Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae

1 Motion, forces and energy

1.1 Physical quantities and measurement techniques
Scalar: Physical quantities that require only magnitude for complete description.
Examples: distance, speed, time, mass, energy and temperature

Vector: Physical quantities that require both magnitude and direction for complete description.
Examples: displacement, force, weight, velocity, acceleration, momentum, electric field strength and
gravitational field strength

1.2 Motion
Speed: Distance travelled per unit time.

Velocity: Rate of change of displacement (or) change in displacement per unit time

Formula: speed = distance / time

v=s/t
Unit: m/s or km/hr

Average Speed: average speed = total distance travelled ÷ total time taken

Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity (or) change in velocity per unit time
Formula: acceleration = change in velocity / time taken
a = Δv / Δt
(or) a = (v – u) / t
Unit: m / s2

Uniform acceleration: uniform change in velocity per unit time

Non-uniform acceleration: Non-uniform change in velocity per unit time.
Deceleration/Retardation/Negative Acceleration: If the velocity of an object decreases, it is undergoing
deceleration or retardation or negative acceleration
Positive velocity: object moving forward or in positive direction is said to have positive velocity
Negative velocity: object moving backward/reverse or in negative or opposite direction is said to have
negative velocity

Free fall acceleration: acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the surface of the Earth is
approximately constant and is approximately 9.8 m / s2

1.3 Mass and weight

Mass: mass is a measure of the quantity of matter in an object at rest relative to the observer
Unit: kilogram (kg) or grams (g)
Measuring device: Electronic balance / beam balance / equal arm balance

Inertia: The ability of an object to resist change in its state of rest or of motion is called inertia
Inertia depends on mass of the object. An object with greater mass has greater inertia and vice versa.

Weight: force with which a body is pulled towards the centre of earth. It is also called Gravitational Force. It
is a vector quantity and always acts vertically downwards (towards the center of the earth).
Formula: W=mg
Unit: Newton (N)
Measuring device: Force meter (newton meter) / spring balance

Gravitational field: region in which a mass experiences a force due to gravitational attraction

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Gravitational Field Strength (g): force per unit mass (force experienced by any mass due to gravitational
field)
Formula: gravitational field strength = weight / mass
g=W/m
2
Unit: N / kg (or) m/s
g  equal to acceleration of free fall
For earth g = 9.8 N / kg or 9.8 m/s2 [It means that 1 kg of mass on Earth experiences a force of 9.8 N]

1.4 Density: defined as mass per unit Volume

Formula: density = mass / volume
ρ=m/V
Unit: kg/m3 or g/cm3

1.5 Forces
1.5.1 Balanced and unbalanced forces
Newton’s 1st Law: an object either remains at rest or continues to move in a straight line at constant speed
unless acted on by a resultant force
Newton’s 2nd Law:
Formula: F=ma
or a= F/m
Unit: Newton (N) [1 N = 1 kg. m/s 2]
Newton’s 3rd Law:
 When object A exerts a force on object B, then object B exerts an equal and opposite force on object A
 Newton’s third law describes pairs of forces of the same type acting on different objects
1.5.2 Friction
Friction: a force that impedes (resists or opposes) motion and produces heating

Thinking Distance: Distance covered by a vehicle between the time the driver sees the obstacle and
applies brakes (driver’s reaction time).
Factors: tiredness, drug/alcohol, etc
Braking Distance: Distance covered by a vehicle between the time when brakes are applied and
vehicle stops.
Factors: road conditions, tyre surface, load, speed
Stopping Distance: Stopping distance = Thinking distance + Braking distance

1.5.3 Elastic deformation

Spring constant (k): defined as force per unit extension
spring constant = force / extension
k=F/x
Unit: N / cm or N / mm
 Limit of proportionality: The point up till where extension (in an elastic body) is directly proportional
to the force applied.
 forces may produce a change in size and shape of an object
 The graph of extension against force is a straight line up to the point of limit of proportionality and
beyond the limit of proportionality, graph starts curving.

1.5.4 Circular motion: Motion in a circular path due to a force perpendicular to the motion
o speed increases if force increases, with mass and radius constant
o radius decreases if force increases, with mass and speed constant
o an increased mass requires an increased force to keep speed and radius constant
Centripetal Acceleration: An object moving in a circular path with uniform speed undergoes acceleration
called Centripetal Acceleration. This is because although magnitude of speed is not changing however
direction continuously changes which changes the velocity hence it accelerates.

