Study Guide

Department of Physics

General Physics for the Life Sciences

PHY 131
1 Table of Contents
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Welcome................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Educational approach ............................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Responsibilities of students..................................................................................................... 2
2 Administrative information................................................................................................ 3
2.1 Communication ...................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Contact details ........................................................................................................................ 3
Dr Juvet Fru ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
Mr Valentine .............................................................................................................................................................. 3
2.3 Timetable ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.4 Code of conduct ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.4.1 Communication via email ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.4.2 Compliments and complaints ........................................................................................................................ 5

3 Study material and purchases ............................................................................................ 5

3.1 Prescribed textbook ............................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Connect & LearnSmart ........................................................................................................... 6
3.3 Clickers .................................................................................................................................. 6
4 Rules, requirements and guidelines .................................................................................... 6
5 Student support .................................................................................................................. 7
5.1 Consultation hours ................................................................................................................. 7
5.2 Language policy ..................................................................................................................... 7
6 Practical session information ............................................................................................. 7
6.1 Laboratory Sessions............................................................................................................. 7
6.2 Homework and Tutorial Sessions ........................................................................................ 8
7 Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 8
7.1 General .................................................................................................................................. 8
7.2 Assessment philosophy ......................................................................................................... 8
7.3 Tests and examinations .......................................................................................................... 8
7.3.1 Tutorial Tests ................................................................................................................................................. 8
7.3.2 Unit Tests ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
7.3.3 Semester Tests ............................................................................................................................................... 9
7.3.4 Examination ................................................................................................................................................ 10
7.3.5 Supplementary Exam .................................................................................................................................. 10
7.4 Calculation of marks ............................................................................................................ 10
7.5 Pass mark ............................................................................................................................. 11
7.6 Grading and administrative errors ................................................................................... 11
7.7 Absence ................................................................................................................................ 11
7.7.1 Absence from lecture .................................................................................................................................. 11
7.7.2 Absence from tutorial ................................................................................................................................. 12
 7.7.3 Absence from laboratory session ................................................................................................................ 12
7.7.4 Absence from Semester Test....................................................................................................................... 12
7.7.5 Absence from Examination ......................................................................................................................... 12
7.8 Plagiarism ............................................................................................................................ 13
8 Academic scope of the course ................................................................................... 13
9 Errors in the study guide.................................................................................................. 16
10 Addendum A: Support services .................................................................................... 16
1. Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Welcome to General Physics for the Life Sciences! This is an introductory course to physics, which
is illustrated, where possible, with examples from the Life Sciences. It is intended mainly for students
in the Health- or Biological Sciences (collectively called the Life Sciences). A few students from
other disciplines also take the PHY 131 course if they only need one semester of introductory physics.

The course requires some mathematical rigour, but no calculus will be used. In physics, we search
for patterns and relationships in nature. We will use different tools to analyse these observations:
graphical interpretations, analogies, and of course, mathematics. Mathematics is a very important and
useful tool for physicists.

Many of the topics presented in this course will be familiar to you, as they have already been covered
in high school. However, we will take a more mathematical approach to the subject. We will redefine
all of the needed concepts mathematically and develop a fully usable set of mathematical tools from
these definitions. In these derivations, we will talk about how observations of the natural world are
made and converted into (often simplified) mathematical models. The mathematical model is the
language in which we can express our physical observations. We can then perform calculations to
make predictions.

Even though a lot of mathematics will be used in this course, remember that there is a difference
between physics and mathematics! We will often find a general formula and use it to calculate
physical quantities. In high school, it is often sufficient to be able to plug numbers into a formula after
identifying given quantities. Then you are basically doing a mathematics problem. In this course, we
will do a lot of calculations, but the final numerical answer is the last and least important step in the
process. Implementing the principle is the focus! Understanding the underlying physics is thus very
important.

The concepts are also presented at a much faster pace than in high school science courses. For this
reason, this course requires you to study at regular intervals. In the beginning, you may find it
daunting, but don't lose hope! As you study, you will be puzzled and confused. This is expected with
an intellectual undertaking like studying physics. We are using abstract ideas to represent very real
situations. The ability to do physics comes from careful reading of the textbook and regular practice
implementing concepts before finally calculating problems.

We wish you all the best in your studies and hope that we can give you a small glimpse of how the
universe works at a fundamental level. This will outweigh all the frustration and difficulties you may
encounter throughout your studies.

