FSc Pre-Engineering 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 FSc Pre-Engineering, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Measurements

   3 topics

   • Physical Quantities and SI Units
   • Errors and Uncertainties
   • Dimensional Analysis
2. 2

   Vectors and Equilibrium

   3 topics

   • Addition and Resolution of Vectors
   • Product of Vectors
   • Torque and Equilibrium
3. 3

   Motion and Force

   4 topics

   • Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration
   • Newton's Laws of Motion
   • Momentum and Impulse
   • Projectile Motion
4. 4

   Work, Energy and Power

   3 topics

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

   Circular Motion and Gravitation

   3 topics

   • Angular Displacement and Velocity
   • Centripetal Force
   • Law of Gravitation and Satellites
6. 6

   Fluid Dynamics

   3 topics

   • Viscosity and Terminal Velocity
   • Equation of Continuity
   • Bernoulli's Equation and Applications
7. 7

   Oscillations

   3 topics

   • Simple Harmonic Motion
   • Simple Pendulum and Mass-Spring System
   • Energy and Damped Oscillations
8. 8

   Waves

   3 topics

   • Progressive and Stationary Waves
   • Speed of Sound and Doppler Effect
   • Superposition and Interference
9. 9

   Physical Optics

   3 topics

   • Interference of Light
   • Diffraction and Diffraction Grating
   • Polarization
10. 10

    Thermodynamics

    3 topics

    • Kinetic Theory of Gases
    • Laws of Thermodynamics
    • Heat Engines and Entropy
11. 11

    Electrostatics

    3 topics

    • Coulomb's Law and Electric Field
    • Electric Potential and Gauss's Law
    • Capacitors
12. 12

    Current Electricity and Magnetism

    4 topics

    • Ohm's Law and Resistance
    • Kirchhoff's Laws and Circuits
    • Magnetic Field and Force on Conductors
    • Electromagnetic Induction and AC
13. 13

    Electronics and Modern Physics

    4 topics

    • Semiconductors, Diodes and Transistors
    • Special Theory of Relativity
    • Quantum Theory and Photoelectric Effect
    • Atomic Spectra and Lasers
14. 14

    Nuclear Physics

    3 topics

    • Structure of the Nucleus
    • Radioactivity and Half-Life
    • Fission, Fusion and Radiation Hazards

Physics flashcards for FSc Pre-Engineering

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

1. What are the seven base quantities in the SI system and their base units?

   Length (metre, $m$), mass (kilogram, $kg$), time (second, $s$), electric current (ampere, $A$), thermodynamic temperature (kelvin, $K$), amount of substance (mole, $mol$), and luminous intensity (candela, $cd$).

2. Distinguish between base quantities and derived quantities.

   Base quantities are independent physical quantities defined on their own (e.g. length, mass, time). Derived quantities are obtained by combining base quantities through multiplication/division (e.g. velocity $=\frac{\text{length}}{\text{time}}$, force $= mass \times acceleration$).

3. State the three conventions/rules for writing SI units correctly.

   (1) Full unit names are not capitalised (newton, not Newton); (2) symbols named after scientists are capitalised ($N$, $Pa$, $W$); (3) units are written without a plural 's' and without a full stop, and a space separates the number from the unit (e.g. $5\ kg$).

4. Define a 'standard' (unit standard) in measurement.

   A standard is an exact, internationally agreed reference quantity of a unit against which all other measurements of that quantity are compared (e.g. the standard kilogram).

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

   Random error varies unpredictably in size and sign from one reading to the next (reduced by averaging many readings). Systematic error is a consistent error in one direction, usually from faulty apparatus or zero error (reduced by correcting/calibrating the instrument).

6. Define the absolute uncertainty, fractional uncertainty and percentage uncertainty of a measurement.

   Absolute uncertainty $\Delta x$ is the actual margin of doubt in a measurement $x$. Fractional uncertainty $=\frac{\Delta x}{x}$. Percentage uncertainty $=\frac{\Delta x}{x}\times 100\%$.

7. How do uncertainties combine when quantities are added or subtracted?

   The absolute uncertainties add. If $z = x \pm y$, then $\Delta z = \Delta x + \Delta y$.