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Centripetal Force: The force that keeps an object moving in a circle is called Centripetal force. It is
directed towards the centre of the circle. Centripetal force is the resultant force that produces centripetal
acceleration.

1.5.5 Turning effect of forces

Moment: Moment of a force is given by product of Force and the perpendicular distance
Formula: moment = Force x Perpendicular distance
Unit: Newton meter (N.m)

Principle of Moment: If a body capable of rotating is in equilibrium then the sum of clock-wise moments
must be equal to the sum of anti clock-wise moments
SUM OF CLOCKWISE MOMENT = SUM OF ANTICLOCKWISE MOMENT

1.5.6 Centre of gravity: an (imaginary) point at which entire mass of a body seems to act
For a regular shaped object centre of gravity lies at the geometrical centre of the object.
E.g. centre of gravity of a uniform rod lies at the centre of the rod.

1.6 Momentum: defined as product of mass and velocity.

Momentum = mass × velocity
p=mv
Unit: kg m/s (or) kg ms-1

Impulse: Impulse = F Δt
Also; Impulse = change in momentum = Δ (mv)
Impulse = F × m (v – u)
Unit: N.s (or) kg.m/s
Resultant force: resultant force = change in momentum / time taken
F = Δp / Δt
1.7 Energy, work and power
1.7.1 Energy
Principle of conservation of energy: energy can neither be created nor destroyed in any process, it can
only change from one form to another

kinetic energy: Ek = ½ m v2
where;
m = mass of body
v = speed of body
Unit: Joule (J)

gravitational potential energy: ΔEp = mgΔh [g.p.e = m × g × h]

Unit: Joule (J)

Work: work done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force
W=F×d
Unit: Joule (J)

Energy Sources:
Renewable Energy Sources: sources that can be replenished or do not run out with time or Infinite
Examples: Solar, Wind, Hydel, Biomass, Geothermal

Non-Renewable Energy Sources: sources that cannot be replenished or run out with time or finite
Examples: Fossil fuel (oil/gas/wood/coal etc), Nuclear fuel

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Efficiency:

Energy Input = Useful Energy Output + Wasted Energy Output

Power: work done per unit time (or) energy transferred per unit time
Formula: power = work done / time  P = W / t
(or)
power = energy transferred / time taken  P = ΔE / t
Unit: Watt (W)

1.8 Pressure: defined as force per unit

Formula: Pressure = Force / Area
P = F/ A
Unit: N / m2 or Pascal

Pressure in Fluids: Pressure in fluids is given by:

change in pressure = density × gravitational field strength × change in height
ΔP = ρ g Δh
where P = pressure due to a fluid column
h = height of column
ρ = density of the fluid
g = gravitational field strength

2 Thermal physics
2.1 Kinetic particle model of matter
2.1.2 Particle model
Relation between Pressure and Volume of a Gas: Volume of a fixed mass of gas is inversely
proportional to the pressure applied to the gas (when temperature is kept constant)
P1V1 = P2V2

2.2 Thermal properties and temperature

2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases
T (in K) = θ (in °C) + 273
2.2.2 Specific heat capacity
Internal Energy: an increase in the temperature of an object increases its internal energy
 Total energy of any object is given by sum of kinetic energies (due to vibration of particles) and
potential energy (due to stretching/compressing of bonds)
 an increase in temperature is a measure of average kinetic energies of all of the particles in an object

Specific Heat Capacity (c): energy required per unit mass per unit change in temperature
(heat energy required to change temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C)
Formula: c = E / m ∆θ
or E = m c ∆θ
Unit: J / kg °C (or) J / kg K

2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation

Melting: change of state from solid to liquid without any change in temperature
Solidification/Freezing: change of state from liquid to solid without any change in temperature
Boiling: change of state from liquid to vapour without any change in temperature
Condensation: change of state from vapour to liquid without any change in temperature

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Melting Point: Fixed temperature at which a pure solid changes into liquid
MP of water (ice) is 0°C at standard atmospheric pressure

Boiling Point: Fixed temperature at which a pure liquid changes into vapour
BP of water is 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure

Evaporation: The processes in which more energetic particles on the surface of a liquid gain enough
kinetic energy to break away from inter molecular force of attraction and escape into the surrounding
Latent heat: energy required to change the state of a substance without any change in temperature.
Unit: Joules (J)

2.3 Transfer of thermal energy

Conduction: transfer of thermal energy from atom to atom or particle to particle in solids through
vibrations (in non-metals) and also through movement of free (delocalised) electrons (in metals).

