Develop attitude relevant to physics that encourage accuracy, precision and objectivity
Interpret physical phenomena, laws, definitions, concepts and other theories
Demonstrate the ability to solve physics problems correctly using relevant theories and concepts
1. MEASUREMENTS & UNITS
Length, area and volume
Content:
•Metre rule
•Vernier calipers
•Micrometer Screw-gauge
•Measuring cylinder
Learning Objectives:
Identify the units of length, area and volume
Use different measuring instruments
Determine the lengths, surface areas and volume of regular and irregular bodies
Mass
Content:
•Unit of mass
•Use of simple beam balance
•Concept of beam balance
Learning Objectives:
Identify the unit of mass
Use simple beam balance, e.g Buchart’s balance and chemical balance
Time
Content:
•Unit of time
•Time-measuring devices
Learning Objectives:
Identify the unit of time
Use different time-measuring devices
Fundamental physical quantities
Learning Objectives:
Relate the fundamental physical quantities to their units
Derived physical quantities and their units
Content:
•Combinations of fundamental quantities and determination of their units
Learning Objectives:
Deduce the units of derived physical quantities
Dimensions
Content:
•Definition of dimensions
•Simple examples
Learning Objectives:
Determine the dimensions of physical quantities
Use the dimensions to determine the units of physical quantities
Test the homogeneity of an equation
Limitations of experimental measurements
Content:
•Accuracy of measuring instruments
•Simple estimation of errors
•Significant figures
•Standard form
Learning Objectives:
Determine the accuracy of measuring instruments
Estimate simple errors
Express measurements in standard form
2. SCALARS & VECTOR QUANTITY
Scalars and Vectors
Content:
•Definition of scalar and vector quantities
•Examples of scalar and vector quantities
•Relative velocity
•Resolution of vectors into two perpendicular directions including graphical methods of solution
Learning Objectives:
Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities
Give examples of scalar and vector quantities
Determine the resultant of two or more vectors
Determine relative velocity
Resolve vectors into two perpendicular components
Use graphical methods to solve vector problems
3. MOTION
Types of motion
Content:
•Translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin and random
Learning Objectives:
Identify different types of motion
Relative motion
Learning Objectives:
Solve numerical problem on collinear motion
Causes of motion
Learning Objectives:
Identify force as cause of motion
Types of force
Content:
•Contact
•Force field
Learning Objectives:
Identify push and pull as forms of force
Identify electric and magnetic attractions, gravitational pull as forms of field forces
Linear motion
Content:
•Speed, velocity and acceleration
•Equations of uniformly accelerated motion
•Motion under gravity
•Distance-time graph and velocity time graph
•Instantaneous velocity and acceleration
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between speed, velocity and acceleration
Deduce equations of uniformly accelerated motion
Solve problems of motion under gravity
Interpret distance-time graph and velocity-time graph
Compute instantaneous velocity and acceleration
Projectiles
Content:
•Calculation of range, maximum height and time of flight from the ground and a height
•Applications of projectile motion
Learning Objectives:
Establish expressions for the range, maximum height and time of flight of projectiles
Solve problems involving projectile motion
Newton’s laws of motion
Content:
•Inertia, mass and force
•Relationship between mass and acceleration
•Impulse and momentum
•Force – time graph
•Conservation of linear momentum (Coefficient of restitution not necessary)
Learning Objectives:
Solve numerical problems involving impulse and momentum
Interpretation of area under force – time graph
Interpret Newton’s laws of motion
Compare inertia, mass and force
Deduce the relationship between mass and acceleration
Interpret the law of conservation of linear momentum and application
Motion in a circle
Content:
•Angular velocity and angular acceleration
•Centripetal and centrifugal forces
•Applications
Learning Objectives:
Establish expression for angular velocity, angular acceleration and centripetal force
Solve numerical problems involving motion in a circle
Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M)
Content:
•Definition and explanation of simple harmonic motion
•Examples of systems that execute S.H.M
•Period, frequency and amplitude of S.H.M
•Velocity and acceleration of S.H.M
•Simple treatment of energy change in S.H.M
•Force vibration and resonance (simple treatment)
Learning Objectives:
Establish the relationship between period and frequency
Analyze the energy changes occurring during S.H.M
Identify different types of forced vibration
Enumerate applications of resonance
4. GRAVITATIONAL FIELD
Gravitation
Content:
•Newton’s law of universal gravitation
•Gravitational potential
•Conservative and non-conservative fields
