No.

Terms Definitions Equations

CHAPTER 1&2: PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND UNITS & MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
1. Base Quantities
2. Derived Quantities Quantities that are defined in two or more base quantities
3. Principle of When the units of all terms in an equations are the same, the
Homogeneity equations is said to be homogeneous
4. Avogadro Constant, NA Number of atoms in 0.012 kg of Carbon-12 NA=6.023x1023 mol -1
m
n=
M
N
n=
NA
5. Scalar Quantity Physical quantity that has only magnitude Speed, mass, density, pressure
6. Vector Quantity Physical quantity which has magnitude and direction Velocity, acceleration, force, momentum
7. Systematic Error Magnitude is constant in all reading Zero error, reaction time, error due to assumption of physical conditions,
Cannot be eliminated by taking average incorrect calibration
8. Random Error Readings to be scattered equally about the actual value Parallax error
9. Accurate Reading Measurement that is close to the actual value
10. Precise Reading Measurement that has very low or no random error
11. Uncertainty Smallest scale division of the instrument if the scale division  1mm
Half the smallest scale division of the scale division >1mm
CHAPTER 3: KINEMATICS
12. Distance Measure of how far an object has moved
13. Displacement The distance moved in a particular direction 
14. Speed Distance moved per unit time
15. Velocity Rate of change of displacement Ds
Average velocity = Dt
dv
Instantaneous velocity = dt
16. Acceleration Rate of change of velocity Dv
Average acc = Dt
dv
Instantaneous acc = dt
17. Equations of Motion *For constant acceleration v =u+at

1
s= ( u+ v ) t
2
1
s=ut + at 2
2
 v 2 =u2 + as
18. Weight Gravitational force on body W =mg
F mg
= =g
*Acceleration due to gravity = m m
*Unit for g: ms-1 or Nkg-1
19. Force Rate of change of momentum m ( v −u )
Impulse F=
Force, t
m ( v−u )
Ft=
 Impulse, t
20. Projectile Motion
 u x=u cos q and
u y =u sin q hence
 a x =0 and
a =g
y
 Max R when   45
 Velocity at an instant ( v =u+at )
 v x=u cos q+0

 v y=u sin q−gt

1
s=ut + at 2
 Displacement at an instant ( 2 )
 s x=u cos q t +0
1
s y =u sin q t− gt 2
 2

2
Hence, maximum height, H ( v =u + as
2
&
v yH =0 )
02 =( u sin q )2 −2 gH
2
1 ( u sin q )
H=
 2 g
 Time to reach H ( v =u+at &
v yH =0 )
0=u sin q−gt
** T =t R =2 t H u sin q
tH=
 g
2 u sin q
t R=2 t H =
  t to fall back to the ground( g ) or (
 1 1
s=ut + at 2 0=u sin q T − gT 2
2 ) 2
2 u sin q
T=
 g
1
s=ut + at 2
 Max s x /range, R ( 2 but use T =t R =2 t H )
 R=u cos q T +0
2 u sin q u2 sin 2 q
T= R=
*Sub g  g

