Physics Form Two Notes

Chapter One

Magnetism

Introduction

Magnets are substances that are able to attract and hold items.
Lodestone is the only known natural magnet which was discovered
by the Chinese 2,000 years ago.

Other magnets produced artificially by man are called artificial l

magnets.

Magnets and non-magnetic materials

Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets

while non-magnetic ones are those that are not affected by
magnets.

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic substances, while wood,
glass and copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.

Substances that are repelled by magnets are said to be diamagnetic

whereas those which are strongly attracted i.e. iron, nickel, cobalt
are called ferromagnetic materials.

The materials that are so lightly attracted such that the magnet
seems to have no effect on them are called paramagnetic materials
(mostly non-magnetic materials).

Ferrites are a mixture of iron oxide and barium oxide are the most
newly developed magnetic materials.

Ceramic magnets or magnate magnets are made from ferrites and

are very strong.

Properties of magnets

1. They are double poled substances with both the North and South
poles.

2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Repulsion is a sure

method of determining whether two substances are magnets.
3. The greatest magnetic force is concentrated around the poles of a
magnet.

Magnetic field patterns.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field

(force) is observed.

Plotting field patterns

A line of force gives the direction of the magnetic field at each point
along it.

Their closeness is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field or

of the force that would be exerted by the bar magnet.

Examples of field patterns.

The points marked ‘X’ are called neutral points where there is no
magnetic field at such points.

Watches (non-digital), electron beams in cathode ray tubes and TV

sets are shielded from external magnetic fields by placing a soft-iron
cylinder around the neck of the tube or watch.

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

a) Magnetic induction – this is a process by which magnets are

made by placing ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field.
Materials like iron lose their magnetism easily and are said to be
soft while others like steel gain magnetism slowly but retain it
longer and are therefore said to be hard and are used to make
permanent magnets.

b) Magnetizing by stroking – the object to be magnetized is

placed on a bench then a bar magnet is dragged along the length of
the bar from one end to the other.
This is repeated several times and the object becomes magnetized.
This method is known as single-stroke method.

c) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of

magnetic effect of an electric current through a solenoid (insulated
wire of many turns).

Demagnetizing

Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a

magnet.

The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;

a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction

b) Heating them strongly

c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an arc. current

through it for a short time.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to

each other attached to pieces of soft iron called keepers.

b) Magnets should not be hammered especially with their poles

facing E-W direction.

c) Magnets should not be heated strongly or dropped roughly on

hard surfaces.

d) Magnets should not be placed near alternating currents.

e) Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them
lose their magnetism.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

Domain theory of magnetism.

In ferromagnetic substances small atomic magnets form large

groups called domains.

These atomic magnets face one direction where the direction varies
from one domain to another.

In an un-magnetized crystal, the directions of these domains are

different hence their resultant magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field the atomic

magnets rotate and eventually all domains face the same direction.

When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized we say it is saturated.

This means that the magnetism of the material cannot be increased

by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

Chapter Two

Measurement II

Measuring length using Vernier calipers.

Vernier calipers is used when higher accuracy in measurement is

required and this cannot be done using a meter rule.

Vernier calipers has two scales; main scale and Vernier scale.
Outside jaws are used to measure both lengths and external
diameters, inside jaws for measuring internal diameters while the
tail is used for measuring depths of cavities.
The main scale is divided into cm and mm. The Vernier scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions of 0.9 mm each. The accuracy of
Vernier calipers is 0.10 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The main scale is read at zero mark of the Vernier scale. The
values given in cm.

b) The Vernier is read at the position where a mark on the Vernier

scale is exactly lined up with a mark on the main scale. The values
are given as a two decimal of a cm.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following diagram.

Solution

Main scale reading: - 2.7 cm

Vernier scale reading: - 0.04 cm

Adding both we get 2.74 cm.

2. What is the reading of the Vernier calipers shown below?

Solution

Main scale reading - 7.6 cm Vernier scale reading - 0.04 cm Adding

both readings we get 7.64 cm.

Micrometer screw gauge

It is a device used to measure small lengths.