1.2 Educational approach

Part of our teaching philosophy as lecturers is that all students are unique and must have a stimulating
learning environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Some of
these aspects of a good learning environment are, of course, beyond our reach to control, but it is our
desire to create this type of atmosphere to the best of our abilities. We wish to create a learning
environment where students can meet their full potential.

As guides in the learning process, we will provide an environment where students are invited to share
their ideas and safely take risks in attempting to solve problems. Attempting something, failing, and
learning from the failure is a fundamental part of the learning process.

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 1

Apart from the learning environment, the actual content of the course has specific requirements:
Physics is an exact science based on fundamental principles. It is important that you understand
these principles and their application to problems. Attempting to memorize solutions to problems
will not suffice: practicing problem solving (doing calculations) is essential to passing the course.
This links with the principle of learning from the failures of previous attempts at solving problems.

1.3 Responsibilities of students

All lectures, tutorials, and laboratory sessions are compulsory. Students need to prepare before coming
to any of these contact sessions.

The formal lectures serve as a roadmap to highlight which principles are important and show different
approaches to solving problems. To help students prepare for the lectures, there will be online
LearnSmart assignments for each section covered in the course. These will be posted on the UP
online platform, ClickUP. The assignments will be posted well in advance, so that students can go
through them before attending a lecture.

It is in the tutorials that students will get individual assistance from a tutor in solving problems from
the textbook. Selected problems (posted on ClickUP) will have to be completed in preparation for
the tutorial session.

The laboratory sessions will help develop measurement- as well as data-analysis skills which are
used in all scientific experiments. Students will be informed in advance of which experiment will be
done in a lab session. Reading through the lab manual beforehand is essential in preparation for these
practical sessions.

Furthermore, students are required to complete all assessments in the required time and before the
deadline (online assessments, tutorial tests, laboratory session reports and tests).

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 2

2 Administrative information
2.1 Communication
ClickUP is our primary method of communication with you. You may also use the ClickUP app.
Please make sure that you login to ClickUP several times a week and check you’re UP
registered email regularly. All important information, such as online assessments, class notes,
marks, practical schedules etc. will be posted on ClickUP. Tutorial problems for a particular week
will be published in advance on ClickUP.

2.2 Contact details

Name Room Email Telephone

Lecturer and Natural Sciences 1
module Dr DF Langa phy131@up.ac.za 012 420 3132
coordinator Room 5-22

Lecturer Natural Science 1 juvetfru@gmail.com 012 420

Dr Juvet Fru Room 4-9

Departmental Natural Sciences 1 012 420 2455

secretary Room 5-35

Admin staff Mrs D Bonner Natural Science 1 debbie.bonner@up.ac.za 012 420 3821
Room 4-8
Laboratory Mr A Natural Science 1 Andre.vandenheever@up.ac.za 012 420 2094
administrator Van den Heever Room 4-14

Laboratory
session Mr Vianne Kitenge Natural Science 1 u18226257@tuks.co.za 012 420
coordinator Room 4-

Faculty Mathematics mpho.mmadi@up.ac.za

Student Mpho Mmadi Building 012 420 6740
Advisor* Room 1-29
Subject Mr Katlego Aphane Merensky Library katlego.aphane@up.ac.za 012 420 4791
Librarian Level 5

2.3 Timetable
• Lectures start on 20 February 2023 and end on 09 June 2023.
• You will attend 4 lectures a week.
• You will attend ONE 180 mins practical session a week, split into a 90 mins tutorial and a 90
min laboratory session.
• The general timetable is available in the Student Centre.
• Your specific lecture group and practical group will be published on ClickUP.
• Your lecture group is not the same as your practical group.
• You may NOT change the group you are allocated. REMAIN IN THE GROUP IN WHICH
YOU ARE ALLOCATED. We cannot accommodate your choice of when you would like
to do the practical! There are over 1400 registered PHY131 students, and the group
division is done by student admin office in such a way that there are no clashes with
other courses.
• Students who have not been allocated a group must contact Mrs Bonner as soon as possible.
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 3
 PHY 131
2023
Lecture Time Table
Group G01 (English)
Day Time Venue
Monday 11:30 – 12:20 Thuto 3-1
Tuesday 09:30 – 10:20 AE du Toit Auditorium
Thursday 08:30 – 09:20 Thuto 1-1
Friday 10:30 – 11:20 Thuto 3-2

Group G02 (English)

