LECTURE NOTES ON BASIC PHYSICS

COMPILED BY: CHIBUIKEM N. OKEKE

 Lecture Notes on Basic Physics C. N. OKEKE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE 3
1.0. Introduction to Physics 3
1.1. Branches of Physics 4
1.2. Scientific Methods 4
CHAPTER TWO 6
2.0. MEASUREMENTS 6
2.1. Fundamental quantities and fundamental units 6
2.2. Derived quantities and derived units 6
2.3. Scalar quantities 7
2.4. Vector quantities 7
CHAPTER THREE 8
3.0. MOTION 8
3.1. Position, Distance and Displacement 8
3.2. Speed and Velocity 8
3.3. Acceleration 8
3.4. Force (F) 9
3.5. Friction 9
3.6. Work (W) 9
3.7. Energy 10
3.8. Newton's Laws of Motion 10
3.9. Power (P) 10
CHAPTER FOUR 11
4.0. Wave and Types 11
4.1. Classification of Waves 11
4.2. Wave Terms 11
4.3. Properties of waves 12

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 Lecture Notes on Basic Physics C. N. OKEKE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0. Introduction to Physics

THE BIG QUESTION: WHAT IS PHYSICS?

Physics is a science that deals with the structure of matter and the
interactions between the fundamental constituents of the observable
universe. In the broadest sense, physics (from the Greek physikos) is
concerned with all aspects of nature on both the macroscopic and
submicroscopic levels. Its scope of study encompasses not only the behaviour
of objects under the action of given forces but also the nature and origin of
gravitational, electromagnetic, and nuclear force fields Physics, science that
deals with the structure of matter and the interactions between the
fundamental constituents of the observable universe. In the broadest sense,
physics (from the Greek physikos) is concerned with all aspects of nature on
both the macroscopic and submicroscopic levels. Its scope of study
encompasses not only the behaviour of objects under the action of given

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 Lecture Notes on Basic Physics C. N. OKEKE

forces but also the nature and origin of gravitational, electromagnetic, and
nuclear force fields.

1.1. Branches of Physics

Physics is generally divided into: Classical and Modern physics

Classical physics are the fundamental areas of physics upon which other
phenomena in physics were built. They are the background areas of physics.
Examples of such areas of physics are: Mechanics, Principles of
Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, etc.

Modern physics began in the early 20th century with the work of Max Planck
in quantum theory and Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. It is a
development from the classical branch of Physics. Modern physics covers such
areas as: Astrophysics, Nuclear physics, Geophysics, Neurophysics, etc.

1.2. Scientific Methods

Four an accurate understanding of physics, the following steps or methods are

necessary:
a. Concept: This talks about a general notion or idea about a topic or
subject; an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its
characteristics or particulars; a construct. The first step/method for an
accurate understanding of physics is a full grasp of the concepts of the
particular topic in question.

b. Theory and Experiment: Theorists seek to develop mathematical

models that both agree with existing experiments and successfully predict
future experimental results, while experimentalists devise and perform
experiments to test theoretical predictions and explore new phenomena.
Although theory and experiment are developed separately, they strongly
affect and depend upon each other. Progress in physics frequently comes
about when experimental results defy explanation by existing theories,
prompting intense focus on applicable modeling, and when new theories
generate experimentally testable predictions, which inspire the development
of new experiments. This is the second step in scientific methods.

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c. Application: Application of the principles of physics brings in an area of

physics known as Applied physics. It is a general term for physics research,
which is intended for a particular use. An applied physics curriculum usually
contains a few classes in an applied discipline, like geology or electrical
engineering. It usually differs from engineering in that an applied physicist
may not be designing something in particular, but rather is using physics or
conducting physics research with the aim of developing new technologies or
solving a problem.
This is the last step in scientific methods

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CHAPTER TWO

2.0. MEASUREMENTS

Measurement is as old as man. In fact, there would have been no civilization

without measurements. For measurements to be accurate there should be
quantities and their corresponding units of measurement. These quantities
and units are broadly divided into two:
Fundamental quantities and units
Derived quantities and units