It has an accuracy of 0.01 mm. It has two scales; the sleeve scale
and thimble scale.
The sleeve scale is divided into upper and lower scales with the
upper division in mm and lower divisions in 0.5 mm.

Thimble scale is divided into 50 equal divisions each division

consisting of 0.01 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The reading on the sleeve scale is read ta the point where it

touches the edge of the thimble in mm and half mm.

b) The thimble scale is read at the point where the center line of the
sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following.

Solution Sleeve reading – 3.5 mm Thimble reading – 0.45 mm

Adding up we get 3.95 mm.

2. What is the reading in the following micrometer screw gauge?

Solution

Sleeve scale reading – 4.0 mm Thimble scale reading - 0. 32 mm

Adding up the two we get 4.32 mm.

Calculating the size of a molecule.

Both the volume and area of a drop can be calculated using the
following formulas Volume = 4/3 πr 3 and Area = πr 2 h.

Examples

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm 3 , was placed on a

surface of clean water.

The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Estimate
the size of the olive oil.
Solution

Volume = 0.12 mm 2 . Area of the oil patch = 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Volume

= area × thickness of the patch, therefore Thickness of the oil patch
= volume / area = 0.12 / 6.0 × 104 = 2.0 × 10-6 mm or 2.0 × 10-9
m.

2. Suppose an oil drop has a volume of 0.10 mm 3 and forms a film

with a radius of 10 cm.

Calculate, the thickness of the oil film. Solution

Area of the film = πr 2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm 2 = 31,400 mm 2 .

Thickness of the oil film = volume / area, hence 0.10 / 31,400 = 3.0
× 10-6 mm.

(The thickness of the oil film is called upper limit to the size of
molecule because the molecule cannot be bigger than the thickness
of the oil film)

Chapter Three

Turning Effect of a Force

Turning effects

The turning effect of a body is called the moment of that force.

The turning effect produced depends on both the size of the force
and the distance from the pivot.

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force

applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (or turning
point) to the line of action of the force.

Hence, Moments of a force = Force × perpendicular distance from

pivot.

The law of moments

The law of moments states that “when a body is in balance or in

equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments equals the sum of
anti-clockwise moments”.
The SI units of the moments of a force is Newton meter (Nm).

Examples

1. A uniform rod of negligible mass balances when a weight of 3 N is

at A, weight of 3 N is at B and a weight of W is at C. What is the
value of weight W?

2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of

‘x’ if the bar is balanced.

Solution

The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,

Clockwise moments = 10 × 30 = 300 N cm, Anticlockwise

moments = 10 × ‘x’ = 10 x. N cm. Using the principle of moments

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

10 x = 300, hence x = 30 cm.

3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.

Solution

Clockwise moments = 15x N + 5(X × 20) N

Anticlockwise moments = (20 × 10) + (60 × 10) N cm, = 800 N cm.

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

800 N cm = 15X + 5X + 100

800 n cm = 20X + 100

20X = 700
X = 35 cm.

Therefore, the length of the bar = 40 + 20 + 35 + 20 = 115 cm.

The lever

A lever is any device which can turn about a pivot or fulcrum.

The applied force is called the effort and is used to overcome the
resisting force called the load. We use the law of moments in the
operation of levers.

Example

Consider the following diagram. (The bar is of negligible mass).

Determine the effort applied.

Solution

Taking moments about O. Then, clockwise moments = effort × 200

cm. Anticlockwise moments = 200 × 30 cm.

Effort = (200 × 30)/ 200 = 30 N.

Chapter Four

Equilibrium and Centre of Gravity.

Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity or C.G is the point of balance of a body in which

the total weight of the body seems to act through.

For regular shaped bodies the C.G is at the geometric center of the
body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the center of the
gravity and the law of moments can be used to determine the
weight of the body.

Example

The figure below shows a uniform bar of weight ‘W’ and length 80
cm. If a force of 20 N keeps it in balance, determine the weight ‘W’
of the bar.
Solution

Taking moments about the pivot, clockwise moments = W × 20 N

cm.

Anticlockwise moments = 20 × 30 N cm. Clockwise moments =

anticlockwise moments 20 W = 600, therefore W = 30 N.