•Acceleration due to gravity
•Variation of g on the earth’s surface
•Distinction between mass and weight escape velocity
•Parking orbit and weightlessness
Learning Objectives:
Identify the expression for gravitational force between two bodies
Apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Give examples of conservative and non-conservative fields
Deduce the expression for gravitational field potentials
Identify the causes of variation of g on the earth’s surface
Differentiate between mass and weight
Determine escape velocity
5. EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES
Equilibrium of particles
Content:
•Equilibrium of coplanar forces
•Triangles and polygon of forces
•Lami’s theorem
Learning Objectives:
Apply the conditions for the equilibrium of coplanar forces to solve problems
Use triangle and polygon laws of forces to solve equilibrium problems
Use Lami’s theorem to solve problems
Principles of moments
Content:
•Moment of a force
•Simple treatment and moment of a couple
•Applications
Learning Objectives:
Analyze the principle of moment of a force
Determine moment of a force and couple
Describe some applications of moment of a force and couple
Conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies
Content:
•Resolution and composition of forces in two perpendicular directions
•Resultant and equilibrant
Learning Objectives:
Apply the conditions for the equilibrium of rigid bodies to solve problems
Resolve forces into two perpendicular directions
Determine the resultant and equilibrant of forces
Center of gravity and stability
Content:
•Stable, unstable and neutral equilibrium
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between stable, unstable and neutral equilibra
6. WORK, ENERGY AND POWER
Work, Energy and Power
Content:
•Definition of work, energy and power
•Forms of energy
•Conservation of energy
•Qualitative treatment between different forms of energy
•Interpretation of area under the force-distance curve
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between work, energy and power
Compare different forms of energy, giving examples
Apply the principle of conservation of energy
Examine the transformation between different forms of energy
Interpret the area under the force – distance curve
Solve numerical problems in work, energy and power
Energy and society
Content:
•Sources of energy
•Renewable and non-renewable energy e.g. coal, crude oil etc.
•Uses of energy
•Energy and development
•Energy diversification
•Environmental impact of energy e.g. global warming, greenhouse effect and spillage
•Energy crises
•Conversion of energy
•Devices used in energy production
Learning Objectives:
Itemize the sources of energy
Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable energy, examples should be given
Identify methods of energy transition
Explain the importance of energy in the development of the society
Analyze the effect of energy use to the environment
Identify energy sources that are friendly or hazardous to the environment
Identify energy uses in their immediate environment
Suggests ways of safe energy use
State different forms of energy conversion
Dams and energy production
Content:
•Location of dams
•Energy production
Nuclear energy
Solar energy
Content:
•Solar collector
•Solar panel for energy supply
7. FRICTION
Friction
Content:
•Static and dynamic friction
•Coefficient of limiting friction and its determination
•Advantages and disadvantages of friction
•Reduction of friction
•Qualitative treatment of viscosity and terminal velocity
•Stoke’s law
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between static and dynamic friction
Determine the coefficient of limiting friction
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of friction
Suggest ways by which friction can be reduced
Analyze factors that affect viscosity and terminal velocity
Apply Stoke’s law
8. SIMPLE MACHINES
Simple Machines
Content:
•Definition of simple machines
•Types of machines
•Mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of machines
Learning Objectives:
Identify different types of simple machines
Solve problems involving simple machines
9. ELASTICITY
Elasticity
Content:
•Elastic limit, yield point, breaking point, Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus
•The spring balance as a device for measuring force
•Work done per unit volume in springs and elastic strings
Learning Objectives:
Interpret force-extension curves
Interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus of a material
Use spring balance to measure force
Determine the work done in spring and elastic strings
10. PRESSURE
Atmospheric Pressure
Content:
•Definition of atmospheric pressure
•Units of pressure (S.I) units (Pa)
•Measurement of pressure
•Simple mercury barometer, aneroid barometer and manometer
•Variation of pressure with height
•The use of a barometer as an altimeter
Learning Objectives:
Recognize the S.I units of pressure; (Pa)
Identify pressure measuring instruments
Relate the variation of pressure to height
Use a barometer as an altimeter
