• What is Physics?

• Physics is the study of our natural world –from the very large (solar
system ) to the very small (the atom).
• Unit and Measurement
• Measurement
Measurement is the comparison of the given physical quantity with the known
standard quantity of the same nature.
• Standard
A standard is a reference that is
used to calibrate measurement.
• Unit
Unit is a quantity or amount used as
a standard of measurement.
The three systems of units
FPS system is Foot Pound Second system.
Fundamental units are foot, pound, and second.

CGS system is Centimeter Gram Second system.

Fundamental units are centimeter, gram, and second.

MKS system is Meter Kilogram Second system.

Fundamental units are meter, kilogram, and second.

SI is System International(International System of Units).

Fundamental units are meter, kilogram, and Second.
•
• Physical quantity
A physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured and consists of a
numerical magnitude and unit.
It can be expressed as Q =Nu
Q =physical quantity
N = numerical magnitude
u = unit
Examples
• The length of the object is 10m. 𝑙=10m
Where 𝒍 is the physical quantity , 10 is numerical number and m is unit .
• The mass of the box is 30kg. m =30kg
• Where m is physical quantity, 30 is numerical magnitude and kg is unit .
• Physical quantities can be classified as

1. Basic type of Physical Quantities

(length, mass, time, temperature , electric current, amount of
substance and luminous intensity)

2. Derived type of physical quantities

(area, volume, velocity, work, energy, speed, acceleration…)
• Three systems of unit and their fundamental units:
• C.G.S system
• F.P.S system
• M.K.S system(or) SI system

No. System of units Length(L) Mass(m) Time(t)

Pound (lb)
1 British system (or) FPS Foot(ft) Slug(sl) Second (s)
system

2 CGS units Centimeter (cm) gram(g) Second(s)

3 SI unit Metre(m) Kilogram(kg) Second(s)

• The three (basic)fundamental units are:
• Mass: Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in a body. The
fundamental unit of mass is Kilogram .

• Time: Time is a measurable period. The basic fundamental unit of

time is second .

• Length: The length of an object is the distance between the two

ends of an object. The basic fundamental unit is meter.
Two types of units
1.Basic Units
The units of basic quantities are called basic units.
(m, kg, s, K, A, mol, cd)

2.Derived Units
A derived unit is a unit of measurement formed by combining
the basic (or base) units of a system.
(cms-1, ms-2, kgms-1)
Question

• Which of the followings are the basic units ?

Which are the derived units?
m, cm, ft, ft2, kg, g, s, cms-1, ms-2, kgms-1, kgms-2, kgm2s-3.
Amount of
substance

length

mass

time

temperature

current

Luminous
intensity
Scalar quantity and vector quantity
Vector quantities have two characteristics, a magnitude and a direction.
Scalar quantities have only a magnitude.

Scalar quantity Vector quantity

-Magnitude only -Magnitude and direction

Distance Displacement
Speed Velocity
Mass Force
Temperature Acceleration
Volume
Prfixes for SI units
• Sometimes, a physical quantity is too big or too small to be
conveniently expressed in basic SI units.

• Prefixes are needed to be used.

• Prefixes are multiples or sub-multiples of 10.

• Instand of using decimal notation ,it is more convenient to

use prefixes to represent the quantity.
• Scientific notation or standard form may be written as
follows
• Place the decimal point after the first nonzero digit.
• Then determine the power of 10 by counting the number of
places the original decimal point is moved to the new decimal
point.
• If we moved the point to the left the power is positive and to
the right, it is negative.
• Eg. 13 000 = 1.3 x 104
0.001 = 1 x 10−3
• Length
1 decimetre (dm) = 10−1 m

1 centimetre (cm) = 10−2 m

1 millimetre (mm) = 10−3 m

1 micrometre (μm) = 10−6 m

1 nanometre (nm) = 10−9 m

1 How many millimetres are there in these measurements?
a 5 cm = --mm
b 6 cm= --mm
c 0.8 cm= --mm
d 6.9 cm = --mm
e 8 m = --mm
2 What are these lengths in metres?
a 700 cm = --m
b 650 cm = --m
c 970 cm= --m
d 52 cm= --m
e 1000 mm = --m
3 Write the following as powers of ten with one figure before the decimal point:
100 000 , 3500 , 428000000 , 504 , 27056
100 0000 = ---
45000 = ----
326000000 = -----
905 = ----
45790 = -----