Parallel forces and equilibrium

For a body to be in equilibrium (neither moving nor rotating), under

the action of parallel forces, the following conditions will be
satisfied;

a) The sum of upward forces must be equal to the sum of downward

forces.

b) The sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise

moments.

The two are called the first and second condition of equilibrium
respectively.

Examples 1. A uniform rod of length 1.0 m is hung from a spring

balance as shown and balanced in horizontal position by a force of
1.6 N. Determine; a) The weight of the rod

b) Reading of the spring balance.

Solution

a) Let the weight of the rod be ‘W’. W acts at 50 cm mark, therefore

taking moments about point of suspension, clockwise moments = W
× 0.2 Nm = 0.2W Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = 1.6 × 0.3 = 0.48 Nm.

Using the law of moments, then

Anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments

0.48 = 0.2 W, hence W = 2.4 N

b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward force = W + 1.6 N

= 2.4 + 1.6

= 4.0 N

Upward force = reading of the spring balance = 4.0 N

2. A uniform rod is 1.0 m long weighs 5 N. It is supported

horizontally at one end by a spring and the other end rests on a
table as shown below. A mass of 2kg is hung from the rod as shown;
determine,

a) Reading of the spring balance

b) Reaction force, F, from the table.

Solution

a) The 2kg mass and the weight of the rod (5 N) gives clockwise
moment while the spring balance provides anticlockwise moments.

Clockwise moments = (2 × 10) × 0.4 + (5 × 0.5) = 10.5 Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = S × 1 (reading of the spring balance)

1S = 10.5, hence S = 10.5 N. b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward forces = (2 × 10) + 5 = 25 N Therefore F+ 10.5 = 25,

hence F = 14.5 N.

Stability

This is a term which explains how easy or difficult it is for an object

to topple over when a force is applied to it. Factors affecting
stability,

a) Base area – the bigger the base area the more the stability.

b) Position of the center of gravity – the higher the center of gravity

the less stable the body will be.
States of equilibrium

1. Stable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount of

force it returns to its original position.

2. Unstable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount

of force it toppled over and does not return to its original position.

3. Neutral equilibrium – a body is at rest in whichever position it

is placed in i.e. it does not rise or fall when displaced.

Applications of stability

Neutral equilibrium It is used mainly in the design of motor

vehicles i.e.

a) Racing cars – they have a low and wide wheelbase to increase

their base area.

b) Double decker buses – they are manufactured with a low center

of gravity by mounting their chassis and engines as low as possible.

Chapter Five

Reflection at Curved Surfaces

Concave and convex mirrors

They are also known as spherical mirrors and are formed when a
spherical glass is silvered.

If the inside is silvered a convex or diverging is formed while a

concave or converging mirror is formed when the outside is silvered.

Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) – this is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is part of. The center itself is called the pole (P).

2. Principal axis – this is the line joining the center of curvature

(C) to the pole (P).3. Principal focus (F) – is a point on the
principal axis through which a ray is reflected when it hits a
concave mirror.

In a convex mirror the ray is reflected and appears to originate from

the point. F is virtual for a convex mirror while it is real for a
concave mirror.

4. Radius of curvature (r) - this is the distance from the pole to

the center of curvature. The distance from the pole to the principal
focus is called the focal length (f).

Parabolic mirrors.

They produce a wide parallel beam or converge a large beam of light

to a point. They are widely used in making car headlights or in
spotlights.

Images formed by spherical mirrors.

Location of images using ray diagrams.

When drawing ray diagrams, the following symbols are used to

represent the mirrors.

The image is located by drawing any two of the following

rays:

I) A ray parallel to the principal axis which is reflected through the

principal focus.

ii) A ray through the center of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since it hits the mirror normally.

iii) A ray through the principal focus which is reflected parallel to

the principal axis.

Virtual images are formed when rays diverge and as such the rays
are extended backwards using dotted line till they meet.
The image formed is also dotted since it is not formed by an
intersection of real rays.

A real image is formed by intersection of real rays.

Concave mirror.

a) Object at infinity: image is formed at F. It is real, inverted and

diminished.

Convex mirror.

g) Image is always formed behind the mirror. It is virtual, erect and

always diminished.

