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PHYSICS
TOPIC
1.0 PHYSICAL
QUANTITIES AND
MEASUREMENTS
1.1 Physical Quantities
and Units
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a) State basic quantities and their respective SI units: length (m), Emphasize on units in
time (s), mass (kg), electrical current (A), temperature (K), amount calculation.
of substance (mol) and luminosity (cd).
Emphasize on conversion
of units in metric system.
eg : km h-1
m s-1
3
mm
m3
-3
g cm
kg m-3
o
K
C
State and use common SI
prefixes.
eg : pico, nano, micro,
milli, centi, kilo, mega, giga
b) State derived quantities and their respective units and symbols: eg : 1 N = 1 kg m s-2
velocity (m s-1), acceleration (m s-2), work (J), force (N), pressure
1 J = 1 kg m2 s-2
(Pa), energy (J), power (W) and frequency (Hz).
1 W = 1 J s-1 = 1 kg m2 s-3
c) Use dimensional analysis to check homogeneity and construct Example: Simple Pendulum
equation of physics.
d) Perform conversion between SI and British units.
1
Emphasize on mass and
length.
2
PHYSICS
TOPIC
1.2 Scalars and Vectors
LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Define scalar and vector quantities, unit vectors in Cartesian
coordinate.
REMARKS
HOUR
Give examples of scalar
and vector quantities.
3
b) Explain vector addition and subtraction operations and their rules.
Visualize resultant vector graphically by applying
i) commutative rule
ii) associative rule, and
iii) distributive rule
c) Resolve vector into two perpendicular components (2-D) and three
perpendicular components (3-D):
i) Components in the x, y and z axes.
ii) Components in the iˆ, ˆj , kˆ unit vectors.
d) Define and use dot (scalar) product;
A  B = A (B cos θ) = B (A cos θ)
and the magnitude of cross (vector) product;
A  B = A (B sin θ) = B (A sin θ).
Students are required to use
vector resolution in 2-D
only.
Introduce briefly vector
resolution
in
3-D
(examination
questions
limited to 2-D only)
Emphasize on the angle, 
Physical meaning of dot
product.
e.g: W  F  s
Direction of cross product
is determined by corkscrew
method or right hand rule.
Physical meaning of cross
product.
e.g: F  I l  B
2
PHYSICS
TOPIC
1.3 Measurement and
Errors
(Laboratory Works)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) Use appropriate instruments to measure physical quantities: To be explained and carried
length, mass, time, temperature, angle, volume and pressure.
out in practical session.
b) Make rough estimation or order-of-magnitude estimate of a Example: Estimate number
physical quantity.
of molecules in a glass of
water
c) Write the value of a measurement to the correct significant figures.
For measurement, refer to
the accuracy of the
instruments used.
d) Realize that there are errors in every measurement and distinguish For calculations,
between systematic errors and random errors.
i. write in standard form
ii. use 2 to 3 decimal places
e) Determine the uncertainty for a single reading, repeated readings only.
and average value.
.
f) Perform error calculations for simple functional graphs
3
HOUR
PHYSICS
TOPIC
2.0 KINEMATICS OF
LINEAR MOTION
2.1 Linear motion
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a) Define displacement, velocity, acceleration and related Differentiate
between
parameters: uniform velocity, average velocity, instantaneous distance and displacement,
velocity, uniform acceleration, average acceleration and speed and velocity
instantaneous acceleration.
b) Sketch graphs of
acceleration-time.
displacement-time,
velocity-time
1
and Extract information from
graphs such as gradient and
area under the graph
2.2 Uniformly
accelerated motion
a) Derive and apply equations of motion with uniform acceleration: Uniform means “constant”
Derivation from v-t graph.
v = u + at, s  ut  12 at 2 , v² = u² + 2as.
Area under v-t graph
(trapezium), s  12  u  v  t
1
2.3 Freely Falling Bodies
a) Describe and use equations for freely falling bodies.
For upward and downward
motion, use
a = g = 9.81 m s-2
1
2.4 Projectile Motion
a) Describe and use equations for projectile, ux =ucos, uy= u sin, Calculate: time of flight,
maximum height, range and
ax=0 and ay= g.
maximum
range,
instantaneous position and
velocity.
