Physics at a Glance by Tim Mills

Content: 

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

Forces and Motion 5

Measuring and describing motion 5

Motion graphs 6

Equations of motion 8

Describing forces 9

Balanced forces – Newton’s first law 10

Unbalanced forces – Newton’s second law 11

Gravitational forces 12

Terminal velocity 13

Projectiles 14

Newton’s third law 15

Momentum and force (Newton’s laws revisited) 16

Momentum conservation and collisions 17

Motion in circles and centripetal forces 19

Moments and stability 20

Energy 21

Types of energy and energy transfers 21

Energy conservation 22

Work done and energy transfer 23

Power 24

Gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy 25

Energy calculations 26

Efficiency and the dissipation of energy 27

TRANSFER OF ENERGY

Waves 28

Describing waves 28

Wave speed 29

Electromagnetic waves 30

How electromagnetic waves travel 31

Absorption, reflection and transmission of

electromagnetic waves 32

The Earth’s atmosphere and electromagnetic

radiation 33

Uses of electromagnetic waves, including laser

light 34

Dangers of electromagnetic waves 35

Reflection, refraction and total internal reflection 36

Refractive index and dispersion 38

Diffraction and interference 39

Polarization and photon model of light 40

Seismic waves and the structure of the Earth 41

Sound waves 42

Electrical Energy 43

Static electricity 43

Electric currents 44

Potential difference and electrical energy 45

Energy transfers in series and parallel circuits 46

Resistance 47

Electrical measurements and Ohm’s Law 48

Power in (Ohmic) electrical circuits 49

Properties of some electrical components 50

Potential dividers 52

Electrical cells, alternating and direct current 53

Diodes, rectification and capacitors 54

Mains electricity and wiring 55

Electrical safety 56

Electron beams 57

Magnetic Fields 58

Magnetic fields and the Earth’s magnetic field 58

Electromagnetism and the motor effect 59

Thermal Energy 60

Heat and temperature – what is the difference? 60

Temperature scales 60

Specific and latent heat 61

Heat transfer 1 – conduction 62

Heat transfer 2 – convection 62

Heat transfer 3 – radiation 63

Reducing energy wastage in our homes 64

Kinetic model of gases 65

Gas laws 66

Radioactivity 67

Atomic structure 67

What is radioactivity? 67

A history of our understanding of the atom 68

Background radiation 69

Three types of nuclear radiation 70

Radioactive decay and equations 71

N/Z curve 72

Fundamental particles 73

Half-life 74

Is radiation dangerous? 76

Nuclear fission 77

Nuclear fusion 78

APPLICATIONS OF PHYSICS

How science works 79

The Supply and Use of Electrical Energy 80

Examples of energy transformations involving

electrical devices and the impact of electricity on

society 80

What influences the energy resources we use? 81

Electricity generation (electromagnetic induction) 82

How power stations work 84

The transformer 85

The national grid 86

The environmental impact of electricity generation 87

Renewable energy resources 88

Calculating the cost of the electrical energy we use 90

The motor and dynamo 91

Logic gates 92

Electricity and the human body 94

Transport 95

Stopping distances 95

Road safety 96

Waves and Communications 97

Using waves to communicate 97

Analogue and digital signals 98

AM/FM radio transmission 99

Satellite orbits and their uses 100

Images and ray diagrams 101

Mirrors and lenses, images 102

Optical fibres 104

Ultrasound and its applications 105

Uses of electron beams 106

Beams of light – CDs and relativity 107

Radioactivity 108

How is nuclear radiation used in hospitals? 108

Other uses of radioactivity 109

Radioactive dating 110

Nuclear power and weapons 111

Radioactive waste 112

Our Place in the Universe 113

Geological processes 113

The Solar System 114

Telescopes and types of radiation used to learn about

the Universe 115

The motion of objects in the sky 116

Exploring space 117

Forces in the Solar System 118

The structure of the Universe 119

The Sun 120

Stars and their spectra 121

The life story of a star 122

How did the Solar System form? 124

The expanding Universe 125

APPENDICES

Formulae 127

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