Conduction: transfer of thermal energy in fluids involving bulk movement of medium due to changes in
density. When a fluid is heated, it expands and becomes less dens, rises up, cold fluid being more dens
sinks down. This sets up convectional current.

Radiation: Mode of transfer of thermal energy in the form of Infra-Red (IR) waves that doesn’t require
any medium

3 Waves
3.1 General properties of waves
Wave motion: transfer of energy without transferring matter
Wavefront: (Imaginary) line joining all points in same phase
Wave length: distance between any two points in phase
or distance between any two consecutive crests (or troughs)
or distance between any two consecutive compressions (or rarefactions)

Frequency: number of wavelengths that pass a point per unit time (number of waves per second)
Formula: f=1/T
Unit: Hertz (Hz) [1 Hz = 1 / s]

Crest (peak): highest point on a wave

Trough: lowest point on a wave
Amplitude: Maximum distance from mean or equilibrium position
Wave speed (v): distance travelled by one complete wave in one second
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
v=fλ
Transverse Waves:
 Particles of medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to wave motion/energy transfer
 Crests and troughs are formed
 Example: Water waves, electromagnetic radiation (light, radio waves, etc.), seismic S-waves (secondary)
Longitudinal Waves:
 Particles of medium vibrate in a direction parallel to wave motion/energy transfer
 Compressions and rarefaction are formed
 Example: sound waves, waves formed in spring by push and pull, seismic P-waves (primary)

3.2 Light
3.2.1 Reflection of light
When a ray of light strikes a surface it bounces back into the same medium. This is called Reflection
Incident Ray: Light ray striking the reflecting surface.
Reflected Ray: Light ray reflected from the reflecting surface

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Normal: Perpendicular line drawn to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
Angle of incidence (i): The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
Angle of reflection (r): The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.
Law of Reflection: angle of incidence = angle of Reflection <i =<r
Characteristics of image formed by a plane mirror:
 Same size
 Same distance from mirror
 Virtual and upright
 Laterally inverted

3.2.2 Refraction of light: When a ray of light travels from one medium to another medium it undergoes
change in its velocity (speed as well as direction).
Angle of incidence (i): The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
Angle of reflection (r): The angle between the refracted ray and the normal.
Real Image: It can be captured on screen. It is formed when reflected (or refracted rays) physically
meet/intersect at a point.
Virtual Image: It cannot be captured on screen. It is formed when rays are extended backwards to
make them meet at a point.
Refractive Index: ratio of sine of angle of incidence to the sine of angle of refraction
n = sin i I sin r
Unit: Refractive index has no unit. It is just a number as it is ratio of two similar quantities

Total Internal Reflection: When a ray of light is travelling from more dense to a less dense medium and
angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, light is not refracted but is reflected back into the same
medium. This phenomenon is called Total Internal Reflection.

Critical Angle: angle of incidence for which the corresponding angle of refraction is 90°.
n = 1 / sin c
3.2.3 Thin lenses
Focal Length: Distance from the principal focal to the optical center (center of lens)
Linear Magnification: The ratio of height of image to the height of object
Formula: M = Image height ÷ object height
M = hi / ho
Unit: It has no units. It is just a number as it is ratio of two similar quantities

3.2.4 Dispersion: splitting of white light into seven constituent colours is called dispersion
 Light is electromagnetic in nature.
 It travels with a speed of 3 x 108 m/s in vacuum or air

3.4 Sound: Sound is longitudinal in nature  particle of medium vibrate parallel to wave motion
Compression: regions of high pressure or regions where particles of medium are closer to each other
Rarefaction: regions of low pressure or regions where particles of medium are further apart from
each other.
Audible frequency range: 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz
Loudness: Measure of how loud or soft the sound is. It is directly related with amplitude. Higher
the amplitude, louder is the sound
Pitch: Measure of how flat or shrill the sound is. It is directly related with frequency. Higher the
frequency, more is the pitch
Echo: produced by reflection of sound wave
Speed of sound:
 speed of sound in air is approximately 330–350 m / s
 sound travels faster in solids than in liquids and faster in liquids than in gases
Ultrasound: Sound having frequency greater than 20,000 Hz (20 kHz)

