PHYSICAL SCIENCE

INTRUCTOR: ENGR. PEEJAY B. MAGUELANG

This subject provides fundamental ideas on the nature and branches of science. The study of science has two
branches namely, the life sciences and the physical sciences. The life sciences include biology, zoology and botany.
The physical sciences branch into areas such as geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics. However, physics is
more than part of physical sciences because it does not only deal with matter and energy but it also deals with the
other basic concepts like motion, forces, heat, sound, light, electricity, magnetism and the composition of atoms.

PHYSICS
• Classical Physics (1920s-20th century)
• Modern Physics (20th century - present)

CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Includes topics which were developed up until the 1920s and recognized before the beginning of the 20th
century. It rests on three theoretical pillars: Newtonian Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetic Theory.
Classical Physics is deterministic- it maintains that things can be measured precisely and known with certainty, that
immutable laws constrain Nature to unfold in a totally predictable way. Hence, the branch of Physics treated matter
and energy under normal conditions.
1. MECHANICS
study of forces acting on bodies at rest or in motion. Classical Mechanics describes the behavior of bodies with forces
acting upon them. Classical Mechanics is often referred to as "Newtonian Mechanics" as Isaac Newton formulated the
fundamental laws of motion on which Classical Mechanics is based. It is divided into the following
a. Kinematics - is the study of the quantitative description of motion.
b. Statics - deals with the study of forces at rest.
c. Dynamics - tackles with how motion is brought about.

2. OPTICS - the study of light

a. Physical optics - deals with the study of nature, properties and propagation of light.
refraction of light in mirrors and lenses.
b. Physiological optics - deals with the study of part played by light in vision.
c. Geometrical optics - deals with the application of reflection and refraction of light in mirrors and lenses

3. ACOUSTICS - the study of nature and propagation of sound waves.

4. THERMODYNAMICS - the study of temperature and energy; heat flow; and transformation of heat energy.
5. Electromagnetism - the study of the properties and relationship of electric current and magnetism.
a. Electrostatics - is the study of electric charges at rest.
b. Electrodynamics deals with the study of moving charges

B. MODERN PHYSICS - are concepts which were developed and recognized since the beginning of the 20th century. This
includes topics concerned with the behavior of matter and energy under extreme conditions (the very large and the very small)
such as quantum effects which usually involve distances comparable to atoms (roughly 1 x 10-9 m). this branch of Physics
includes the following sub-branches:

1. Atomic Physics deals with the study of the components, structure and properties of atoms.

2. Nuclear Physics deals with the structure, properties, reactions and evolutions of atomic nuclei.

3. Quantum physics deals on the indivisible units of energy called quanta as described in the Quantum theory.

4. Solid State Physics (Condensed Matter Physics) deals with the study semiconductors and of solid materials which includes
superconductivity.

5. Plasma Physics deals with the study of ionized (electrically charged) gases.

6. Relativistic Physics deals with phenomena that take place in a frame of reference that is in motion with respect to an observer.
1. He studied the behavior of falling bodies and formulated laws covering the behavior of these objects. --- Galileo Galilei

2 He discovered that the planets move in an elliptical orbit. The laws of Kepler are used in calculating the flight paths of today's space vehicle. --- Johannes Kepler

3. He formulated Boyle's law, which states that at constant temperature the volume of gas is Inversely proportional to pressure. --- Robert Boyle

4. He formulated the laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation. --- Sir Isaac Newton

5. He is noted for his experiments on electricity. His renowned kite experiment to study lightning led him to the invention of the lightning rod. --- Benjamin Franklin
6. His invention was the generator, which worked on the principle that magnets can be used to produce electric current. --- Michael Faraday

7. He worked on electromagnetism and made important contributions to the development of the kinetic theory of gases. --- James Maxwell

8. He discovered x-rays in 1895. Studies on radioactivity led to the development of nuclear physics. --- Wilhelm Roentgen

9. He discovered radioactivity in 1896. Just like Roentgen's discovery, his study led to the development of nuclear physics. --- Henri Becquerel

10. A German physicist who formulated the quantum theory, which is the basis of quantum mechanics. --- Max Planck

11. He formulated the theory of relativity and his famous equation, E=mc² ---- Albert Einstein
1. Arturo Alcaraz was responsible for the discovery of geothermal energy in the country.

