14

Physics Notes
Physics: Branch of science dealing with the interaction of Projectile Motion
matter and energy. It can be classified as classical > Motion of a body thrown horizontally and affected by
(mechanics, thermodynamics, etc.) and modern Earth’s gravitational pull
(“quantum” and “relativity theory”) physics.
theory”) physics. > Trajectory is the path taken by an object in projectile
motion
Basic and Derived Quantities
> Basic Quantities: length, mass, time, electric current,
temperature, amount of substance, luminosity
> Derived Quantities: Quantities defined in terms of
two or more of the basic quantities. Examples of which
are velocity, acceleration, force and work.

Scalar and Vector Quantities

> Scalar: Has magnitude and unit only (e.g., distance,
The key to analyzing Projectile Motion is to treat the x-
speed, time, energy)
and y-coordinates separately.
>  Vector: Has magnitude, unit, and direction (e.g.,
• The velocity in the x-coordinate is constant, thus zero
displacement, velocity, force and acceleration)
acceleration in the x-axis
• The acceleration in the y-coordinate
y-coordinate is constant,
Different Forms of Energy 
acceleration due to gravity = 10 
Energy: Ability
Energy: Ability to do work 
 Kinetic Energy: Possessed by a moving body 1. Body Thrown Upward (Free-Fall)
 Potential Energy: Energy of a body due to its position  An object is given an initial upward velocity v1. While in
or shape flight, the ball is pulled downward by gravity. Therefore,
a. Gravitational Potential Energy: Energy of an object there is deceleration until it reaches its maximum height.
due to its vertical separation from the earth’s
earth’s surface
 surface Upon reaching the maximum height, the object will
b. Elastic Potential Energy: Energy in a stretched or momentarily stop, V = 0m, before it starts to accelerate
compressed spring down (free-fall).
c. Electric Potential Energy: Energy of electrons inside
an atom Force and velocity are opposite in directions, the speed of
 Internal Energy: the object decreases up to the highest point of its flight.
a.) random kinetic energy of atoms and molecules; Then it falls downward with increasing velocity until it
b.) chemical energy due to bonds and interactions between reaches the ground.
atoms and molecules. The net force due to gravity is Fg = mag where ag =
.
10 

Kinematics 2. Body Thrown Horizontally
Motion: Change in position of a body  As an object is thrown horizontally, an initial horizontal
Distance: Length covered by a body due to its motion force, Fh  is applied. Once the object is released no more
Displacement: Distance with direction horizontal force acts on it. But it maintains its horizontal
velocity, vh. This object is being pulled downward by
Speed: Speed (s) is the distance travelled (d) over time gravity so it moves vertically downward with acceleration
 . The vertical force is
(t). The unit used is .
 10 
due to gravity, ag = 
 =   =  = 
Thus the object moves in two directions at the same time,
 Velocity:  Vector quantity which is the ratio of
both horizontally (y-axis) and vertically (x-axis).
displacement (x) over time (t).
 = 
The resultant velocity is
 =  + 
 Average Velocity
 =  +  Uniform Circular Motion
Consider an object of mass, m, while moving in a circular
path at constant speed (Fc = mac). Relating the magnitude
 Acceleration: the rate of change in velocity with respect of the centripetal acceleration, ac, with the speed of the
to time. body and radius of the circular path R.
 = ∆
∆ ac =


where: ∆=   Fc = mac = m


∆=  
Forces and Interactions
Force: push
Force: push or pull. It is measured in unit of Newton. It is
an interaction between two bodies or between a body and
its environment.

LEARNFAST
LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB  – NMAT REVIEWER
 15

Major Types of Forces  Law of Motion and Mass (or Law of Acceleration):
Contact Forces  “An unbalanced force acting on an object will cause
Normal Force:  It is a force exerted on an object
 the object to accelerate in the direction of the force”.
by any surface with which it is in contact. This  Acceleration is directly proportional to the net force
force is always perpendicular to the said surface. and inversely proportional to its mass.
 Law of Interaction:  “For every action there is an
equal but opposite reaction.”

