Physics

⚙️ PHYSICS – SUMMARY NOTES


🧠 1. What is Physics?

Physics is the branch of science that deals with matter, energy, and their interactions.
It explains the laws of nature and fundamental forces governing the universe.

Word origin: Physis (Greek) = Nature


🧭 2. Branches of Physics

BranchStudy Area
MechanicsMotion and forces
ThermodynamicsHeat and work
ElectromagnetismElectric & magnetic fields
OpticsLight and vision
Waves & SoundOscillations and vibrations
Modern PhysicsAtoms, nuclei, quantum theory
AstrophysicsSpace and celestial objects
ElectronicsFlow of electrons, circuits

📏 3. Physical Quantities & Units

QuantitySI UnitSymbol
LengthMeterm
MassKilogramkg
TimeSeconds
Electric CurrentAmpereA
TemperatureKelvinK
Luminous IntensityCandelacd
Amount of SubstanceMolemol

Derived Units: Area (m²), Volume (m³), Velocity (m/s), Force (N), Energy (J).


⚖️ 4. Laws of Motion (Newton’s Laws)

  1. First Law (Inertia):
    A body remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.
  2. Second Law:F=m×aF=m×a(Force = mass × acceleration)
  3. Third Law:
    For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Momentum: p=m×vp=m×v

Law of Conservation of Momentum: Total momentum remains constant in a closed system.


⚙️ 5. Work, Power, and Energy

ConceptFormulaUnit
Work (W)W=F×dcos⁡θW=F×dcosθJoule (J)
Power (P)P=WtP=tW​Watt (W)
EnergyAbility to do workJoule (J)

Types of Energy

  • Kinetic Energy: KE=12mv2KE=21​mv2
  • Potential Energy: PE=mghPE=mgh

Law of Conservation of Energy:
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed.


🌍 6. Gravitation

Newton’s Law of Gravitation:F=Gm1m2r2F=Gr2m1​m2​​

Where:
G = Gravitational constant = 6.67×10−11Nm2/kg26.67×10−11Nm2/kg2

Weight (W): W=mgW=mg

Acceleration due to gravity (g): 9.8 m/s29.8m/s2


🌡️ 7. Heat and Thermodynamics

ConceptFormula / LawMeaning
TemperatureMeasure of hotness or coldness
Heat TransferConduction, Convection, Radiation
Specific Heat (c)Q=mcΔTQ=mcΔT
Latent Heat (L)Q=mLQ=mL

Laws of Thermodynamics

  1. Zeroth Law: If A = B and B = C → A = C (Thermal equilibrium)
  2. First Law: ΔU=Q−WΔU=Q−W (Energy conservation)
  3. Second Law: Heat flows from hot → cold naturally.

💡 8. Light (Optics)

Laws of Reflection:

  1. Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection
  2. Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal lie in the same plane.

Laws of Refraction (Snell’s Law):sin⁡isin⁡r=n21sinrsini​=n21​

Lens Formula:1f=1v−1uf1​=v1​−u1​

Mirror Formula:
Same as lens but sign conventions differ.

Magnification (m): m=h2h1=vum=h1​h2​​=uv​


🎵 9. Sound

  • Sound is a mechanical wave requiring a medium.
  • Speed of sound in air: ≈ 343 m/s (at 25°C)

Important Terms:

TermMeaning
Frequency (f)No. of vibrations per second (Hz)
AmplitudeMaximum displacement
Wavelength (λ)Distance between two crests
Velocityv=fλv=fλ

Human audible range: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Ultrasound: Above 20,000 Hz


⚡ 10. Electricity

Ohm’s Law:V=IRV=IR

(V = potential difference, I = current, R = resistance)

Power (P): P=VI=I2R=V2RP=VI=I2R=RV2​

Energy (E): E=P×tE=P×t

Series Circuit: Req=R1+R2+R3Req​=R1​+R2​+R3​
Parallel Circuit: 1Req=1R1+1R2+1R3Req​1​=R1​1​+R2​1​+R3​1​


🧲 11. Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Magnetic Field (B): Region around a magnet where force acts.

