PHY 271

PHYSICS FOR BIOLOGY 1

LECTURE1
 INTRODUCTION
• Physics is a process of learning about our physical world by
finding ways to make sense of what we observe and
measure. It is a science that deals with the study of matter
in relations to energy. However, matter is able to do work
because of the energy it possesses.
• For a precise and accurate study of matter, measurement
has to be carried out and units must necessarily be assigned
to each and every quantity. Among these quantities are
length, time, mass, temperature, pressure and electric
current. Thus, Physics is based on measurements and we
discover Physics by learning how to measure quantities.
 MEASUREMENT

• Measurement tells us about the property of a

particular thing and gives a number to that
property. It might tell us how heavy an object is, or
how hot, or how long it is.
• Measurements are always made using an
instrument of some kind e.g. meter rule, vernier
caliper, beam balance, stop watch, thermometer,
ammeter, etc.
• The results of measurement are in two parts: a
number and a unit of measurement.
 SOME TERMS TO TAKE NOTE OF IN MEASUREMENTS

• (1) UNCERTAINTY: This is the doubt that exists about the result of any
measurement i.e. the quantification of doubt about the measurement
result.. However, in expressing uncertainty of measurements, we need
interval and confidence level.
• (2) ERROR: This is the difference between the measured value and the
true value
• (3) PRECISION: This is the quality, condition or fact of being exact and
accurate. However,
• to be exact is an indication that there is no deviation in the
measurement carried out.
• (4) UNIT: This is the name or symbol given to a standard of
measurement. However, in Physics units must be consistent and not
haphazard. Hence, there may be the need for some conversion factors
WHY THIS COURSE: PHYSICS FOR BIOLOGY?

• Physics for Biology is essential because there

are certain aspects of Biology that require
observations and measurements. Thus, being
versatile in Physics which requires learning
how to observe and measure quantities will
generally enhance the optimum performance
of individuals in diverse areas of applied
Biology.
 FUNDAMENTALS OF MOTION

• Motion (i.e. movement) is a very vital aspect in a living thing

and it occurs when a body changes its position with reference
to time i.e. change in separation between two points with
time. A body can be said to be in motion if its position is
changing with respect to a fixed position and time (i.e. it covers
a distance). However, in a human being it is very essential that
majority of the entire body is able to move, including the
organs and systems. These motions are noticeable in such
areas as the eye, neck, fingers, hand, toes, legs, lungs,
intestines and the heart. At times the stiffness of any part of
the human body would result in discomfort and lack of ease
which would necessitated working on such part of the body in
order to ensure its mobility (i.e. ability to move) so that
movement (i.e. motion) would not be hindered.
 TYPES OF MOTION

• There are various types of motion which include:

• Random motion: This is the motion of an object with no regular or definite
pattern. This motion is also referred to as zig-zag type of motion. Examples
include motion of molecules of gases, butterflies, body spray/perfume, smoke
etc.
• Rectilinear motion: This is the motion in a straight line or path e.g. light ray
travelling from a point to another in a straight line.
• Translational motion: This is the motion in one direction e.g. a car moving in
one direction from one town to another
• Rotational/Circular motion: This is the motion in which a body moves in a
circle or ellipse and rotates about an axis e.g. the rotation of the earth about its
axis, the rotating blades of an electric fan etc.
• Oscillatory/Vibratory motion: This is the motion in which an object moves to
and fro about a fixed point e.g. the simple pendulum, a plucked guitar strings,
vibration of molecules in a solid etc.
PARAMETERS FOR DETERMINING MOTION

• There are various parameters for determining

motion:
• 1. Position
• 2. Distance
• 3. Speed
• 4. Velocity
• 5 Acceleration
 CARTESIAN COORDINATES

