Physics Comprehensive Study Module

Complete Reference Notebook: Fundamentals, Mechanics, Kinetics & Waves

Unit 1: Fundamentals & Kinematics

1. Units of Measurement

• Base Units: Standard, fundamental units of measurement. Examples include: Kg (kilograms), meters, and
seconds.
• Derived Units: Mathematical combinations of base units.
Example: Newton (Kg · m/s2)

2. Metric Prefixes

Prefix Value / Scientific Notation Prefix Value / Scientific Notation

Mega 106 milli 10-3

Kilo 103 micro 10-6

centi 10-2 nano 10-9

3. Scalars vs. Vectors

• Scalars: Measurements with magnitude only.

• Vectors: Measurements with magnitude and direction.

4. Distance vs. Displacement

• Distance: Total path travelled.

• Displacement: Straight-line change in position.

5. Velocity vs. Acceleration

• Velocity (v): Rate of change at which an object's position changes over time.

v=d/t in m/s

• Acceleration (a): Rate of change at which an object's velocity changes over time.

1
 a=v/t in m/s2

6. Pythagorean Theorem

Used to find the resultant vector of 2 perpendicular vectors:

c2 = a2 + b2

Unit 2: Dynamics & Forces

1. Newton's Laws of Motion

• Law of Inertia: An object at rest stays at rest, an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an
external Force.
• Law of Acceleration: Acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force and indirectly
proportional to mass.

a=F/m or F = ma in Newtons

• Law of Interaction: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

2. Everyday Forces

• Weight (W): Force of gravity acting on an object's mass.

W = mg in Newtons or kg · m/s2

• Normal Force (F ): Perpendicular force exerted by the surface.

N
• Tension: Pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable.
• Friction (Opposing Force):
◦ Static friction (F ): A force that prevents an object from moving.
s

Fs = μs × FN

Where: μs = static coefficient, FN = Normal force.

◦ Kinetic Friction (F ): Constant friction present once the object is sliding.

k

Fk = μk × FN

2
 Where: μk = Kinetic Coefficient, FN = Normal force.

3. Circular Motion and Centripetal Force

*An object moving in a circle at a constant speed is still accelerating because its direction is constantly
changing.

• Centripetal Force (F ): Net inward force that is keeping the object in the circle.
c

Fc = (m · v2) / r

Where:
◦ F = centripetal force
c
◦ m = mass

◦ v = velocity

◦ r = length of the string

Unit 3: Energy, Work, Power, and Momentum

1. Work and Power

• Work (W ): Work is only done when a force causes an object to move.

o

Wo = Fd in Joules or kg · m2/s2

• Power (P ): Rate at which work is done.

o

Po = Wo / t in Watts or J/s

2. Mechanical Energy

• Kinetic energy: Energy in Motion.

K.E. = ½mv2 in J

• Potential Energy: Energy stored based on height.

P.E. = mgh in J

3
3. Law of Conservation of Energy

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred."

P.E.i + K.E.i = P.E.f + K.E.f

*Special Rule: If an object is dropped from rest from a height 'h', its final velocity just before hitting the ground
is always:

v = √(2gh)

Sample Application Problem from Reference Board:

An object is dropped from a height of 80m. Find its final velocity before impact (using g = 10 m/s2).

v = √(2gh)
v = √(2 · 10 m/s2 · 80m)
v = √(1,600 m2/s2)
v = 40 m/s

4. Momentum and Impulse

• Momentum (p): Mass in motion.

p = mV in kg · m/s

• Impulse (Δp): Force applied over time changes momentum.

Δp = FΔt or F = Δp / Δt

5. Elastic Vs. Inelastic Collisions

• Elastic: Objects bounce off each other perfectly and both total momentum and total kinetic energy are
conserved.
• Inelastic: Objects deform upon impact. Kinetic energy is lost to heat/sound.
• Perfectly inelastic: 2 objects sticks completely together upon impact and move as one mass.

4
 Unit 4: Oscillations, Waves, and Sound

1. Simple Harmonic Motion

Repetitive back-and-forth movement through a central resting position.

• Restoring force: Force that push or pulls back the object to its original position.
• Hooke's Law and mass-spring system: Hooke's Law states that "restoring force of a spring is directly
proportional to its displacement from equilibrium."

Fs = -kx

Where:
◦ F = restoring force of a spring
s
◦ k = spring constant

◦ x = displacement

• Pendulum: A mass swinging on a string.

2. Period, Frequency, and Amplitude

• Amplitude: Max distance the object moves away from its resting center point.
• Period (T): Time it takes one full Cycle.
◦ General Wave: T = 1 / f in seconds
◦ Pendulum: T = 2π√(L/g)
p
◦ Mass-spring: T = 2π√(m/k)
s

• Frequency (f): Number of cycles completed in 1 second.

f=1/T in Hertz or 1/s

3. Wave and Sound Characteristics

Wave: Disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

• Wavelength (λ): Physical distance between 2 consecutive identical points.

• Wave Speed (V_w):

V_w = freq × λ

Where:
◦ V_w = wavespeed

5
 ◦ freq = frequency

◦ λ = wavelength

4. Categories and Types of Waves

2 Categories:

1. Mechanical waves: Requires medium to travel.

2. Electromagnetic waves: Do not require a medium and can travel through the vacuum of space.

Types of Waves:

1. Transverse waves: Particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction wave travels.

(Features: Wavelength (λ), Amplitude, Crest, Trough)
2. Longitudinal waves: Particles vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave travels.
(Features: Compression, Rarefactions, Wavelength (λ))

[Diagram Reference: Longitudinal wave visualization showing standard spring coil compressions and rarefactions]