
2. Optics
3. Atomic Physics
4. Electromagnetism
5. Geophysics
6. Astronomy
7. Electronics

1.  MECHANICS
2. This is the motion of bodies in the frame of reference.

• OPTICS
• This is the study of physical properties of light.

• ATOMIC PHYSICS
• This is the study atoms specifically the electrons and their properties.

• ELECTROMAGNETISM
• This is the study of electrical and magnetic fields as two aspects of the same phenomenon.

• GEOPHYSICS
• This is the study of physical properties of the earth.

• ASTRONOMY
• This is the study of celestial bodies such as stars, galaxies, planets.

• ELECTRONICS
• This is the study of the flow of electrons in the circuit.

                  RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICS AND OTHER SUBJECTS

Physics, Chemistry and Biology are all natural sciences. Physics is taken to be the most fundamental of the natural sciences. This is because; the operations of the other natural science depend on the application of physics in one way or another.

• The relationship of physics with other subjects is discussed below.

1. CHEMISTRY: Devices used in studying chemistry such as Bunsen burner and centrifugal device are made from the application of physics. The study atomic physics is also very useful in chemistry.

• BIOLOGY
• Physics has simplified the study of living things. Those powerful microscopes used in studying Biology are made from the application of physics. Different instruments for measuring blood pressure, body temperature, etc. are also made by using physics laws.

• GEOGRAPHY
• Various devices used in geography to study weather and climate are made from applications of physics. Examples of these devices are Barometers, Thermometers, and Wind vane. Cameras and satellites have been useful in survey.

• MATHEMATICS
• Physics laws are usually simplified by using mathematical expressions.
• Thus, Mathematics is the language used by physicists to simplify calculations and expressions.

• HISTORY
• The study of radioactivity in physics has enabled the use of carbon-14 to determine dates in Historical excavation.

            IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING PHYSICS

1. Physics help us to know the physical properties of matter.

2. Physics helps the communication to be easier.

3. Physics help us to simplify work through the use of simple machine.

4. Study of physics comes with pleasure to the person studying it.

5. The study of physics enables people to acquire skills that are required in different professions. Such as engineering, teaching, architecture, nursing, doctoring, etc.

6. The study of physics imparts knowledge that is applied in designing and manufacturing different items. Example dry cells, simple machines, mobile phones.

APPLICATIONS OF PHYSICS IN REAL LIFE

Physics is applied in many areas of our lives. Some of the areas where physics is applied are as follows.

1. At home.
2. All tools and machinery that we use at home to make work easier are made in accordance with the law of physics. Examples hammers, door handles, car jack, pulley and others.

• In medical field.
• We use various machines in hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. Examples x-ray machine, ultrasound, thermometers, incubators, syringes and needles.

• In transport.
• We use cars, airplanes, trains and ships for travelling from one place to another place.

• In communication.
• We use radio, television, telephone, satellite dish, mast for communicating among us every day.

• Entertainment.
• We use exercise machine, camera, music played in Compact Disk (CD), Digital Video Disk (DVD), Visual Compact Disk (VCD), and computer games for entertainment.

• In industry.
• Example production of simple machines (such as hoe, pulleys), manufacturing of binocular, telescopes, computers, etc.

• In school.
• We use apparatus such as voltmeter, tongs, ammeter, rheostat, retort stand, tripod stand, wire gauze, etc.

• Source of energy.
• Some process and machines help us to obtain energy for our daily use. Example generator and car battery.

• Agriculture.
• We use farm equipments such as tractors, harvester, sprinklers, etc.

TRANSPORT VESSELS THAT RELY ON THE LAW OF PHYSICS

• These include the following;-
• Cars
• Trains
• Ships
• Vehicles
• Bicycles
• Airplanes

Boats

THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS

• The discipline of Physics is built upon a foundation of theories and principles that have been developed and refined over centuries of cscientific exploration.
• These theories and principles serves as the building blocks for understanding the laws and phenomena that govern the natural world. This means scientific exploration is very important aspect of the development of physics.
• Therefore, in this section, we shall discuss the aspect of scientific investigation . further, we will discuss the exsting basic theories and principles of physics.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

• This is a careful examination into the facts of learning situation.

                                                        OR

• This refers to the step-by-step procedures and methods employed in carrying out a scientific research.

There are basic skills required while studying physics and these skills are:-

• Careful observation
• Accurate measurements
• Recording
• Data representation skills

  SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• This is a set of techniques used by scientists to investigate a problem.

STEPS OF A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION

The following are the steps to be followed when carrying out a scientific investigation.