CHAPTER 4: DYNAMICS
21. Newton’s First Law of Every body continues in its state of rest or of uniform motion in a
Motion straight line unless acted on by external forces to change that state 
*Dynamic Equilibrium: A moving object experiencing zero net
force
*Static Equilibrium: An object at rest
 Inertia: Property of a body which resists change in motion or its
state of rest *depends on mass
 Mass: Property of a body which resists change in motion
 Gravitational field: Region where a mass experiences gravitational F
g=
force m
 Gravitational field strength, g: Force per unit mass acting at that
point p=mv
 Linear momentum, p: Product of mass and velocity of an object
22. Newton’s Second Law of The rate of change of change of momentum of an object is d ( mv )
Motion proportional to the resultant force acting on it, & change in Fµ
dt  Fµma
momentum takes place in the direction of that force
 F=kma
23. Newton’s Third Law of When body A exerts a force on body B, body B exerts a force equal on Action=Reaction
Motion magnitude but opposite in direction on A. The force is of the same
type.
*Characteristics of the A=R
 Act on different body
 Are of the same type of force
 Act at the same time
 Have the same magnitude but opposite direction
 Act along the same line of action
24. Principle of The total linear momentum of a system of forces is constant if no  Inelastic *note the direction of u1 , u 2
Conservation of external force act on the system
 Momentum  Elastic collision m 1 u1 +m2 u2 =m1 v 1 + m 2 v 2
 Ek conserved  Elastic
 Inelastic collision m1 u1 +m2 u2 =( m1 +m2 ) v
 Ek not conserved
*E lost as heat/ sound  Explosion
 Explosion m1 u1 +m2 u2 =0  m1 v 1 =- m2 v 2
25. Newton’s Law of When two objects moving in same direction collide,
Restitution Relative v of approach = Relative v of separation
 Relative v after = -e (relative v before)  ( v 1−v 2 ) =-e ( u1−u2 )
CHAPTER 5: FORCES
26. Fundamental Forces  Strong nuclear force
 Weak nuclear force
 Electromagnetic force
 Gravitational force
*Force also: product of the rate of change of mass and the change in
velocity
27. Couple A pair of equal and opposite forces which are parallel and whose line
of action do not coincide
28. Moment of Forces The product of the force and the perpendicular distance from the line Moment  F  d
(about a point) of action the force to the point
*F, take the magnitude, no need to x2
29. Torque Product of magnitude of a turning force and the perpendicular
distance of the line of action from an axis of rotation 
*A specific type of moment
30. Principle of Moments For a system in equilibrium, the sum of moments of all forces acting
on the system about any point is zero
 Equilibrium:  F =0 and  Torque=0
31. Centre of Mass (of an The point at which an applied force acting at it produces acceleration
object/system) in the direction of the force but causes no rotational motion
32. Centre of Gravity The point where the weight appears to act
CHAPTER 6: WORK, ENERGY, POWER
33. Work, W Product of force and the displacement in the direction of the force W  Fs
 1J= Work done by 1N force as it acts through a distance 1m W against gravityW=mgh
along the line of force W by moving vehicle W=Ds *D=driving F
F

W due to expansion of gas  
W  p v f  vi where p
A
34. Energy, E Capacity of doing work
*J or kWh
35. Kinetic Energy, Ek Energy possessed by a body due to its motion 1
E k  mv 2  
2
36. Gravitational Potential Energy possessed b an object due to its position in a gravitational E p  mgh
Energy, Ep field/vertical ha=eight above the Earth’s surface

37. Electric Potential Energy (Of a charge Q at a point of p.d. V in an electric field) E  QV
38. Elastic Potential Energy 
Energy stored in a body due to deformation (stretching/compressing) From F  ke i.e. Hooke’s Law and F-e graph:
1 1 1 e 2 
W  F  e  k  e  EA 
2

 W=ave F x e 
2 2 2  l 
 1 F  e 
W   A   l
 (Area under graph)
2 A  l 
39. Internal Energy, U Sum of all the kinetic energy and potential energy of the atoms and  Ek  E p
U 
molecules of a matter
 The Ep: Total energy required to maintain the position of

particles against i/m forces of both attraction and repulsion
in the matter

 The Ek: The average bulk energy of the vibrational,
translational and rotational energies of all the particles in the
matter
40. Principle of Conservation The total energy in a closed system is always constant, or
of Energy Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be transferred
from one form to another
41. Power, P Rate at which work is being done Mechanical power against F resulting in v,
W Fs
P   Fv
t t
Electrical power dissipated when current I flow with p.d. v in a device
V2
P  IV  I 2 R 
R * Unit for P: W
*Energy Loss  W=QV=Ivt
Energy consumed by/lost in a device at p.d. v when Q charge pass
through
42. Efficiency  Useful energy output
 100%
Total energy output

Useful power output

 100%
Total energy output

CHAPTER 9: PHASES OF MATTER
43. Kinetic Theory of Matter  Matter is made up of tiny discrete particles

