GIKI 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 GIKI Admission Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Measurements & Vectors

   4 topics

   • Physical Quantities and SI Units
   • Errors and Significant Figures
   • Vectors and Vector Addition
   • Equilibrium and Torque
2. 2

   Motion & Force

   4 topics

   • Linear Motion and Equations of Motion
   • Newton's Laws of Motion
   • Projectile Motion
   • Circular and Rotational Motion
3. 3

   Work, Energy & Power

   4 topics

   • Work and Energy
   • Conservation of Energy
   • Power
   • Momentum and Collisions
4. 4

   Fluid Dynamics

   3 topics

   • Fluid Properties and Pressure
   • Bernoulli's Equation
   • Viscosity and Surface Tension
5. 5

   Waves & Oscillations

   4 topics

   • Simple Harmonic Motion
   • Free and Forced Oscillations
   • Propagation and Superposition of Waves
   • Doppler Effect
6. 6

   Optics

   4 topics

   • Reflection and Refraction
   • Lenses and Mirrors
   • Optical Instruments
   • Physical Optics and Diffraction
7. 7

   Heat & Thermodynamics

   4 topics

   • Kinetic Theory of Gases
   • Laws of Thermodynamics
   • Heat Engines and Entropy
   • Thermal Expansion and Heat Transfer
8. 8

   Electricity & Magnetism

   5 topics

   • Electrostatics
   • Current Electricity and DC Circuits
   • Electromagnetism and Magnetic Fields
   • Electromagnetic Induction
   • Alternating Current
9. 9

   Electronics

   3 topics

   • Semiconductors and Diodes
   • Transistors
   • Logic Gates and Digital Electronics
10. 10

    Modern Physics

    4 topics

    • Special Theory of Relativity
    • Quantum Theory and Photoelectric Effect
    • Atomic Physics and Spectra
    • Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity

Physics flashcards for GIKI Admission Test

24 of 60 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), Temperature (kelvin, K), Amount of substance (mole, mol), and Luminous intensity (candela, cd).

2. Distinguish between base (fundamental) quantities and derived quantities, with one example of each.

   Base quantities are independent and not defined in terms of others (e.g., mass in kg). Derived quantities are formed by combining base quantities (e.g., force in kg·m·s⁻², i.e., newton).

3. What are the dimensions of force, and how is dimensional analysis used to check an equation?

   Force has dimensions [M L T⁻²]. Dimensional analysis checks homogeneity: an equation is valid only if both sides have the same dimensions; it can detect errors but cannot find dimensionless constants.

4. Name the SI prefixes for 10⁻⁹, 10⁻⁶, 10⁻³, 10³, 10⁶, and 10⁹.

   10⁻⁹ = nano (n), 10⁻⁶ = micro (μ), 10⁻³ = milli (m), 10³ = kilo (k), 10⁶ = mega (M), 10⁹ = giga (G).

5. Distinguish between random errors and systematic errors.

   Random errors fluctuate unpredictably in both directions (reduced by averaging repeated readings). Systematic errors are consistent and one-directional, usually from faulty instruments or zero error (not reduced by averaging).

6. What is the difference between precision and accuracy?

   Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value. Precision is how close repeated measurements are to each other (related to the number of significant figures / reproducibility).

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

   Non-zero digits are always significant; zeros between non-zeros are significant; leading zeros are NOT significant; trailing zeros after a decimal point ARE significant.

8. How are significant figures handled in multiplication/division versus addition/subtraction?

   In multiplication/division, the result has as many significant figures as the quantity with the fewest. In addition/subtraction, the result is rounded to the fewest decimal places among the terms.

9. How do absolute, fractional, and percentage uncertainties combine when quantities are multiplied or divided?

   When multiplying or dividing, the fractional (or percentage) uncertainties add. For powers, multiply the fractional uncertainty by the exponent.

10. What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities? Give an example of each.

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

11. How do you resolve a vector A into its rectangular (x and y) components at angle θ to the horizontal?

    Aₓ = A cos θ and Aᵧ = A sin θ. The magnitude is recovered by A = √(Aₓ² + Aᵧ²) and direction by θ = tan⁻¹(Aᵧ/Aₓ).

12. State the head-to-tail (triangle) rule for adding two vectors.

    Draw the first vector, then place the tail of the second at the head of the first; the resultant runs from the tail of the first to the head of the last vector.

13. For two vectors A and B with angle θ between them, what is the magnitude of their resultant?

    R = √(A² + B² + 2AB cos θ). The resultant is maximum (A+B) when θ = 0° and minimum (|A−B|) when θ = 180°.

14. Define the dot (scalar) product and cross (vector) product of two vectors.

    Dot product: A·B = AB cos θ (a scalar). Cross product: |A×B| = AB sin θ, giving a vector perpendicular to both, with direction by the right-hand rule.

15. State the two conditions required for a body to be in complete equilibrium.

    First condition: the vector sum of all forces is zero (ΣF = 0). Second condition: the sum of all torques about any point is zero (Στ = 0).

16. Define torque (moment of a force) and give its formula and SI unit.

    Torque is the turning effect of a force: τ = r F sin θ = (force) × (perpendicular distance from the axis). SI unit is the newton-metre (N·m).

17. Distinguish between stable, unstable, and neutral equilibrium.

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

18. What is a couple, and what is its torque?

    A couple is two equal, opposite, parallel forces not acting along the same line. Its torque (moment) = one force × perpendicular distance between them; it produces pure rotation with no net translational force.

19. Write the three equations of motion for uniform acceleration.

    v = u + at; s = ut + ½at²; v² = u² + 2as, where u = initial velocity, v = final velocity, a = acceleration, s = displacement, t = time.

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

    Distance (scalar) is total path length; displacement (vector) is the straight-line change in position. Speed (scalar) is rate of distance covered; velocity (vector) is rate of change of displacement.

21. On a velocity-time graph, what do the slope and the area under the curve represent?

    The slope (gradient) gives acceleration; the area under the graph gives displacement.

22. For a body falling freely from rest, what is the distance fallen and velocity after time t (g = 9.8 m/s²)?

    Distance h = ½gt² and velocity v = gt (taking u = 0). Acceleration equals g downward, independent of mass.

23. State Newton's three laws of motion.

    1st: A body stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net external force (inertia). 2nd: F = ma (net force equals rate of change of momentum). 3rd: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

24. State Newton's second law in terms of momentum.

    The net force equals the rate of change of momentum: F = Δp/Δt = d(mv)/dt. For constant mass this reduces to F = ma.

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