Pressure in liquids
Content:
•The relationship between pressure, depth and density (P = ρgh)
•Transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s Principle)
•Application
Learning Objectives:
Determine the relationship between pressure, depth and density
Apply the principle of transmission of pressure in liquids to solve problems
Determine and apply the principle of pressure in liquid
11. LIQUIDS AT REST
Liquids at Rest
Content:
•Determination of density of solids and liquids
•Definition of relative density
•Upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
•Archimedes’ principle and law of floatation and applications, e.g. ships and hydrometers
Learning Objectives:
Distinguish between density and relative density of substances
Determine the upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
Apply Archimedes’ principle and law of floatation to solve problems
12. TEMPERATURE AND ITS MEASUREMENTS
Temperature
Content:
•Concept of temperature
•Thermometric properties
•Calibration of thermometers
•Temperature scales -Celsius and Kelvin
•Types of thermometers
•Conversion from one scale of temperature to another
Learning Objectives:
Identify thermometric properties of materials that are used for different thermometers
Calibrate thermometers
Differentiate between temperature scales e.g Celsius and Kelvin
Compare the types of thermometers
Convert from one scale of temperature to another
13. THERMAL EXPANSION
Solids
Content:
•Definition and determination of linear, volume and area expansivities
•Effects and applications, e.g. expansion in building strips and railway lines
•Relationship between different expansivities
Learning Objectives:
Determine linear and volume expansivities
Assess the effects and applications of thermal expansivities
Determine the relationship between different expansivities
Liquids
Content:
•Volume expansivity
•Real and apparent expansivities
•Determination of volume expansivity
•Anomalous expansion of water
Learning Objectives:
Determine volume, apparent, and real expansivities of liquids
Analyze the anomalous expansion of water
14. GAS LAWS
Gas Laws
Content:
•Boyle’s law (isothermal process)
•Charles’ law (isobaric process)
•Pressure law (volumetric process
•Absolute zero of temperature
•General gas equation (PV/T = constant)
•Ideal gas equation Eg. Pv = nRT
•Van der waal gas
Learning Objectives:
Interpret the gas laws
Use expression of these laws to solve numerical problems
Interpret Van der waal equation for one mole of a real gas
15. QUANTITY OF HEAT
Quantity of Heat
Content:
•Heat as a form of energy
•Definition of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of solids and liquids
•Determination of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of substances by simple methods e.g method of mixtures and electrical method and Newton’s law of cooling
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between heat capacity and specific heat capacity
Determine heat capacity and specific heat capacity using simple methods
Solve numerical problems
16. CHANGE OF STATE
Change of State
Content:
•Latent heat
•Specific latent heats of fusion and vaporization
•Melting, evaporation and boiling
•The influence of pressure and of dissolved substances on boiling and melting points
•Application in appliances
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between latent heat and specific latent heats of fusion and vaporization
Differentiate between melting, evaporation and boiling
Examine the effects of pressure and of dissolved substance on boiling and melting points
Solve numerical problems
17. VAPOURS
Vapours
Content:
•Unsaturated and saturated vapors
•Relationship between saturated vapor pressure (S.V.P) and boiling
•Determination of S.V.P by barometer tube method
•Formation of dew, mist, fog, and rain
•Study of dew point, humidity and relative humidity
•Hygrometry; estimation of the humidity of the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb hygrometers
Learning Objectives:
Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated vapors
Relate saturated vapor pressure to boiling point
Determine S.V.P by barometer tube method
Differentiate between dew point, humidity and relative humidity
Estimate the humidity of the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb hygrometers
Solve numerical problems
18. STRUCTURE OF MATTER AND KINETIC THEORIES
Molecular nature of matter
Content:
•Atoms and molecules
•Molecular theory: explanation of Brownian motion, diffusion, surface tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angles of contact etc
•Examples and applications
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between atoms and molecules
Use molecular theory to explain Brownian motion, diffusion, surface, tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angle of contact
Kinetic Theory
Content:
•Assumptions of the kinetic theory
•Using the theory to explain the pressure exerted by gas, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law, melting, boiling, vapourization, change in temperature, evaporation, etc.
