This is a general introduction to Physics requiring an understanding of low level Mathematics.
Syllabus |
Synopsis |
Greek alphabet |
Lecture 1
Scientific method,
The origins and goals of Physics,
The International system of Units, and
Symbols and equations in Physics. |
Introduction |
Lecture 2
Laboratory instruments: the balance, Vernier calipers, Micrometers, stopwatches, measuring cylinders,
Uncertainty and accuracy: random and systematic errors,
Accumulating errors in the laboratory,
Graphing with errors,
Volume and area formulae. |
Measurement |
Lecture 3
Waves moving energy through a medium.
Longitudinal and transverse waves.
Amplitude, wavelength, period, frequency and phase difference.
Reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference and polarisation. |
Waves |
Lecture 4
Sound waves produced from a sudden local compression
Infrasonic and Ultrasonic waves
Ultrasonic transducers
Reflections at interfaces
Ultrasonic applications
Thermoacoustics
Opto-acoustics
|
Sound and Ultrasound |
Lecture 5
Resonance
Standing waves
Harmonics, Overtones and Partials
Musical instruments with strings & pipes |
Resonance |
Lecture 6
The human ear's structure and function
Intensity and Loudness
Hearing loss
The Fletcher-Munson curves
Pitch |
Hearing |
Lecture 7
Reflection
Refraction (Snell's law)
The wave nature of light
Two slit interference
Mirages and optical illusions |
Light |
Lecture 8
Total internal reflection
Optical fibres
Image formation by convex lenses
Image formation by concave lenses |
Optical Fibres and Lenses |
Lecture 9
The Camera
Aberrations in lenses
Telescopes
Binoculars
Microscopes |
Optical Instruments |
Lecture 10
Solids, fluids, plastics and plasmas
Pressure as the intensity of force
Pressure at a depth in a liquid
Pascal's principle and hydraulics
How a vacuum is not nothing |
Pressure |
Lecture 11
Pressure and the eyes, lungs, digestion and the joints
Blood Pressure
Pressure gauges |
Body Pressures |
Lecture 12
Archimedes' achievements & death
Hiero's crown
Archimedes' principle
|
Archimedes |
Lecture 13
Descartes and Cartesian co-ordinates
Vectors and scalars
Polar co-ordinates
Adding vectors sequentially and simultaneously
Subtracting vectors
Vector components and adding by components
Moment of force
Mass and weight
Equilibrium and centre of gravity |
Vectors |
Lecture 14
The force of static friction
The force of kinetic friction
The conditions for equilibrium
Couples |
Friction/Equilibrium |
Lecture 15
Zeno's paradox
Average and instantaneous speed
Position vs time graph to speed vs time graph
Speed vs time graph to position vs time graph
Average and instantaneous acceleration
Speed vs time graph to acceleration vs time graph
Acceleration vs time graph to speed vs time graph
Constant acceleration graphs and equations |
Kinematics |
Lecture 16
Velocity and speed
Momentum as the quantity of motion
Newton's laws of motion
Internal and external forces |
Dynamics |
Lecture 17
Conservation of momentum
Inelastic and Elastic Collisions
Explosions
Rockets |
Momentum |
Lecture 18
The work done by a force
Conservative forces
Kinetic energy
Potential energy
Conservation of mechanical energy |
Work and Energy |
Lecture 19
Power as the rate of doing work
Engine power and speed
Drag
Efficiency
Types of Energy resources
Energy reserves |
Power |
Lecture 20
Boyle's law
Charles' law and Absolute Temperature
Gay-Lussac's law
The Combined Gas law
Avogadro's number
The Universal Gas Equation |
Gas laws |
Lecture 21
Microscopic views of matter
Einstein and Brownian motion
Kinetic Theory assumptions
The microscopic picture of pressure
Internal energy
Molar mass and the Atomic Mass Unit
The microscopic picture of temperature
The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution for molecular velocities |
Kinetic theory of gases |
A few exam papers &/or tutorial questions with full worked solutions may be obtained for a small fee. Please email if you require assistance with this.