Stress and Strain

Elasticity: Property of matter that enables it to return to

its original size and shape when the applied external force
 Friction Force:  A force exerted on an object
is removed
parallel to the surface, in the direction that
Stress: A component of a force perpendicular t o the area
opposes sliding.
it acts on. It is mathematically written as:
Stress =

 
Strain:  A measure of deformation, usually it is the
object’s change in length, ∆l

Different Types of Friction Forces Hooke’s Law: Strain is directly proportional to the cause
Static  = 
   of deformation (stress). Hence,
Force
 Y =
 =  
 ∆
Sliding/  =     where:
Kinetic  Y = Young’s Modulus of Elastic ity 
Force l0 = the original length of the material
Rolling  =   ∆ l = the change in length
Force  Young’s Modulus is a measure of the stretchability or
compressibility of a material within its elastic limit. The
higher Y is, the more elastic the material.
 Tension: The pulling force exerted by a stretched
rope or cord on an object to which it’s attached Pressure: Perpendicular force acting on a unit surface.
P=

Long-range Forces  
Electromagnetic Force: Attraction or repulsion The unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa)


1 Pa = 

between electric charges or magnetic poles. 
Coulomb’s Law of Magnetism Increase in height causes decrease in air density.
   
 = Increase in molecular collisions causes increase in
where k (Coulomb's constant) = 8.99×109 N m2 C−2 pressure.
q1 and q2 = magnitudes of the charges
r  = distance between the charges Pascal’s Principle
 An external pressure exerted on a static, enclosed fluid is
 Gravitational Force: Attracts bodies toward each transmitted uniformly throughout the fluid.
other.
Law of Universal Gravitation  Archimedes’
 =    Magnitude of buoyant force, FB, is equal to the weight of
fluid displaced by the object.
where G (gravitational constant) = 6.67 x 10-11
  = 

m1 and m2 = mass of bodies  Vw= volume of displaced water V = volume of the object
r  = distance between the bodies Dw= density of water D = density of the object
 A body will float in a fluid if it is less dense than the fluid.
Weight: The gravitational force that the earth
exerts on the body. Impulse and Momentum
W= Mass (G)
Where G = acceleration due to gravity Momentum: Tendency of a moving object to continue
moving and the difficulty encountered in reducing that
Newton’s Laws of Motion motion
Law of Inertia:  “Bodies at rest will remain at rest  = 


and bodies in motion will continue moving at constant where m is mass and v is velocity. The unit is   ∙ .
speed in a straight line unless acted upon by a net Impulse of a force on an object for a time t is:
force”. This law implies that objects will remain at rest  = 
or moving at a constant rate if the sum of all forces The unit is N∙s
acting on them is zero.

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB  – NMAT REVIEWER

 16

> The relationship between impulse of a force and the On moving Charges in Vacuum
change in momentum is given by  = ∙∙  
 =      where: q = no. of charges; v = velocity =


where    is the final velocity and vi is the initial velocity. Electromagnetic Induction
This states that the sum of the impulses of all forces Current is induced when a conductor moves across a
acting on an object for a certain time is equal to the magnetic field or when a magnetic field moves with
change in momentum of the object during that time. respect to a stationary conductor.

Conservation of Momentum Factors of Induced Current

If no external force (like friction) acts on a body, the  Relative velocity of the conductor and magnetic
momentum of the body will not change. fields
Let p = mv1 + mv2  The strength of the magnetic field.
(the momentum of the system before collision)  Length of the conductor in the field
where: m1 = mass of object 1; v1 = velocity of object 1  Current is produced when a potential difference
m2 = mass of object 2; v2 = velocity of object 2 between two points in a circuit exist.
Let p’ = m1 v1’ + m2v2’   Can magnetism induce current? This is shown by the
(the momentum of system after collision) following equation.
The law of conservation of momentum states that:  =  ∙ ∙
∆=  =   ′ =  Note that the current (l) is proportional to voltage (V).
Thus as current increases, v, B, and L increases.
Work, Power and Mechanical Energy
Work : Done when a force causes displacement. The unit  = ∆
of work is joules. The induced voltage is numerically equal to the rate of
 =  change of the magnetic flux. As the flux changes, current
Power: The rate at which work is done. is induced.
 = ∆
∆ Wave and Energy
Kinetic Energy: Energy Transfer
=    2
 Waves are classified as mechanical and
where m = mass and v = velocity electromagnetic waves. They either move in circular
or straight motion.
Potential Energy  There are two types of waves:
 =  o Transverse - Movement of the particles of the
where m = mass of the object, g = 10 , and h = height medium are perpendicular to the direction of the
wave motion.
of the object
o Longitudinal - Movement is parallel to the
direction of the wave.
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Waves have different characteristics
 +  =  +
   + =   