2
4
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
3.0 FORCE, MOMENTUM
AND IMPULSE
3.1 Newton’s laws of
motion
REMARKS
HOUR
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a) Explain Newton’s First Law and the concept of mass and inertia.
Definition of inertia and
mass.
b) Explain and use Newton’s Second Law
Definition
momentum.
F
d
mv    v dm  m dv 
dt
dt 
 dt
of
2
linear
Force for constant m,
F = ma
c) Explain Newton’s Third Law.
3.2 Conservation of linear
momentum and
impulse
a) State the principle of conservation of linear momentum.
b) Explain and apply the principle of conservation of momentum in
elastic and inelastic collisions
c)
Define and use the coefficient of restitution, ek= –
v2  v1
u2  u1
to determine the types of collisions.
d)
Define impulse J = Ft and use F-t graph to determine impulse
5
2
Condition for elastic and
inelastic collisions.
The
coefficient
of
restitution, ek is the ratio of
relative velocity after to
relative velocity before
collision.
Limited to 2D collision
only
Contextual
examples:
squash, golf, karate, etc.
PHYSICS
TOPIC
3.3 Reaction and
Frictional Force
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) Use Newton’s Third Law to explain the concept of normal Use free body diagram.
reaction force.
Examples: motion of lift,
weight balance, etc.
HOUR
1
b) State and use equation for frictional force and distinguish between Causes of frictional force.
Factors affecting frictional
static friction, fs  μsN and kinetic (dynamic) friction, fk = μkN.
force.
4.0 WORK, ENERGY AND
POWER
3
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
6
PHYSICS
TOPIC
4.1 Work and Energy
LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Define and use work done by a force, W  F  s .
REMARKS
For a constant force ,
dW  F  ds
Calculate work done from
the
force-displacement
graph.
Discuss area under graph
b) State and explain the relationship between work and change in
energy.
7
HOUR
1
PHYSICS
TOPIC
4.2 Conservation of
Energy
LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Define and use potential energy:
i. gravitational potential energy, U = mgh
ii. elastic potential energy for spring, U = 12 kx².
b) Define and use kinetic energy; K =
1
2
HOUR
For spring, use F-x graph to
find U.
Total mechanical energy ,
E = K + U.
1
mv².
c) State and use the principle of conservation of energy.
d) Explain the work-energy theorem and use the related equation.
8
REMARKS
Solve problems regarding
conversion between kinetic
energy and potential
energy.
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
4.3 Power and
mechanical efficiency
a) Define and use power:
i.
ii.
W
Average power, Pav 
;
t
dW
Instantaneous Power, P 
;
dt
b) Derive and apply the formulae P  F  v
c) Define and use mechanical efficiency,  =
REMARKS
HOUR
Power for constant force
only.
1
Contextual
examples:
motion of train, etc.
Poutput
Pinput
100% and the
consequences of heat dissipation.
Relationship of watt (W)
and horsepower (hp).
1 hp = 746 W
= 550 ft. lb s-1
5.1 STATIC
4
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
5.1 Equilibrium of
particle
a) Define the equilibrium of a particle and state the condition for State
two
types
of
equilibrium.
equilibrium.
i.e.
static
(v = 0) and dynamic (a = 0)
Introduce
diagram.
5.2 Polygon of forces
a) Sketch polygon of forces to represent forces in equilibrium.
9
free
1
body
Use free body diagram.
Maximum of four forces.
1
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
5.3 Equilibrium of a rigid
body
REMARKS
HOUR
a) Define and use torque, .
Torque is moment of force.
No discussion on couple.
2
b) State and use conditions for equilibrium of rigid body:
Examples of problems :
Fireman ladder leaning on a
wall, see-saw, pivoted /
suspended horizontal bar.
Discuss the role of friction
in causing a body to be in
equilibrium.
F
x
 0,  Fy  0 and  = 0 .
Sign
convention
for
moment:
+ve : counter clockwise
ve : clockwise
6.0 CIRCULAR MOTION
4
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
6.1 Uniform Circular
Motion
a) Describe uniform circular motion.
In terms of velocity with
constant magnitude (only
the direction of the velocity
changes).
Component of tangential
acceleration in circular
motion is not discussed.
