IMPORTANT POINTS OF MDCAT PHYSICS

1st Year
 A central force is that which cannot produce torque.
 Two equal and opposite force acting along the same line of action will
result in translational as well as rotational equilibrium.
 When two or more than two forces acting on a common point, the forces
are called concurrent forces.
 If a metallic bob is suspended by a string in the vertical plane, it will be in
complete equilibrium.
 When three forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, then each force is
numerically greater than the difference of the two.
 The minimum number of forces that keep the body in equilibrium are 2.
 Whenever there is spin motion then force will act away or towards the
centre.
 Total weight of a body acts at its centre of gravity.
 Real and apparent weight becomes equal in inertial frames, static frames
and frames moving with uniform velocities.
 A couple produces rotational motion.
 Two astronauts in satellites must have same apparent weights.
 Centre of gravity of a body lies may be inside or outside a body.
 If we away from surface of earth value of g will decrease.
 Forces in nature occur in pair form.
 Racing cars are made stable by lowering their centre of gravity.
 The centre of gravity of cylinder is the central point of axis.
 Centre of mass of a uniform circular ring is at the centre of the ring.
 More viscous mobile oils are used in motorcycles in summer than in winter
because viscosity decreases with increase in temperature.
 When a paratrooper attains a terminal speed then drag force is equal to
weight.
 At terminal velocity acceleration is zero.
 In cold region we prefer an engine oil of low viscosity.
 A small and a large rain drops are falling through air then large drop
moves faster.
 Applied on slow speed, apply on spherical object, do not apply on high
speed, d o not aaply on ideal fluid are limitations of stokes law.
 Laminar flow usually occurs at speed which is low.
 The velocity above which streamline flow changes into turbulent flow is
called critical velocity.
 Critical velocity of a fluid is maximum velocity upto which it remains
steady.
 The direction of streamlines is same as direction of velocity.
 Dynamic lift is related to Bernoulli’s equation.
 Bernoulli’s equation is applicable for laminar flow.
 A man standing near a fast moving train may fall towards the train
because of high speed of train.
 Air is blown between two table tennis balls hung vertically side by side,
they attract.
 The velocity of the flow of liquid through an orifice at the bottom of a tank
depends upon height of liquid above orifice and gravity.
 Rate of leak from a hole in a tank is more if situated near the bottom.
 Area of liquid surface does not affect the pressure at a point beneath the
surface of a liquid.
 Where the streamlines are closer, pressure will be low and velocity will be
high.
 Where the streamlines are far apart, pressure will be high and velocity will
be low.
 The speed of the fluid is maximum in the venturimeter at convergent duct.
 If a stream of air is blown under one the pans of a physical balance in
equilibrium, then the pan will go down.
 The blood flow is turbulent at systolic pressure.
 The blood flow is laminar at diastolic pressure.
 Blood pressure increases with age due to decrease in flexibility of vessel
walls.
 The signal to measure diastolic pressure is when external pressure is
decreased and eventually becomes equal to diastolic pressure.
 External pressure high=low blood flow
 External pressure low=high blood flow
 External pressure should be low.
 Sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure dynamically.
 Stethoscope detects blood pressure.
 Displacement of a body in S.H.M is equal to amplitude when body is at
extreme position.
 Instantaneous displacement is zero at mean position and maximum at
extreme position.
 A boy is swinging on a swing in a sitting position. Time period will decrease
if he stands up.
 Total distance travelled by bob of simple pendulum in one vibration is
equal to four times of amplitude.
 Force responsible for vibratory motion of simple pendulum is mgsintheta.
 Time period of simple pendulum on the surface of moon is 2s.
 The frequency of vibrating simple pendulum is infrasonic.
 Total energy of S.H.M at mean position =K.E
 Ultrasonic waves are highly concentrated sound waves with the frequency
greater than 20kHz.
 Frequency of free vibrations is known as natural frequency.
 Natural frequency depends upon length of pendulum.
 Free oscillations → without external force.
 Forced oscillations→ with external force.
 Resonance is an example of forced oscillation.
 Free oscillations are always produced by restoring force and inertia.
 Swing is an example of mechanical resonance.
 Tuning a radio is an example of electrical resonance.
 Electrical resonance is observed in both radio and microwave oven.