Applications of curved reflectors.

a) They are used in satellite dishes.

b) They are used in making shaving mirrors.

c) They are used in telescopes.

d) They are used in driving mirrors.

Magnification.

Magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.

Magnification (M) = height of the image / height of the object.

When the ratio is greater than one we say the image is magnified
and when less than one we say it is diminished.

Also magnification = image distance from the mirror / object

distance from the mirror.

Examples
1. Determine the size, position and nature of the image of an object
5.0 cm tall, placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm, at a distance 35 cm from the mirror.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. Then the focal length is 3 cm.

Object distance = 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 5.4 cm × 5 = 27 cm in front of the mirror.

Image size = 0.75 cm × 5 = 3.75 cm. Image is real and inverted.

2. A vertical object 5 cm high is placed 10 cm in front of a convex

mirror of focal length 15 cm.

find the position, size and nature of image formed. Determine the
magnification of the image.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm, then the focal length = 3 cm, object size =
1 cm Object distance = 2 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 1.2 cm × 5 = 6.0 cm behind the mirror. Image

size = 0.6 cm × 5 = 3.0 cm.

The image is virtual and erect.

Magnification = image dist. / object dist. Hence 6 /10 = 0.6

(diminished).

Chapter Six

Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current.

Introduction: Worsted’s discovery.

Hans Christian Forested discovered the magnetic effect of a current

in 1819. The direction of the field is dependent on the direction of
the current.

This discovery brought about the development of electric bells,

electric motors, telephone receivers and radios.

Determining the direction of the lines of force.

The direction of the lines of force can be determined using a simple

rule called the right-hand screw rule.

This rule states that “if a right-hand screw advances in the direction
of the current, then the rotation of the screw is in the direction of
the field”.

Another rule is the right-hand grip rule which states that “if the wire
carrying a current is gripped with the right hand, using the thumb
along the conductor and pointing in the direction of the current,
then the direction of curled fingers is in the direction of the lines of
force”.

Magnetic field due to a solenoid. The rule for polarity.

A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when

carrying electric current.

The direction of the field can be determined using a simple rule

stated as follows “if the coil (solenoid) is viewed from one end and
the current flows in an anticlockwise direction at that end, then that
end is the North Pole.

If the current flows in a clockwise direction, then that end is the

South Pole”.

Electromagnets.

An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by

passing an electric current through a coil surrounding it.
They only maintain their magnetism if current continues to flow, if
switched off they lose their magnetism.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.

1. Increasing current through the coil.

2. Increasing the number of turns of the coil.

3. Using iron of C- core shape which brings both magnetic poles

together.

Some applications of electromagnets.

a) Electric bell

When the switch is closed the current passing through the solenoids
magnetizes them and they pull the soft iron armature which makes
the hammer hit the gong therefore producing sound. When the
hammer hits the gong the contact between the spring and the screw
is broken and then stops the current from flowing.

The soft iron core loses its magnetism and releases the armature
which is then pulled back by the screw.

The contact between the spring and the screw is regained and the
process repeats itself again and again therefore the gong is struck
continuously.

b) Telephone receiver.

It consists of a u-magnet made by attaching two soft-iron bars to

the end of a short permanent magnet.

The solenoids are wound in opposite directions around the bars.

When the phone is lifted the current flows through the solenoids
depending on the microphone on the other end of the line.

These varying current spasms induce magnetism of varying

strengths in the iron bars which in turn causes the magnetic alloy
diaphragm to vibrate differently producing sound.
Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

When a conductor carries a current in a magnetic field a force acts

on it.

The direction of the force depends on the directions of the field and
current.

The factors affecting the magnitude of the force are;

a) The current flowing in the conductor

b) The strength of the magnet

c) The length of the conductor in the magnetic field.

The relationship between the directions of the current, field and

force are mutually perpendicular.

They are summarized in a law called Fleming’s right-hand rule or the

motor rule.

This rule states that “if you hold the first finger, the second finger
and the thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other, so that the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger points in the direction of the current in
the conductor, then the thumb points in the direction of the force
acting on the conductor”.

Applications of the force on a conductor.