10
1
PHYSICS
TOPIC
6.2 Centripetal force
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) Define centripetal acceleration and use formulae for centripetal
3
2
acceleration, ac=
v
.
r
b) Define centripetal force and use its formulae, Fc = m
v2
r
Explain and solve problems
of uniform circular motion
such as conical pendulum,
horizontal and vertical
circular motion and banked
curve.
c) Identify forces such as tension, T, friction, f, weight, W and
Use a free body diagram
reaction, R that enable a body to perform circular motion on a
Consider any object as a
horizontal and vertical plane.
point mass
d) Use the relationship of the forces in 6.2(c) and centripetal force.
11
HOUR
Solve related problems.
PHYSICS
TOPIC
7.0 ROTATION OF A
RIGID BODY
7.1 Parameters in
rotational motion
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
7
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a) Define and describe:
i.
angular displacement ()
ii.
average angular velocity (av)
iii.
instantaneous angular velocity ()
iv.
average angular acceleration (av)
v.
instantaneous angular acceleration ().
av 

d
; 
t
dt
 av 

d
;
t
dt
½
Explain and solve problems
by
using
contextual
examples such as :
rotating ceiling fan, wheels,
spinning top.
+ve  : counter clockwise
-ve  : clockwise
7.2 Relationship between
linear and rotational
motion
a) Relate parameters in rotational motion with their corresponding Apply the formula to the
quantities in linear motion. Write and use;
related problems.
s = rθ, v = rω, at = rα , ac= rω² =
12
v2
r
½
PHYSICS
TOPIC
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
7.3 Rotational
motion
with uniform angular
acceleration
a) Write and use equations for rotational motion with constant Make analogy with their
angular acceleration;
corresponding quantities in
1
linear motion and apply the
ω=ω0 + αt , θ=ω0 t + 2 αt² and ω² = ω0²+2 αθ .
formula to the related
problems.
1
7.4 Centre
of
mass,
moment of inertia and
torque
a) Determine the centre of mass of a system of masses.
2
Limit to 2D
b) Define and determine the moment of inertia of a rigid body about Rigid body in the form of
an axis, I=Σmiri2.
sphere, cylinder, ring, disc
and rod.
Include
parallel
axes
theorem.
The equation for moment of
inertia for a rigid body need
not be memorized.
c) State and use the formulae for torque, τ =Iα
13
Compare with quantities in
linear motion.
τ=Iα is analogous to F= ma
PHYSICS
TOPIC
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
2
7.5 Rotational kinetic
energy and power
a) Derive and use formula for rotational:
i. kinetic energy, Kr= 12 Iω²,
Compare with quantities in
linear motion.
ii. work, W = τ θ
iii. power, P =  .
b) Describe and solve problems related to a rigid body that Example : a body that rolls
experiences both translational and rotational motion.
without slipping.
Total mechanical energy ,
E = mgh + ½ I2 + ½ mv2
(e.g: sport diving )
7.6 Conservation of
angular momentum
a) Define and use the formulae of angular momentum, L=Iω
b) State and use the principle of conservation of angular momentum
8.0 GRAVITATION
1
Contextual example :
A spinning ice-skater.
4
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
14
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
8.1 Newton’s law of
gravitation
a) State and use the Newton’s law of gravitation, F=G
Mm
.
r2
REMARKS
HOUR
Explain gravitational field
is conservative.
1
All bodies are in linear
arrangement ( one
dimension only )
8.2 Gravitational force
and field strength
a) Define gravitational field strength as gravitational force per unit
1
F
mass, g 
m
b) Derive and use the equation ag  G
M
for gravitational field ag = g when r = Rearth
r2
strength.
c) Sketch a graph of ag against r and explain the change in ag with
altitude and depth from the surface of the earth.
d) Explain the concept of weightlessness.
15
Contextual examples :
- Spaceship orbiting
earth.
- lift motion
the
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
8.3 Gravitational
potential and
gravitational
potential energy
REMARKS
a) Define gravitational potential in a gravitational field.
M
b) Derive and use the formulae, V = – G
.
r
c) Use the gravitational potential energy formulae,
Mm
U= – G
and show for h << Rearth; U = mgh.
r
HOUR
1
No derivation.