 Such oscillations in which amplitude decreases with time are called
damped oscillations.
 The sharpness of the resonance curve of a rotating body depends on
frictional loss of energy.
 Sound waves are mechanical longitudinal waves.
 Speed of sound in a gas depends upon density and elasticity of gas.
 Gamma rays and infra red waves travel with same speed in air.
 Velocity of sound in vacuum at 0 degree centigrade is zero.
 Speed of sound depends upon compressibility and inertia of medium.
 Speed does not depend upon pressure.
 Change in velocity with temperature is maximum in gases.
 In Doppler shift, frequency does not depend upon distance of source from
the listener.
 Due to motion of an observer there is change in frequency due to change in
relative velocity.
 Due to motion of a source there is a change in frequency due to change in
its wavelength.
 When observer is moving towards source frequency increases, velocity
increases but wavelength remains same.
 When observer is moving away from source frequency decreases, velocity
decreases but wavelength remains same.
 When source is moving towards observer frequency increases, wavelength
decreases but velocity remains same.
 When source is moving away from observer frequency decreases,
wavelength increases but velocity remains same.
 If an aero plane approaches towards radar wavelength of wave reflected
from airplane would be shorter.
 Stars moving towards the earth show a blue shift.
 Stars moving away from the earth show a red shift.
 Bats navigate and find food by echo location.
 An oil film floating on water surface exhibits beautiful colour patterns.
This happens due to interference of light waves.
 Phase difference between any two points of wavefronts is zero.
 Spherical wavefront can be converted into plane wavefront and viceversa.
 In case of point source wavefront is spherical in shape.
 Light ray is perpendicular to wavefront.
 A usual way to obtain a plane wave is to place a point source of light at the
focus of a convex lens.
 Light from the sun reaches the earth with plane wavefront.
 In constructive interference, amplitude of resultant wave will be greater
than either of individual waves and vice versa in case of destructive
interference.
 Interference of light waves is not easy because of random emission of light
from a source.
 Sodium chloride in a flame gives out pure yellow light. This light is not a
mixture of red and green.
 Two waves are coherent if they are obtained from a single monochromatic
source by division of amplitude only and by division of wavefront only.
 In YDSE, interference pattern is obtained due to division of wavefronts.
 Zeroth dark fringe is not possible in YDSE.
 At the centre of screen always constructive interference and bright fringe is
produced.
 Constructive interference: crust-crust, bright fringe-maxima, path
difference dsintheta.
 Destructive interference: crust-trough, dark fringe – minima,
dsintheta=(m+1/2)wavelength.
 Distance between two consecutive bright or dark fringes is called fringe
spacing.
 When light ray enters from rarer to denser medium: v decrease,
wavelength decrease , f=same
 When light ray enters from denser to rarer medium: v increase,
wavelength increase, f=same
 Refractive index of denser is hgher.
 Refractive index of rarer is low.
 ∆Ydenser=∆Yair/n
 Interference in thin film depends upon: angle of incidence , nature of film
and thickness of film.
 If light transmits →constructive interference →centre of ring is bright.
 If light does not transmit →destructive interference →centre of ring is
dark.
 The centre of newton rings is dark due to destructive interference.
 Wavelength zada f=kam (diffraction easily observable)
 Wavelength kam f=zada (diffraction not easily observable)
 A typical diffraction grating has 400 to 5000 lines per centimeter.
 Wavelength of X-Rays is 10-10m.
 Hemoglobin is important constituent of blood and double helix structure of
DNA.
 Ordinary light has components of vibrations in all possible planes. Such a
light is unpolarized.
 If vibrations are confined to only one plane, the light is said to be polarized.
 Polarization is not common in sound and light.
 Light cannot be polarized by diffraction.
 Light waves are electromagnetic transverse waves.
 Light →dimmer (mutually perpendicular)
 Light brightest → (parallel)
 Quartz and sodium chlorate are optically active crystals.
 Sugar and tartaric acid show optical rotation when they are in solution.
 Sugar shows plane polarization.
 When a Polaroid is rotated at an angle of 360 then intensity of light
becomes 2 times maximum and 2 times minimum.
 Converging lens →convex lens
 Diverging lens →concave lens
 The unit of power of lens is same as rhdberg constant.