Wavelength: Distance between two

   + 
o
2 2
  corresponding points on a wave train.
o Wave Frequency: Expressed in hertz which
Magnetic Field corresponds to the number of times the wave
source completes a vibration in one second.
Magnetic field is a region in space where the magnet o Period: Time it takes the wave source to make
affects another magnet. Magnetic fields can affect current- one complete vibration. It is the reciprocal of
carrying conductors and moving charges in vacuu m. frequency.
o  Amplitude: Highest or lowest displacement from
On Current- Carrying Conductors a wave’s equilibrium position. Increase in
If a current carrying conductor is in a magnetic field, it amplitude causes a transfer of more energy.
moves to a direction at right angle to both the direction of o Speed: Directly proportional to frequency
I and B =
Doppler Effect
Magnetic Force: Magnetic force (F) is maximized when Occurs when the speed of the wave is greater
current I and magnetic field directions are perpendicular than the speed of the source.
to each other. The magnitude of the force F depends on
the following:
a) Current (I);
b) Strength of magnetic field (B);
c) Length of the conductor that lies in magnetic field (L).
In equation, magnetic force is:
=∙∙

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB  – NMAT REVIEWER

 17

Overview: Sound vs. Light around a corner to help keep people from running
Sound Waves Light Waves into one another.
Longitudinal Transverse Convex Mirror Uses: Sunglasses
Mechanical Electromagnetic Convex mirrors are used to make sunglass lenses.
Propagated with medium: Can be propagated without These mirrors help reflect some of the sunlight
a medium: away from the wearer's eyes.
can be propagated in Convex Mirror Uses: Vehicles
vacuum Convex mirrors are often found on the passenger
Gas(slowest) Gas (fastest) sides of motor vehicles. These mirrors make objects
Liquid Liquid appear smaller than they really are. Due to this
Solid (fastest) Solid(slowest) compression, these mirrors to reflect a wider image
area, or field of vision.
Convex Mirror Uses: Security
Sound
Convex mirrors are often placed near ATMs to allow
Characteristics of Sound Waves
bank customers to see if someone is behind them.
o Loudness or Intensity: Loud sounds have
This is a security measure that helps keep ATM
greater amplitude
users safe from robbery of any cash withdrawals
o Pitch: Highness or lowness of sound
and helps keep ATM users' identity more secure.
o Quality: Distinguishes sounds from one another
Convex Mirror Uses: Magnifying Glass
Two convex mirrors placed back to back are used
Light
to make a magnifying glass.
Reflection in Plane Mirrors
The image is reversed in a plane mirror. The virtual image
 Application of Concave Mirrors
is of the same size as the object in front of the mirror.
Concave Mirror Uses: Vehicle
Reflection in Curved Mirrors
Concave mirrors are used in vehicle headlights to
 A curved mirror has a vertex V, a center of curvature c,
focus the light from the headlight. The light is not
and a principal focus F. The focal length, f, is the distance
as diffused and the driver can see better at night.
from V to F.
Summary of Lens and Mirrors
Concave Mirror Uses: Light Concentration
Type of Image
Concave mirrors are used to focus light for heating
Diverging Mirror Convex Mirror Virtual,Upright,Reduced
purposes.(e.g. solar cooker)
Diverging Lens Concave Lens
Converging Mirror Concave  Virtual,Upright,Enlarged  Application of Lens
Mirror Real,Inverted,Enlarged Convex Lens Uses: Eye defects
Converging Lens Convex Lens Real,Inverted,Same size Convex lens are used in eyeglass prescribed for
Real,Inverted,Reduced individuals with hyperopia (far-sightedness).

