Questions and Answers
What marks the beginning of modern physics?
Which branch of classical physics focuses on motion, force, and energy?
Which of the following is NOT considered a main branch of classical physics?
What concept does general relativity explain?
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Which area of physics deals with the reactions within the atomic nucleus?
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What does the branch of electricity and magnetism study?
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What defines classical physics?
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What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
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What are the two variations of the metric system?
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Which of the following is NOT a fundamental quantity in the International System of Units (SI)?
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What does 'fps' stand for in the English system of units?
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Which of the following is considered a derived quantity?
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What is the abbreviation for the International System of Units?
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What unit is the counterpart of pound-force in the metric system?
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Which of the following base units represents length in the SI system?
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The English system of units is otherwise known as what?
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Study Notes
Overview of Physics
- Physics studies the interaction of matter, force, and energy.
- Divided into classical physics (pre-1900) and modern physics (post-1900).
Classical Physics
- Major branches include:
- Mechanics: Focuses on motion, force, work, energy, and fluids.
- Heat and Thermodynamics: Deals with heat effects, transfer methods, and conversion of heat energy to mechanical work.
- Optics: Studies light and its properties.
- Electricity and Magnetism: Examines electrical charges and their interactions with magnetism.
- Wave Motion and Sound: Investigates characteristics and behavior of waves.
- Classical physics generally addresses macroscopic phenomena at low velocities relative to light.
- Speed of light in vacuum is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s.
Modern Physics
- Emerged in 1900 starting with Max Planck's work on blackbody radiation.
- Major areas include:
- Nuclear Physics: Studies atomic nucleus properties and reactions.
- General Relativity: Explains how matter bends space-time, influencing the paths of matter and light.
- Special Relativity: Covers high-speed phenomena near light's speed.
- Particle Physics: Focuses on elementary particles, the building blocks of matter.
- Quantum Mechanics: Explores matter and energy behavior at atomic and subatomic scales.
Measurement in Physics
- Physics involves experiments to test hypotheses or theories, requiring precise measurements.
- Measurement compares a quantity to a standard.
- Established systems of units include:
- Metric System: Includes mks (meter, kilogram, second) and egs (centimeter, gram, second).
- English System (FPS): Represents foot, pound, second; recognizes pound-force as a fundamental quantity.
International System of Units (SI)
- SI is the modern metric system, legally enforced worldwide.
- Consists of fundamental and derived physical quantities:
- Fundamental Quantities: Independent basic properties (length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, luminous intensity, amount of substance).
- Derived Quantities: Based on fundamental quantities (e.g., speed = length/time; also includes acceleration, density, work, energy).
SI Fundamental Units
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Defined as follows:
- Meter (m) for length
- Kilogram (kg) for mass
- Second (s) for time
- Kelvin (K) for temperature
- Ampere (A) for electric current
- Candela (cd) for luminous intensity
- Mole (mol) for amount of substance
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Derived units are formed by combining these fundamental units.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of physics, distinguishing between classical and modern physics. It covers key principles, discoveries, and the evolution of the subject from 1900 onwards. Test your understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and more!