  Particles are continuously in motion
44. Kinetic Theory of Gases  All molecules behave as identical, hard, perfectly elastic spheres
 Vol of molecules negligible compared to vol of gas
 Molecules move freely in random motion
 Intermolecular forces are negligible
 Time of collision is negligible compared to time between collision
45. Molecular Structure S L G Inter-atomic distance of S and L = 310-10 m
Spacing Closely, Slightly Very far apart Inter-atomic distance of G = 3310-10 m
regularly further apart
packed
Ordering Long-ranged Short-ranged No order
order spread order
across a
lattice-space
Vol, shape F, F F, N N, N
46. Kinetic Model S L G
Motion Vibrate about Random and Translate
of its mean translational throughout
molec position motion space at high
speed
I/m F High Attractive F, Attractive F,
cohesive F repulsive F
negligible
47. Density Mass per unit volume of a material m

v *Unit for density: kg m-3
48. Solids  Crystalline (metals, NaCl  Polycrystalline
compact regularly structured unit cells Materials are made up of grains that are of many tiny crystals
ionic/metallic  grain size, softer the material/  melting temp
 Non-crystalline 
 Amorphous (glass  Non-crystalline
irregular atomic structures  Amorphous: transparent - less compact structures, disorderly
weak Van der Waals arrangement of atoms
 Polymeric (rubber, cellulose, proteins; plastic, polythene,  Polymeric: low strength and melting temp – Van der Waals
perspex) tough - flexible structures
large organic molecules arranged in disorderly manner
49. Pressure, P Average force acting normally per unit area F
Depends on: p
A
 No of molec per unit volume
 Speed of molec
 Frequency of collision

 *scalar quantity *Unit of pressure=Nm-2=Pa
50. Pressure in Liquids Force per unit area that is acting perpendicular to surface area m
concerned p  gh where

v
*760 mm Hg=13600 x 9.8 x 0.76=1.013 x 10 5 Pa at 0C
51. Pressure in Gases Pressure due to the force acting on the walls by the molecules of gas
The average rate of change momentum of the molecules
CHAPTER 10: DEFORMATION OF SOLIDS  
52. Deformation The change in shape caused by external forces.
-compressive
-tensile
53. Hooke’s Law The extension or compression e of a material by a constant load F is F=ke
directly proportional to the load applied provided the proportional F
limit is not exceeded k
 e
*Spring constant: Force per unit extension
 Parallel spring: k  k1  k 2
1 1 1
  
 Series spring:  k k1 k 2
54. Compressive strength The load or force applied per unit area on the material (under 
compression)
55. Tensile strength The tensile stress is the load applied per unit extension resulted
(under extension) 
56. Tensile Stress,  Force applied per unit cross-sectional area of the wire that is normal F
to the direction of force 
a Results in a tensile strain set up within the wire A *Like pressure

d 2
*A=Area of wire= 4

57. Tensile Strain,   The extension e per unit length l of the wire

e
l
58. Young’s Modulus, E The ratio of tensile stress to the tensile strain is a constant for a  Fl 
material provided the proportionality is not exceeded E 
***R/ship w k
 Ae
AE 
EA   F   e
k  l  where F=ke
l
k depends on:  AE
-E, nature of material k
l
-A & l, geometry & dimension of wire
 


 *Unit for ‘young’s Modulus, E = Pa
59. Elastic Strain Energy, W Work done in stretching the material From F-e graph, A under curve = elastic strain energy, W
potential energy 1 EAe2
Fe
Equal to elastic strain energystored in the wire W= 2 = 2l
1 F e 1
*Stiff material: Material that resists deformation and requires a large  A l  stress  strain  volume
W= 2 A l = 2
force to produce a small deformation
   F-e graph, gradient
From
F
Gradient = x =spring constant, k
 
