232 - PHYSICS

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

(a) select and use appropriate instruments to carry out measurements in

the physical

environment;

(b) use the knowledge acquired to discover and explain the order of the
physical

environment;

(c) use the acquired knowledge in the conservation and management of

the

environment;

(d) apply the principles of Physics and acquired skills to construct

appropriate

scientific devices from the available resources;

(e) develop capacity for critical thinking in solving problems in any

situation;

(f) contribute to the technological and industrial development of the

nation;

(g) appreciate and explain the role of Physics in promoting health in

society;

(h) observe general safety precautions in all aspects of life;

(i) acquire and demonstrate a sense of honesty and high integrity in all
aspects of

Physics and life in general;

(j) acquire positive attitude towards Physics;

(k) acquire adequate knowledge in Physics for further education and/or

training.

12.0.0 CELLS AND SIMPLE CIRCUITS

12.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) draw and set-up simple electric circuits;

b) identify circuit symbols;

c) define electric current;

d) explain the working of primary and secondary cells;

e) explain the care and maintenance of secondary cells.

12.2.0 Content

12.2.1 Simple electric circuits: cell, ammeter, voltmeter, variable resistor,

connecting

wires, bulb and switches

12.2.2 Circuit symbols

12.2.3 Electric current and its units

12.2.4 Primary and secondary cells. (simple cell, dry Leclanche’ cell, Lead
acid cell)

12.2.5 Care and maintenance of secondary cells

13.0.0 MAGNETISM

13.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) describe the properties and uses of magnets;

b) identify magnetic and non-magnetic materials;

c) state the basic law of magnetism;

d) describe patterns of magnetic field;

e) describe methods of magnetisation and demagnetization;

f) explain magnetisation and demagnetisation using the domain theory;

g) construct a simple compass.

13.2.0 Content

13.2.1 Magnets: properties and uses

13.2.2 Magnetic and non-magnetic materials

13.2.3 Basic law of magnetism

13.2.4 Magnetic field patterns

13.2.5 Magnetisation and demagnetisation

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13.2.6 Domain theory of magnetism

13.2.7 Care of magnets

13.2.8 Construction of a simple magnetic compass

14.0.0 TURNING EFFECT OF A FORCE

14.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define moment of a force about a point and state its SI unit;

b) state and verify the principle of moments;

c) solve problems involving the principle of moments.

14.2.0 Content

14.2.1 Moment of a force, SI unit of moment of a force

14.2.2 Principle of moments

14.2.3 Problems on principle of moments (consider single pivot only)

15.0.0 EQUILIBRIUM AND CENTRE OF GRAVITY

15.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) define centre of gravity;

b) determine experimentally the centre of gravity of lamina objects;

c) identify and explain the states of equilibrium;

d) state and explain factors affecting stability of an object;

e) explain the applications of stability;

f) solve numerical problems involving centre of gravity and moments of a

force.

15.2.0 Content

15.2.1 Centre of gravity (Experimental treatment required)

15.2.2 States of equilibrium

15.2.3 Factors affecting stability

15.2.4 Problems on centre of gravity and moments of a force(consider

single pivot only)
16.0.0 REFLECTION AT CURVED SURFACES

16.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) describe concave, convex and parabolic reflectors;

b) describe using ray diagram the principal axis, principal focus, centre of

curvature and related terms;

c) locate images formed by curved mirrors by construction of ray

diagrams;

d) determine experimentally the characteristics of images formed by a

concave

mirror;

e) define magnification;

f) explain the applications of curved reflecting surfaces.

16.2.0 Content

16.2.1 Concave, convex and parabolic reflectors

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16.2.2 Principal axis, principal focus, centre of curvature and related terms

16.2.3 Location of Images formed by curved mirrors by ray diagram

method

(Experiments on concave mirrors required)

16.2.4 Magnification formula

16.2.5 Applications of curved reflectors

17.0.0 MAGNETIC EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

17.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the leaner should be able to:

a) perform and describe experiments to determine the direction of the

magnetic

field round a current carrying conductor;

b) construct a simple electromagnet;

c) state the factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet;

d) determine experimentally the direction of a force on a conductor
carrying

current in a magnetic field (motor effect);

e) state the factors affecting force on a current carrying conductor in a

magnetic

field;

f) explain the working of simple electric motor and electric bell.

17.2.0 Content

17.2.1 Magnetic field due to a current

17.2.2 Oersted’s experiment

17.2.3 Magnetic field patterns on straight conductors and solenoid (right

hand grip rule)

17.2.4 Simple electromagnets

17.2.5 Factors affecting strength of an electromagnet

17.2.6 Motor effect (Flemings left hand rule)

17.2.7 Factors affecting force on a current carrying conductor in a

magnetic field

(Qualitative treatment only)

17.2.8 Applications - Electric bell, Simple electric motor.

18.0.0 HOOKE’S LAW

18.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) state and verify experimentally Hooke’s law;

b) determine the spring constant;

c) construct and calibrate a spring balance;

d) solve numerical problems involving Hooke’s law.

18.2.0 Content

18.2.1 Hooke’s law

18.2.2 Spring constant

18.2.3 Spring balance

18.2.4 Problems on Hooke’s Law

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19.0.0 WAVES I

19.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) describe the formation of pulses and waves;

b) describe transverse and longitudinal waves;

c) define amplitude(a), wavelength(X), frequency(f) and periodic time(T)

of a

wave;

d) derive the relation v = f X;

e) solve numerical problems involving v = f X.

19.2.0 Content

19.2.1 Pulses and waves

19.2.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves

19.2.3 Amplitude (a),

Wavelength (X),

Frequency(f), periodic time (T)

19.2.4 Relation v = f X

19.2.5 Problems involving v = f X

20.0.0 WAVES II

20.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic the learner should be able to:

a) describe experiments to illustrate the properties of waves;

b) sketch wave-fronts to illustrate the properties of waves;

c) explain constructive interference and destructive interference;

d) describe experiments to illustrate stationary waves.

20.2.0 Content

20.2.1 Properties of waves including sound waves, reflection, refraction,

diffraction and
interference (Experimental treatment required)

20.2.2 Constructive interference and destructive interference (qualitative

treatment only)

20.2.3 Stationary waves (qualitative and experimental treatment required)

21.0.0 SOUND

21.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic the learner should be able to:

a) perform and describe simple experiments to show that sound is

produced by

vibrating bodies;

b) perform and describe an experiment to show that sound requires a

material

medium for propagation;

c) explain the nature of sound waves;

d) determine the speed of sound in air by the echo method;

e) state the factors affecting the speed of sound;

f) solve numerical problems involving speed of sound.

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21.2.0 Content

21.2.1 Sound: nature and sources (experimental treatment required)

21.2.2 Propagation of sound: compressions and rarefactions

21.2.3 Speed of sound by echo method

21.2.4 Factors affecting speed of sound

21.2.5 Problems involving speed of sound

22.0.0 FLUID FLOW

22.1.0 Specific Objectives

By the end of this topic, the learner should be able to:

a) describe streamline flow and turbulent flow;

b) derive the equation of continuity;

c) describe experiments to illustrate Bernoulli’s effect;

d) explain the Bernoulli’s effect;

e) describe the applications of Bernoulli’s effect;

f) solve numerical problems involving the equation of continuity.

22.2.0 Content

22.2.1 Streamline and turbulent flow

22.2.2 Equation of continuity

22.2.3 Bernoulli’s effect (Experimental treatment required)

22.2.4 Applications of Bernoulli’s effect: Bunsen burner, spray gun,

carburetor, aerofoil

and spinning ball

22.2.5 Problems involving equation of continuity