Day Time Venue
Monday 10:30 – 11:20 AE du Toit Auditorium
Tuesday 07:30 – 08:20 Thuto 3-1
Thursday 09:30 – 10:20 Thuto 1-1
Friday 09:30 – 10:20 Roos Hal

Group G03 (English)

Day Time Venue
Monday 12:30 – 13:20 AE du Toit Auditorium
Wednesday 13:30 – 14:20 Thuto 3-2
Thursday 07:30 – 08:20 Thuto 1-1
Friday 12:30 – 13:20 Thuto 1-1

PRACTICAL AND TUTORIAL TIME TABLE

Day Time Venue
Monday 13:30 – 16:20 NS1 Physics Labs & AE Annex Tuts Venues
Tuesday 14:30 – 17:20 NS1 Physics Labs & AE Annex Tuts Venues
Wednesday 10:30 – 13:20 NS1 Physics Labs & AE Annex Tuts Venues
Thursday 14:30 – 17:20 NS1 Physics Labs & AE Annex Tuts Venues
Friday 13:30 – 16:20 NS1 Physics Labs & AE Annex Tuts Venues

2.4 Code of conduct

2.4.1 Communication via email
• When emailing lecturers or admin staff in matters pertaining to this course, the following
must appear in the subject heading of the email:
o PHY 131
o Student number
o Surname
o Reason
• Example: Bettie Mabula is submitting absence from lab-session forms. Her email to
Mrs Bonner will look something like this:

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 4

Note: subject line reads:

PHY 131, 19123456, Mabula: Absent from lab session

2.4.2 Compliments and complaints

You are more than welcome to express your appreciation to your lecturer or tutor and supply feedback
about aspects of the course that you enjoy and find valuable.
If you have a query or complaint, you have to submit it in writing with specifics of the issue or the
nature of the complaint. It is imperative that you follow the procedure outlined below in order to
resolve your issues:
1. Consult the lecturer concerned about your complaint/concerns.
If the matter has not been resolved,
2. consult the class representative (The primary function of the Class Representative is to serve
as a two-way communication channel between the class and the lecturer).
If the matter has not been resolved,
3. consult the course co-ordinator, Dr Langa
If the matter has not been resolved,
4. consult the Head of Department, Prof Chris Theron
If the matter has still not been resolved,
5. consult with the Dean of the Faculty

3 Study material and purchases

3.1 Prescribed textbook

The prescribed textbook is: College Physics, by Alan Giambattista,
Published by McGraw-Hill, 2019, 5th Edition
• ISBN 978-1-260-54771-9
An online version of the book is also available via Connect on
ClickUP (see below).

• Access to a copy of the prescribed textbook is essential: It will

be referred to during lectures and tutorial problems are taken
from it.
• Books can be purchased new from academic bookshops, online,
or second-hand books can be bought from senior students.
• A number of copies of the textbook are also available in the library.

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 5

 • If you are registered with Connect and LearnSmart (see below), you automatically have
access to the online textbook. A physical hard-copy textbook is not necessary if you are
comfortable using the online version, and you have a smartphone or tablet to access it. Wifi
is freely available on campus.

3.2 Connect & LearnSmart

Hill, the publishers of the textbook. It is NOT necessary to purchase the Connect code-card (as in
previous years). The Connect fee is included in your UP fees. The online textbook is available via
Connect. DO NOT BUY A CONNECT CODE CARD.

LearnSmart allows you to efficiently read and create summaries of the work covered in lectures. It
is an adaptive learning tool that will teach you physics. It is always important to answer honestly, as
the system analyses your responses and adapts the questions it asks accordingly. LearnSmart is
not tied to the prescribed textbook, but teaches physics from a general perspective; therefore there
might be slight differences in the notation used.

• Connect ASSIGNENTS: On Connect, you can practice solving problems. There will also
be online (LearnSmart) assignments posted on Connect via ClickUP and the marks obtained
form part of your PARTICIPATION mark that will contribute towards the semester mark.
Note that these LearnSmart assignments are posted before a topic is covered in class.
Meaning that students need to go through the LearnSmart assignments before as a form of
preparation for class.
• Connect TESTS (Unit Tests): Unit Tests will also be posted on Connect via ClickUP. The
average of these marks makes up the UNIT TEST mark which will contribute towards the
semester mark.