1

From stress-strain graph, A under curve= 2 where

1 1 F e
  
2 = 2 A l
1 1  energy
 Fe 
= Al 2 = volume = strain energy per unit Vol
  From stress-strain graph, gradient, m
stress
 Gradient =strain = E
60. Proportional limit Maximum point below which the extension of the wire is proportional
to the applied force
61. Elastic Limit Maximum point below which the wire can return to its original length
when the applied force is removed 
62. Yield point Point at which the wore starts to exhibit plastic deformation
CHAPTER 15:WAVES
63. Progressive waves A disturbance that transfers energy outwards as a result of vibrations  Mechanical
of the particles of the medium  Electromagnetic
 Transverse -have same v in vacuum: c  f = 3 x 108ms-1
 Longitudinal
-Sound: 340ms-1 in air
64. Stationary waves Waves where their wave profile do not move through the media of *The superposition of two wave trains with same
vibration and the energy is localised  Velocity 
 Frequency
 Amplitude but in opposite direction
65. Displacement, x/y Distance of an oscillating particle from its mean equilibrium position
66. Amplitude, a Magnitude of the maximum displacement
 67. Period, T Time taken for one complete oscillation  2 2
  T 
  2f
T T  where
68. Frequency, f Number of oscillations completed in one second 1
f 
T *Unit of frequency: Hz
69. Wavelength,  Distance between two successive vibrating particles which are in the
  
same phase
70. Wave front A line/surface joining all the particles that have the same phase
71. Wave velocity, v Velocity of advance of the wave fronts   1 
v     f
T T 
72. dx Instantaneous velocity of a particle in the wave
Particle velocity, dt /
dy 
dt
73. Phase difference,  The fraction of a cycle that two oscillating particles are out of step *Same phase = same direction, same displacement

74. Phase lag,  2
 x 
 = kx

 1

  If distance is 2 away,
2  
    
 2 =
 distance is 2cm away, =5cm
If
2 4
  
 5 =5
75. Wave intensity, I Amount of energy passing normally through unit area per unit time  I  a2
 Intensity received at a point 1
The power P of the wave crossing the point per unit I 2
perpendicular cross-sectional area A   r *r2=distance away from point source
  Intensity received at a pt
P P
I 
A 4 r 2*P=power radiated by source

*A=area of spherical Wavefront
 Power P radiated from source,
Ir1 r2 2 1
 2  I 
= Ir1  4 r12 = Ir2  4 r2 Ir 2 r12 r r 2
76. Principle of When two waves meet each other at a point, the resultant 
 Superposition displacement is the sum of the separate displacements
77. Polarization of waves The process of confining the vibrations in one direction normal to the *Polaroid filter: Allows vibration only in one particular plane to pass through
direction of energy propagation
CHAPTER 16: SUPERPOSITION
78. Coherent Constant phase difference For better observation,
Same frequency =a
79. Interference Superposition of two or more wave trains from coherent sources, Const. Destr.
causing change in overall intensity Path diff n 2n 1d
*Conditions: same type of wave, meet at a point, same direction of
polarization 2
Phase diff 2n 2n 1
*x greater when: sources are close,far from source, high 

ax

D 

*x=separation of int.
* 
80. Diffraction The spreading of wave fronts through a narrow slit/opening/obstacle 

by the superposition of secondary waves from the emerging wave sin 
a *a=size of aperture
front
asin  n

For better observation,

 a of the same order as the 
 If a<, diffraction more appreciable
81. Diffraction Grating Plate on which there is a large number of parallel, identical and very 1
closely-spaced slits mm
Spacing between slits, d= N
82. Fundamental Frequency Lowest resonant frequency of vibration *Overtones have f which are integral multiples of it
CHAPTER 17: ELECTRIC FIELDS
83. Electric Field A region where a charge experiences electrostatic force Lines show direction of positive particles’ motion
84. Electric Field Strength, E The force per unit positive charge on a small test charge F 
E
q *Unit of E: NC-1
V
E
d where d=separation of plates *Unit of E: Vm -1
 dv

E= -potential gradient = dx
E due to point charges:

F Q
E 
q 4 r 2



85. Electric Current, I Rate of flow of charged particles dQ
*e- flow :-ve to +ve but conventional flow: +ve to -ve I
dt (Instantaneous)
*1C= the amount of charge that passes a point in a circuit when 1A
Q
current flows for 1s. I
t (Average)
86. Electric Potential, VE (at a The work done in bringing the unit positive charge from infinity to the
 W
pt) point in a given electric field E V E=
q
CHAPTER 19: CURRENT OF ELECTRICITY