 When convex lens is cut horizontally: focal length same , intensity of light
becomes half
 When convex lens is cut vertically : power half, focal length double
 If image is formed on the same side of object then image is called real
image.
 If image is formed on the opposite side of object then image is called virtual
image.
 Physically exist→real image
 Physically not exist→virtual image
 Focal length of convex lens is positive.
 When an object is placed inside the principal focus, double convex lens
behave as simple microscope.
 In simple microscope: nature of image is virtual, erect and magnified.
 If object is at 2F, magnification=1
 If object is between F and 2F, magnification=1
 M=1+d/f (applicable when image is formed at least distance of distinct
vision)
 M=d/f (applicable when image is formed at infinity)
 If the length of microscope decreases magnification will decrease.
 In compound microscope: nature of image is real, inverted and diminished.
 Normal adjustment: If the image formed by an object lens is within the
focal length of eye piece then compound microscope should be in normal
adjustment.
 In compound microscope: nature of intermediate image is real, inverted
and magnified.
 Graham bell first invented telephone then invented photophone.
 Conditions of total internal reflection: 1) ray of light should enter from
denser to rarer medium. 2) Angle of incidence should be greater than
critical angle.
 An optical fibre with its protective case may be 6mm in diameter and yet it
can be replace a 7.62cm diameter bundle of copper wires to carry the same
amount of signals.
 Speed of light in a material medium depends upon refractive index of the
material.
 When a light ray enters from rarer to denser medium, it bends towards the
normal.
 When a light ray enters from denser to rarer medium, it bends away from
the normal.
 Speed of light of greater in air than medium.
 n=c/v (n=1, n>1, n not < 1)
 sin (inverse)=n2/n1 hint: upper wala halka neechay wala bhari n2 for
air=1, n for glass=1.5
 Total internal reflection: If the angle of incidence is greater than critical
angle, then light is totally reflected back in the denser medium. This
process is called total internal reflection.
 Short sightedness is called myopia or near sightedness.
 Long sightedness is called hyperopia or far sightedness.
 Natural defect in alignment of lens is called astigmatism.
 In colourblindness, we cannot differentiate between red and green.
 Working principle of optical fibre is total internal reflection.
 Single mode step index fibre:
 5 micrometre diameter
 Thin core
 Larger cladding
 Strong monochromatic light source i.e. laser source has to be used to
send light signals through it.
 It can carry more than 14 TV channels or 14000 phone calls.
 Multimode step index fibre:
 Larger diameter of 50 micrometre diameter
 Mostky used for carrying white light
 It is used for short distance only
 n changes from 1.52 to 1.48 at boundary with the cladding.
 Multimode graded index fibre:
 Diameter of 50 cto 100 micrometre
 It has a core of relatively high refractive index and refractive index
decreases gradually from the middle to outer surface of the fibre.
 It is useful for long distance applications in which white light is used.
 The light emitted from LED has wavelength in fibre optics system is 1.3
micrometre.
 Mercury thermometers are used to measure temperature upto 360 degree
centigrade.
 Thermocouple thermometer is most suitable for measuring a temperature
of 400 degree centigrade.
 Mercury is used in liquid thermometer because it has less specific heat and
high conductivity.
 For an ideal gas, inter particle interaction is zero.
 The unit of thermodynamic scale is Kelvin.
 P.E=0 for an ideal gas.
 In elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved.
 At zero Kelvin, K.E of gas molecules becomes zero.
 Average velocity of molecules of a gas in equilibrium is zero.
 Area under P-V diagram and volume axis represents total work done.
 Isobaric>isothermal>adiabatic
 If we double velocity, pressure of gas becomes four times.
 Pressure exerted by the gas is directly proportional to the average
translational kinetic energy of the gas molecules.
 R=8.314Jmol-1K-1
 K=1.38^10-23JK-1
 Pressure everywhere inside the vessel will be the same provided the gas is
uniform density is the statement of Pascal’s law.
 The internal energy of an ideal gas system is generally the sum of
translational K.E of its molecules.
 For an ideal gas U is directly proportional to temperature.
 Internal energy is similar to gravitational P.E.
 It is change in internal energy and not its absolute value which is
important.
 First law of thermodynamics is according to law of conservation of energy.
 Q=∆U+W
 Human metabolism provides an example of first law of thermodynamics.