3.3 Clickers
• Each student registered for PHY 131 needs to buy their own
Clicker, or use the app on their smartphone.
• Each Clicker has a unique identifier, so that your responses in
class, and thus your participation, can be recorded.
• Your responses will form part of the PARTICIPATION mark
(2.5% of semester mark).
• After purchasing your clicker device (new or second hand) you
need to register it on the link: Clicker ID registration that is
found on ClickUP under the module code PHY 131 S1 2023.
• If you use your smartphone and the app, you do not have to
buy a clicker.
• The Clickers and app used in this course is provided by Turning
Point Technologies.
• Other modules, like MLB 111, use the same Clicker and app.

4 Rules, requirements and guidelines

• Students must bring scientific calculators, pens, paper, a ruler and their Clicker/Smart Phone
to all lectures, lab sessions, and tutorials.
• During lectures, lab sessions, and tutorials, smart phones, laptops, tablets and iPads may only
be used for work related to the course. For example, the online textbook can be accessed.
• Students must be prepared for lab sessions and tutorials:
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 6
 o Study the experiment you will be conducting for the lab session thoroughly. Details
on the experiments are found in the lab manual. The timetable for experiments will
be posted on ClickUP.
o Attempt the problems for the tutorial session beforehand. Problems are taken from
the textbook and a list of problems for a particular week will be published on
ClickUP by the preceding Friday.
• Students must respect the lecturers, tutors and lab assistants, as well as their fellow students. Lectures,
lab sessions and tutorials must commence in an orderly, relaxed manner.

5 Student support
5.1 Consultation hours
Lecturer consulting hours are subject to change: check on ClickUP for any updated information.
For a consultation outside these times please make an appointment, preferably by sending an email
to the relevant lecturer:
Dr Dolly Langa Dr Juvet Fru
(Lecture groups 1 & 2) (Lecture group 3)
phy131@up.ac.za juvetfru@gmail.com
Monday 14:30 – 15:20 13:30 – 14:20
Wednesday 09:30 – 10:20 14:30 – 15:20
Thursday 10:30 - 12:20 10:30 – 11:20
Friday 11:30 - 12:20 13:30 – 14:20

5.2 Language policy

• All lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions will be presented in English.
• All tests and assignments are also to be completed in English.
• If there are students who are experiencing difficulties with the course due to the language of
instruction, they are required to consult the lecturers, Dr Dolly Langa and Dr Juvet Fru.
• Consultation is offered in the following languages:

Dr Langa Dr Juvet Fru

English English
Tswana
Sepedi
Xhosa
Zulu

6 Practical session information

6.1 Laboratory Sessions
• The allocated lab groups will be announced on ClickUP.
• You will attend ONE weekly practical session of 3 hours: 1.5 hours for the tutorial and 1.5
hours for the lab work.
• Please consult Mrs Bonner with regards to errors in tutorial/lab time allocations.
IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to do the group assignment yourself. We cannot accommodate
your choice of when you would like to do the practical!
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 7
 • Should you not be on the lab session list, please inform Mrs Bonner immediately! Everyone
has to attend the tutorial and laboratory sessions.
• You have to attend all laboratory sessions. See: 7.4 Absence for the procedure if you miss a
lab session.
• After completion of an experiment, the assistant will mark the work in your lab book and
assign a mark for that particular experiment.
• The lab marks contribute 20% to the semester mark.
• Students repeating the PHY 131 course may apply for exemption from the practical course.
(Successful applicants still have to attend the compulsory tutorial sessions.)
• Please note: A lab mark of at least 50% and attendance of at least 90% of lab sessions are
required for examination entrance.

6.2 Homework and Tutorial Sessions

• Tutorial sessions are compulsory for ALL students: no exemption will be given for the
tutorials.
• You will attend ONE weekly practical session of 3 hours: 1.5 hours for the tutorial and 1.5
hours for the lab work.
• The marks received for the tutorial tests all contribute to your final mark. Non-attendance
without a valid excuse will be viewed in a serious light: see 7.4: Absence.
• During the week, you will receive tutorial problems taken from the textbook. You will need
to attempt the problems before attending the tutorial session.
• Tutorial tests will be written at the end of each tutorial session.
• During the session, the tutor will be available to guide and assist students with those problems
which present difficulties to the students.
• Tutor will not be providing all the answers to the problems — the problems are there for
students to solve, and the tutor is merely a guide and there to hone your problem solving skills.
• The tutors have strict instruction not to provide complete solutions to problems.

7 Assessment
7.1 General
• Physics cannot be mastered in a few days of “cramming”.
• In order to encourage students to study throughout the semester, a strong emphasis is placed
on continuous assessment.
• For this reason the semester mark makes up 60% of the final mark.

