Module 02. Physics

2.1 Matter

1. Nature of matter: the chemical elements, structure of atoms, molecules;
2. Chemical compounds.
3. States: solid, liquid and gaseous;
4. Changes between states.

2.2 Mechanics

2.2.1 Statics

1. Forces, moments and couples, representation as vectors;
2. Centre of gravity.
3. Elements of theory of stress, strain and elasticity: tension, compression, shear and torsion;
4. Nature and properties of solid, fluid and gas;
5. Pressure and buoyancy in liquids (barometers).

2.2.2 Kinetics

1. Linear movement: uniform motion in a straight line, motion under constant acceleration (motion under gravity);
2. Rotational movement: uniform circular motion (centrifugal/centripetal forces);
3. Periodic motion: pendular movement;
4. Simple theory of vibration, harmonics and resonance;
5. Velocity ratio, mechanical advantage and efficiency

2.2.3 Dynamics

(a)

1. Mass, Force, inertia, work, power, energy (potential, kinetic and total energy), heat, efficiency;

(b)

1. Momentum, conservation of momentum;
2. Impulse;
3. Gyroscopic principles;
4. Friction: nature and effects, coefficient of friction (rolling resistance).

2.2.4 Fluid dynamics

(a)

1. Specific gravity and density;

(b)

1. Viscosity, fluid resistance, effects of streamlining;
2. effects of compressibility on fluids;
3. Static, dynamic and total pressure: Bernoulli's Theorem, venturi.

2.3 Thermodynamics

(a)

1. Temperature: thermometers and temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin;
2. Heat definition.

(b)

1. Heat capacity, specific heat;
2. Heat transfer: convection, radiation and conduction;
3. Volumetric expansion;
4. First and second law of thermodynamics;
5. Gases: ideal gases laws;
6. specific heat at constant volume and constant pressure, work done by expanding gas;
7. Isothermal, adiabatic expansion and compression, engine cycles, constant volume and constant pressure, refrigerators and heat pumps;
8. Latent heats of fusion and evaporation, thermal energy, heat of combustion.

2.4 Optics (Light)

1. Nature of light; speed of light;
2. Laws of reflection and refraction: reflection at plane surfaces, reflection by spherical mirrors, refraction, lenses;
3. Fibre optics.

2.5 Wave Motion and Sound

1. Wave motion: mechanical waves, sinusoidal wave motion, interference phenomena, standing waves;
2. Sound: speed of sound, production of sound, intensity, pitch and quality,
3. Doppler effect