Note that, h is the distance
of a point close to the
surface of the earth.
d) Sketch the variation of gravitational potential, V and gravitational
potential energy, U with distance, r from the centre of the earth on
the same graph.
8.4 Escape velocity
a) Derive and use formula for escape velocity,
ve=
8.5 Satellite motion in a
circular orbit
2GM
 2 gR .
R
Use contextual example to
explain escape velocity (eg:
no hydrogen gas in
atmosphere)
a) Explain satellite motion with:
½
½
i.
velocity, v =
GM
r
U 
ii.
period, T=2π
r3
GM
K
iii.
total energy, E = U + K.
16
GMm
r
GMm
2r
PHYSICS
TOPIC
9.0 SIMPLE HARMONIC
MOTION
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
HOUR
6
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
1
9.1 Simple harmonic
motion (SHM)
a) State that SHM is a periodic motion without loss of energy.
b) Describe SHM according to formulae:
d2x
a= 2 = – ω²x
dt
9.2 Kinematics of SHM
a) Write equation for displacement, x = A sin ωt for SHM.
b) Derive and apply equations for :
dx
  A2  x 2
dt
dv d 2 x
ii. acceleration, a 
 2   2 x
dt dt
i. velocity, v 
iii. kinetic energy, K  12 m 2 ( A2  x 2 ) and
potential energy, U  12 m 2 x 2
17
Examples of linear SHM
system
are
simple
pendulum, horizontal and
vertical spring oscillations.
Cosine function ,
x = A cos ωt can also be
used.
A = amplitude or maximum
displacement
2
PHYSICS
TOPIC
9.3 Graphs of simple
harmonic motion
LEARNING OUTCOMES
a) Identify and use relevant parameters from the following graphs:
i. displacement - time
ii. velocity - time
iii. acceleration - time
iv. energy - displacement
REMARKS
HOUR
Use only simple pendulum
and
single
spring
oscillation.
2
b) Derive expression for period of oscillation, T for simple pendulum Simple pendulum :
and spring.
l
T  2
g
Spring :
T  2
9.4 Damped and forced
oscillations and resonance
m
k
a) Elaborate graphically critical damping, under damping and over Contextual example: shock
damping.
absorber.
b) Elaborate graphically the variation of amplitude of forced Example : electric cradle
oscillations with frequency.
c) Explain occurrence of resonance phenomenon
18
Example : Tacoma Narrows
bridge disaster
1
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
10.0 MECHANICAL
WAVES
REMARKS
HOUR
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
10.1 Waves and energy
a) Explain the formation of mechanical waves and their relationship Examples : water waves,
with energy.
sound waves,
seismic
waves and waves in a string
10.2 Types of waves
a) Describe
i. transverse waves
ii. longitudinal waves
b)
½
½
State the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves.
19
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
10.3 Properties of waves
a)
b)
REMARKS
Define amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength, wave number and
phase angle.
Wave number, k 
Analyze and use equation for progressive wave,
y (x,t) = A sin (ωt ± kx ± )
ώ
HOUR
2

2
,
=2πf
φ = initial phase angle.
2x
=

For examination, φ = 0
c)
Distinguish between particle vibrational velocity, vy=
dy
and wave
dt
propagation velocity, v = λf.
Velocity of wave
propagation in rope ,
v
d)
T

Sketch graphs of y-t and y-x.
10.4 Interference of
waves
a) Describe the principle of superposition of waves and use it to explain
the construction and destruction interferences.
10.5 Stationary waves
a) Explain the formation of stationary wave.
b) Derive and use the stationary wave equation :
y = A cos kx sin t
c) Explain and compare between progressive waves and stationary
wave.
20
1
Stationary wave is also
known as standing wave.
A = A1 + A2
1
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
11.0 SOUND WAVE
11.1 The propagation of
sound wave
4
a) Explain sound as longitudinal waves and the propagation of sound in Speed of sound in various
terms of the variation of pressure and displacement.
media, eg :
air ( ~331 m s-1) ,
water (~1493 m s-1),
iron (~5950 m s-1)
1
y(x,t)=A sin (ωt – kx)
and the equation for pressure,
11.3 Stationary waves
HOUR
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
b) Explain the relationship between the equation for displacement,
11.2 Superposition and
Beats
REMARKS
p(x,t) = po sin (ωt – kx+  )
Graphical explanation.
