Introduction to Applied Physics

Abdul Majeed Pirzada

Lecturer
SMI University
Week # 01
 Introduction
The word physics is derived from the latin word
Physica, which means” Natural Thing”.
The branch of physical science which deals with the
interaction of matter and energy is called physics. This
is based experimental observations and quantitative
measurements.
Physics is therefore an experimental science which
depends heavily upon the objective observations and
measurements of natural phenomena.
 Introduction
The branch of science concerned with the nature and
properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of
physics includes mechanics, heat, light and other
radiations, sounds, electricity, magnetism and the
structure of atoms.
 Introduction
The nature around us is colourful and diverse. It contains
phenomena of large varieties.
The winds, the sands, the waters, the planets, the rainbow,
heating of objects on rubbing, the function of a human body,
the energy coming from the sun and the nucleus there are a
large number of objects and events taking place around us.
 Physics is the study of nature and its laws.
 Introduction
We expect that all these different
events in nature take place according
to some basic laws and revealing
these laws of nature from the
observed events is physics. For
example, the orbiting of the moon
around the earth, falling of an apple from
a tree and tides in a sea on a full moon
night can all be explained if we know the
Newton's law of gravitation and Newton's
laws of motion.
Physics is concerned with the basic
rules which are applicable to all
domains of life. Understanding of
physics, therefore, leads to
applications in many fields including
 Introduction
Science means organized knowledge.
It is human nature to observe things and happenings
around in the nature and then to relate them. This
knowledge is organized so that it become well
connected and logical. Then it is known as Science. It
is a systematic attempt to understand natural
phenomenon and use this knowledge to predict,
modify and control phenomena.
 Scientific Method to study Nature

Scientific Method
Scientific methods are used to observe things and
natural phenomena. It includes several steps :
1. Observations.
2. Controlled experiments,
3. Qualitative and quantitative reasoning,
4. Mathematical modeling,
5. Prediction and
6. Verification or falsification of theories.
Principal in Physics
There are two principal in Physics;
1.Unification
2. reduction.
Unification
Efforts are made to explain different phenomena in nature
on the basis of one or minimum laws. This is principle of
Unification.
Example: Phenomena of apple falling to ground, moon
revolving around earth and weightlessness in the rocket,
all these phenomena are explained with help of one Law
that is, Newtons Law of Gravitation.
 Principal in Physics
Reductionism
To understand or to derive the properties of a bigger or
more complex system the properties of its simpler
constituents are taken into account. This approach is
called reductionism.

For example a complex thermo dynamical system can

be understood by the properties of its constituent like
kinetic energy of molecules and atoms.
 Applied Physics
Applied physics is the application of the
science of physics to helping human beings
and solving their problems.

Applied physicists use physics or conduct

physics research to develop new
technologies or solve engineering problems.
 Introduction
o The great physicist Dr R. P. Feynman has
given a wonderful description of what is
"understanding the nature".
o Suppose we do not know the rules of chess
but are allowed to watch the moves of the
players. If we watch the game for a long
time, we may make out some of the rules.
o With the knowledge of these rules we may
try to understand why a player played a
particular move. However, this may be a very
difficult task.
o Even if we know all the rules of chess, it is
not so simple to understand all the
complications of a game in a given situation
 Introduction
o Knowing the basic rules is, however, the minimum
requirement if any progress is to be made. One may guess at a
wrong rule by partially watching the game.
o The experienced player may make use of a rule for the first
time and the observer of the game may get surprised. Because
of the new move some of the rules guessed at may prove to be
wrong and the observer will frame new rules.
o Physics goes the same way. The nature around us is like a big
chess game played by Nature.
o The events in the nature are like the moves of the great game.
o We are allowed to watch the events of nature and guess at the
basic rules according to which the events take place.
o We may come across new events which do not follow the rules
guessed earlier and we may have to declare the old rules
 Electrostatic

The study of electric charges

at rest is known as
“Electrostatic”
 Electric Charge

Electric charge is the property of the bodies(i.e.

electron, proton etc.) by which they attract or repel
other bodies. There are two kinds of charges positive
and negative. Like charges repel each other and
unlike charges attract each other.
 Electrostatic
Ruler rubbed with hair that it will attract the small bits
of paper.
Around 600BC famous Greek philosopher Thales
Ex
Rubbed Amber with silk and afterwards it attracts the
feather and Paper.
Concept of Electrostatic develop
Electrostatic means static electricity and these charges
do not move but created or transfer with the help of
rubbing between the two bodies.
 Electrostatic
There are two types of charges Positive and negative
and these charges are produced due to the static
electricity.
Ex:
Two glass rods(+) rubbed with silk(-) when they close
each other they started to repel.
Ebonite (-) with wool (+) and silk(-) with Glass rod(+)
attract.
Generation of charges in the static electricity due to the
imbalanced of electrons(rubbing) and then tranfer.
Electron transfer also mass transfer.
 Electromagnetism
o We are surrounded by devices that depend on the physics of
electromagnetism, which is the combination of electric and
magnetic phenomena.
o This physics is at the root of computers, television, radio,
telecommunications, household lighting, and even the ability of
food wrap to cling to a container.
o This physics is also the basis of the natural world. Not only does
it hold together all the atoms and molecules in the world, it also
produces lightning, auroras, and rainbows.
 Electromagnetism
o The physics of electromagnetism was first studied by the
early Greek philosophers, who discovered that if a piece of
amber is rubbed and then brought near bits of straw, the
straw will jump to the amber.
o We now know that the attraction between amber and straw
is due to an electric force.
 Electric Charge
o Here are two demonstrations that seem to be
magic, but our job here is to make sense of
them.
o After rubbing a glass rod with a silk cloth, we
hang the rod by means of a thread tied around
its center (Fig. 21-la). Then we rub a second
glass rod with the silk cloth and bring it near
the hanging rod. The hanging rod magically
moves away.
o We can see that a force repels it from the
second rod, but how? There is no contact with
that rod, no breeze to push on it, and no sound
wave to disturb it.
o In the second demonstration we replace the
second rod with a plastic rod that has been
rubbed with fur. This time, the hanging rod
moves toward the nearby rod (Fig. 21-1b).
Like the repulsion, this attraction occurs
without any contact or obvious communication
between the rods.
 Electric Charge
In the first demonstration, the force on the hanging rod was
repulsive, and in the second, attractive.
After a great many investigations, scientists figured out that
the forces in these types of demonstrations are due to the
electric charge that we set up on the rods when they are in
contact with silk or fur.
Electric charge is an intrinsic property of the fundamental
particles that make up objects such as the rods, silk, and fur.
That is, charge is a property that comes automatically with
those particles wherever they exist.
 Types of Electric Charge
There are two types of electric charge,
named by the American scientist and
statesman Benjamin Franklin as positive
charge and negative charge.
In most everyday objects, such as a
mug, there are about equal numbers of
negatively charged particles and
positively charged particles, and so the
net charge is zero, the charge is said to
be balanced, and the object is said to be
electrically neutral (or just neutral for
short).