Learning Objectives:
Examine the assumptions of kinetic theory
Interpret kinetic theory, the pressure exerted by gasses Boyle’s law, Charles law melting, boiling vaporization, change in temperature, evaporation, etc.
19. HEAT TRANSFER
Heat Transfer
Content:
•Conduction, convection and radiation as modes of heat transfer
•Temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux
•Effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it
•The conductivities of common materials
•The thermos flask
•Land and sea breeze
•Engines
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between conduction, convection and radiation as modes of heat transfer
Solve problems on temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux
Assess the effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it
Compare the conductivities of common materials
Relate the component part of the working of the thermos flask
Differentiate between land and sea breeze
Analyze the principles of operating internal combustion jet engines, rockets
20. WAVES
Production and Propagation
Content:
•Wave motion
•Vibrating systems as source of waves
•Waves as mode of energy transfer
•Distinction between particle motion and wave motion
•Relationship between frequency, wavelength and wave velocity V = f λ
•Phase difference, wavenumber and wave vector
•Progressive wave equation e.g Y = A sin 2π/λ (vt ± x)
Learning Objectives:
Interpret wave motion
Identify vibrating systems as sources of waves
Use waves as a mode of energy transfer
Distinguish between particle motion and wave motion
Relate frequency and wavelength to wave velocity
Determine phase difference, wavenumber and wave vector
Use the progressive wave equation to compute basic wave parameters
Classification
Content:
•Types of waves; mechanical and electromagnetic waves
•Longitudinal and transverse waves
•Stationary and progressive waves
•Examples of waves from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between mechanical and electromagnetic waves
Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves
Distinguish between stationary and progressive waves
Indicate the example of waves generated from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank
Characteristics/Properties
Content:
•Reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane Polarization
•Superposition of waves e.g interference
•Beats
•Doppler effects (qualitative treatment only)
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane polarization of waves
Analyze the principle of superposition of waves
Solve numerical problems on waves
Explain the phenomenon of beat, beat frequency and uses
Explain Doppler effect of sound and application
21. PROPAGATION OF SOUND WAVES
Sound Waves
Content:
•The necessity for a material medium
•Speed of sound in solids, liquids and air
•Reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation and their applications
•Disadvantages of echoes and reverberations
Learning Objectives:
Determine the need for a material medium in the propagation of sound waves
Compare the speed of sound in solids, liquids and air
Relate the effects of temperature and pressure to the speed of sound in air
Solve problem on echoes, reverberation and speed
Compare the disadvantages and advantages of echoes
Solve problems on echo, reverberation and speed of sound
22. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND WAVES
Sound Characteristics
Content:
•Noise and musical notes
•Quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and their application to musical instruments
•Simple treatment of overtones produced by vibrating strings and their columns (F₀ = 1/2L √(T/μ); (μ = m/l))
•Acoustic examples of resonance
•Frequency of a note emitted by air columns in closed and open pipes in relation to their lengths
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between noise and musical notes
Analyze quality, pitch, intensity and loudness of sound notes
Evaluate the application of (ii) above in the construction of musical instruments
Identify overtones by vibrating strings and air columns
Itemize acoustical examples of resonance
Determine the frequencies of notes emitted by air columns in open and closed pipes in relation to their lengths
23. LIGHT ENERGY
Sources of Light
Content:
•Natural and artificial sources of light
•Luminous and non-luminous objects
Learning Objectives:
Compare the natural and artificial sources of light
Differentiate between luminous and non luminous objects
Propagation of light
Content:
•Speed, frequency and wavelength of light
•Formation of shadows and eclipse
•The pin-hole camera
Learning Objectives:
Relate the speed, frequency and wavelength of light
Interpret the formation of shadows and eclipses
Solve problems using the principle of operation of a pin-hole camera
24. REFLECTION OF LIGHT AT PLANE AND CURVED SURFACES
Reflection of Light
Content:
•Laws of reflection
•Application of reflection of light
•Formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors and ray diagrams
•Use of the mirror formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v
•Linear magnification
Learning Objectives:
Interpret the laws of reflection
Illustrate the formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors
Apply the mirror formula to solve optical problems