Right-Hand Thumb Rule:
Direction of magnetic field = curl of fingers around current direction.

Electromagnetic Induction (Faraday’s Law):
Change in magnetic flux → induces EMF (voltage).

Fleming’s Rules:

  • Left-hand rule: Direction of force in motor.
  • Right-hand rule: Direction of induced current in generator.

💥 12. Modern Physics

a. Structure of Atom

  • Rutherford Model: Nucleus at center, electrons revolve.
  • Bohr Model: Electrons in quantized orbits (energy levels).

Atomic Number (Z): No. of protons
Mass Number (A): Protons + Neutrons

b. Radioactivity

Spontaneous emission of α, β, γ rays.

Half-life (t½): Time taken for half of radioactive atoms to decay.

c. Nuclear Reactions

  • Fission: Splitting of heavy nuclei (e.g., U-235)
  • Fusion: Combining of light nuclei (e.g., H → He)

🔋 13. Electronics and Communication

ConceptDescription
SemiconductorsMaterials with partial conductivity (e.g., Si, Ge)
DiodeAllows current in one direction
TransistorAmplifier/switch device
Logic GatesAND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR
Communication SystemTransmitter → Channel → Receiver

🧭 14. Waves and Oscillations

TermFormula / Concept
Period (T)Time for one oscillation
Frequency (f)f=1/Tf=1/T
Wave Speedv=fλv=fλ
TypesTransverse & Longitudinal

Simple Pendulum: T=2πlgT=2πgl​​


🌍 15. Universe and Space Physics

ConceptDescription
Big Bang TheoryUniverse originated from an explosion
GalaxiesLarge systems of stars
Solar System8 planets revolve around the Sun
SatelliteArtificial (e.g., INSAT) or natural (Moon)
Black HoleRegion of extremely high gravity

🔢 16. Important Constants

QuantitySymbolValue
Gravitational ConstantG6.67×10−116.67×10−11 Nm²/kg²
Speed of Lightc3.0×1083.0×108 m/s
Planck’s Constanth6.63×10−346.63×10−34 J·s
Avogadro’s NumberNₐ6.022×10236.022×1023
Electron Chargee1.6×10−191.6×10−19 C

📚 17. Summary Table

TopicKey Formula / Concept
Motionv=u+at,s=ut+12at2v=u+at,s=ut+21​at2
ForceF=maF=ma
EnergyKE=12mv2KE=21​mv2, PE=mghPE=mgh
Work PowerW=FdW=Fd, P=W/tP=W/t
GravitationF=Gm1m2r2F=Gr2m1​m2​​
HeatQ=mcΔTQ=mcΔT
ElectricityV=IRV=IR
Wavesv=fλv=fλ
Optics1/f=1/v−1/u1/f=1/v−1/u
RadioactivityN=N0e−λtN=N0​e−λt

🧩 18. Laws & Principles at a Glance

Law / PrincipleScientist
Laws of MotionNewton
Universal GravitationNewton
Law of Energy ConservationJoule
Ohm’s LawOhm
Law of ReflectionSnell
Faraday’s LawFaraday
Photoelectric EffectEinstein
Law of FloatationArchimedes

✅ 19. Physics in Daily Life

  • Electricity in homes (Ohm’s Law)
  • Car brakes (Friction & motion)
  • Airplanes (Bernoulli’s principle)
  • Satellites (Gravitation)
  • Sound systems (Waves & resonance)

🧭 20. Summary

AreaCore Idea
MechanicsMotion & forces
EnergyWork, heat, conservation
ElectricityCurrent, voltage, resistance
LightReflection, refraction, lenses
WavesSound & oscillations
Modern PhysicsAtoms, radiation, quantum
UniverseSpace & cosmology

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