4.Write out the following in full:

103 , 2 × 106 , 6.92 × 104 , 1.34 × 102 , 109
105 = ----
2 × 103 = -----
6.92 × 106 = -----
1.34 × 104 = ---
105 = ---------
5. Write these fractions as powers of ten:
1 7 1 3
, , ,
1000 100000 10000000 60000

Ans:
1
=
1000

7
=
100000

1
=
10000000

3
=
60000
6 Express the following decimals as powers of ten with one
figure before the decimal point: 0.06 , 0.089 , 0.0057, 0.0345

• Ans:
0.06 =-----
0.089 =------
0.0057 =--------
0.0345= ------
 Unit 1
Forces and Motion
• What is motion?
• Change in position with time.

• The motion of an object can be mathematically defined in terms of distance ,

displacement ,velocity ,acceleration and time.
• Distance
-Distance is a measure of how far an object moves.
-It is a scalar quantity.
Displacement
-Displacement is a distance travelled in a particular direction from a specific
point.
-It is a vector quantity.
Example
Kyu Kyu leaves her house and walks 300m to post a letter in a letter box , and
then walks back to her house.
Distance =300m+300m =600m
Displacement =300m(east)+ 300(west)
=0m
• Example
• Cindy leaves her house to go to the library . She walks 400m east along East
Street and then 300m north along North Street to reach the library.
Distance =400m+300m =700m

Displacement = (300)2 +(400)2

= 500m (north east)
north street

East street
Speed
The speed of a body is the distance that it has travelled in unit time.
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅
speed =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏
𝒔
v=
𝒕
Speed - distance travelled per unit time
For example :If a car travels 300 km in five hours, its average speed is 300
km/5 h = 60 km/h.
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
average speed =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
(or)
𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 +𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
2
Velocity is the distance travelled in unit time in a given direction.

distance moved in a given direction

velocity =
time taken

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
(or) velocity = = speed in a given direction
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏

Velocity - change in displacement per unit time

Speed is a scalar quantity and velocity is a vector quantity.
Distance is a scalar and displacement is a vector quantity.
The average speed is the total distance travelled divided by the time
taken .
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅,𝒔 𝒔
Average speed , v = =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏,𝒕 𝒕

𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚+𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒗+𝒖

Average speed , v = =
𝟐 𝟐
Units – m/s
Other units -km/h ,cm/s , mph(miles per hour)
• Acceleration is the rate at which objects change their velocity. It is defined as
follows:

𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 ,𝒗−𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚,𝒖

• Acceleration , a = (or)
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 ,𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏,𝒕

(𝑣−𝑢)
• a =
𝑡
• Unit of a =m/s2
1.1 - Introduction to forces
What is a force?
A force is a push or pull that can change the shape of an object, or change the way that it
moves.
• Different types of force
• Attracting and repelling
The gravitational force, or force
of gravity, is the force that attracts
you to the Earth.
An electrostatic force, which acts
between objects that are charged.

Magnets attract magnetic materials

such as iron, steel, or nickel. There is
a magnetic force between the
magnet and the magnetic material.
• Force arrows
• The direction of the arrow shows the direction of the force.
• The arrow is in contact with the object.
Forces on moving objects
Friction is another type of force.
When any object slides across a surface, the force of
friction tries to stop it moving.

Air resistance is a force that acts on any object

moving through the air. Water resistance acts
on any object moving through water. Both air
resistance and water resistance are types of
drag.

In a car or plane, a force called thrust pushes

the vehicle forwards.
• Upthrust and tension
If an object is floating, the water is pushing
it up. This push is a force called upthrust .

If you pull something with a rope, there is

a force called tension in the rope.

A device for measuring forces is called a

forcemeter, such as a spring balance.
Forces are measured in units called
newtons (N).
• Q.1 Copy and complete the table. Tick the correct column for each force:
( Pg 9)
Force Changes the speed Changes its direction
Of the object
gravity acting on a
falling apple
friction acting on a car
going around a corner at
a steady speed

friction when a car

brakes in a
straight line
2. Why don’t people on the other side of the Earth fall off?
Ans : People on the other side of the Earth do not fall off because
the force of gravity acts towards the center of the earth , whenever
you are.