• Cartesian coordinates are used to locate

the positions of points on a plane or in
space. However, two coordinates x and y
denoted by (x , y) are enough to specify
the position of a point. Also, in space or
three dimensions, three coordinates x, y
and z denoted by (x, y, z) are needed to
specify the position of points.
CARTESIAN COORDINATES
CARTESIAN COORDINATES
• Distance is said to be covered when there is a
change in position.
• Displacement is the distance covered in a
specified direction. This is usually illustrated
by the use of bearings.
• NOTE: Bearings are usually measured from the
true North
BEARINGS ILLUSTRATION
 SPEED AND VELOCITY
• The speed of an object is the change of distance it covers with
time i.e. how fast an object moves.
• The velocity of an object is the change of displacement moved
with time.
There are various type of velocity amongst which are:
instantaneous velocity, relative velocity, uniform velocity, initial
velocity, final velocity and average velocity.
• The instantaneous velocity of an object is the velocity at a
particular instant of its motion.
• Relative velocity is used to compare the motion between two or
more objects i.e. their position with respect to time.
• A body is said to be moving with uniform velocity if its change of
displacement with time is constant over a period of time.
• Average velocity (V ): This is the ratio of displacement (∆x) that
occurs during a particular time interval (∆t)
 ACCELERATION

• Acceleration is the change of velocity with

time.
• A body is said to be moving with a uniform
acceleration if the change of its velocity with
time is constant over a given period of time
i.e. acceleration is constant
 VECTOR QUANTITY

• A vector quantity is any physical quantity which has a

certain magnitude and direction associated with it.
Examples are force, velocity etc. However, vectors could be
added, subtracted and multiplied. Also, it must be noted
that most of the daily activities of human beings are
associated with the applications of vectors.
• Examples of the daily activities of man that involve the
application of vectors include:
• Breathing ( i.e. the diaphragm muscles exert a force that has
magnitude and direction)
• Walking, Running, Jumping ( every individual walk, run and
jump at a particular velocity in a particular direction)
• Sporting activities ( discuss, javelin, football, etc)
• Location of individuals and objects.
 VECTOR NOTATION
• A vector, A in a two dimensional (x-y) plane can be resolved into the
x and y axes by drawing perpendiculars from the end of A to each
of the axes. The magnitude of the resolved components along x and
y axes are written as Ax and Ay.
• If A makes an angle ө with the positive x-direction, then Ax = A cos
ө and Ay = A sin ө
where, A is the magnitude of the vector A and can be written as:
A = Axi + Ayj
where, i and j are unit vectors in the x and y directions respectively.
• The magnitude of A is found by applying Pythagoras theorem to
give A2 = Ax2 + Ay2 or A = (Ax2 + Ay2)-1/2
• Also, the angle can be calculated using: Ө = tan-1(AY/Ax)
• NOTE: Similar approach could be utilised for the three dimensional
space
PYTHAGORAS THEOREM
 VECTOR ADDITION

• The addition of vectors A and B produces a third vector,

which is called the resultant vector (R) of the two vectors i.e.
A+B=R
• If A = Axi + Ayj and B = Bxi + Byj, then
A + B = (Ax + Bx)i + (Ay +By)j = R
• In general, any number of vector quantities (A, B, C, ….) could
be added by summing all the x-components to give Rx, all y-
components to give Ry and all the z-components to give Rz i.e.
Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx+ . . ., Ry = Ay + By + Cy + . . . and
Rz = Az +Bz + Cz + . . . Hence, the resultant is then:
R = Rxi + Ryj (For 2- dimension) and
R = Rxi + Ryj + Rzk (In three dimensions)
 VECTOR MULTIPLICATION

SCALAR PRODUCT
• The scalar product (also called dot product) of
vectors A and B is defined as A.B = AB cos Ө
where, Ө is the angle between A and B. The
dot product of two vectors is a scalar quantity.
In terms of the resolved components of A and
B in three dimensions, the product is
• A.B = AxBx + AyBy + AzBz
 VECTOR PRODUCT

• The vector or cross product of A is written as A x

B = C, where C is a vector quantity. The
magnitude of is given by C = AB sin Ө and its
direction which is perpendicular to the plane
containing both A and B, is determined by the
right hand screw rule which states that if the
right hand screw is turned from A to B, then the
screw will advance in the direction of C. In terms
of resolved components of the vectors A and B.
• C = A x B = (AyBz – AzBy)i + (AzBx - AxBz)j + (AxBy –
AyBx)k
 PROBLEM SOLVING TIPS