2. Melecio Magno worked as an atmospheric physicist. He studied how the principles of physics are applied to the study of
weather elements. Further, he explained how the laws of thermodynamics explain the different phase changes.

3. Christopher Bernido provided the rationale for the unification of the four fundamental interactions of clementary particles.

4. Henry Ramos is famous for his first plasma experimental device, which can produce gases that can be manipulated for the
generation of energy.

5. Benjamin Almeda is known as the Thomas Edison of the Philippines. He invented the automatic cooler and the electric grinder

6. Gregorio Zara is the inventor of an aircraft engine using alcohol as fuel with an airplane propeller that is made of local
materials. He also invented the video telephone.

7. Aluminada dela Rosa conducted a study on the use of agriculture cellulose waste materials for energy production. Her study
won her the third prize in the 1982 NSTA-DOST most outstanding research award.

8. Linda Posadas researched on the applications of lasers in communications, medicine, defense, architecture, space, science and
entertainment.
•Curiosity A scientist is a curious person. He/She asks
questions as to the causes of some events, which are not yet
known; he/she keeps on reading to find information.
•Open-mindedness A scientist is an open-minded person
who considers suggestions and accepts criticism, shares
ideas with others, and considers several possibilities when
investigating a problem.
•Questioning Attitude A scientist questions the
inconsistencies in statements and conclusions, and makes
decisions after collecting all-important facts. Also, a
scientist challenges the validity of unsupported statements.
•Respect for Evidence A scientist is one who checks
consistency of observations, considers and evaluates ideas
presented by others, and consults available data before
drawing a conclusion.
•Believing in Cause-and-Effect A scientist believes that for every effect
there is a corresponding cause and accepts a statement as fact only if
supported by evidence.
•Honesty A scientist reports the data truthfully, gives comments as situations
demand, and acknowledges the work done by others.
•Humility A scientist shows awareness of one’s shortcomings and indicates
willingness to ask help from someone who can assist him/her.
•Patience and Determination A scientist carries out investigations in spite of
limited time, keeps working in spite of several failures, and remains firm even
in the face of criticisms.
•Resourcefulness and Creativity A scientist makes optimum use of
equipment and suggests substitutes for material that are not available in the
school or in the community.
•Intellectual Responsibility A scientist performs assigned tasks dutifully,
shows willingness to do extra work if necessary, and accepts failures if any
are made during an investigation.
We know that some scientific concepts were discovered by
accident, which we call serendipity. However, most of these
science ideas are the results of carefully planned investigation by
scientists. Scientists solve scientific problems through a systematic
approach.

The figure illustrates the processes of the scientific method applied

to every scientific investigations.
UNITS ( METRIC & ENGLISH SYSTEM)
UNITS ( METRIC & ENGLISH SYSTEM)
1. Convert 6.89 meters to millimeters
2. Convert 10 centimeters to feet
3. Convert 84°C to °F
4. Convert 200 ft² to m²
5. Convert 4 m³ to ft³
SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

• Is a method of writing very small or very large number in terms of decimal numbers
between 1 to 10 multiplied by power of ten

Exponent
Coefficient Term 1.25 x 10³
Exponential Term
Significant figures or digits of a measurement include both the certain digits and estimated digits.
Rules in Determining the Number of Significant Figures:
1. All nonzero digits are significant.
Examples: 1.39 (3 SF), 641.25(5 SF)

2. Zeros between nonzero digits are significant. They are called captive zeros.
Examples: 309.2(4 SF), 430.08 (5 SF)

3. Zeros before the first nonzero digit are not significant. They are called leading zeros.
Examples: 0.000356 (3 SF), 0.3008 (4 SF)

4. Zeros after the last nonzero digit (called trailing zeros) may or not significant depending on:
a. if numbers have decimal point.
Examples: 10.0(3 SF), 0.00600(3 SF)
b. if numbers are whole numbers
Examples: 50 (1 SF), 4030 700 (5 SF)
5. Including zeros or not in the form of scientific notation can be used to eliminate
Examples: 48000
= 4.8 x 10⁴ (2SF)
= 4.8O x 10⁴ (3SF)
= 4.8000 x 10⁴ (5SF)

6. The use of bar above zero indicates that the zero is significant.
Examples: 25 000 (5 SF) 25.000 (3 SF)
Name: Day:
Course & Year: Time:

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Instructor: Peejay B. Maguelang

NOTE: NEXT MEETING QUIZ