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Unit 1 Physics On The Go Notes
Unit 1 Physics On The Go Notes
Physical quantities
It is a quantity that can be measured. All physical quantities can be expressed with a magnitude and a unit.
Without the correct unit any physical quantity is meaningless. Physical quatities split into two that is basic
and derived
Basic quantities
There are six basic quantities. These quantities cannot be measured using any other quantity. Below is the
list of basic quantities.
Derived qunatities
Homogenous equation
The SI base units of each term of the equation are same those equations are said to be homogenous
equations
A good experimenter will have high precision but if his instruments are not good it will lead in poor
accuracy this leads to systemetic error, this is the error due to intruments. A poor experimenter will have
less precision and the reading will be scattered resulting random errors, this the error due to experimenter
or human error.
Systemetic errors can be minimised by taking sensible precautions, such as checking for zero erros, avoiding
parallax errors and by drawing suitable graphs.
Random errors can be minimised by taking a number of repeated readings and taking the average and by
drawing a graph that in effect averages the number of values
Uncertainity
𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦
Metre rule: 1mm %uncertainity =𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑥 100
Vernier calliper: 0.1mm For multiple readings
ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒
Micrometer screw guage: 0.01mm %uncertainity = 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑥 100
Micrometer screw guage
Reading = Main scale + (rotating scale x 0.01)
reading will be on mm.
To check for zero error join the studs anvil and
spindle with no object in between. If the zero of
rotating scale coincides with mainscale then
instrument do not have zero error. If the zero on
the rotating scale lies above the mainscale then
the zero error have to be added to the reading
and if the the zero on the rotating scale lies below the mainscale then the zero error have to be subtracted.
Vernier calliper
Reading = Main scale + (vernier scale x 0.01)
Reading will be on cm
To check for zero error join the sections A and
B if zeros in both scale coincides then it has no
zero error. If vernier scale zero is more to right
then the zero error have to be subtracted. If
vernier scale zero is more to left then the zero
error have to be added to the reading.
Percentage difference
𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠
1) %Difference = 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑥 100
𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠
2) %Difference = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑥 100
This is used to confirm relationships, to check whether the materials are made of same or not, or to check
whether the readings are accurate or not compared with the standard value
If % difference is less than total % uncertainity then both are made of same material or relationship is
confirmed
If total % uncertainity is not given then compare % difference with 10%
Mechanics
Scalar quantity: physical quantity that has only magnitude
Vector quantity: physical quantity that have both magnitude and direction.
Rectilinear motion
Distance: length of the path travelled by and object
Displacement: shortest distance between two points in a specific direction
Speed: Distance travelled in unit time
Average Speed: Total distance travelled over total time taken
Velocity: rate of change of displacement
Uniform velocity: equal displacement in equal intervals of time
Instantaneous velocity: velocity at a particular instant
Acceleration: rate of change of velocity
Uniform acceleration: equal change in velocity in equal intervals of time
Motion graphs
Displacement time graphs: gradient gives velocity
Velocity time graphs: gradient gives acceleration, area under graph gives displacement
Acceleration time graphs: acceleration patterns can be read from it
Equations of motion
v = u+at
1 These equations are only applicable if the acceleration
s = 2(u+v) t
is uniform
s = ut + ½ at2
v2 = u2 + 2as
Free Fall
Falling under the influence of gravitational force only and no other forces like air resistance acts on it.
Forces
A force is a push or a pull exerted on an object. There are two types of forces contact forces and non
contact forces. Contact forces include friction, normal reaction etc. non contact forces include gravitational
force, magnetic force and nuclear force.
Equilibrium: when number of forces act on a body and the vector sum of all these forces add up to zero
then the object is said to be in equilibrium. If object is in equilibrium then the line of action of all the forces
acting on the object will pass through one point.
An object will remain in a state of rest or continue to move with a constant velocity unless acted upon by a
resultant external force
Acceleration of a body of constant mass is directly proportional to the resultant force applied to it and it
acts in the direction of the resultant force.
If body A exerts a force on body B, body B will exert an equal and opposite force on body A.
Work: it is the product of force and distance moved in the direction of force W = F x s
𝑊
Power: rate of work done in unit time P = or P = F x v
𝑡
Potential energy: the energy present in an object due to its position E p = mgh
Kinetic energy: the energy present in an object due to its motion or vibration E k = ½ mv2
Law of conservation of energy
Energy can never be created nor destroyed but it can be transformed from one form to the other. In short
total energy of the system is constant
Fluid dynamics
A substance which can flow is known as a fluid. All liquids and gases are fluids
Floatation: when up thrust is exactly equal to the weight of the object.
Viscosity: it is the nature of the fluid which offers resistance to flow.
𝑚 𝐹
𝑣 P = 𝐴 in case of fluids P = gh
Up thrust is the force that helps object to float in water. The pressure of the liquid causes force at the top
and bottom of the object So U = F2 – F1
Up thrust equals weight of fluid the object displaces
Derivation
U = F 2 – F1
U = gA (h2h1) F1 = P1 A = gh1A
If height is known then area becomes volume
So F2 = P2 A = gh2A
U = Vg =mg
Note V is mass of fluid
Sinking
An object will sink in a fluid if it’s up thrust is less than its weight, so the resultant would act downwards resulting it to
accelerate downwards.
Stokes law
Viscous drag experienced by a spherical object is directly proportional to the radius (r), velocity (v) and
coefficient of viscosity (n) F nrv
Stream line: represents the velocity of a fluid at each point within it.
Laminar flow
Flow lines are parallel to each other, velocity at a point on a stream line is equal. No eddies vortices formed
Turbulent flow
Eddies and vortices whirl pools formed. Velocities varies lines cross over each other no definite stream lines
Strength of materials
Hooke’s law
Extension is directly proportional to the force applied within the proportionality limit.
Proportionality limit: this is the point up to which the material obeys Hooke’s law. In this region extension is
directly proportional to force
Elastic limit: it is the maximum force at which the material regains original shape when the force is
removed.
Yield point: the point at which material behavior changes from elastic to plastic, for a given force a large
extension is produced beyond this point. So the material deforms permanently.
Breaking point: the point at which the material breaks is known as the breaking point this point always
occurs beyond elastic limit.
Elastic deformation: A material undergoing elastic deformation will return to its original dimensions when
the deforming force is removed.
Plastic deformation: A material undergoing plastic deformation will remain deformed when the deforming
force is removed and it will not gain its original dimensions.
F=kx E=
W= ½ kx E/V = ½
W= ½ kx2
The stress strain graph represents properties of the material, which means the stress strain graph for a
material is always the same. Whereas the force extension graphs depends on the dimensions of the sample
used.
Hysteresis
Rubber absorbs energy during each cycle of loading and unloading this is known as hysteresis.
In rubber molecular chains are coiled up. When rubber is stretched molecular chains straighten up.
When it is relaxed molecular chains recoil backs to original length, but the manner by which it does this
is very different to a metal.
This shows that energy is absorbed during each cycle which is dissipated in the form of heat.
When rubber band is repeatedly stretched and relaxed in a short time, it will become warm.
The rubber with small hysteresis loop is more resilient and is used in car tires
The rubber with large hysteresis loop is less resilient and is used in shock absorbers