General Physics 1 - GenPhysics

Course Duration: 40 hours per quarter

Prerequisite: Basic Calculus

Additional Point System (Quarter Exam Exemption):

• Science Month Celebration

• Division Science and Technology Fair

• Regional Science and Technology Fair

• National Science and Technology Fair

• MCM Competition (Science Quiz Bee)

• TDCI Competition (Science Quiz Bee)

Requirements:

• Big Notebook

• Scientific Calculator

• 1/4 Index Card

Lecture 1: Introduction to Physics

Objectives:

• Understand the definition and etymology of physics.

• Identify the major areas of physics.

Etymology:

• Greek (15th Century)

• "Phusis" – natural things

• "Phusika" – everything around us

What is Physics?

• Branch of science dealing with matter and its relation to energy.

• Uses mathematics and scientific concepts to explain phenomena.

Physics as a Science:

• Natural Science: Deals with natural phenomena.

• Physical Science: Deals with the physical world.

• Fundamental Science: Deals with basic things in nature.

Major Areas of Physics:

• (Motions and Forces) Classical Mechanics: Motion under the influence of force (linear,
circular, oscillatory, fluid motion).

• (Waves and Energy) Waves and Sound: Propagation of energy through mediums.

• (Heat and Temperature) Thermodynamics: Transformation of heat energy.

• (Electrical Potential) Electromagnetism: Interaction of electric and magnetic fields.

• (Microscopic Particles) Quantum Mechanics: Behavior of particles at microscopic levels.

• (Atoms and Nuclei) Atomic and Nuclear Physics: Behavior and energy changes of atomic
nuclei.

• (Speed of Light) Relativity: Special and general theories of relativity.

• (Speed of Light) Optics: Behavior and properties of light.

Lecture 2: Physical Quantities and Units

Physical Quantities:

• Numbers used to describe physical phenomena quantitatively.

Standard Units & Systems of Units:

• Expressed in magnitude and units.

• Standard unit: Fixed, reproducible value for accurate measurement.

• Example: 5 kg (magnitude) m (units)

• Two major systems:

o British system (UK)

o International System of Units (SI) (most of the world)

Fundamental Quantities:

• Length:

o Measurement of space in any direction.

o Standard unit: meter (m)

o Originally defined as 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North
Pole.

• Mass:

o Amount of matter in an object.

o Standard unit: kilogram (kg), gram (g)

 o Defined by the mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder in France.

• Time:

o Continuous, forward flow of events.

o Standard unit: second (s)

o Defined by radiation frequency of cesium-133 atom.

Metric Prefixes

PREFIX SYMBOL MULTIPLIER EXPONENT FORM

exa E 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 10^18

peta P 1,000,000,000,000,000 10^15

tera T 1,000,000,000,000 10^12

giga G 1,000,000,000 10^9

mega M 1,000,000 10^6

kilo k 1,000 10^3

hecto h 100 10^2

deca da 10 10^1

Basic Unit Basic Unit 1 10^0

deci d 0.1 10^-1

centi c 0.01 10^-2

milli m 0.001 10^-3

micro μ 0.000001 10^-6

nano n 0.000000001 10^-9

pico p 0.000000000001 10^-12

femto f 0.000000000000001 10^-15

atto a 0.000000000000000001 10^-18

Derived Units and Quantities

Physical Quantity Expression Unit

Area length × breadth m²

Volume area × height m³

Velocity displacement / time m/s

Acceleration velocity / time m/s²

Angular velocity angular displacement / time rad/s

Angular acceleration angular velocity / time rad/s²

Density mass / volume kg/m³

Momentum mass × velocity kg m/s

Moment of inertia mass × velocity² kg m²

Force mass × acceleration kg m/s² or N

Pressure force / area kg m⁻¹ s⁻² or Pa

Energy (work) force × distance kg m² s⁻² or J

Impulse force × time kg m/s or Ns

Surface tension force / length N/m

Moment of force (torque) force × distance Nm

Electric charge current × time A s or C

Current density current / area A/m²

Magnetic induction force / (current × length) N A⁻¹ m⁻¹ or T

Commonly Used English Units of Measurement

Measure of English Units Conversion Equations

Distance (length)

Inches (in.)

Feet (ft.) 12 inches = 1 foot

Yards (yd.) 3 feet = 1 yard

Miles (mi.) 5,280 feet = 1 mile

Fluid volume (capacity)

Fluid ounces (fl. oz.)

Cups (c.) 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup

Pints (pt.) 2 cups = 1 pint

Quarts (qt.) 2 pints = 1 quart

Gallons (gal.) 4 quarts = 1 gallon

Weight

Ounces (oz.)

Pound (lb.) 16 ounces = 1 pound

Tons 2,000 pounds = 1 ton

Time

Seconds 60 seconds = 1 minute

Minutes 60 minutes = 1 hour

Hours 24 hours = 1 day

Days 7 days = 1 week

Weeks 365 days = 1 year

Temperature Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)

Speed (rate) Miles per hour (mph)

Physical Quantities and Their Units

Physical Quantity Unit Symbol

Fundamental quantities

Length metre m

Mass kilogram kg

Time second s

Electric current ampere A

Temperature kelvin K

Luminous intensity candela cd

Amount of substance mole mol

Supplementary quantities

Plane angle radian rad

Solid angle steradian sr