MODULE 1

Discovering Physics

What this module is about

Think for a moment about life without Physics. What is it? All of us
have different experiences wherein only physics can explain the existence of natural
phenomena happening in our environment. Technological advancement was brought by
research and innovation because of physics as a core subject that dealt with it. Life is dull
without electricity, transportations, communication, infrastructure and even gadgets that we
are using right now. We are surrounded by physics all the time and whether you realize it or
not, you use physics every day. Physics, the study of matter and energy, is an ancient and
broad field of science. We are dependent to it specifically to the technologies around us that
are brought by the application of science. Physics is the search for and applications of rules
that can help us understand and predict the world around us. Physics revolve around ideas
such as energy, mass, particles and waves. Physics attempts to both answer philosophical
questions about the nature of the universe and provide solutions to technological problems.
The word 'physics' comes from the Greek 'knowledge of nature,' and in general, the field
aims to analyze and understand the natural phenomena of the universe.

This learning module will help you understand on the nature of physics and it
quantitative observations on objects or phenomena in conducting investigation and solving
problems. The module includes the following learning episodes:

Learning Episode 1: What is Physics?

Learning Episode 2: Scientific method
Learning Episode 3: Dimensional analysis and Unit conversions of Units
Learning Episode 4: Problem Solving Techniques
Learning Episode 5: Data/graphical analysis

Key Questions:

1. What are the major field of physics and its impact to modern world?
2. What are the steps of scientific method and its application to research and
innovation?
3. What is/are the advantages of dimensional analysis and unit analysis?
4. How to analyze data and use problem solving technique?
 What you are expected to learn
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. Describe the major field of physics and its impact to modern world.
2. Discuss the steps of scientific method and its application to research and innovation.
3. Distinguish standard units and systems of units
4. Explain the advantages of dimensional analysis and unit analysis.
5. Apply dimensional analysis and unit analysis in performing calculations.
6. Apply concepts in converting units within a system or from one system of units to
another.
7. Apply problem-solving procedure to typical problems in Physics.
8. Analyze data and its graphical representation.
9. Show appreciation of the importance of units, measurement, and problem solving in
dealing real life situations using the concepts and practical application of physics.

How to learn from this module

The topics in this module have been broken down into a series of learning
episodes. The given activities are important because they are programmed to
help you learn more efficiently.
Some topics present new information others are review materials that you may
already know. Every learning episode presents a learning task that requires some response
from you.
When you have written or marked your answer, you will want to find out whether your
answers were right. The module provides you with important feedback by giving you easy
access to the answers. Do not look at the correct answer until after you have marked your
own answers. If you look before answering, you will only impair your own learning process.
If your answer is wrong, reread the lesson until you understand your error. Then go on.
Good luck and have fun!

Take the pre-assessment before proceeding to the different learning episodes.

Check your answers against the answer key at the end of the module.
 What to do before
Pre-Assessment
DIRECTION: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen
letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Lowie focuses his study on the motion of objects and the forces that cause the
motion to change. What field of Physics does his study belong to?
A) Kinematics C) Statics
B) Dynamics D) Mechanics

2. Anna is conducting an experiment and she found out that when forces acted on the
body of an object, the object moves. What field of mechanics are the results of
experiment classified?
A) Kinematics C) Statics
B) Dynamics D) Mechanics

3. The multiplier for SI units with the prefix pico is __________.

A) 10-15 C) 10-9
B) 10-12 D) 10-6

4. __________ describes how well the results of an experiment agree with the standard
value.
A) Significance C) Certainty
B) Accuracy D) Precision

5. The standard SI unit of mass is ____________.

A) kilometer C) pound
B) kilogram D) kilomole

6. Choose the best Conversion of 1.45 km to meters.

A) 14.5×103 m C) 0.145×10-3 m
B) 1.45×10-3 m D) 1.45×103 m

7. Solve and express the answer in scientific notation: 4.75×103 kg + 8.24×103 kg.
A) 1.299x103 kg C) 1299×103 kg
4
B) 1.299×10 kg D) 12,990 kg

8. If one were to divide 3.90 by 7.2, what would the answer be with the correct number
of significant digits?
A) 0.54 C) 1
B) 0.542 D) 0.5417

9. A sprinter set a world record with a speed of 12.9 m/s. Using correct significant
figures, what is this speed in km/hr?
A) 46.44 km/hr C) 46.8 km/hr
B) 46.4 km/hr D) 47 km/hr