1. Problem identification
2. Asking questions
3. Formulating a testable hypothesis
4. Performing an experiment
5. Data collection and analysis
6. Data interpretation
7. Data presentation
8. Conclusion

1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
2. This is the first step of scientific method. It is when one makes a puzzling observation.
3. You make an observation about something and asking questions about what you have noticed.

For example, the mass of the bob of a pendulum affects the time it takes to make one complete oscillation.

•  ASKING QUESTIONS

• Physicist asks question or specific question based on what he or she observed and wants to learn more about.
•  

For example, does the mass of the bob of a pendulum affect the time it takes to make one complete oscillation?

1. FORMULATING A TESTABLE HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis

• This is the guess to the answer of the problem.
• Hypothesis is an intelligent guess that tries to explain an observation. It is a suggestion of the answer to the question asked.

For example, the mass of the pendulum bob affects the time it takes to make one complete oscillation.

• PERFORMING AN EXPERIMENT
• An experiment is a test under controlled conditions.
• In this case, the aim of the experiment is to determine whether the formulated hypothesis is true or false.

In an experiment we use variables (factors) to test hypothesis. These variables are:

                      i) Dependent variable

                     ii) Independent variable

                    iii) Controlled variable

     i) DEPENDENT VARIABLE

• This is the condition to be measured or observed to obtain the results.

In our example, the time it takes for the pendulum to complete one oscillation is the factor under investigation. This is the dependent variable.

   ii) INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

• This is the condition that is manipulated to obtain different results.

In our example, mass of the pendulum bob is varied. This is the independent variable.

   iii) CONTROLLED VARIABLE

• This is the condition that is kept constant during an experiment.

In our example, the length of the pendulum is kept constant. This is the controlled variable.

NOTE:

       VARIABLES

• These are conditions in an experiment that can be changes.

• DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
• Data collection involves collecting and recording what you have observed during an experiment.
• Data analysis helps in drawing conclusion.

1. DATA INTERPRETATION
2. After recording and analysing the data, you look for trends or pattern and explain why they occur that way. This is what is known as interpretation of data. These trends will help you to make your conclusion.

• DATA PRESENTATION
• Data presentation involves the use of mathematical concepts to represent the number or results collected.
• This could be including the use of pie chart, graphs and formulae.

• CONCLUSION
• A conclusion is a summary of the result of the experiment.
• It includes a statement that either proves or disapproves the hypothesis.
• A second experiment may be carried out to make sure the results obtained are reliable.
• Conclusion is not the end to study but a necessity for further studies.

                                                          SCIENTIFIC THEOTY

• A theory in physics is a big idea or explanation that scientists come up with to describe how something in nature behave. In this section, we shall discuss the theory of gravity and its impact in human being

                                        THEORY OF GRAVITY

• This is the fundamental theory that explains the force of attraction between two objects that has mass. All objects on the earth are attracted toward the earth because the earth is more massive than other objects

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THEORY OF GRAVITY

• It explains the arrangement and motion of planets, moon and the other celestrial bodies in the solar system and beyond
• Help to understand the tides and Earth’s motion around the sun
• It provide the basis for space exploration and satellite trechnology
• It influences our daily lives, from walking on the earth’s surface to the launching of spacecraft into space

                                                               LAWS OF PHYSICS

• Law is a scientific statement that describe a physical phenomenon under certain conditions in nature.
• Example of physics laws are Hooke’s law and the law of floatation

                                   HOOKE’S LAW

Hooke’s law is a law of physics that explains the force needed to extend or compress a spring by distance x.

It states that

    ‘’ Provided the elastic limit is not exceeded, the extension is directly proportional to the force applied’’

                                     THE LAW OF FLOATATION

The law of floatation is a crucial principle for understanding why certain objects rise or submerge in fluid. It determine whether the object will float or sink based on its density relative to the surrounding medium.

It states that:

                  ‘’A floating object displaces its own weight of fluid in which it floats’’

                                                    PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS

• In physics, a principle is a general rule or explanation of how a specific physical phenomenon occurs.

Examples of principles are Archimedes’ principle, Pascal’s principle and the principle of conservation of energy

                                                    ARCHIMEDES’ PRINCIPLE

This is a fundamental concept in fluid mechanics, named after Greek mathematician and scientist Archimedes.

The principle states that:

‘’ any object partially or totally immersed in a fluid experiences an upthrust which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object”

                                                         PASCAL’S PRINCIPLE

Pascal’s principle accounts for the transmission of pressure in fluid.

It states that

‘’ when pressure is applied at any point on the surface of a fluid contained in a closed comntainer, the pressure is transmitted undiminished to all parts of the fluid and to the walls of the container’’

                         THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY

The principle of conservation of energy emphasizes that the total energy in a system is conserved.

It states that;

‘’ energy can neither be created nor destroyed but it can be transformed from one form to another”