3. A car is travelling along the road. List three forces acting on it.
Ans; Friction, air resistance, gravity ,thrust.
4 A magnet can exert a force of attraction or a force of repulsion on another
magnet.
Which of these forces is a push and which is a pull?
Ans; push – force of repulsion
pull – force of attraction

5 a. Name a force that is a contact force, which means the object needs to
be in contact with something for the force to act.
Ans : Friction, air resistance, water resistance ,thrust , upthrust
b. Name a force that is a non-contact force.
Ans : gravity, electrostatic force, gravitational force
1.2 Balanced forces
Balanced forces
If the forces acting on an object are balanced, then its motion will not change:
● If it is not moving it will stay still.
● If it is moving it will keep moving at a steady speed.

The weight of the leaf and the air

resistance are balanced. The leaf
falls with a steady speed.
• Unbalanced forces
• If the forces on an object are not equal and opposite, then they are
unbalanced. If the forces are unbalanced then the motion of the object
will change:
• ● If it is not moving it will start moving.
• ● If it is moving it will speed up (accelerate), slow down (decelerate),
or change direction.
The forces are unbalanced.
The cyclist accelerates.
• Lots of forces

In Fig :the weight and the upthrust are balanced. The boat does not move up
or down.
The thrust of the engine is balanced by the air and water resistance. The
boat moves forwards with a steady speed.
If an object is stationary or moving at a steady speed, then the forces on it are
balanced.
If it is speeding up or slowing down, then the forces acting on it will be
unbalanced.
• Resultant forces(net Force)
The size of each force acting on an object, can work out the resultant force.
If the arrows are in the same direction , add the forces.
If they are in opposite directions , take away one force from the other.

If the resultant force is zero the forces are balanced.

If the resultant force is not zero the forces are unbalanced.
(pg 11)
1.A cricketer drops a ball and it speeds up. Are the forces on it balanced or
unbalanced?
Ans : unbalanced force

2 A boy pushes a toy car along the floor at a steady speed. Are the forces on
it balanced or unbalanced?
Ans: balanced force
3 Arzu is throwing a ball up in the air and catching it. Copy and complete
the sentences using the words ‘balanced’ or ‘unbalanced’.
a When Arzu is holding the ball and it is not moving, the forces on the
ball are
…balanced .
b When the ball is moving upwards and slowing down, the forces on it
are
unbalanced .
c When the ball is moving downwards and speeding up, the forces on it
are
unbalanced .
• 4 Extension: Vil says that if a car is moving there must be a resultant force
acting on it.
Alom says there doesn’t need to be a resultant force acting on it. Who do you
agree with, and why?

• Ans :If a car is moving at a steady speed, then the resultant force would be zero
and no resultant force would be acting on the car .
• A resultant force would only be acting on the car if the forces acting on it are
unbalanced ,for example when the car is accelerating, of changing direction.
• 1.3 Friction
Friction is a force that slows down moving objects.
Reducing friction
-skiers wax the bottoms of their skis to reduce
friction and make them go faster.

-Cyclists put oil on the axles of their bicycle

to reduce friction. This is called lubrication.

A layer of oil between two surfaces makes it

easier for the surfaces to slide over each other.
It reduces the force of friction.
• Friction can be useful
Friction is not always a bad thing.
Friction is useful for walking.

Bicycles and cars also need friction

to stop .The force of friction acts
between their brakes and the wheels.
• Q.1 What causes the force of friction between two surfaces that are sliding
over each other?
• Ans : The force of friction is caused by the uneven surfaces of the objects
sliding over each other.

• 2. Explain how using oil for lubrication reduces friction.

• Ans :Using oil as lubrication reduces friction because a thin layer of oil it
makes it easier for two uneven surfaces to slide over each other.
• 3 a There is a thin layer of water between the blade and the ice .
Suggest how this affects friction and helps the skater.
• The thin layer of water between the blade of an ice skate and the ice
acts as a lubricant and reduces the friction between the two
surfaces. Therefore , the skater can move across the ice more easily.

• b Suggest why ice skates have a jagged edge at the front.

• Ice skates have a jagged edge at the front slides over the ice the force
of friction is greater and the skater slows down and stops.
4 Tyres have treads to remove water from between the tyre and the road. Why
is it important to remove the water?
It is important to remove the water from between a tyre and the road ,so that
there is enough friction for the tyres to grip the road.