Determine the linear magnification
Apply the laws of reflection of light to the working of periscope, kaleidoscope and the sextant
25. REFRACTION OF LIGHT THROUGH PLANE AND CURVED SURFACES
Refraction of Light
Content:
•Explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of light in the media
•Laws of refraction
•Definition of refractive index of a medium
•Determination of refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law
•Real and apparent depth and lateral displacement
•Critical angle and total internal reflection
•Glass Prism: use of the minimum deviation formula U = sin[(A + D)/2] / sin [A/2]
•Type of lenses
•Use of lens formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v and Newton’s formula (F² = ab)
•Magnification
Learning Objectives:
Interpret the laws of reflection
Determine the refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law
Determine the refractive index using the principle of real and apparent depth
Determine the conditions necessary for total internal reflection
Examine the use of periscope, prism, binoculars, optical fiber
Apply the principles of total internal reflection to the formation of mirage
Use of lens formula and ray diagrams to solve optical numerical problems
Determine the magnification of an image
Calculate the refractive index of a glass prism using minimum deviation formula
26. OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS
Optical Instruments
Content:
•The principles of microscopes, telescopes, projectors, cameras and the human eye (physiological details of the eye are not required)
•Power of a lens
•Angular magnification
•Near and far points
•Sight defects and their corrections
Learning Objectives:
Apply the principles of operation of optical instruments to solve problems
Distinguish between the human eye and the cameras
Calculate the power of a lens
Evaluate the angular magnification of optical instruments
Determine the near and far points
Detect sight defects and their corrections
27. DISPERSION OF LIGHT AND COLORS
Dispersion and Colors
Content:
•Dispersion of white light by a triangular prism
•Production of pure spectrum
•Color mixing by addition and subtraction
•Color of objects and color filters
•Rainbow
•Electromagnetic spectrum: description of sources and uses of various types of radiation
Learning Objectives:
Identify primary colors and obtain secondary colors by mixing
Understand the formation of rainbow
Deduces why objects have colors
Relate the expression for gravitational force between two bodies
Apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Analyze colors using color filters
Analyze the electromagnetic spectrum in relation to their wavelengths, sources, detection and uses
28. ELECTROSTATICS
Electrostatics
Content:
•Existence of positive and negative charges in matter
•Charging a body by friction, contact and induction
•Electroscope
•Coulomb’s inverse square law, electric field and potential
•Electric field intensity and potential difference
•Electric discharge and lightning
Learning Objectives:
Identify charges
Examine uses of an electroscope
Apply Coulomb’s square law of electrostatics to solve problems
Deduce expressions for electric field intensity and potential difference
Identify electric field flux patterns of isolated and interacting charges
Analyze the distribution of charges on a conductor and how it is used in lightning conductors
29. CAPACITORS
Capacitors
Content:
•Types and functions of capacitors
•Parallel plate capacitors
•Capacitance of a capacitor
•The relationship between capacitance, area separation of plates and medium between the plates (C = EA/d)
•Capacitors in series and parallel
•Energy stored in a capacitor
Learning Objectives:
Determine uses of capacitors
Analyze parallel plate capacitors
Determine the capacitance of a capacitor
Analyze the factors that affect the capacitance of a capacitor
Solve problems involving the arrangement of capacitor
Determine the energy stored in capacitors
30. ELECTRIC CELLS
Electric Cells
Content:
•Simple voltaic cell and its defects
•Daniel cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry)
•Lead-acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron (Nife) Lithium iron and Mercury cadmium
•Maintenance of cells and batteries (detail treatment of the chemistry of a cell is not required)
•Arrangement of cells
•Efficiency of a cell
Learning Objectives:
Identify the defects of the simple voltaic cell and their correction
Compare different types of cells including solar cell
Compare the advantages of lead-acid and Nickel iron accumulator
Solve problems involving series and parallel combination of cells
31. CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Current Electricity
Content:
•Electromagnetic force (emf), potential difference (p.d.), current, internal resistance of a cell and lost Volt
•Ohm’s law
•Measurement of resistance
•Meter bridge
•Resistance in series and in parallel and their combination
•The potentiometer method of measuring emf, current and internal resistance of a cell
•Electrical networks
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between emf, p.d., current and internal resistance of a cell
Apply Ohm’s law to solve problems
Use meter bridge to calculate resistance