 Work done by the system=internal energy decrease.
 Work done on the system=internal energy increase.
 Isothermal expansion:
 +Q=+W
 Work done by the system
 Heat entering the system
 Isothermal compression:
 -Q=-W
 Heat leaving the system
 Work done on the system
 Adiabatic compression:
 -W=∆U
 Temperature increases
 Work done on the gas
 Adiabatic expansion:
 +W=-∆U
 Work done by the gas
 Temperature decreases
 Isothermal process takes place slowly.
 Adabiat is steeper than isotherm.
 Work done is maximum at isobaric.
 Work done is minimum at isochoric.
 C=Jmol-1K-1
 The value of molar specific heat of a gas which is undergoing isothermal
process is infinity.
 The value of molar specific heat of a gas which is undergoing adiabatic
process is zero.
 On the basis of KMT, absolute zero is that temperature at which molecules
of gas will come to stand still.
 Heat engine converts thermal energy to mechanical work.
 In a cyclic process, change in internal energy is zero.
 Carnot’s theorem is a consequence of 2nd law of thermodynamics.
 A device which causes heat to flow from low temperature reservoir to a
high temperature is called refrigerator.
 Theoretically, efficiency of Carnot engine is 100% when temperature of
sink (low temperature T2) is at zero Kelvin.
 1 K is defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple
point of water.
 Efficiency of petrol engine=25% to 30%
 Efficiency of diesel engine=35% to 40%
 Key Points of Physics 2nd Year

 Limitations of Ohms law:

 Temperature should not increase.
 Physical state remains same
 Mostly conductors are ohmic.
 The value of resistance depends upon:
 Nature
 Dimensions
 Physical state of the conductor
 Unit of resistance is ohm.
 In conductors resistance increases by increasing temperature.
 In semi conductors resistance decreases by increasing temperature.
 In series combination:
 Current same
 Voltage different
 In parallel combination:
 Voltage same
 Current different
 Resistivity does not depend upon:
 Area
 Length
 Radius
 Diameter
 Silver and copper are two best conductors.
 Mostly electric wires are made of copper.
 Germanium and silicon have negative temperature co efficient.
 The moving charge experiences a magnetic force because of the magnetic
field.
 Right hand rule is always used for cross product.
 If we see from bottom to top then current is clockwise.
 If we see from top to bottom then current is anti clockwise.
 Weber=Tesla^m2
 1T=NA-1m-1
 Force is perpendicular to plane containing L and B.
 1 web/m2=104 gauss
 Force is zero if rod is placed parallel to the field.
 Force is maximum when the conductor is placed at right angles.
 The wires attract eachother when currents are in same direction.
 The wires repel eachother when currents are in opposite direction.
 Tesla=impulse per coulomb per metre
 In S.I units, unit of B is Tesla.
 The magnetic force acting on a unit positive charge moving at right angle
to the magnetic field with unit velocity is called magnetic induction.
 Amperes law:
The product of magnetic field to the length of closed path is
equal to u (mu) times current enclosed by the conductor.
 The magnetic field inside a current carrying long solenoid is uniform and
steady.
 The direction of magnetic field inside solenoid is S to N.
 The direction of magnetic field outside solenoid id N to S.
 Northpole=anti clockwise
 Southpole=clockwise
 Magnetic field is strong inside the solenoid because magnetic field lines are
close to eachother.
 Magnetic field is weak outside the solenoid because magnetic field lines are
far apart from eachother.
 Right hand rule is not applicable on negative charge.
 Magnetic force is only a deflecting force.
 A strong magnetic field is applied to stationary electron then remains
stationary.
 A free charged particle moves through magnetic field. The particle may
undergo a change in direction of motion.
 Work done by magnetic force is zero acting on charge particle moving in
magnetic field.
 Right hand palm rule is used to find the direction of force.
 The magnitude of force on moving charge is maximum when angle between
velocity and magnetic field is 90.
 An electron gun consists of:
 Filament
 Cathode
 Grid
 Three anodes
 In C.R.O anode w.r.t cathode is highly positive.
 C.R.O works on both A.C and D.C
 In C.R.O waveform created sweep or time base generator is sawtooth
wave.
 The brightness of the spot on C.R.O screen is controlled by grid.