7.2 Assessment philosophy

• Assessment will focus mainly on the solving of problems, on a similar level to those given
as homework exercises.
• Marks will be allocated for clear, logical reasoning as well as for appropriate diagrams.
• Knowledge of the theoretical aspect (e.g. derivations) will also be assessed. Here, strong
emphasis will be placed on clear, logical reasoning.
• It is essential that correct units are given in answers.

7.3 Tests and examinations

7.3.1 Tutorial Tests

• Tutorial tests will be written at the END of each tutorial session.
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 8
 • The test will cover the work done for the specific tutorial.
• The AVERAGE of the tutorial tests will contribute 15% to your semester mark.

7.3.2 Unit Tests

• After completion of a section of work (a unit), a unit test in the form of a quiz will be
made available on CONNECT via ClickUP.
• These are compulsory and the average mark of all the tests contributes 10% to your
Semester mark.
• The unit test will be opened on a date announced by your lecturer. It will also be announced
on ClickUP.
• You will have a few days (usually 3 days) to complete the unit test.
• You will have a fixed number of minutes to answer all the questions, and you will only
have ONE attempt to do so.
• You may pause a test and proceed at a later stage.
• The questions are also randomized so your test will be different from that of a fellow student;
this is done to make the test fair and to make sure that students do not compare notes on the
tests.
• Do not attempt the test if you are not yet prepared.
• MAKE SURE THE TEST IS COMPLETED WELL BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
• Bad internet connection or faulty software is no excuse for late submission: such problems
are your responsibility to address well before the deadline.

7.3.3 Semester Tests

• These tests will cover a larger amount of work than the unit tests and will be held during the
scheduled dates.
• These dates can be found on the general Hatfield campus test timetable, which is accessible
via your UP Student Portal. The dates are also subject to change.
• All test times and locations will be announced on ClickUP closer to the test dates.. IT IS
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK THESE VENUES
AND DATES.
• You will use a “cheat sheet“ during the Semester Tests:
o It is essentially a self-prepared formula sheet, for which the template must be
downloaded from ClickUP.
o It needs to be completed beforehand in coloured ink (not black).
o It consists of a ONESIDED A4 page filled with the information you deem
necessary to complete the test.
o No solved problems, definitions, and hints will be allowed on the “Cheat
sheet“.

o It MUST be submitted with your test in order to qualify for a starting score of 2%.
o
o You will be penalized if you fail to submit a “cheat sheet”.
o You will be penalized if your “cheat sheet” does not adhere to the rules.
o Students do NOT get their “cheat sheets” back!
o A “cheat sheet” will also be used in the exam.

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 9

7.3.4 Examination
• In order to be allowed to write the examination, the following requirements must be met:
o a MINIMUM semester mark of 40%;
o a MINIMUM laboratory session mark of 50%;
o a MINIMUM of 90% in practical, class and tutorial attendance.
• The examinations will take place at the end of the semester.
• The scope of the examination will cover all the work covered during the semester.
• After the marking has been completed, you will have the opportunity to come and view
your exam script. This will take place on the specific date and time mentioned. ONLY at
this date and time.
It is your responsibility to personally come and view your script. Your
friend/mother/father/sibling/identical twin etc. will not be allowed to view your script.
The date for this viewing of scripts will be announced just after the PHY131 examination
is written. Outside these times no one will be allowed to view scripts! If you miss this
opportunity, marks can only be changed if you apply for a remark of your exam paper –
ask your faculty administration or see the Client Service Centre (CSC)

7.3.5 Supplementary Exam

• Supplementary examinations are granted when:
▪ Final mark is between 40% and 49% OR
▪ A final mark of 50% is obtained BUT the required subminimum of
40% has not been achieved in the examination.
• The supplementary exam will be written on the date published by the university in the
supplementary exam timetable.
NB: The maximum mark which can be awarded for a supplementary examination is 50%.

7.4 Calculation of marks

Your semester mark is calculated using the following weightings:
Assessment component Weight
Semester test 1
50
Semester test 2
Unit tests on Connect 10
Tutorials 15
Laboratory work 20
Participation (Learnsmart Connect Assignments) 5

Semester mark 100

• The participation mark is calculated based on the number of Clicker questions answered in
class as well as the number of Connect assignments attempted.

