📌 Welcome to Your First Term Revision!
This comprehensive revision covers all the topics from the First Term. Use this to:
- Review key concepts from each topic
- Practice with revision questions
- Prepare for your end-of-term examination
- Identify areas that need more attention
Topics Covered in First Term
| Week |
Topic |
Key Concepts |
| 1 |
Introduction to Physics |
Definition, branches, importance, fundamental quantities, scalars vs vectors, scientific notation, prefixes |
| 2 |
Measurement |
Measuring instruments (length, mass, time, temperature), errors, precision vs accuracy, significant figures, unit conversion |
| 3 |
Scalars and Vectors |
Scalar vs vector quantities, speed vs velocity, distance vs displacement, vector addition |
| 4 |
Position and Motion |
Distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, equations of motion, motion graphs |
| 5 |
Force I |
Definition of force, types of forces, Newton's Laws of Motion, mass vs weight, free body diagrams |
| 6 |
Force II – Friction |
Types of friction, factors affecting friction, coefficient of friction, advantages and disadvantages |
| 7 |
Work, Energy and Power |
Definition of work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, power |
| 8 |
Moments |
Turning effect, moment formula, Principle of Moments, centre of gravity, stability |
| 9 |
Elasticity |
Hooke's Law, spring constant, elastic limit, stress, strain, Young's modulus |
First Term Topics – Summary
Topic 1: Introduction to Physics – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Physics: Study of matter, energy, and their interactions.
- Branches: Mechanics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Waves & Optics, Electricity & Magnetism, Atomic & Nuclear, Modern Physics.
- Fundamental Quantities: Length (m), Mass (kg), Time (s), Current (A), Temperature (K), Amount (mol), Luminous (cd).
- Scalars: Mass, length, time, speed, energy. Vectors: Force, velocity, displacement, acceleration.
Topic 2: Measurement – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Instruments: Metre rule (0.1 cm), Vernier calliper (0.01 cm), Micrometer screw gauge (0.001 cm).
- Errors: Systematic (zero error), Random (parallax), Gross.
- Precision: Repeatability. Accuracy: Closeness to true value.
- Significant Figures: Non-zero digits are significant; zeros between non-zero digits are significant.
Topic 3: Scalars and Vectors – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Scalar: Only magnitude (e.g., mass, length, time, speed).
- Vector: Magnitude + direction (e.g., force, velocity, displacement).
- Speed: Scalar (distance/time). Velocity: Vector (displacement/time).
- Distance: Total path length. Displacement: Straight-line change in position.
Topic 4: Position and Motion – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Equations of Motion: v = u + at, s = ut + ½at², v² = u² + 2as.
- Acceleration: a = (v − u)/t.
- Graphs: Distance-time (slope = speed), Velocity-time (slope = acceleration, area = displacement).
Topic 5: Force I – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Newton's Laws: 1st (Inertia), 2nd (F = ma), 3rd (Action-Reaction).
- Weight: W = mg (force of gravity).
- Free Body Diagram: Shows all forces acting on an object.
Topic 6: Force II – Friction – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Types: Static, Sliding, Rolling, Fluid.
- Formula: F = μR (μ = coefficient of friction).
- Advantages: Walking, braking, gripping. Disadvantages: Wear and tear, heat, energy loss.
Topic 7: Work, Energy and Power – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Work: W = F × d × cos θ.
- Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv². Potential Energy: PE = mgh.
- Power: P = W/t.
- Conservation: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
Topic 8: Moments – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Moment: Moment = F × d (turning effect).
- Principle of Moments: Sum of clockwise moments = Sum of anticlockwise moments.
- Centre of Gravity: Point where weight appears to act.
Topic 9: Elasticity – Summary
🔑 Key Points:
- Hooke's Law: F = kx.
- Stress: σ = F/A. Strain: ε = ΔL/L₀.
- Young's Modulus: E = σ/ε = (F × L₀)/(A × ΔL).
Key Formulas Summary
| Topic |
Formula |
Variables |
| Velocity |
v = s/t |
s = displacement, t = time |
| Acceleration |
a = (v − u)/t |
v = final velocity, u = initial velocity |
| Equation of Motion |
v = u + at |
a = acceleration |
| Equation of Motion |
s = ut + ½at² |
s = displacement |
| Equation of Motion |
v² = u² + 2as |
— |
| Force |
F = ma |
m = mass, a = acceleration |
| Weight |
W = mg |
g = 9.8 m/s² |
| Friction |
F = μR |
μ = coefficient of friction |
| Work |
W = F × d × cos θ |
d = displacement, θ = angle |
| Kinetic Energy |
KE = ½mv² |
v = velocity |
| Potential Energy |
PE = mgh |
h = height |
| Power |
P = W/t |
W = work, t = time |
| Moment |
M = F × d |
d = perpendicular distance |
| Hooke's Law |
F = kx |
k = spring constant, x = extension |
| Stress |
σ = F/A |
A = cross-sectional area |
| Strain |
ε = ΔL/L₀ |
L₀ = original length |
| Young's Modulus |
E = σ/ε |
E = Young's modulus |
Revision Questions
Test your understanding of all First Term topics:
Section A: Multiple Choice (Choose the correct option)
- Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A) Force B) Velocity C) Mass D) Displacement
- The SI unit of force is:
A) Joule B) Newton C) Watt D) Pascal
- Which instrument measures length with the highest precision?