2.1. Fundamental quantities and fundamental units

Fundamental quantities are the basic quantities that are independent of the
other quantities. Fundamental units are units upon which other units are
formed. The seven basic fundamental quantities with their corresponding
units are:
Time (second)
Length (metre)
Mass (kilogram)
Electric current (ampere)
Thermodynamic temperature (kelvin)
Amount of substance (mole)
Luminous intensity (candela)

2.2. Derived quantities and derived units

Derived quantities and the units are obtained by combination of the

fundamental ones. For example, unit of volume is obtained by multiplying the
units of length three times. ie m × m × m =m3 which is pronounced as meter
cubed or cubic meter. Density is the ratio of mass and volume, therefore the
unit of density is kg/m3or kgm-3, which is pronounced kilogram per meter
cubed, speed is defined as a distance divided by time so the unit is m/s or ms-1
and is pronounced meter per second. Examples of derived quantities and their
units are as follows:
QUANTITY DERIVATION UNIT
Area Length × breadth M2
Volume Length × breadth x height M3

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Density Mass/volume Kgm-3

Velocity Displacement/time Ms-1
Acceleration change in velocity/time Ms-2
Weight Mass x acceleration due gravity Newton (N)
Newton second
Momentum Mass x velocity
(Ns)
Pressure Force/ area Pascal or Nm-2
Energy/work Force X distance Joule (j) or Ns
Watt(w)/js-
Power Work/time 1/NmS-1

Physical quantities are further divided into two when considering magnitude
and direction. They are: Scalar and vector quantities.
A quantity that has magnitude but no particular direction is described as
scalar. A quantity that has magnitude and acts in a particular direction is
described as vector.

2.3. Scalar quantities

Scalar quantities only have magnitude (size).

For example, 11 m and 15 ms-1 are both scalar quantities.
Scalar quantities include: distance, speed, time, power, energy
Scalar quantities change when their magnitude changes.

2.4. Vector quantities

Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction. For example, 11 m east
and 15 ms-1 at 30° to the horizontal are both vector quantities.
Vector qualities include: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, weight,
momentum.
Vector quantities change when:
 Their magnitude changes
 Their direction changes
 Their magnitude and direction both change
The difference between scalar and vector quantities is an important one

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 Lecture Notes on Basic Physics C. N. OKEKE

CHAPTER THREE
3.0. MOTION

Motion is simply a change of position of a body with time. Motion is caused by

Force.
There are four basic types of motion: Random, Translational, Rotational and
Oscillatory motion.

3.1. Position, Distance and Displacement

The position of an object is the point where the object is in space.

Distance is the aspect to which an object has moved from one point to
another.
Displacement is the distance travelled in a specified direction. It is usually a
straight line drawn from the starting point to the end point..

3.2. Speed and Velocity

Speed is the rate at which a body covers a distance while Displacement is the
rate of change of displacement. They both have one unit; Meters per Second.

3.3. Acceleration
This is the rate of change of velocity with time. The S.I. unit of acceleration is
Meters per square second
Acceleration (a) = (v - u)/t
Where v = final velocity, u = initial velocity
When velocity increases with time, it is known as Acceleration while when it
decreases with time, it is known as Deceleration.
Example
A car moves from a velocity of 20ms-1 to a velocity of 30ms-1 in 5 seconds.
What is the average acceleration? Ans = 2ms-2

The three notable equations of motion with uniform acceleration are as

follows:
a. V = u + at
b. S = ut + 1/2 at2
c. V2 = u2 + 2as

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For vertical motion, the three equations become:

a. V = u + gt
b. H = ut + 1/2gt2
c. V2 = u2 + 2gh

Examples:
1. A naval ship travelling at 15m/s accelerates uniformly at 2m/s2 for 15s.
Find the distance travelled in this time. Ans = 450m
2. A car travels with a velocity of 5m/s. It then accelerates uniformly and
travels a distance of 50 m. If the velocity reached is 15m/s, find the
acceleration and the time to travel this distance. Ans = 2m/s2.

