NUMS 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 NUMS Entry Test, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Force and Motion

   4 topics

   • Scalars and vectors
   • Newton's laws of motion
   • Equations of motion
   • Momentum and impulse
2. 2

   Work, Energy and Power

   3 topics

   • Work and energy
   • Conservation of energy
   • Power and efficiency
3. 3

   Rotational and Circular Motion

   3 topics

   • Angular displacement and velocity
   • Centripetal force and acceleration
   • Torque and moment of inertia
4. 4

   Waves and Oscillations

   3 topics

   • Simple harmonic motion
   • Wave properties and superposition
   • Sound waves and resonance
5. 5

   Thermodynamics

   3 topics

   • Heat and temperature
   • Laws of thermodynamics
   • Heat engines and entropy
6. 6

   Electrostatics

   3 topics

   • Coulomb's law and electric field
   • Electric potential and capacitance
   • Gauss's law
7. 7

   Current Electricity

   3 topics

   • Ohm's law and resistance
   • Kirchhoff's laws
   • Electrical circuits and power
8. 8

   Electromagnetism

   3 topics

   • Magnetic field due to current
   • Force on a current-carrying conductor
   • Galvanometer and motor
9. 9

   Electromagnetic Induction

   3 topics

   • Faraday's and Lenz's laws
   • Self and mutual inductance
   • AC generator and transformer
10. 10

    Electronics

    3 topics

    • Semiconductors and diodes
    • Transistors
    • Logic gates
11. 11

    Dawn of Modern Physics

    3 topics

    • Photoelectric effect
    • Special theory of relativity
    • Wave-particle duality
12. 12

    Atomic and Nuclear Physics

    3 topics

    • Atomic spectra and energy levels
    • Radioactivity and decay
    • Nuclear reactions and fission/fusion

Physics flashcards for NUMS Entry Test

24 of 51 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

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

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

2. How do you find the resultant magnitude of two perpendicular vectors A and B?

   R = sqrt(A^2 + B^2), with direction theta = tan^-1(B/A) from vector A.

3. What are the two rectangular components of a vector F acting at angle theta to the horizontal?

   Horizontal component Fx = F cos(theta); Vertical component Fy = F sin(theta).

4. State Newton's First Law of Motion.

   A body remains at rest or moves with constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force (law of inertia).

5. State Newton's Second Law of Motion and its equation.

   The rate of change of momentum is proportional to the applied force and in its direction. F = ma (or F = dp/dt).

6. State Newton's Third Law of Motion.

   For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; the forces act on two different bodies.

7. What is inertia and what physical quantity measures it?

   Inertia is a body's tendency to resist change in its state of rest or motion. Mass measures inertia.

8. List the three equations of motion for uniform acceleration.

   v = u + at; s = ut + (1/2)at^2; v^2 = u^2 + 2as.

9. For a body falling freely from rest, what is its velocity and distance after time t?

   v = gt and s = (1/2)gt^2, with g approximately 9.8 m/s^2.

10. Define linear momentum and give its formula and SI unit.

    Momentum is the product of mass and velocity: p = mv. SI unit: kg m/s (or N s).

11. Define impulse and state the impulse-momentum theorem.

    Impulse = Force x time = F t. Impulse equals the change in momentum: F t = mv - mu = delta p.

12. State the law of conservation of linear momentum.

    In the absence of an external force, the total momentum of an isolated system remains constant.

13. What is the difference between an elastic and an inelastic collision?

    In an elastic collision both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In an inelastic collision momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is not.

14. Define work and give its formula when force is at angle theta to displacement.

    Work is the product of force and displacement in the force's direction: W = F d cos(theta). SI unit: joule (J).

15. When is the work done by a force zero?

    When displacement is zero, force is zero, or the force is perpendicular to displacement (theta = 90 degrees).

16. Write the formula for kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy.

    KE = (1/2)mv^2; PE = mgh.

17. State the work-energy theorem.

    The net work done on a body equals the change in its kinetic energy: W_net = (1/2)mv^2 - (1/2)mu^2.

18. State the law of conservation of energy.

    Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another; total energy of an isolated system is constant.

19. For a body falling freely, what happens to its PE and KE (ignoring air resistance)?

    PE continuously converts to KE while their sum (total mechanical energy) stays constant.

20. Define power and give its formula and SI unit.

    Power is the rate of doing work: P = W/t = F v. SI unit: watt (W) = J/s.

21. Define efficiency and write its formula.

    Efficiency = (useful output energy or power / total input energy or power) x 100%. It is always less than 100% for real machines.

22. Define angular displacement and angular velocity with their formulas.

    Angular displacement theta is the angle swept (radians). Angular velocity omega = theta/t (rad/s).

23. Write the relation between linear velocity v and angular velocity omega.

    v = r omega, where r is the radius of the circular path.

24. Define centripetal acceleration and give its formula.

    The acceleration directed toward the center of a circular path: a = v^2/r = r omega^2.

See more Physics flashcards →

Planning Physics for NUMS Entry Test

Physics (NUMS Entry Test) FAQ