• The final mark is calculated as follows:

Final Mark = (0.6 × Semester Mark + 0.4 × Exam Mark)

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 10

 • Exemption from lab sessions: For the calculation of semester marks for students exempted
from the lab sessions, the laboratory work marks are disregarded and the weights of the other
components will be adjusted accordingly.

7.5 Pass mark

• A FINAL MARK of 50% or more AND a subminimum of 40% for the examination must
be obtained in order to pass this module.
• NB: Even if a student obtains 50% or more for the final mark, BUT obtains less than 40%
for the examination, that student will not pass the module.
• NB: A student will pass the module with distinction if the final mark is 75% and above.

7.6 Grading and administrative errors

• Please ensure that the marks allocated on your test are correct and that the correct marks
appear on ClickUP (Grade Book).
• Discrepancies have to be reported to Mrs Bonner as soon as possible, however NO
CHANGES WILL BE ALLOWED ONE WEEKS AFTER THE GRADED PAPERS
HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT.

7.7 Absence
• Absence from lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, and tests is unacceptable. You will receive a
grade of 0 for the assessment that you missed.
• If you are absent due to illness or for another very good reason, you are required to submit
relevant forms together with a medical certificate or other proof of absence.
• Your medical certificate must indicate the dates you were absent.
• If you fall ill, you need to obtain a medical certificate immediately. You cannot obtain a
medical certificate the day after you missed a tutorial/lab-session/test.
• Free medical services are provided by the University of Pretoria: visit the clinic, located
behind the Chemistry building.
• Only medical certificates that comply with the University regulations will be accepted.
CONDITION FOR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND AFFIDAVIT
Valid original sick notes are accepted if issued by a medical doctor registered at the Health
Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The only other type of sick note that is accepted
are those issued by an Advanced Practice Nurse (a registered nurse with a postgraduate
qualification) as determined by the South African Nursing Council who has a BHCF practice
number, provided that the diagnosis falls only within their specific field of specialisation. An
affidavit will only be accepted if supported by substantiating documentation, e.g. case report or
criminal charge with case number obtained from a police station, valid medical certificate for
injuries, a death certificate for a funeral, etc. Please note that submission of fraudulent sick
notes and affidavits is a criminal offense, which will lead to disciplinary action and may result
in dismissal

7.7.1 Absence from lecture

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 11

 • Lectures are compulsory. Statistically, students who attend lectures are far more likely to
pass the course.
• Unannounced Clicker tests will be completed during lectures. The marks for these tests
contribute to your participation mark.
• If your class attendance is low, you may be refused entrance to write the exam.

7.7.2 Absence from tutorial

• Complete the “absent from tutorial” form (available on ClickUP under the “forms” tab).
• Submit the form, along with a copy of your medical certificate or other proof of absence, to
your tutor.
• You will receive an “R” (reason) for missing the particular test, in which case the mark will
not contribute to your average tutorial mark.

7.7.3 Absence from laboratory session

• Complete the “absent from lab session” form (available on ClickUP under the “forms” tab).
• Email the completed form with a scan or photo of your medical certificate or other proof of
absence to Mrs Bonner: debbie.bonner@up.ac.za
• Submit the form with original medical certificate to Mrs Bonner: room 4-8, Natural Sciences
1 building.
• Note: you MUST submit the form and medical certificate in person as well as by email.
• You will then have to attend a “make-up lab” session to complete the experiment you missed.
The dates for these appear in the experiment timetable on ClickUP.
• Failure to schedule a make-up lab session within a week of missing the original lab session
will result in a mark of 0 for the experiment.

7.7.4 Absence from Semester Test

• Complete the “absent from test” form (available on ClickUP under the “forms” tab).
• Email the completed form with a scan or photo of your medical certificate or other proof of
absence to Mrs Bonner: debbie.bonner@up.ac.za
• Submit the form with original medical certificate or other proof of absence to Mrs Bonner:
room 4-8, Natural Sciences 1 building.
• Note: you MUST submit the form and medical certificate or other proof of absence in
person as well as by email.
• If you missed one or both of the semester tests (with reason), you will write the aegrotat
(sick) test.
• There is only one aegrotat (sick) test scheduled during the last week of the semester and
this will cover all the work covered during the semester. It is notoriously difficult and thus
inadvisable to miss a semester test.
• The date and venue for the aegrotat (sick) test will be confirmed in class and on ClickUP.
• If you have been given permission to miss a test due to illness, but you choose still to write
it, the mark you obtain for the test is final.
• If you fall ill during a test, you must inform the invigilator immediately and seek medical
attention.