Phase difference between
pressure and displacement
is  = 2 .
a) Use the principle of superposition to explain beats.
½
b) Use the formulae for beat frequency, fb = |f1 f2| to solve related
problems.
a)
Explain quantitatively the formation of stationary waves along
i. stretched string
ii. air columns (open and closed end)
and use the equations to determine the fundamental and overtone
frequencies.
Open pipe/string :
n = 1, 2, 3, ……
Closed pipe :
n = 1, 3, 5,…..
where n is harmonic
number.
b)
Explain qualitatively the formation of resonance in air column.
Consider end correction.
21
1
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
11.4 Intensity
a)
b)
Define sound intensity.
State and explain the dependence of intensity on:
i. amplitude : I  A²
HOUR
½
Use graphical explanation
ii. distance from a point source : I 
11.5 Doppler Effect
REMARKS
1
r2
a) Explain Doppler Effect for sound waves.
Give
examples
of
application of Doppler
Effect in sound waves.
1
b) Write and use the Doppler Effect equation for relative motion Limit to two cases only:
between source and observer.
i) Stationary observer;
moving source
ii) Stationary
source;
moving observer
c) Describe graphically the relationship between apparent frequency
and distance of travel.
12.0 MECHANICAL
PROPERTIES OF
MATTER
3
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
22
PHYSICS
TOPIC
12.1 Intermolecular
potential energy and
forces
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) Sketch and explain the U-r graph.
1
b) Sketch graph of F-r and explain qualitatively the variation of force
between molecules, F against separation between atoms, r.
c) Use the formulae F  
HOUR
dU
.
dr
Use the relationship F-r
graph to explain Hooke’s
law
in
12.2(f)
microscopically.
Indicate repulsive and
attractive force.
(** refer to M.Nelkon or
Young & Freedman )
Examples of elastic and
inelastic materials
d) Explain elasticity of solids.
e) Use U-r graph to explain qualitatively the thermal expansion of
solids.
23
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
12.2 Young’s Modulus
a) Define stress and strain for a stretched wire.
REMARKS
(** refer to M.Nelkon or
Young & Freedman )
HOUR
2
b) Sketch and explain the graph of stress-strain.
c) Distinguish between elastic and plastic deformation.
d) Sketch F-e graph for elastic and ductile materials
e) Define and use Young’s modulus formulae
f) Explain relationship between Young’s modulus and Hooke’s law
g) Derive and use strain energy, U= ½ Fe.
h) Deduce strain energy from the graph F- e and the stress-strain graph.
13.0 FLUID MECHANICS
13.1 Hydrostatic pressure
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a)
Define pressure.
4
P=
F
A
1
Atmospheric pressure,
gauge pressure and absolute
pressure.
13.2 Buoyancy
b)
State Pascal’s law and its application.
a)
Explain buoyancy and apply the Archimedes’ principle
24
Consider cases of partially
and totally immersed object
in liquid or air.
1
PHYSICS
TOPIC
13.3 Fluid Dynamics
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) Illustrate fluid flow.
Limit to laminar flow and
Newtonian flow.
b) Use continuity and Bernoulli’s equations.
No derivation
a) Define viscosity of fluids
Explain qualitatively the
effect of temperature on
viscosity.
b) Explain and use Stokes’ law
No derivation
HOUR
1
1
13.4 Viscosity
c) Sketch v–t graph to explain terminal velocity.
14.0 TEMPERATURE
AND HEAT
TRANSFER
3
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
25
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
14.1 Heat and
temperature
a)
Define temperature and heat.
b)
Define thermal equilibrium and state the Zeroth law of
thermodynamics.
c)
Define absolute temperature and the triple point of water.
d)
Explain and use the relationship between temperature and
thermometric quantity for :
REMARKS
HOUR
1
Illustrate phase diagram to
explain triple point of water
 Xθ  X0 
 100 °C
X

X
0 
 100
(i) Celsius temperature scale,  = 
(ii) Absolute temperature scale,
14.2 Heat Transfer
T
PT
273.16 K
Ptripple
a) Explain the mechanism of heat transfer through solids.
b) Define thermal conductivity and use
P : pressure
Good heat conductor and
good insulator.
dQ
 dT 
= – kA 
 for
dt
 dx 
one dimensional heat transfer.
c) Describe using graphs heat conduction through insulated and nonMaximum three rods.
insulated rods, and combination of rods in series.
d) Explain qualitatively the mechanism of natural and forced
convection.
e) Explain the mechanism of heat transfer through radiation.
