DPT Admission 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 DPT Admission Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Measurements

   3 topics

   • Physical Quantities and SI Units
   • Errors and Significant Figures
   • Dimensional Analysis
2. 2

   Vectors and Equilibrium

   3 topics

   • Vector Addition and Resolution
   • Torque and Moment
   • Conditions of Equilibrium
3. 3

   Motion and Force

   3 topics

   • Kinematics
   • Newton's Laws of Motion
   • Momentum and Impulse
4. 4

   Work, Energy and Power

   3 topics

   • Work-Energy Theorem
   • Conservation of Energy
   • Power and Efficiency
5. 5

   Circular and Rotational Motion

   3 topics

   • Angular Velocity and Acceleration
   • Centripetal Force
   • Moment of Inertia
6. 6

   Fluid Dynamics

   3 topics

   • Fluid Pressure and Buoyancy
   • Bernoulli's Equation
   • Viscosity and Terminal Velocity
7. 7

   Waves and Oscillations

   3 topics

   • Simple Harmonic Motion
   • Wave Properties
   • Sound and Resonance
8. 8

   Thermodynamics

   3 topics

   • Heat and Temperature
   • Laws of Thermodynamics
   • Kinetic Theory of Gases
9. 9

   Electrostatics

   3 topics

   • Coulomb's Law
   • Electric Field and Potential
   • Capacitance
10. 10

    Current Electricity

    3 topics

    • Ohm's Law and Resistance
    • Circuits and Kirchhoff's Laws
    • Electrical Power
11. 11

    Electromagnetism and Alternating Current

    3 topics

    • Magnetic Field and Force
    • Electromagnetic Induction
    • AC Circuits
12. 12

    Modern Physics

    3 topics

    • Photoelectric Effect
    • Atomic Spectra
    • Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity

Physics flashcards for DPT Admission Test

24 of 56 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are 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).

2. Distinguish between base (fundamental) and derived physical quantities.

   Base quantities are independent and defined by SI (e.g. length, mass, time); derived quantities are obtained by combining base quantities (e.g. velocity = length/time, force = mass x acceleration).

3. What is the SI unit of force and its base-unit equivalent?

   The newton (N), equal to kg.m.s^-2 (1 N = 1 kg accelerated at 1 m/s^2).

4. Define a 'physical quantity' and state its two essential parts.

   A physical quantity is a measurable property of nature; it consists of a numerical magnitude and a unit (e.g. 5 metres).

5. What is the difference between random error and systematic error?

   Random error varies unpredictably in size and sign (reduced by averaging repeated readings); systematic error is consistently in one direction due to faulty instruments/method (reduced by calibration/correcting the technique).

6. What is a zero error and which type of error is it?

   A zero error occurs when an instrument reads a non-zero value with nothing measured; it is a systematic error and is corrected by subtracting the zero reading from each measurement.

7. State the rules for counting significant figures.

   All non-zero digits are significant; zeros between non-zeros are significant; leading zeros are not; trailing zeros after a decimal point are significant. E.g. 0.00450 has 3 sig figs.

8. How many significant figures result from multiplication/division vs addition/subtraction?

   For multiplication/division, the result keeps the fewest significant figures of any factor; for addition/subtraction, the result keeps the fewest decimal places.

9. How are percentage uncertainty and absolute uncertainty related?

   Percentage uncertainty = (absolute uncertainty / measured value) x 100%. Conversely, absolute uncertainty = (percentage uncertainty / 100) x measured value.

10. What is dimensional analysis and one key use of it?

    Dimensional analysis expresses quantities in terms of base dimensions (M, L, T...) to check the homogeneity (correctness) of equations and to derive relationships between quantities.

11. State 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].

12. State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions.

    A physically correct equation must have the same dimensions on both sides; every additive term must share identical dimensions.

13. What are the dimensions of pressure and what is its SI unit?

    Pressure has dimensions [M L^-1 T^-2]; its SI unit is the pascal (Pa) = N/m^2.

14. What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity? Give examples.

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

15. How are the rectangular (x and y) components of a vector A at angle theta found?

    Ax = A cos(theta) and Ay = A sin(theta), where theta is measured from the positive x-axis.

16. How is the magnitude and direction of a vector found from its components Ax and Ay?

    Magnitude A = sqrt(Ax^2 + Ay^2); direction theta = tan^-1(Ay/Ax) measured from the x-axis.

17. State the head-to-tail (triangle/polygon) rule of vector addition.

    Place the tail of each successive vector at the head of the previous one; the resultant runs from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector.

18. For two vectors P and Q with angle theta between them, what is the magnitude of their resultant?

    R = sqrt(P^2 + Q^2 + 2PQ cos(theta)).

19. Define torque (moment of a force) and give its formula.

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

20. State the principle (law) of moments.

    For a body in rotational equilibrium, the sum of clockwise moments about any point equals the sum of anticlockwise moments about that point.

21. What is a couple, and what is its moment?

    A couple is two equal, opposite, parallel forces with different lines of action. Its moment (torque) = one force x perpendicular distance between them, and it produces pure rotation.

22. State the two conditions of equilibrium.

    First condition: net force is zero (sum Fx = 0 and sum Fy = 0); Second condition: net torque about any point is zero (sum tau = 0).

23. Differentiate between stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium.

    Stable: body returns to original position after slight displacement (centre of gravity rises). Unstable: body moves further away (CG falls). Neutral: body stays in new position (CG stays at same height).

24. Distinguish between distance and displacement.

    Distance is the total path length travelled (scalar, always positive); displacement is the straight-line change in position from start to end with direction (vector).

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