Chapter 1 Form 4 - Introduction to Physics

Introduction to Physics.

The word Physics is originated from the Greek word.

In physics, we study natural phenomena and the properties of matter.

The aim of physics is to explain the fundamental nature of the universe by using the concept of physics.

Physics involves the conduct of studies and experiments to find answers to the question in relation to the mysteries of the universe.

The majority of natural phenomena can be explained using the principle of physics :

                i)  Object behind a wall cannot be seen because light travels in a straight line.
                ii) The image of our face formed on the mirror is due to the reflection of light.

Fields of study in physics

1) Forces and pressure - pressure, pressure in liquids, gas pressure, atmospheric pressure, Pascal
                                          principle, Archimedes principle, Bernoulli principle.
2) Heat - studies the influence of heat on different types of matter.
3) Electricity and electromagnetism - Investigate the interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
4) Electronics - studies the use of electronics devices in various fields.
5) Waves - understand the properties of different types of waves and their uses.
6) Light - explain the different phenomenon due to light.
7) Force and motion - investigate the action of force and motion.
       

Base Quantities

Physical Quantities

1) A physical quantity is a quality that can be measured.
2) A physical quantity can be divided into base quantity and derived quantity.

Base Quantities

1) Base quantities are the qualities that are conventionally accepted as functionally independent of one another.
2) It is a quantity that cannot be defined in term of other physical quantity.
3) The base quantities and its units are as in the table below :

Derived Quantities

A derived quantity is a Physics quantity that is not a base quantity. It is the quantities which derived from the base quantities through multiplying and/or dividing them.

Image credit: link

Prefixes

Prefixes are the preceding factor used to represent very small and very large physical quantities in SI units.

Metric Prefixes. Conversions

 

 

Scientific Notation:

• Scientific notation (also known as Standard index notation) is a convenient way to write very small or large numbers. 
• In this notation, numbers are separated into two parts, a real number with an absolute value between 1 and 10 and an order of magnitude value written as a power of 10. 
• Physical quantities that are very big or very small need to be written in the standard form so that it is neat, simple and easy to read. 

Image credit: link

Introduction to physics from marjerin