10. Which of the following is equivalent to V = IR?

A) I = VR C) I = V/R
B) R = I/V D) R = IV

11. Which among the following is correctly paired?

A) Dependent variable ------x-axis C)Dependent variable----Horizontal axis
B) Independent Variable-----vertical axis D)Independent variable---x-axis
 12. A car is travelling with a constant velocity. How would you describe the line that will
be generated in a displacement vs. time graph?
A) Straight diagonal line C) parabola opening downward
B) Horizontal staright line D) Parabola opening upward

13. To calculate the distance traveled continuously in a straight line, __________.

A) subtract starting position from final position.
B) divide the distance traveled by the time needed to travel the distance
C) divide the change in velocity by the time over which the change occurs
D) subtract the cosine of the angle between the starting and finishing positions
from the square of the distance traveled

14. The graph shows the velocity of a bicycle as the rider begins to move from a stop.
What does the slope of the graph represent?
A) time
B) velocity
C) acceleration
D) displacement

15. Which of the following is the corect steps in problem solving techniques?
I. Draw a diagram as an aid in visualizing and analyzing the physical
situation of the problem where appropriate.
II. Determine which principles and equations are applicable to this
situation and how they can be used to get from the information given
to what is to be found.
III. Consider whether the result is reasonable.
IV. Read the problem carefully and analyze it. Write down the given data
and what you are to find.
V. Simplify mathematical expressions as much a s possible through
algebraic manipulation before inserting actual value.
VI. Substitute given quantities into equations and perform calculations.
A) I,II, III,IV, V, VI C) IV, I, II, IV, V, III
B) I, III, II, VI, V,IV D) IV, I, II, V, VI, III

KEY TO ANSWER ON PAGE

Learning Episode What is Physics?

1
Physics is the science of matter and its motion—the science that deals with
concepts such as force, energy, mass, and charge. As an experimental science, its goal is to
understand the natural world.
In one form or another, physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines; through its
modern subfield of astronomy, it may be the oldest of all. Sometimes synonymous with
philosophy, chemistry and even certain branches of mathematics and biology during the last
two millennia, physics emerged as a modern science in the 17th century and these
disciplines are now generally distinct, although the boundaries remain difficult to define.
Advances in physics often translate to the technological sector, and sometimes influence the
other sciences, as well as mathematics and philosophy.
For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism have led to the
widespread use of electrically driven devices (televisions, computers, home appliances etc.);
advances in thermodynamics led to the development of motorized transport; and advances
in mechanics led to the development of the calculus, quantum chemistry, and the use of
instruments like the electron microscope in microbiology.
Today, physics is a broad and highly developed subject. Research is often divided into four
subfields: condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; high energy
physics; and astronomy and astrophysics. Most physicists also specialize in either
theoretical or experimental research, the former dealing with the development of new
theories, and the latter dealing with the experimental testing of theories and the discovery of
new phenomena.
Despite important discoveries during the last four centuries, there are a number of
open questions in physics, and many areas of active research. Although physics
encompasses a wide variety of phenomena, all competent physicists are familiar with the
basic theories of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, relativity, thermodynamics, and
quantum mechanics.
Each of these theories has been tested in numerous experiments and proven to be
an accurate model of nature within its domain of validity.
For example, classical mechanics correctly describes the motion of objects in
everyday experience, but it breaks down at the atomic scale, where it is superseded by
quantum mechanics, and at speeds approaching the speed of light, where relativistic effects
become important.
While these theories have long been well-understood, they continue to be areas of
active research—for example, a remarkable aspect of classical mechanics known as chaos
theory was developed in the 20th century, three centuries after the original formulation of
mechanics by Isaac Newton (1642–1727).

Physics and its Branches

1. Classical Physics refers to the traditional forces that were recognized and developed
before the beginning of the 20th century. Classical physics involves classical mechanics
(the study of the movement of fluids and particles), thermodynamics (the study of
temperature and heat transfer), and electromagnetism (the study of electricity, magnets,
and electromagnetic waves). Classical physics can be described as the study of the
physical world that’s visible to the naked eye—in other words, the things that are
macroscopic. It’s based on Isaac Newton’s laws of motion and gravity (because of this,
classical physics is also called Newtonian physics) and it is the basis of various other
branches of science like chemistry and biology.
 In the late 1800s, however, scientists started to explore the things that
classical physics couldn’t properly explain. This resulted in the theories of relativity
and quantum mechanics, which required a whole new model of physics. But in the
“normal world”—the visible, physical world—the old laws of physics continued to
work perfectly well. Classical physics is what you might call “practical physics”—for
most practical, everyday purposes, classical physics is still important and useful.