Concave Lens Uses: Eye defects

Convex lens are used in eyeglass prescribed for
individuals with myopia (near-sightedness).

 Additional notes
 When object is placed at an infinite distance,
image is a point at F.
 When object is placed at F, the image is at
infinity.
 Application of Convex Mirrors
Convex Mirror Uses: Inside Buildings
Large hospitals, stores and office buildings often

use convex mirrors to allow people to see what is
Refraction
Bending of light at the boundary between different media.
The index of refraction is:
n=


where n = index of refraction, c = speed of light
( 3×10 8 ), and v = speed of light in the medium

Law of Reflection
-  “It states that the angle of incidence is equal to
the angle of reflection.” 
- In symbols, Ɵi = Ɵr
where: Ɵi – angle of incidence
Ɵr – angle of relection
The normal line is always drawn perpendicular with the
reflecting surface. Angle of incidence and reflection is
measured from the normal line.
Multiple Reflection of Light
When light hits reflecting surfaces several times, multiple
images will be formed. If the angle between two reflecting
surfaces such as mirror decreases, the number of images
formed increases. To determine the number of images

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB  – NMAT REVIEWER

 21

Electromagnetic Spectrum Ohm’s Law

Current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely
proportional to resistance.
 = 
where V = voltage, I = current, and R = resistance
Note: Ohm’s law applies only to metallic conductors and
not to transistors or electrolytes.

Factors of Wire Resistance

o Length of Material: Longer path for electric
current results to greater resistance
o Wire Diameter: Greater cross-sectional area of
conductor results to lesser resistance.
Nature of Matter and Energy o Kind of Material
The photon’s having energy and momentum is expressed o Temperature: Higher temperature results to
by greater resistance.
 = o Resistivity: Ability of the substance to conduct
where h=Planck’s constant(6.63x10-34J-s) and f= electric current. The resistance is equal to the
frequency product of resistivity and length of wire divided
 =  =   by its cross-sectional area.
where p = the momentum  = 
 
Radioactivity where L = length of conductor and A = cross-sectional
The spontaneous emission of radiation from the nuclei of area of the conductor, and ρ (rho) = resistivity of the
atoms of certain substances termed as radioactive. material.
Radiation is of three main types: alpha (fast-moving
helium nuclei); beta (fast-moving electrons); gamma Electrical Power and Energy
(high-energy, highly penetrating protons). Beta and
gamma radiation are both damaging to body tissues, but Power Input: Rate at which an appliance uses up
are especially dangerous if a radioactive substance is electrical energy. It is measured in watts.
ingested or inhaled. When radiation takes place, there is  = 
loss of energy.
Circuits
Electricity
Series Circuits: Current passes to only one route from
Electromagnetic Energy Circuit:  Any arrangement of the source through the several loads and back to the
materials that permits electrons to flow. It is composed of source. The current is the same in every part of the
a source of electrical energy, load, and connecting wires. circuit.

Electric Current: The net flow changes along a material. Parallel Circuits: General loads are connected to the
The unit used is ampere. The electron charge’s unit is same voltage source and current is divided among these
coulomb. In equation form, electric current is: loads.
I=


where I = electric current, q = number of charges passing
Series Parallel
through a perpendicular cross section of a conductor, and
 Voltage  V 1 + V 2 + … + V n V 1 = V 2 = … = V n
t = time
 (V T)
1 ampere = 1  Current I1 = I2 = … =I n I1 + I2 + … +In
18
6.3 x 10 electrons pass a cross-section of a conductor in (IT)
1 second. Resistance R 1 + R 2 +...+ R n 
 Voltage: Potential difference between points when work   
 +  +⋯ 
(R T)

is done to move charge between points. The unit is .
 Diagram
In equation form,
 = 
Resistance: Tendency of the unit to resist the passage of
electric current. The unit is ohm (Ω).

LEARNFAST REVIEW AND TUTORIAL HUB  – NMAT REVIEWER