87. Potential The work done in taking 1C of positive charge from A to B / Energy W =QV
Difference,V(between 2 transferred from electrical to other forms per unit charge V
pt in E) * 1V= p.d. between two points in a circuit if 1J of energy is transferred =( V ) t
W =V ( It ) =( IR ) It R
when 1C of +ve charge pass from one point to another against the
direction of the electric field W Pt P
V= = =
Q It I
W
P=
Hence t * Unit: JC -1 or V
88. Energy and Power  Energy dissipated /liberated by device, W W =QV =V ( It )
liberated  Power of ea device i.e. energy liberated per second, P
W QV ( It ) V
* If it’s a passive resistor, all P dissipated as heat P= = =
t t t =IV
V2 V2
2 = H=Ivt=I 2 Rt = t
* P=I R R therefore R
89. Resistance, R (of a Ratio of the p.d. across it to the current passing through it V
conductor) R=
I
*Unit: 
90. Ohm’s Law Under constant physical conditions, the ratio of the p.d. across a V
conductor to the current flowing through it is a constant =constant
I
91. Resistivity,  (of a Numerically equal to the resistance of a sample of the material of unit ρl
material) length and unit cross-sectional area R=
A
*Unit for resistivity: m
92. Electromotive Force, The energy transferred from other forms to electrical energy by it in W P
e.m.f. , E driving unit charge round a complete circuit / = =
E Q / E= I
(of a source) Ratio of power it generates to the current it delivers
 Terminal p.d. – p.d. between the terminals of a cell when a
current is being delivered
93. Internal resistance, r (of Resistance due to the cell’s chemical constituents against the flow of E=V+v = V+Ir = IR+Ir = I(R+r)
a cell) current
CHAPTER 20: D.C. CIRCUIT
94. Kirchoff’s First Law In a network of circuits, the total current flowing into a junction is SI in =SI out
equal to the total current flowing out of it
95. Kirchoff’s Second Law Around a closed loop in a network of circuits, sum of e.m.f. is equal to SE= SV
sum of p.d. SE=S IR
(Applies conservation of energy)
96. Series R=R 1 + R2 + R 3
97. Parallel 1 1 1 1
= = =
R R 1 R2 R 3 ‘ I =I 1 + I 2
98. Potential Divider A circuit that divides the source’s V into a number of p.d. across From 51,
various sections in the circuit V 1 =IR 1 and V 2 =IR 2
V2 V 1 R1
⇒V 1 =
( ) R
R2 1 a =
V 2 R2
99. Potentiometer A circuit that is primarily used to measure p.d. VµL
Used to V 1 L1
 Measure internal resistance, very small e.m.f. (thermocouple), ⇒ =
V 2 L2
ammeter (and calibrate it)
 Measure and compare e.m.f.s, resistances
CHAPTER 27: NUCLEAR PHYSICS
100 Atom Made up of a nucleus of positively-charged particles and uncharged  d of nucleus= 10-15m
. neutrons surrounded by negatively-charged electrons revolving in the  d of atom = 10-15m
space around the nucleus  charge of e-=1.6 x 10-19C
1
 1 atomic mass unit,u = 12 mass of a C-12 atom =1.66x10-27kg
101 Nucleon/Mass Number, Total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus in an atom
. A
102 Proton/Atomic Number, Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
. Z
103 Isotope Elements that have same proton number but different nucleon
. number
104 Relative Atomic Mass, Ar
.
105 Mass-Energy Sum of the mass and energy of a closed system in similar units are DE=D mc 2 where c= speed of light
. Conservation conserved
Dm will be accompanied by DE
106 Radioactive Decay The spontaneous and random emission of either , , or 
. 4 2+
 : He nucleus 2 He A
X → A−2
4 2+
 : [-, electron &+,positron]  Z Z−2 Y + 2 He
 1 1 0 1 1 0
 0 n→ 1 H+ −1 e (electron) & 1 H → 0 n+ 1 e (positron)
107 Background Radiation Radiation due to surroundings and cosmic radiation entering the
. Earth’s atmosphere
108 Half-life The time taken for half the initial number of atoms to disintegrate
.