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae

4 Electricity and Magnetism

4.1 Simple magnetism and magnetic fields
Magnetic Materials: are those that are attracted by another magnet. E.g. Iron and Steel.
Non-Magnetic Materials: are those that are NOT attracted by another magnet. E.g. Copper,
Aluminium, Wood, Plastic etc
Induced magnetism: a magnetic material, like iron, starts behaving like a magnet in presence of an
external magnetic field such as another permanent magnet.
Example: chain of paper clips attracted to permanent magnet. Each paper clip behaves like a magnet.
Magnetized Materials: are either permanent magnets or magnetic materials which behave like a magnet
because of induced magnetism.
Electromagnet: It is a magnet whose magnetism can be turned on or off with current.
Magnetic Field: region around a magnet in which magnetic force can be felt/experienced.
Direction of magnetic field line (direction of arrow) shows the direction of force as experienced by a free
north pole.

4.2 Electrical quantities

4.2.1 Electrical charge
 charging of solids by friction involves only a transfer of negative charge (electrons)
 charge is measured in coulombs (C)
 Electric Field: Region in which an electric charge experiences a force.
 Direction of an electric field line (direction of arrow) at a point is the direction of force experienced
by a small positive charge at that point

4.2.2 Electrical current

Current: charge passing a point per unit time
Formula: electric current = charge / time
I=Q/t
Unit: Ampere (A) or amps
Ampere: amp = Coulomb / second or A = C /s
direct current (d.c.): flows in one direction only / doesn’t change its direction
alternating current (a.c.): changes its direction alternately / flows backwards and forwards
conventional current  from positive to negative
electron flow: from negative to positive

4.2.3 Electromotive force and potential difference

Potential Difference (p.d.) or Voltage (V): work done by a unit charge passing through a component
Formula: p.d. = work done (on a component) / charge
V=W/Q
Unit: Volt (V)
Volt: Volt = Joule / coulomb or V = J / C

Electromotive force: electrical work done by a source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit
Formula: e.m.f = work done (by a source) /charge
e.m.f = W / Q
Unit: Volt (V)
Total e.m.f. of cells in series and parallel:
Series: V = V + V + V Parallel: V = V = V = V
1 2 3 1 2 3

4.2.4 Resistance: defined as voltage per unit current

Formula: Resistance = p.d. / current (or) R = V / I
Unit: ohm (Ω)

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 Physics – 5054 – All Definitions & Formulae
Ohm’s Law: Current (flowing through a conductor) is directly proportional to the p.d./voltage (applied
across its end) provided that the temperature is kept constant
Mathematically; V=IR
Resistance of Wire: Resistance of a wire is directly proportional to its length  R ∝ l
Resistance of a wire is inversely proportional to its area  R ∝ 1 / A

Resistivity: Unit: ohm.meter (Ω.m)

4.3 Electric circuits

4.3.2 Series and parallel circuits

4.3.3 Action and use of circuit components

For two resistors used as a potential divider: R1 / R2 = V1 / V2

4.4 Practical electricty

power = current × voltage
P=IV
energy = current × voltage × time
E=IVt
kWh (kilo Watt hour): electrical energy used by a device of 1kW in 1 hour
kWh is a unit of electric energy used to calculate cost of electricity
Cost of Electric Energy = (Power in kW × time in hour) × cost per unit
4.5 Electromagnetic effects
4.5.1 Electromagnetic induction: When a conductor (or magnet) is moved across a magnetic field, filed
lines are cut by the conductor, a changing magnetic field is produced which induces emf and causes
current to flow in the coil/conductor

Lenz’s Law: Direction of a current produced by an induced e.m.f. opposes the change producing it.

4.5.4 Forces on a current-carrying conductor: When a current carrying conductor is placed in a

magnetic field it experiences a force.

4.5.6 The transformer Vp / Vs = Np / Ns also; Is / Ip = Np / Ns

where P and S refer to primary and secondary
x -------------------------------------- x
NOTE: concepts/topics that have been added in revised/new syllabus are highlighted in the document

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