Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Module for General Physics (Phys 1011)

Prepared by: Wondimagegn Anjulo (Assistant Professor, Arbaminch University), Birhanu Mengistu (PhD Candidate, Haramaya University), Wondimeneh Leul (MSc, Hawassa University), Tamirat Bekele (MSc, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University)
October - 2019
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Module Overview

Provides a firm foundation in physics' role in various science, technology, and engineering fields.
Equips students with mathematical and problem-solving skills.
Covers applications of physics in various areas like agricultural, archeological, health, and medical sciences, earth and space sciences, electronics, electromagnetism, communication technology, and energy systems.
Introduces various physics-based analysis and dating techniques used in science and technology.
Uses simple mathematics to teach laws, principles, and methods of physics.
Covers preliminaries, mechanics, fluid mechanics, electromagnetism and electronics, and Thermodynamics.
Includes 10 relevant experiments in Mechanics, Electricity, and Magnetism, and Electronics.

Experiments List

Mechanics:
- Measurements of basic constants (length, mass, time)
- Free fall
- Hook's law
- Density of liquids
- Simple pendulum
Electricity and Magnetism:
- Calibration of voltmeter and ammeter using galvanometer
- Ohm's law, parallel and series combination of resistors
Electronics:
- V-I characteristics of diodes

Module Objectives

Discuss basic physics by summarizing previous concepts.
Explain kinematics and dynamics of particles in one and two dimensions.
Apply principles of fluids (Pascal's principle, Archimedes's principles, Bernoulli's equation).
Explain concepts of charges, fields, and potentials.
Analyze direct and alternating current circuits.
Demonstrate the use and functioning of cells, batteries, resistors, generators, motors, and transformers.
Explain the first law of Thermodynamics for a closed system.
Discuss systems that oscillate with simple harmonic motion.
Explain the application of physics in different sciences and technology.
Develop the skill of laboratory work.

Table of Contents (Chapter 1-7)

Chapter 1 (Preliminaries): Physical quantities, measurements, SI Units, unit conversion, uncertainty in measurements, significant digits, vectors (representation, addition, components, unit vector).
Chapter 2 (Kinematics and Dynamics of Particles): Kinematics in one and two dimensions (displacement, velocity, acceleration, free fall motion, projectile motion), particle dynamics and planetary motion (forces, Newton's laws of motion, applications, uniform circular motion).
Chapter 3 (Fluid Mechanics): Properties of bulk matter (density, pressure in static fluids, buoyant force, Archimedes' principles), moving fluids and Bernoulli equations.
Chapter 4 (Heat and Thermodynamics): Concept of temperature, Zeroth law of thermodynamics, temperature scales, thermal expansion, work, heat and internal energy, specific heat, latent heat, heat transfer mechanisms.
Chapter 5 (Oscillations, Waves, and Optics): Simple harmonic motion, displacement, velocity, and acceleration in SHM, simple pendulum, wave and its characteristics (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference), image formation (by thin lenses and mirrors).
Chapter 6 (Electromagnetism and Electronics): Coulomb's Law, electric fields, electric potential, potential difference, current, resistance, Ohm's law, equivalent resistance, Kirchhoff's rules, magnetic field and magnetic flux, electromagnetic induction.
Chapter 7 (Cross-Cutting Applications of Physics): Applications in agriculture and environment, physics in industries, in health sciences and medical imaging, physics and archeology, applications in earth and space sciences, and applications in power generation.