A) Metre rule B) Vernier calliper C) Micrometer screw gauge D) Tape measure
- Newton's Second Law is expressed as:
A) F = ma B) F = m/a C) F = a/m D) F = m + a
- The turning effect of a force is called:
A) Work B) Power C) Moment D) Energy
- Hooke's Law states that:
A) F = kx B) F = k/x C) F = x/k D) F = kx²
- Kinetic energy is given by:
A) mgh B) ½mv² C) mv² D) ½mgh
- The coefficient of friction has:
A) Units of N B) Units of kg C) No units D) Units of m/s²
- Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A) Mass B) Length C) Force D) Time
- The Principle of Moments states that:
A) Clockwise moments = Anticlockwise moments
B) Clockwise moments > Anticlockwise moments
C) Clockwise moments < Anticlockwise moments
D) Moments are always zero
Answers: 1-C, 2-B, 3-C, 4-A, 5-C, 6-A, 7-B, 8-C, 9-C, 10-A
Section B: Short Answer Questions
- Define physics and state its three branches.
- What is the difference between precision and accuracy?
- Distinguish between speed and velocity.
- State Newton's three laws of motion.
- What is the difference between static and sliding friction?
- State the Principle of Moments.
- What is Hooke's Law?
- State the law of conservation of energy.
- What is a scalar quantity? Give two examples.
- What is Young's modulus?
Section C: Calculation Questions
- A car travels 120 km in 2 hours. Calculate its speed in m/s.
- A force of 50 N is applied to a 10 kg object. Calculate the acceleration.
- A spring extends by 0.12 m when a force of 30 N is applied. Calculate the spring constant.
- A 5 kg object is lifted to a height of 8 m. Calculate its potential energy. (g = 10 m/s²)
- A force of 40 N is applied at a perpendicular distance of 0.5 m from a pivot. Calculate the moment.
- A car accelerates from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 4 seconds. Calculate the acceleration.
- A 2 kg object is moving at 6 m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy.
- A person does 500 J of work in 10 seconds. Calculate the power.
- A force of 15 N extends a spring by 0.05 m. Calculate the work done in stretching the spring.
- A wire of length 2.0 m and cross-sectional area 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ m² is stretched by a force of 100 N, causing an extension of 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ m. Calculate Young's modulus.
Answers to Section B
1. Physics is the study of matter, energy, and their interactions. Branches: Mechanics, Heat & Thermodynamics, Electricity & Magnetism.
2. Precision is how close repeated measurements are to each other; accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value.
3. Speed is scalar (distance/time); velocity is vector (displacement/time).
4. 1st: Inertia. 2nd: F = ma. 3rd: Action-reaction.
5. Static friction acts on objects at rest; sliding friction acts on moving objects.
6. For equilibrium, clockwise moments = anticlockwise moments.
7. F = kx (force is proportional to extension within elastic limit).
8. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
9. A scalar has only magnitude. Examples: mass, length.
10. Young's modulus is the ratio of stress to strain (measure of stiffness).
Answers to Section C
1. Speed = 120/2 = 60 km/h = 60 × 1000/3600 = 16.67 m/s
2. a = F/m = 50/10 = 5 m/s²
3. k = F/x = 30/0.12 = 250 N/m
4. PE = mgh = 5 × 10 × 8 = 400 J
5. Moment = 40 × 0.5 = 20 Nm
6. a = (25−5)/4 = 20/4 = 5 m/s²
7. KE = ½ × 2 × 6² = 1 × 36 = 36 J
8. P = 500/10 = 50 W
9. Work = ½kx² = ½ × (15/0.05) × (0.05)² = ½ × 300 × 0.0025 = 0.375 J
10. E = (100 × 2.0)/(2.0 × 10⁻⁶ × 2.0 × 10⁻⁴) = 200/4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ = 5.0 × 10¹¹ N/m²
Examination Preparation Tips
📌 Tips for Success:
- Review all formulas – make a formula sheet and memorise them.
- Understand key definitions – be able to explain concepts in your own words.
- Practice calculations – work through all examples and assignment questions.
- Know your units – be familiar with SI units for all quantities.
- Draw diagrams – practice drawing free body diagrams, ray diagrams, and graphs.
- Understand vector addition – know how to add vectors in same, opposite, and perpendicular directions.
- Master the equations of motion – know when to use each equation.
- Time management – allocate time for each section during the exam.
- Read questions carefully – identify what is being asked before answering.