Compute effective total resistance of both parallel and series arrangement of resistors
Determine the resistivity and the conductivity of a conductor
Measure emf, current and internal resistance of a cell using the potentiometer
Identify the advantages of the potentiometer
Apply Kirchoff’s law in electrical networks
32. ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND POWER
Electrical Energy and Power
Content:
•Concepts of electrical energy and power
•Commercial unit of electric energy and power
•Electric power transmission
•Heating effects of electric current
•Electrical wiring of houses
•Use of fuses
Learning Objectives:
Apply the expressions of electrical energy and power to solve problems
Analyze how power is transmitted from the power station to the consumer
Identify the heating effects of current and its uses
Identify the advantages of parallel arrangement over series
Determine the fuse rating
33. MAGNETS AND MAGNETIC FIELDS
Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Content:
•Natural and artificial magnets
•Magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
•Methods of making magnets and demagnetization
•Concept of magnetic field
•Magnetic field of a permanent magnet
•Magnetic field around a straight current carrying conductor, circular wire and solenoid
•Properties of the earth’s magnetic field; north and south poles, magnetic meridian and angle of dip and declination
•Flux and flux density
•Variation of magnetic field intensity over the earth’s surface
•Applications: earth’s magnetic field in navigation and mineral exploration
Learning Objectives:
Give examples of natural and artificial magnets
Differentiate between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
Identify the various methods of making magnets and demagnetizing magnets
Describe how to keep a magnet from losing its magnetism
Determine the flux pattern exhibited when two magnets are placed together pole to pole
Determine the flux of a current carrying conductor, circular wire and solenoid including the polarity of the solenoid
Determine the flux pattern of a magnet placed in the earth’s magnetic fields
Identify the magnetic elements of the earth’s flux
Determine the variation of earth’s magnetic field on the earth’s surface
Examine the applications of the earth’s magnetic field
34. FORCE ON A CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD
Force on Current-Carrying Conductor
Content:
•Quantitative treatment of force between two parallel current-carrying conductors
•Force on a charge moving in a magnetic field
•The d.c. motor
•Electromagnets
•Carbon microphone
•Moving coil and moving iron instruments
•Conversion of galvanometers to ammeters and voltmeter using shunts and multipliers
•Sensitivity of a galvanometer
Learning Objectives:
Determine the direction of force on a current carrying conductor using Fleming’s left-hand rule
Interpret the attractive and repulsive forces between two parallel current-carrying conductors using diagrams
Determine the relationship between the force, magnetic field strength, velocity and the angle through which the charge enters the field
Interpret the working of the d.c. motor
Analyze the principle of electromagnets and give examples of its application
Compare moving iron and moving coil instruments
Convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or a voltmeter
Identify the factors affecting the sensitivity of a galvanometer
35. ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
Electromagnetic Induction
Content:
•Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction
•Factors affecting induced emf
•Lenz’s law as an illustration of the principle of conservation of energy
•A.C. and D.C generators
•Transformers
•The induction coil
•Inductance: explanation of inductance, unit of inductance, energy stored in an inductor (E = 1/2 I² L), application/uses of inductors
•Eddy Current: reduction of eddy current, applications of eddy current
Learning Objectives:
Interpret the laws of electromagnetic induction
Identify factors affecting induced emf
Recognize how Lenz’s law illustrates the principle of conservation of energy
Interpret the diagrammatic set up of A.C. generators
Identify the types of transformer
Examine principles of operation of transformers
Assess the functions of an induction coil
Draw some conclusions from the principles of operation of an induction coil
Interpret the inductance of an inductor
Recognize units of inductance
Calculate the effective total inductance in series and parallel arrangement
Deduce the expression for the energy stored in an inductor
Examine the applications of inductors
Describe the method by which eddy current losses can be reduced
Determine ways by which eddy currents can be used
36. SIMPLE A.C CIRCUITS
Simple A.C Circuits
Content:
•Explanation of a.c. current and voltage
•Peak and r.m.s. values
•A.c. source connected to a resistor
•A.c source connected to a capacitor- capacitive reactance
•A.c source connected to an inductor inductive reactance
•Series R-L-C circuits
•Vector diagram, phase angle and power factor
•Resistance and impedance
•Effective voltage in an R-L-C circuits
•Resonance and resonance frequency (F₀ = 1/2π√(LC))
Learning Objectives:
Identify a.c. current and d.c. voltage
Differentiate between the peak and r.m.s. values of a.c.