Here are the following branches of classical physics:

A. Mechanics – the study of forces acting on bodies whether at rest or in motion

a. Static- deals with the concepts that are at rest
b. Kinematics- deals with the concepts that are needed to describe motion,
without any reference to forces.
c. Dynamics- deals with the effect that forces have on motion.
B. Acoustics – The study of the production and propagation of sound waves.
C. Optics – the study of light
a. Physical Optics – on the production, nature and properties of light
b. Physiological Optics – on the part played by light in vision
c. Geometrical Optics –on the reflection and refraction of light as
encountered in the study of mirrors and lenses
D. Thermodynamics – the study of the relationship between heat and other forms
of energy
E. Electromagnetism – the study of the properties of electric current and
magnetism and their relationship
a. Electrostatics – on electric charges at rest
b. Electrodynamics – on moving charges
c. Magnetostatics – on magnetic poles at rest

2. Modern Physics refers to the concepts in physics that have surfaced since the
beginning of the 20th century. Modern physics is a branch of physics which deals with
the post-Newtonian concepts in the world of physics. It is based on the two major
breakthroughs of the twentieth century: Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.

Modern physics often involves an advance description of nature through new

theories which were different from the classical descriptions and involves elements of
quantum mechanics and Einsteinian relativity. For instance, quantum effects typically
involve distances related to atoms. On the other hand, relativistic effects typically involve
velocities compared to the speed of light.

Albert Einstein is known as the father of modern physics. He was a 20th-century

scientist, who came up with the most important ideas. One of the important work of
Albert Einstein is the theory of relativity and the famous equation E=mc 2. He was
awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921 for his achievements in theoretical physics,
particularly discovering the laws of photoelectric effect

Here are the following branches of classical physics:

A. Atomic And Nuclear Physics – the study of the components, structure and
behavior of the nucleus of the atom.
B. Quantum Physics – the study of the discrete nature of phenomena at the atomic
and subatomic levels its focus is on the invisible units of energy called quanta as
described by the quantum theory.
C. Relativistic Physics - the study of phenomena that take place in a forms of
reference that is in motion with respect to an observer.
 D. Solid State Physics – study of all properties of solid materials including electrical
conduction in crystals of semi-conductor and metals
E. Condensed Matter Physics –study of the properties of condensed materials
(solids, and liquid and those intermediate between them and dense gas) with the
ultimate goal and developing new material with better properties; it is an extension
of solid state physics
F. Plasma Physics –the study of the fourth state of matter; plasma
G. Low Temperature Physics – the study of the production and maintenance of
temperatures down to almost absolute zero and the various phenomena that occur
only at such temperature.

For more learning on this topic, visit the links below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbGdcvRMog0

Now that you are through with the first learning episode, try to answer the following
and see for yourself how much you learned.

Check Your Knowledge and Understanding 1

DIRECTION: Answer correctly and accurately the sets of questions below.

1. What is the impact of physics to modern world?

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________
2. How physics can be related to the field of your specialization? Cite concrete
example.
________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Another important episode in the development of theory and laws is the study of Scientific
method. To know more about it, read and explore the next learning episode.
Learning Episode 2 Scientific method

At the core of Physics and other sciences lies a problem-solving approach called the
scientific method. The scientific method has five basic steps, plus one feedback step:

1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.

The scientific method is used in all sciences—including chemistry, physics, geology, and
psychology. The scientists in these fields ask different questions and perform different tests.
However, they use the same core approach to find answers that are logical and supported
by evidence.

Scientific method example: Failure to catch Fish

Let's build some intuition for the scientific method by applying its steps to a practical
problem from everyday life.

1. Make an observation.

Observation: It is High tide.

2. Ask a question.
Why I cannot catch fish?

3. Propose a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is a potential answer to the question, one that can somehow be
tested. For example, our hypothesis in this case could be that I cannot catch fish because
the live bait was not position properly.