8. How do uncertainties combine when quantities are multiplied or divided?

   The fractional (percentage) uncertainties add. If $z = \frac{xy}{w}$, then $\frac{\Delta z}{z} = \frac{\Delta x}{x} + \frac{\Delta y}{y} + \frac{\Delta w}{w}$.

9. How is the uncertainty handled for a quantity raised to a power, e.g. $z = x^{n}$?

   The percentage uncertainty is multiplied by the power: $\frac{\Delta z}{z} = n\,\frac{\Delta x}{x}$.

10. What is the least count (or smallest division uncertainty) of an instrument and how is the uncertainty in a single reading estimated?

    The least count is the smallest division an instrument can measure. The uncertainty in a single reading is taken as the least count (or half of it, by convention). For a Vernier callipers the least count is $0.01\ cm$ and for a micrometer screw gauge it is $0.001\ cm$.

11. What are the base dimensions and how is the dimension of a physical quantity written?

    The base dimensions are length $[L]$, mass $[M]$ and time $[T]$. The dimension of a quantity expresses it as a product of powers of these, e.g. velocity $= [LT^{-1}]$ and force $= [MLT^{-2}]$.

12. State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions.

    For an equation to be physically correct, every term on both sides must have the same dimensions. Quantities of different dimensions cannot be added, subtracted or equated.

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

    Force $= [MLT^{-2}]$; Work/Energy $= [ML^{2}T^{-2}]$; Power $= [ML^{2}T^{-3}]$.

14. List the two main uses of dimensional analysis.

    (1) To check the correctness (homogeneity) of a physical equation; (2) To derive a possible relationship/formula among physical quantities by equating dimensions.

15. What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities? Give one 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) and obeys vector addition rules.

16. How are the rectangular components $A_x$ and $A_y$ of a vector $\vec{A}$ of magnitude $A$ at angle $\theta$ found?

    $A_x = A\cos\theta$ and $A_y = A\sin\theta$.

17. Given the components $A_x$ and $A_y$, how do you find the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector?

    Magnitude: $A = \sqrt{A_x^{2} + A_y^{2}}$. Direction: $\theta = \tan^{-1}\!\left(\frac{A_y}{A_x}\right)$ measured from the x-axis.

18. State the head-to-tail rule for adding vectors.

    Draw the vectors to scale so that the tail of each successive vector joins the head of the previous one; the resultant is the vector drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head of the last vector.

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

    The dot product is a scalar equal to the product of the magnitudes times the cosine of the angle between them: $\vec{A}\cdot\vec{B} = AB\cos\theta$. It is maximum when $\theta = 0^{\circ}$ and zero when the vectors are perpendicular.

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

    $\vec{A}\times\vec{B}$ is a vector of magnitude $AB\sin\theta$ directed perpendicular to the plane of $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$, with its sense given by the right-hand rule. It is zero for parallel vectors and maximum for perpendicular vectors.

21. State the dot and cross products of the unit vectors $\hat{i},\hat{j},\hat{k}$.

    Dot: $\hat{i}\cdot\hat{i}=\hat{j}\cdot\hat{j}=\hat{k}\cdot\hat{k}=1$ and $\hat{i}\cdot\hat{j}=\hat{j}\cdot\hat{k}=\hat{k}\cdot\hat{i}=0$. Cross: $\hat{i}\times\hat{j}=\hat{k},\ \hat{j}\times\hat{k}=\hat{i},\ \hat{k}\times\hat{i}=\hat{j}$, and $\hat{i}\times\hat{i}=\hat{j}\times\hat{j}=\hat{k}\times\hat{k}=0$.

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

    Torque is the turning effect of a force about a pivot, equal to the product of the force and the perpendicular moment arm: $\tau = \vec{r}\times\vec{F}$, with magnitude $\tau = rF\sin\theta$. SI unit: $N\,m$.

23. State the two conditions of equilibrium.

    First condition: the vector sum of all forces is zero, $\sum \vec{F} = 0$ (so $\sum F_x = 0$ and $\sum F_y = 0$). Second condition: the sum of all torques about any point is zero, $\sum \tau = 0$.

24. Distinguish between translational and rotational equilibrium.

    Translational equilibrium means no net force acts, so the body has no linear acceleration ($\sum\vec{F}=0$). Rotational equilibrium means no net torque acts, so the body has no angular acceleration ($\sum\tau=0$).

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