 C.R.O contains three anodes and one cathode.
 The screen of the C.R.O is coated with zinc sulphide and it emits green
light.
 In C.R.O screen is at ground potential.
 In C.R.O, electrons are emitted by thermionic emission.
 Grid of C.R.O control number of electrons by electrostatic repulsion.
 In C.R.O when beam of electron falls on a screen it makes a visible light
because the screen is fluorescent.
 By increasing negative potential on grid in C.R.O, the brightness will
decrease.
 In C.R.O, when electron passes through anode, no force acts on them.
 From C.R.O we can measure:
 Voltage
 Frequency
 Phase
 Ceramics,Ionic compounds and Metals are crystalline solids:
 Copper
 Iron
 Zinc
 The cohesive forces between atoms,molecules or ions in crystalline solids
maintain the srict long-range order inspite of atomic vibrations.
 Atoms, molecules or ions in a crystalline solid are not static.
 Polymeric solids have low specific gravity as compared with lightest metals.
 Amorphous solids have no definite melting point.
 Plastics and synthetic rubbers are polymeric solids.
 Polymers can be classified as partially or poorly crystalline soilds.
 Formula for natural rubber is (C5H6) n.
 NaCl has cubic structure.
 Examples of polymers:
 Polythene
 Polystyrene
 Nylon
 For liquids and gases, young’s modulus is equal to zero.
 Tension is independent of length.
 During twisting of wire, strain produced is tensile.
 Solid possesses:
 Youngs modulus
 Bulk modulus
 Shear modulus
 The change in volume is inversely proportional to bulk modulus.
 Shear modulus is also called modulus of rigidity.
 Reciprocal of bulk modulus is called compressibility.
 Water has only bulk modulus.
 Bulk modulus is maximum for solids.
 Bulk modulus is minimum for gases.
 In liquids and solids only bulk modulus present.
 Y depends upon:
 Nature of material
 Temperature
 Stress strain curve explains different mechanical properties of solids when
they are deformed.
 Nominal strength of the material is called ultimate tensile strength.
 Specific gravity has no unit.
 Aluminium has same youngs modulus and bulk modulus.
 Concrete has only youngs modulus.
 Mercury has same youngs modulus and shear modulus.i.e. zero
 Water has same youngs modulus and shear modulus.i.e.zero
 Brittle substances:
 Glass
 High carbon steel
 Ductile substances:
 Lead
 Copper
 Wrought iron
 Diamond has maximum youngs modulus.
 Youngs modulus for perfectly elastic body is zero.
 Modulus of rigidity of a liquid is zero.
 Perfectly rigid body has youngs modulus infinity.
 A logic gate is a digital circuit which follows certain relationship between
input and output voltages.
 Calculations in digital systems are based on Boolean algebra.
 Two NOT gates cancel eachother.
 Boolean variables are 1 and 0.
 Boolean algebra is based on 3 basic operations:
 AND
 OR
 NOT
 NOT gate has only one input.
 NOR gate and NAND gates are called universal gates.
 Series combianation→AND gate
 Parallel combination→OR gate
 Thermistor is a sensor for temperature.
 Microphone is a sound sensor.
 Level sensors give an electrical signal when level of liquid in a vessel attains
a certain limit.
 LDR is a sensor for light because it can convert changes in the intensity of
light into electrical voltage.
 Characteristic X-Rays obey Moseley’s law.
 Energy of inner shell transitions depend upon nature of target.
 Electric field can deflect alpha particles.
 Gamma rays differ from X-Rays in respect of their origin.
 Production of X-Rays is reverse process of photoelectric effect.
 X-Rays are electromagnetic waves travelling with speed of light.
 Heavy element has large atomic number and high melting point.
 Collidge tube contains anode and tungsten filament connected to cathode.
 Intensity of X-Rays can be increased by increasing the potential difference
between cathode and anode.
 Penetrating power of X-Rays depends upon nature of cathode.
 Brightness on X-Ray is inversely proportional to intensity.
 Intensity of X-Ray photons depends upon filament current.
 CAT=Computerized Axial Tomography
 Shadow of bones appears lighter than surrounding flesh.
 X-Rays can cause cancer.
 Lasers are used for producing an intense, monochromatic, and
unidirectional coherent beam of visible light.