This hypothesis is not necessarily the right explanation. Instead, it's a possible
explanation that we can test to see if it is likely correct, or if we need to make a new
hypothesis.

4. Make predictions.
A prediction is an outcome we'd expect to see if the hypothesis is correct. In this
case, we might predict that the live bait was not position properly, then position the bait
properly in the hook to fix the problem.
5. Test the predictions.
 To test the hypothesis, we need to make an observation or perform an experiment
associated with the prediction. For instance, in this case, we would position the bait in
different parts of the hook.

o If the hook with bait position properly does catch fish, then the hypothesis is
supported—likely correct.
o If the hook with bait position properly doesn't catch fish, then the hypothesis is not
supported—likely wrong

The results of a test may support or contradict—oppose—a hypothesis. Results that

support a hypothesis can't conclusively prove that it's correct, but they do mean it's likely to
be correct. On the other hand, if results contradict a hypothesis, that hypothesis is probably
not correct. Unless there was a flaw in the test—a possibility we should always consider—a
contradictory result means that we can discard the hypothesis and look for a new one.

6. Iterate.

Yey.. I catch a fish. Why, I can’t still

catch fish?

Hypothesis is supported Hypothesis is not supported

Iteration Time…..
Hmmm… maybe there is
But what is actually
no fish in this area.
wrong with the bait?

 If the hypothesis was supported, we might do additional tests to confirm it, or revise it to be
more specific. For instance, we might investigate why the outlet is broken.

 If the hypothesis was not supported, we would come up with a new hypothesis. For
instance, the next hypothesis might be that there's a broken wire in the toaster.

In most cases, the scientific method is an iterative process. In other words, it's a cycle
rather than a straight line. The result of one go-round becomes feedback that improves the
next round of question asking.

For more learning on this topic, visit the links below.

https://youtu.be/N6IAzlugWw0

Now that you are through with the second learning episode. Let us try to check how
much you have learned from Learning Episode 2: Scientific Method by answering the Check
Your Knowledge and Understanding.
 Check Your Knowledge and Understanding 2
DIRECTION: Answer correctly and accurately the sets of questions below.

1. A Fisheries student wanted to study the effects of laboratory made feeds on the
growth of tilapia. He placed an equal number of tilapia into two containers. Each day
for one week, Container A received commercial feeds, while Container B received a
laboratory made feeds. The table below shows the average weight of tilapia over the
course of the experiment.

Day Container A Container B

Weight Grams weight grams
1 3.0 3.0
2 3.2 3.3
3 3.3 3.9
4 3.5 4.3
5 3.7 4.6
6 3.8 4.9
7 3.9 5.1
Which of these statements best describes the results shown in the table?

A. The tilapia in Container B was negatively affected by the Laboratory made feeds.
B. The tilapia in Container A did not experience growth.
C. The weight of the tilapia levels off around day 5.
D. The tilapia grown with Laboratory made feeds have a higher average weight than the
tilapia grown with commercial feeds.

2. A Fisheries student wanted to determine if there is a relationship between resting

heart rate and time spent exercising per week. He gathered information from 12
classmates and constructed the graph below.

What is likely to be a resting heart rate for a student who

exercises about 3 hours a week?

A. 75 bpm
B. 62 bpm
C. 81 bpm
D. 69 bpm

3. An ecologist calculated the average yearly rainfall in a local valley. His data is
organized into the table below.
In which month was rainfall the heaviest?
A. November
B. August
C. April
D. March
 4. The graph below shows the effect of temperature on population size of three different
species of fish.
Which temperature range could support the growth of
all three species?
A. 30 OC -35 OC
B. 0 OC -5 OC
C. 15 OC -20 OC
D. 40 OC -45 OC

5. A scientist wanted to determine the toxicity of venom in five species of snake. He

collected data on the mortality (or death rate) from each snake species' bites. Which
of the following lists the snakes from most deadly to least deadly?
A. Bushmaster, Western Diamondback, European
viper, King Cobra, Eastern Coral
B. European viper, Bushmaster, King Cobra, Eastern
Coral, Western Diamondback
C. Bushmaster, King Cobra, Eastern Coral, Western
Diamondback, European viper
D. European viper, Western Diamondback, Eastern
Coral, King Cobra, Bushmaster

6. How scientific method used in field of fishery

research and innovation? Cite example.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

KEY TO ANSWER ON PAGE

Learning Episode Dimensional analysis and Conversion

3 of Units

Base and Derived Units

For most quantities, a unit is absolutely necessary to communicate values of that

physical quantity. Imagine you need to buy some rope to tie something onto the roof of a car.
How would you tell the salesperson how much rope you need without using some unit of
measurement?
 However, not all quantities require a unit of their own. Using physical laws, units of
quantities can be expressed as combinations of units of other quantities. Therefore, only a
small set of units is required. These units are called base units, and other units are derived
units. Derived units are a matter of convenience, as they can be expressed in terms of
basic units.

