Air University Entry Test Physics Syllabus

Physics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physics in Air University Entry Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Measurement and Vectors

   3 topics

   • Physical quantities and units
   • Dimensional analysis
   • Vectors and equilibrium
2. 2

   Mechanics

   4 topics

   • Motion and force
   • Work, energy and power
   • Circular and rotational motion
   • Gravitation
3. 3

   Waves and Oscillations

   3 topics

   • Simple harmonic motion
   • Waves and sound
   • Physical optics
4. 4

   Heat and Thermodynamics

   3 topics

   • Kinetic theory of gases
   • Laws of thermodynamics
   • Heat transfer
5. 5

   Electricity and Magnetism

   4 topics

   • Electrostatics
   • Current electricity
   • Electromagnetism
   • Electromagnetic induction
6. 6

   Modern Physics

   4 topics

   • Dawn of modern physics
   • Atomic spectra
   • Nuclear physics
   • Electronics

Physics flashcards for Air University Entry Test

24 of 50 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between base (fundamental) quantities and derived quantities? Give two examples of each.

   Base quantities are independent and not defined in terms of others (e.g. length, mass, time). Derived quantities are formed by combining base quantities (e.g. force = mass x acceleration, velocity = length/time).

2. List the seven SI base quantities and their units.

   Length (metre, m), Mass (kilogram, kg), Time (second, s), Electric current (ampere, A), Temperature (kelvin, K), Amount of substance (mole, mol), Luminous intensity (candela, cd).

3. What is the difference between precision and accuracy of a measurement?

   Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value. Precision is how close repeated measurements are to one another (reproducibility), related to the smallest scale division of the instrument.

4. State the rules for counting significant figures regarding zeros.

   Non-zero digits are always significant. Zeros between non-zero digits are significant. Leading zeros are not significant. Trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant.

5. What are the SI prefixes for 10^-9, 10^-6, 10^-3, 10^3, 10^6, and 10^9?

   10^-9 nano (n), 10^-6 micro (mu), 10^-3 milli (m), 10^3 kilo (k), 10^6 mega (M), 10^9 giga (G).

6. What is dimensional analysis and what are its two main uses?

   Dimensional analysis expresses physical quantities in terms of base dimensions [M], [L], [T]. It is used to (1) check the homogeneity/correctness of equations and (2) derive relationships between physical quantities.

7. Write the dimensions of force, work/energy, and power.

   Force: [M L T^-2]. Work/Energy: [M L^2 T^-2]. Power: [M L^2 T^-3].

8. State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions.

   An equation is dimensionally correct only if the dimensions of every term on both sides are identical. Quantities of different dimensions cannot be added or subtracted.

9. What are the dimensions of pressure and what are the dimensions of the gravitational constant G?

   Pressure: [M L^-1 T^-2]. Gravitational constant G (from F = Gm1m2/r^2): [M^-1 L^3 T^-2].

10. What is the key limitation of dimensional analysis?

    It cannot determine dimensionless constants (like 1/2 or 2pi), cannot derive relations involving more than three variables uniquely, and cannot check equations with trigonometric, exponential, or logarithmic functions.

11. What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity? Give an example of each.

    A scalar has magnitude only (e.g. mass, temperature, speed). A vector has both magnitude and direction (e.g. displacement, velocity, force).

12. How do you resolve a vector A into rectangular components at angle theta to the x-axis?

    Ax = A cos(theta) and Ay = A sin(theta). The magnitude is A = sqrt(Ax^2 + Ay^2) and direction theta = tan^-1(Ay/Ax).

13. Define the scalar (dot) product of two vectors and give its formula.

    The dot product A.B = AB cos(theta), where theta is the angle between them. It yields a scalar. In components: A.B = AxBx + AyBy + AzBz.

14. Define the vector (cross) product of two vectors, including its magnitude and direction.

    A x B has magnitude AB sin(theta) and direction perpendicular to the plane of A and B, given by the right-hand rule. It yields a vector.

15. State the two conditions for complete equilibrium of a body.

    First condition: the vector sum of all forces is zero (sum F = 0), giving translational equilibrium. Second condition: the sum of all torques is zero (sum tau = 0), giving rotational equilibrium.

16. Define torque and write its formula.

    Torque is the turning effect of a force about an axis: tau = r F sin(theta) = (force) x (moment arm). Its SI unit is N.m.

17. Distinguish between distance and displacement, and between speed and velocity.

    Distance (scalar) is total path length; displacement (vector) is straight-line change in position. Speed (scalar) is distance/time; velocity (vector) is displacement/time.

18. Write the three equations of uniformly accelerated motion.

    vf = vi + at; S = vi t + (1/2)a t^2; vf^2 = vi^2 + 2aS.

19. State Newton's three laws of motion.

    1st: A body remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net external force (inertia). 2nd: F = ma. 3rd: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

20. Define linear momentum and state the law of conservation of momentum.

    Momentum p = mv (vector). Conservation: in the absence of an external force, the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant.

21. What is the relationship between impulse and momentum?

    Impulse equals the change in momentum: F.t = m vf - m vi = change in p. Impulse is a vector measured in N.s.

22. For a projectile launched at angle theta with speed v, write the formulas for time of flight, maximum height, and range.

    Time of flight T = 2v sin(theta)/g; Maximum height H = v^2 sin^2(theta)/(2g); Range R = v^2 sin(2theta)/g. Range is maximum at theta = 45 degrees.

23. State the work-energy theorem.

    The net work done on a body equals the change in its kinetic energy: W = (1/2)m vf^2 - (1/2)m vi^2 = change in KE.

24. Write the formulas for kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.

    Kinetic energy KE = (1/2)m v^2. Gravitational potential energy PE = mgh (near Earth's surface).

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