MDCAT 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 MDCAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Measurements

   3 topics

   • Units and Measurements
   • Dimensional Analysis
   • Error Analysis
2. 2

   Motion and Force

   4 topics

   • Kinematics
   • Dynamics
   • Circular Motion
   • Gravitation
3. 3

   Waves

   3 topics

   • Simple Harmonic Motion
   • Waves
   • Sound
4. 4

   Thermodynamics

   3 topics

   • Temperature and Heat
   • Thermodynamic Processes
   • Kinetic Theory of Gases
5. 5

   Electrostatics

   3 topics

   • Charge and Coulomb's Law
   • Electric Field
   • Capacitance

Physics flashcards for MDCAT

24 of 52 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

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

   Length ($\text{m}$), mass ($\text{kg}$), time ($\text{s}$), electric current ($\text{A}$), thermodynamic temperature ($\text{K}$), amount of substance ($\text{mol}$), and luminous intensity ($\text{cd}$).

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

   Base quantities are independent and defined on their own (e.g. length, mass, time). Derived quantities are expressed in terms of base quantities (e.g. speed $= \frac{\text{length}}{\text{time}}$, force $= \text{mass} \times \text{acceleration}$).

3. State the number of significant figures in $0.00340$ and in $1.200 \times 10^{3}$.

   $0.00340$ has 3 significant figures (leading zeros don't count, the trailing zero after the decimal does). $1.200 \times 10^{3}$ has 4 significant figures.

4. What is the dimensional formula of force, energy, and power?

   Force: $[\text{MLT}^{-2}]$; Energy (work): $[\text{ML}^{2}\text{T}^{-2}]$; Power: $[\text{ML}^{2}\text{T}^{-3}]$.

5. State the principle of homogeneity of dimensions and one use of dimensional analysis.

   Every term on both sides of a valid physical equation must have the same dimensions. It is used to check the correctness of equations, derive relations between quantities, and convert units between systems.

6. What is the dimensional formula of pressure and of the universal gravitational constant $G$?

   Pressure: $[\text{ML}^{-1}\text{T}^{-2}]$. From $F = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}$, $G$ has dimensions $[\text{M}^{-1}\text{L}^{3}\text{T}^{-2}]$.

7. Define absolute error, relative error, and percentage error.

   Absolute error $= |a_{\text{measured}} - a_{\text{true}}|$. Relative error $= \frac{\Delta a}{a}$. Percentage error $= \frac{\Delta a}{a} \times 100\%$.

8. How do errors combine for a quantity $Q = \frac{A^{p} B^{q}}{C^{r}}$?

   The maximum relative errors add, weighted by the powers: $$\frac{\Delta Q}{Q} = p\frac{\Delta A}{A} + q\frac{\Delta B}{B} + r\frac{\Delta C}{C}.$$

9. Differentiate between systematic and random errors.

   Systematic errors are consistent, reproducible, one-directional (from faulty instruments, zero errors, or method) and can be corrected. Random errors are unpredictable fluctuations in both directions, reduced by repeating measurements and averaging.

10. For error propagation, how do errors combine in a sum or difference $Z = A \pm B$?

    The absolute errors add: $\Delta Z = \Delta A + \Delta B$, regardless of whether the quantities are added or subtracted.

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

    $$v = u + at, \qquad s = ut + \tfrac{1}{2}at^{2}, \qquad v^{2} = u^{2} + 2as.$$

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

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

13. For projectile motion, give the time of flight, maximum height, and horizontal range.

    $$T = \frac{2u\sin\theta}{g}, \quad H = \frac{u^{2}\sin^{2}\theta}{2g}, \quad R = \frac{u^{2}\sin 2\theta}{g}.$$ Range is maximum at $\theta = 45^{\circ}$.

14. At the highest point of a projectile's path, what are its velocity and acceleration?

    The vertical velocity is zero, but the horizontal velocity $u\cos\theta$ remains constant. The acceleration is $g$ directed vertically downward throughout the flight.

15. 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: $\vec{F} = m\vec{a}$ (net force equals rate of change of momentum). 3rd: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

16. Define linear momentum and state the impulse-momentum theorem.

    Momentum $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$. Impulse equals change in momentum: $$\vec{J} = \vec{F}\,\Delta t = \Delta \vec{p} = m\vec{v} - m\vec{u}.$$

17. State the law of conservation of linear momentum.

    In the absence of a net external force, the total linear momentum of a system remains constant: $m_{1}\vec{u}_{1} + m_{2}\vec{u}_{2} = m_{1}\vec{v}_{1} + m_{2}\vec{v}_{2}$.

18. Compare elastic and inelastic collisions.

    In elastic collisions both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In inelastic collisions momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not (some is lost to heat/deformation); in a perfectly inelastic collision the bodies stick together.

19. Define centripetal acceleration and centripetal force for circular motion.

    Centripetal acceleration is directed toward the center: $a_{c} = \frac{v^{2}}{r} = \omega^{2} r$. Centripetal force $F_{c} = \frac{mv^{2}}{r} = m\omega^{2} r$.

20. Relate linear velocity $v$ to angular velocity $\omega$, and define the period $T$.

    $v = r\omega$, where $\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T} = 2\pi f$. The period $T$ is the time for one complete revolution, and $f$ is the frequency.

21. For a car on a banked road (frictionless), what is the ideal banking angle?

    $$\tan\theta = \frac{v^{2}}{rg},$$ so the ideal speed for a bank angle $\theta$ is $v = \sqrt{rg\tan\theta}$.

22. State Newton's law of universal gravitation.

    Every two point masses attract each other with a force proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them: $$F = \frac{Gm_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}}.$$

23. Give expressions for gravitational acceleration $g$ at Earth's surface and for orbital velocity.

    $g = \frac{GM}{R^{2}}$ at the surface. Orbital velocity of a satellite at radius $r$: $v = \sqrt{\frac{GM}{r}}$.

24. What is escape velocity and its expression from a planet's surface?

    The minimum speed needed to escape a planet's gravity without further propulsion: $$v_{e} = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}} = \sqrt{2gR}.$$ For Earth, $v_{e} \approx 11.2\ \text{km/s}$.

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