7.7.5 Absence from Examination

• Should you have been ill for the examination, you have to apply for an agrotat examination
via your faculty administration (Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) faculty: ground
floor of Agriculture building, Main Campus. Medical- and Veterinary Science Faculties on
their respective campuses).
• You will then write the aegrotat (sick) exam, scheduled in the same time as the
supplementary exam.
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 12
 7.8 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious form of academic misconduct. It involves both appropriating someone else’s
work and passing it off as one’s own work afterwards. Thus, you commit plagiarism when you present
someone else's written or creative work (words, images, ideas, opinions, discoveries, artwork, music,
recordings, computer-generated work, etc.) as your own. Only hand in your own original work.
Indicate precisely and accurately when you have used information provided by someone else.
Referencing must be done in accordance with a recognised system. Indicate whether you have
downloaded information from the Internet. For more detail, visit the following websites:
https://www.up.ac.za/en/about-up/article/2013215/why-learn-about-plagiarism. Please download a
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8 Academic scope of the course

Note: the scope is subject to minor changes; it will cover most of the sections indicated below, but
certain subsections may be added or removed depending on time limitations during the semester. The
indicated chapters are from the prescribed textbook.

Unit 0: Measurement, Units and Problem solving (Chapter 1; 1.1-1.9)-SELF STUDY

• Measurements.
• Significant figures.
• Prefixes.
• Units and dimensional analysis.
• Calculations.

Unit 1: Introduction to vectors (Chapter 2; 2.2-2.3)

• Scalars and vectors.
• Graphical representation of vectors.
• Vectors in component form.
• Vector addition/subtraction
• Unit vector notation.
• Magnitude and direction of a vector quantity.
• Scalar (dot) product of vectors.
• Vector problem solving.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 1

Unit 2: Forces, Newton’s 1st & 3rd law, Gravity (Chapter 2; 2.1, 2.4-2.6)
• Fundamental (long-range) and contact forces.
• Net force vector.
• Newton’s 1st Law and inertia.
• Newton’s 3rd Law and interaction partners.
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 13
 • Free body diagrams.
• Forces in equilibrium (zero net force, zero acceleration, constant velocity)
• Gravitational force (Newtonian) and weight.
• Gravitational acceleration near Earth’s surface (g)
• Assessment: UNIT Test 2

Unit 3: Contact Forces, Tension, Fundamental Forces (Chapter 2; 2.7-2.9)

• Normal force and friction – kinetic and static
• Tension force, ideal cord and ideal pulley
• Problem solving: forces in equilibrium.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 3
Unit 4: Acceleration and Newton’s 2nd law (Chapter 3; 3.1-3.4)
• Position vector and displacement.
• Average and instantaneous velocity vector.
• Average and instantaneous acceleration vector.
• Position-time graphs, velocity-time graphs and acceleration-time graphs.
• Newton’s 2nd law and mass.
• Problem solving: forces not in equilibrium with constant net force.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 4

Unit 5: Kinematics (Chapter 4; 4,1-4.5)

• Linear motion with constant net force.
• Kinematic equations: 1-D and 2-D.
• Newton’s laws with constant acceleration.
• Free-fall.
• Motion in 2-D and projectiles.
• 1-D and 2-D kinematics problem solving.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 5

Unit 6: Work and Energy (Chapter 6; 6.1-6.4, 6.7-6.8)

• Conservation of energy.
• Work done by constant force.
• Total work done on object.
• Kinetic energy and work.
• Potential energy, gravitational potential energy and conservative forces.
• Work done by non-conservative forces and mechanical energy.
• Conservation of mechanical energy.
• Elastic potential energy.
• Power.
• Problem solving.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 6

Unit 7: Momentum, Impulse and Centre of Mass (COM) (Chapter 7; 7.1-7.5, 7.7)
• Conservation of vector quantity.
• Momentum vector.
• Impulse-momentum theorem.
• Average force and force-time graph.
• Conservation of linear momentum, external and internal forces.
• Centre of Mass (COM) and momentum.
• Elastic and inelastic collisions.
© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 14
 • Problem solving.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 7

Unit 8: Temperature and Ideal Gas Law (Chapter 13; 13.1-13.5)

• Thermal equilibrium and Zeroth law of Thermodynamics.
• Temperature scales.
• Thermal expansion of solids and liquids.
• Moles, Density, molar density, molecular mass, molar mass and Avogadro’s number.
• Ideal gas law.
• Absolute pressure and gauge pressure.
• Problem solving. Assessment: UNIT Test 8
Unit 9: Heat (Chapter 14; 14.1-14.4)
• Internal energy.
• Flow of heat and direction of flow of heat.
• Heat & work, Joule’s experiment.
• Heat capacity and specific heat capacity.
• Heat transfer between many objects and calorimetry.
• Problem solving.