3.4. Force (F)

Force is an agent that changes or tends to change the state of rest or uniform
motion of a body. Force is what causes every motion. The unit of force is
Newton.
Force = mass × acceleration

There are two types of forces - contact force and force feild
Contact forces require a touch or contact with the body to which they are
applied eg. Friction push, pull
Force fields do not require contact with the body to which they are applied eg.
Gravitation, electric and magnetic force.

3.5. Friction
Friction is a force which acts at the surface of separation between two objects
in contact and tends to oppose the motion of one over the other.
Walking is only possible through friction, car wheels move freely on the road
by the principle of friction also.
Friction leads to wear and tear on moving parts of machines, loss of energy in
machines and heating of engines.

3.6. Work (W)

Work is the product of force and distance travelled in the direction of the
force. The unit of Work is Joules.
Work = force × distance = mas = mgh

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3.7. Energy
Energy is the capacity to do work. Unit is Joule. There are many forms of
energy such as mechanical, heat, light, atomic energy, etc. Under mechanics,
we focus on Mechanical energy.
Mechanical energy is classified into two - Potential and Kinetic energy

Potential energy is a stored energy or energy possessed by a body by virtue

of its position and state. It depends on mass, height and acceleration due to
gravity.
P.E. = mgh

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by a body by virtue of its motion.

Kinetic energy depends on mass and velocity.
K.E. = 1/2mv2

Examples
1. Find the potential energy of a boy of mass 10kg standing on a building floor
10m above the ground level. Ans = 1000J
2. An object of mass 5kg is moving at a constant velocity of 15m/s. Calculate
its kinetic energy.
Ans = 562.5J

3.8. Newton's Laws of Motion

Sir Isaac Newton discovered how forces are related to motion and formulated
three important laws:
A. First law of Motion
Every object continues in a state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon
by an external force.
B. Second Law of Motion
The rate of change of momentum is proportional to the impressed force and
takes place in the direction of that force.
C. Third law of Motion
Action and reaction are equal and opposite.

3.9. Power (P)

Power is the time rate of doing work. The unit of Power is Watts.
Power = work/time

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 Lecture Notes on Basic Physics C. N. OKEKE

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0. Wave and Types

A wave is a disturbance which travels through a medium transferring energy

from one point of the medium to another without causing any permanent
displacement of the medium.

4.1. Classification of Waves

Waves are classified based on:
Medium of propagation
Direction of travel

Medium of propagation
Mechanical waves eg. Sound and water waves require a medium through
which to travel, while electromagnetic waves eg. light, radio and x-rays do
not require a medium and can be propagated through a vacuum.

Direction of travel
Transverse waves eg. Water, light and radio waves are waves which travel
perpendicularly to the direction of the vibrations producing the waves while
Longitudinal waves eg. Sound waves travel in a direction parallel to the
vibrations of the medium.

4.2. Wave Terms

The high point of a transverse wave is a called the crest, and the low point is
called the trough. For longitudinal waves, the compressions and rarefactions
are analogous to the crests and troughs of transverse waves. The distance
between successive crests or troughs is called the wavelength. The height of a
wave is the amplitude. How many crests or troughs pass a specific point
during a unit of time is called the frequency. The velocity or speed of a wave
can be expressed as the wavelength multiplied by the frequency

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The complete to and fro movement or oscillation of a vibrating particle is

known as a cycle while period is the time it takes a wave to complete one
cycle.

4.3. Properties of waves

Reflection: This is the change in the direction of waves when they hit an
obstacle. All waves undergo reflection.

Refraction: This is the change in the speed and direction of waves as they
cross the boundary between two media of different densities. A refracted
wave makes two angles – angle of incidence (i) and angle of refraction (r).

Diffraction: This is the ability of waves to bend around obstacles at their

path.

Interference: This is the effect produced when two waves of same frequency,
amplitude and wavelength, travelling in the same direction in a medium are
superposed as they simultaneously pass through a given point. Interference
can either be constructive or destructive.

Polarization: This is a phenomenon whereby a wave whose vibrations are

only in one plane is produced. Only transverse waves (eg. Light and other
electromagnetic waves) can be polarized.

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