Determine the phase difference between current and voltage
Interpret series R-L-C circuits
Analyze vector diagrams
Calculate the effective voltage, reactance and impedance
Recognize the condition by which the circuit is at resonance
Determine the resonant frequency of R-L-C arrangement
Determine the instantaneous power, average power and the power factor in a.c. circuits
37. CONDUCTION OF ELECTRICITY THROUGH
Liquids
Content:
•Electrolytes and non-electrolyte
•Concept of electrolysis
•Faraday’s laws of electrolysis
•Application of electrolysis, e.g electroplating, calibration of ammeter etc.
Learning Objectives:
Distinguish between electrolytes and nonelectrolytes
Analyze the processes of electrolysis
Apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to solve problems
Gases
Content:
•Discharge through gasses (qualitative treatment only)
•Application of conduction of electricity through gasses
Learning Objectives:
Analyze discharge through gasses
Determine some applications/uses of conduction of electricity through gasses
38. ELEMENTARY MODERN PHYSICS
Elementary Modern Physics
Content:
•Models of the atom and their limitations
•Elementary structure of the atom
•Energy levels and spectra
•Thermionic and photoelectric emissions
•Einstein’s equation and stopping potential
•Applications of thermionic emissions and photoelectric effects
•Simple method of production of x-rays
•Properties and applications of alpha, beta and gamma rays
•Half-life and decay constant
•Simple ideas of production of energy by fusion and fission
•Binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s Energy equation (ΔE = ΔMC²)
•Wave-particle paradox (duality of matter)
•Electron diffraction
•The uncertainty principle
Learning Objectives:
Identify the models of the atom and write their limitations
Describe elementary structure of the atom
Differentiate between the energy levels and spectra of atoms
Compare thermionic emission and photoelectric emission
Apply Einstein’s equation to solve problems of photoelectric effect
Calculate the stopping potential
Relate some application of thermionic emission and photoelectric effects
Interpret the process involved in the production of x-rays
Identify some properties and applications of x-rays
Analyze elementary radioactivity
Distinguish between stable and unstable nuclei
Identify isotopes of an element
Compare the properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays
Relate half-life and decay constant of a radioactive element
Determine the binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s energy equation
Analyze wave particle duality
Solve some numerical problems based on the uncertainty principle and wave – particle duality
39. INTRODUCTORY ELECTRONICS
Introductory Electronics
Content:
•Distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators (elementary knowledge of band gap is required)
•Intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
•Uses of semiconductors and diodes in rectification and transistors in amplification
•n-type and p-type semiconductors
•Elementary knowledge of diodes and transistors
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate between conductors, semi-conductors and insulators
Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
Distinguish between electron and hole carriers
Distinguish between n-type and p-type semiconductor
Analyze diodes and transistor
Relate diodes to rectification and transistors to amplification
Recommended Textbooks
Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
Nelson, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
Nelson, M. and Parker … (1989). Advanced Level Physics, (Sixth Edition): Heinemann.
Okeke, P.N. and Anyakoha, M.W. (2000). Senior Secondary School Physics, Lagos: Pacific Printers.
Olumuyiwa, A. and Ogunkoya, O. O. (1992). Comprehensive Certificate Physics, Ibadan: University Press Plc.
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