Unit 10: Thermodynamics (Chapter 15; 15.1-15.3)

• 1st Law of Thermodynamics and sign convention.
• Thermodynamics processes:
o Isochoric processes: constant volume;
o Isothermal processes: constant temperature;
o Isobaric processes: constant pressure;
o Adiabatic processes: no heat is exchanged.
• PV-diagram, work done by/on ideal gas and work done during closed cycle.
• Problem solving, particularly for various Thermodynamic processes.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 9 (On Unit 9 and 10)

Unit 11: Electric Forces and Fields (Chapter 16; 16.1-16.4)

• Charge, electric conductors and isolators, conservation of charge.
• Coulomb’s law and electric force.
• Electric fields and electric field lines.
• Relation between electric field and electric force; test-charge.
• Electric force on a point charge due to other point charges.
• Electric field at a point due to a system of point charges.
• Problem solving.
• Assessment: UNIT Test 10

Unit 12: Electric Potential (Chapter 17; 17.1-17.2, 17.4)

• Electric potential energy.
• Electric potential energy due to system of point charges.
• Electric potential.
• Electric potential due to system of point charges.
• Relation between electric potential and electrical potential energy.
• Conservation of energy for moving charges.
• Problem solving.
• Self-practice assessment: UNIT Test 11

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 15

Unit 13: Reflection and Refraction (Chapter 23; 23.1-23.9)
• Wavefront and rays.
• Reflection of light and mirrors – plane and spherical.
• Image formation: spherical mirrors; ray diagrams and mirror equations.
• Refraction of light, Snell’s law, apparent depth, total internal reflection and polarization by
reflection.
• Image formation: thin lenses; lens diagrams and lens equations.
• Problem solving.
• Self-practice assessment: UNIT Test 12

Unit 14: Nuclear Physics (Chapter 29; 29.1-29.4)

• Nuclear structure, nucleons and nuclear isotope notation.
• Atomic mass units, mass of nucleons and electrons.
• Size of nuclei.
• Binding energy and mass defect & Units of eV.
• Radioactivity: alpha, beta and gamma decay.
• Nuclear reactions and determining daughter nucleus after decay.
• Kinetic energy of decay products.
• Radioactivity, exponential decay, activity and half-life.
• Problem solving.
• Self-practice assessment: UNIT Test 11

9 Errors in the study guide

• If any errors are discovered in this study guide, please make the lecturers aware of them, and
they will be corrected.
• Please always ensure that you have the most recent version of the study guide by
downloading it from ClickUP.
• If any information needs to be added to this study guide, a new version will also be
published. Revision details will be shown on ClickUP.

10 Addendum A: Support services

Please download a QR code reader on your cell phone. To download a QR code reader open your mobile app
store (App Store, Google Play or Windows Marketplace) and search for QR code readers.

Student Provides counselling and therapeutic

012 420 2333
Counselling Unit support to students.

Student Health Promotes and assists students with health 012 420 5233
Services and wellness. 012 420 3423

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 16

The Careers Provides support for UP students and careerservices@up.ac.za
Office graduates as they prepare for their careers. 012 420 2315

012 420-2310
24-hour Operational Management Centre
012 420-2760
Department of
Security Services 24-hour Operational Manager cell
083 654 0476
Crisis Line
0800 006 428

Enquiries concerning studies, 012 420 2371/4001

Department of
accommodation, food, funds, social Roosmaryn Building,
Student Affairs
activities and personal problems. Hatfield campus

Centre for
Identifies and provides training of student
Sexualities, 012 420 4391
peer counsellors.
AIDS and Gender

Ensure an integrated and inclusive

Disability Unit learning experience for students with 012 420 2064
disabilities.

http://www.up.ac.za/enquiry
Fees and funding 012 420 3111
www.up.ac.za/fees-and-funding

012 420 3051

IT Helpdesk For student IT related queries studenthelp@up.ac.za

END

© 2023 University of Pretoria: Department of Physics 17