Different systems of units are based on different choices of base units. The most
widely used system of units is the International System of Units, or SI. There are seven SI
base units, and all other SI units can be derived from these base units.

There are four systems of units namely C.G.S, M.K.S, F.P.S, and SI.

Fundamental and supplementary physical quantities in SI system:

The seven base SI units are: [Physical Quantity: unit symbol (unit name)]

 Length: m (meter)
 Mass: kg (kilogram)
 Time: s (second)
 Electric Current: A (Ampere)
  Thermodynamic Temperature: K (degrees Kelvin)
 Amount of Substance: mol ( mole )
 Luminous Intensity: cd (candela)

The base units of SI are actually not the smallest set possible; smaller sets have
been defined. For example, there are unit sets in which the electric and magnetic field have
the same unit. This is based on physical laws that show that electric and magnetic fields are
actually different manifestations of the same phenomenon.

Derived units are based on units from the SI system of units. For example, volume is
a derived unit because volume is based on length. To calculate the volume of something,
you multiply the width x length x height, all in meters. Therefore, the derived unit for volume
is m3. Here is a list of some commonly derived units:

 Area: m2
 Volume: m3
 Velocity: m/s
 Acceleration: m/s2
 Density: g/mL or g/cm3
 Force: kg⋅m/s2 or the Newton (N)
 Energy: N⋅m or the Joule (J)

Dimensional Analysis

Sometimes, it is necessary to deal with measurements that are very small (as in the
size of an atom) or very large (as in numbers of atoms). In these cases, it is often necessary
to convert between units of metric measurement. For example, a mass measured in grams
may be more convenient to work with if it was expressed in mg (10 –3 g). Converting between
metric units is called unit analysis or dimensional analysis.

Unit analysis is a form of proportional reasoning where a given measurement can be

multiplied by a known proportion or ratio to give a result having a different unit or dimension.
Algebraically, we know that any number multiplied by one will be unchanged. If, however,
the number has units, and we multiply it by a ratio containing units, the units in the number
will multiply and divide by the units of the ratio, giving the original number (remember you
are multiplying by one) but with different units.

This method can be generalized as: multiply or divide a given number by a known
ratio to find your answer. The given number is a numerical quantity (with its units). The ratios
used are based upon the units and are set up so that the units in the denominator of the
ratio match the numerator units of the given and the units in the numerator of the ratio match
those in either the next ratio or the final answer. When these are multiplied, the given
number will now have the correct units for your answer.

Unit Conversion and Dimensional Analysis

` Dimensional analysis is also called Factor Label Method or Unit Factor
Method because we use conversion factors to get the same units.
To help you understand the stated better, let’s say you want to know
1. How many meters make 3 km?
We know that 1000 meters make 1 km,
Therefore,
3 km = 3 × 1000 meters = 3000 meters
2.

https://byjus.com/jee/units-and-dimensions/
Dimensional analysis is the process of converting between units.

The International System of Units (SI) specifies a set of seven base units from which
all other units of measurement are formed. Derived units are based on those seven
base units.

Unit analysis is a form of proportional reasoning where a given measurement can be

multiplied by a known proportion or ratio to give a result having a different unit or
dimension.

Dimensional analysis involves using conversion factors, which are ratios of related
physical quantities expressed in the desired units.

Understanding 2 Answer key

1. D
2. D
3. D
4. C All three species can tolerate these conditions
5. C. The higher the mortality percentage, the more deadly the snake is. The lower the
mortality percentage, the less deadly the snake is.

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-biology-foundations/hs-biology-and-
the-scientific-method/v/the-scientific-method

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=kKKM8Y-u7ds&feature=emb_title

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/dimensional-
analysis/#:~:text=Unit%20analysis%20is%20a%20form,expressed%20in%20the%20desired%20units.