1. It is always helpful to sketch the vector diagram

2. Write all vector quantities in standard notation e.g. A = Axi +
Ayj
3. The magnitude of A = (Ax2 + Ay2)-1/2 and the angle Ө which A
makes with the positive x-axis is Ө = tan -1(AY/Ax).
4. For vector addition, add all the x-components to give Rx and
all the y-components to give Ry. The resultant vector R = Rxi +
Ryj with magnitude R = (Rx2 + Ry2)-1/2 and angle Ө = tan-1(RY/Rx
5. Vectors which lie in the 1st quadrant have both their x and y
components positive; in the 2nd quadrant: x is negative while y
is positive; in the 3rd quadrant, both x and y are negative and
in the 4th quadrant x is positive and y is negative
 NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

• Newton’s laws of motion summarise the inter-relationship between force and

motion.

• The three laws of motion could be stated as follows:

• (i) NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION:

Everybody continues in its present state of rest of uniform motion in a straight line
unless compelled by an external force to act otherwise. This is also known as the law
of inertia.

• Inertia is the reluctance of an object to change its state of rest or uniform motion.

• (ii) NEWTON’S SECOND LAW OF MOTION:

• The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the applied force and
takes place in the direction in which the force acts i.e. F = ma

• (iii) NEWTON’S THIRD LAW OF MOTION:

• To every force applied on a body, there is an equal and opposite reaction by the body
 NEWTON’S EQUATIONS OF MOTION

• There are three Newton’s equations of motion:

1. v = u + at (This 1st equation was obtained from the definition of
acceleration)
2. s = ut + ½ at2
3. v2= u2 + 2as

• NOTE: Both the 2nd and 3rd equations were obtained from ½ ( u
+v) = s/t (i.e. average velocity).

• The 2nd equation is obtained by substituting v = u + at (i.e.

equation 1) into the average velocity ( i.e. ½ ( u +v) = s/t ).
While, the 3rd equation is obtained by substituting
t = (v-u)/a into the average velocity (i.e. ½ ( u +v) = s/t).
 MASS, WEIGHT AND MOMENTUM
• Mass is the quantity of matter contained in a
body and it is a measure of inertia.
• The impulse produced by a force is the product
of the force and the time for which it is acted,
while the momentum of a body is the product
of the mass and the velocity of the body.
• The Impulse-Linear momentum theorem state
that the change in linear momentum of a body
in a collision is equal to the impulse that acts
on that body
 MOMENTUM AND KINETIC ENERGY IN COLLISIONS

• If there is to be a collision, then at least one of the

bodies must be moving, so the system has a certain
kinetic energy and a certain linear momentum
before the collision. During the collision, the kinetic
energy and linear momentum of each body are
changed by the impulse from the other body.

• WORK-KINETIC ENERGY THEOREM

• This theorem states that the net work done on an
object equals the change in kinetic energy of the
object i.e. Wnet = K.Ef – K.Ei = K.E
 LAW OF CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM

• The law of conservation of linear momentum states that the total

momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on
the system. In essence, in any collision between two or more bodies,
the initial momentum is equal to the final momentum if no external
forces act on the system of colliding bodies.

• Thus, for this kind of collision, it must be noted that if the

momentum is conserved i.e. elastic (in which they separate). The
initial momentum = final momentum i.e.
Mathematically, m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

• However, If the momentum is not conserved i.e. inelastic (in which

they stick together and move with a common velocity). The equation
can be expressed as: m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+ m2)V
 ELASTIC AND INELASTIC COLLISION
• Elastic collision is the type of collision in which the
total kinetic energy is conserved i.e.
½ m1u12 +½ m2u22 = ½ m1v12 +½ m2v22

• While, an inelastic collision is the collision in which

the total kinetic energy is not conserved (i.e there
is energy loss). Thus, ½ m1u12 +½ m2u22 = ½ (m1
+m2)v2

• NOTE: The law of conservation of kinetic energy is

applicable only if the collision is perfectly elastic.