Physics Notes
1. Mechanics
Kinematics: The study of motion. Key concepts include displacement, velocity, and
acceleration.
Newton’s Laws of Motion:
1. First Law (Inertia): An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless
acted upon by an external force.
2. Second Law (Force and Acceleration): F = ma (Force equals mass times
acceleration).
3. Third Law (Action and Reaction): For every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
Work and Energy:
o Work: W = F × d (Force times distance).
o Kinetic Energy (KE): KE = ½mv².
o Potential Energy (PE): PE = mgh.
o Conservation of Energy: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transformed.
2. Waves and Oscillations
Wave: A disturbance that transfers energy through matter or space.
o Types: Longitudinal (compression/rarefaction) and Transverse (up and down).
Wave Properties: Frequency, wavelength, speed, amplitude.
Sound Waves: Longitudinal waves that travel through a medium (solid, liquid, or
gas).
Electromagnetic Waves: Waves that do not require a medium (e.g., light, radio
waves).
3. Thermodynamics
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1. Zeroth Law: If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third
system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
2. First Law (Conservation of Energy): ΔU = Q - W.
3. Second Law: Entropy of an isolated system never decreases.
4. Third Law: As temperature approaches absolute zero, entropy approaches a
constant minimum.
Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection, Radiation.
4. Electricity and Magnetism
Ohm’s Law: V = IR (Voltage = Current × Resistance).
Coulomb’s Law: F = k (q₁q₂ / r²), where F is the force between two charges.
Magnetic Fields: Created by moving charges (current) and magnetic materials.
Electromagnetic Induction: The process of generating a current from a changing
magnetic field.