26
Discuss Stefan Law
1
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
14.3 Thermal expansion
15.0 KINETIC THEORY
OF GASES
15.1 Ideal gas equations
REMARKS
a) Define and use the principle of linear, area and volume thermal Derive : β = 2α , γ = 3α
expansion and deduce the relationship between the coefficients of
expansion.
Explain expansion of liquid
in a container.
HOUR
1
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
a) Sketch i) p-V graph at constant temperature
ii) V-T graph at constant pressure
iii) p-T graph at constant volume
of an ideal gas.
Discuss the Gas Laws.
b) Use the ideal gas equation pV = nRT.
No derivation.
n = number of mol
1
2
15.2 Kinetic Theory of
Gases
a) State the assumptions of kinetic theory of gases.
b) Apply the equations of ideal gas, pV =
pressure , p =
1 ρ<v²>
3
1 Nm<v²>
3
and
in related problems.
c) Explain and use root mean square (rms) speed, <v²>= 3
molecules.
27
kT
of gas
m
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
15.3 Molecular kinetic
energy
REMARKS
a) Explain and use translational kinetic energy of gases,
3 R 
 T= 3 kT.
Ktr= 
2
2 N 
 A
b) State the principle of equipartition of energy.
HOUR
1
1 degree freedom = ½ kT
c) Define degree of freedom associated with translational, rotational
and vibrational motions.
d)
Identify the number of degree of freedom for monoatomic,
diatomic and polyatomic gas molecules.
1
15.4 Internal Energy and
Molar specific
heats
a)
b)
Explain internal energy of gas and relate the internal energy to the For a system, U= ½ fNkT
number of degree of freedom.
Explain and use internal energy of an ideal gas U= 32 NkT.
c)
Define molar specific heat at constant pressure and volume.
d)
Use equation, Cp Cv=R and γ=
Cp
Cv
.
16.0 THERMODYNAMICS
Cv = 1/n (dQ/dT)v
Cp = 1/n (dQ/dT)p
Relate γ to degree of
freedom
5
At the end of this topic, students should be able to:
28
PHYSICS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
TOPIC
16.1 First Law of
Thermodynamics
a)
Distinguish between thermodynamic work done on the system and
work done by the system.
b)
State and use first law of thermodynamics, Q = U + W.
REMARKS
HOUR
Example:
Compression and expansion
of air in piston.
Note that:
Q - heat energy
U - change in internal
energy
W - work done
+W = Work done on the
system
Sign convention :
Q
+Q
System
W
+W
- W = Work done on the
system
+ W = Work done by the
system
+ Q = Heat into the system
- Q = Heat out of the
system
29
1
PHYSICS
TOPIC
16.2 Thermodynamics
processes
LEARNING OUTCOMES
REMARKS
a) State and explain thermodynamics processes:
(i) Isothermal, ΔU= 0
(ii) Isovolumetric, W = 0
(iii) Isobaric, ΔP = 0
(iv) Adiabatic, Q = 0
Sketch p-V graph for each
process.
Isovolumetric also known
as isochoric
HOUR
2
b) Sketch p-V graph to distinguish between isothermal process and
adiabatic process.
c) Determine the initial and final state of thermodynamic processes by
using the following formula:
(i) pV = constant for isothermal process
(ii) pV   constant and TV  1  constant for adiabatic process
16.3 Thermodynamics
Work

2
a) Derive expression for work, W= pdV and determine work from
the area under the p-V graph.
b) Derive the equation of work done in isothermal, isovolumetric and
isobaric processes.
c) Calculate work done in
(i) isothermal process and use W  nRT ln
V2
p
 nRT ln 1
V1
p2

(ii) isobaric process, use W  pdV  p(V2  V1 )

(iii) isovolumetric process, use W  pdV  0
30
Exclude calculation of
work done in adiabatic
process.