 Underlying principle of laser is stimulated emission.
 For each incident photon, we will have 2 photons going in the same
direction.
 In spontaneous emission, atom emits a photon of energy in any arbitrary
direction.
 The incident photon of energy induces the atom to decay by emitting a
photon that travels in the direction of the incident photon.
 In population inversion, high energy state has more number of electrons
than lower energy state.
 Excited state=10-8s
 Metastable state=10-3s
 Neon is lasing or active medium.
 Helium is pumping medium.
 Laser beams are used as surgical tool for welding detached retinas.
 Heium neon laser beam is being used to diagnose diseases of the eye.
 Z greater than 82 are unstable.
 Marie curie and pierre curie discovered polonium and radium.
 Alpha particles:
 Positively charge particles
 Bends towards negative plate
 Beta particles are fast moving electrons.
 Charge on alpha particles is +2e. Mass is 4u.
 Beta particles:
 Negatively charged particles
 Bends towards positive plate
 Alpha particles are helium nuclei.
 Gamma rays like X-Rays are electromagnetic waves.
 When beta particle is emitted from the nucleus, the effect on its neutron
proton ratio is decreased.
 In alpha decay:
 Atomic mass decreases by 4
 Atomic number decreases by 2
 In beta decay:
 Mass number remains same
 Charge number increases by 1
 In gamma decay:
 Mass number remains same
 Atomic number remains same
 Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiations which are produced by
deexcitation.
 Gamma rays are extremely penetrating particles.
 The ratio of fraction of atoms per second is called decay constant.
 Unit of decay constant is s-1
 Half life of uranium(238) is 4.5^109 years.
 Half life of radium (226) is 1620 years.
 Half life of radon is 3.8 days.
 Half life of uranium (239) is 23.5 minutes.
 Ionizing ability of beta particles is 100 times less than that of alpha
particles.
 Range of beta particles is 100 times greater than that of alpha particles.
 Alpha particle is 7000 times more massive than an electron.
 Path of beta particles is straggling and scattering.
 Beta particles are more easily deflected by collisions than heavy alpha
particles.
 Ionization is inversely proportional to range.
 Alpha particles leave thick, straight and continuous tracks due to intense
ionization produced by them.
 Beta particles form thin and discontinuous tracks extending in erratic
manner showing frequent deflections.
 Gamma rays leave no definite tracks along their path.
 In Wilson cloud chamber, the length of cloud tracks has been found
proportional to the energy of the incident particle.
 Potential difference in Wilson cloud chamber is 1Kv.
 Potential difference for G.M tube is 400 V.
 Atmospheric pressure is 0.1 atm.
 Quenching gas is bromine.
 Quenching gas must have an ionization potential lower than that of inert or
principal gas.
 Electron pulse takes place less than 1 microsecond.
 Deadtime→10-4s
 Cosmic radiation consists of :
 High energy charged particles
 Electromagnetic radiation
 Radioactive radon gas enters buildings from the ground.
 Chest X-Ray and dental X-Ray may do more harm than good.
 One Becquerel is one disintegration per second.
 S.I unit of radioactivity is Bq.
 S.I unit of absorbed dose is Gray (Gy).
 1Gy=1Jkg-1
 1 rad=0.01 Gy
 De=D^RBE
 Old unit of absorbed dose is rad.
 Old unit of equivalent dose is rem.
 S.I unit of equivalent dose is Sievert (Sv)
 1Sv=1Gy^RBE
 1rem=0.01Sv
 Alpha particles are 20 times more damaging than X-Rays.
 Alpha and beta particles can cause redness and sores on the skin.
 Neutrons are more damaging to eyes than other parts of the body.
 Half life of Pu is 24000 years, it remains dangerous for about 1,92,000
years.
 Carbon -14 releases beta radiations.
 Half life of sodium is 15 hours.
 Sodium-24 is used to study circulation of blood.
 Radio-iodine is absorbed mostly by thyroid gland.
 Phosphorous by bones.
 Cobalt by liver.
 A diseased or hyperactive gland absorbs more than twice the amount of
normal thyroid gland.
 For skin cancers, phosphorous-32 and strontium-90 can be used. They
produce beta radiation.
 All types of food also contain a little radioactive substance. The most
common are potassium-40 and carbon-14 isotopes.