Simple D.C motor.

Consists of a rectangular coil of wire mounted on an axle which can

rotate between the poles of a magnet.

For the rotation to be continuous the ends of the coil are connected
to half -rings called the split-ring commutators.

The battery terminals are attached to brushes which slide on these

half-rings. D.C motors are useful as car starter motors, hand drills,
machine motors, fans etc.
Chapter Seven

Hooke’s Law.

Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is proportional to

the applied force, provided that the force is not large enough to
deform the spring permanently”.

Mathematically expressed as Force α extension.

Spring constant

Since Force α extension then Force / Extension = constant (k). The

constant of proportionality (k) is called the spring constant. F / e =
k or Force (N) = k e. The spring constant is a measure of the
stiffness of a spring.

The greater the constant the stiffer the spring.

The spring constant varies with the following; -

a) Material – identical springs mad of different materials will have

different constants i.e. Steel and copper.

b) Diameter – the stiffness decreases with the increase in diameter.

c) Thickness of the wire – a spring made of a thicker wire is stiffer

than the one made of thin wire of the same material.

d) Length of spring – a short spring is stiffer than a longer one.

e) Number of turns per unit length – a spring with higher number of

turns per unit length is less stiff than the one with fewer turns per
unit length.

Example

1. If the springs shown below are similar and the constant of

proportionality (k) is 100 Nm - 1 , determine total extension in each
arrangement.
The spring balance

It is made up of a spring mounted in a metal or plastic casing.

The spring is fitted with a pointer which moves along a calibrated

scale divided into ten equal parts.

Examples

1. A load of 4 N causes a certain copper wire to extend by 1.0 mm.

Find the load that will cause a 3.2 mm extension on the same wire.
(Assume Hooke’s law is obeyed).

Solution

F α e also F 1 / F 2 = e 1 / e 2 = F 2 = (4 × 3.2) / 1.0 = 12.8 N. 2. A

body of 200 g was hung from the lower end of a spring which obeys
Hooke’s law. Given that the spring extended by 100 mm, what is the
spring constant for this spring? Solution F = α e, F = k e. F = 200 ×
10-3 kg × 10 N /kg = 2 N. Extension = 100 × 10 3 m = 0.1 m.

Spring constant (k) = 2 / 0.1 = 20 N/m.

3. Two identical springs, whose spring constant is 6.0 N/cm, are

used to support a load of 60 N as shown below. Determine the
extension of each spring.

Solution

Since the springs are parallel their spring constant equals 2k.
Therefore, extension = Force / k = 2 F / k = 60 / 2 × 6 = 5 cm.
Each spring will extend by 5 cm.

Chapter Eight

Waves I

A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other

waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a
vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays,
gamma rays UV rays etc. Other waves require a material medium to
be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound
waves etc.

Transverse and longitudinal pulses and waves.

1. Transverse waves – they consist of a crest and a trough. In this

case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are
perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance)
travels.

A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.

If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a

series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.

They can be produced as shown below. Examples are water waves,

light and radio waves.

2. Longitudinal waves – these are waves whereby the particles of

the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the
disturbance.

When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression)

and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.

When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original

position.

In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion

of the wave and this is known as longitudinal. Examples are the
sound waves.

Characteristics of waves

1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of

disturbance.

2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive

points in a wave).
Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in meters. 3. All
waves have frequency ‘f’ which is the number of waves passing a
point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz
(Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave
to pass a given point.

Therefore, T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).

The speed ‘v’ is given as; v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T)

× λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.

4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of

the particles of the medium as the wave passes.

Examples

1. A rope is displaced at a frequency of 3 Hz. If the distance

between two successive crests of the wave train is 0.8 m, calculate
the speed of the waves along the rope.

Solution

v = f λ = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 m Hz = 2.4 m/s.

2. The figure below illustrates part of the displacement-time graph

of a wave travelling across water at a particular place with a
velocity of 2 ms - 1 . Calculate the wave’s;

a) Amplitude

b) Frequency (f)

c) Wavelength (λ)

Solution

a) From the graph, maximum displacement (a) = 0.4 cm

b) From the graph, period T = time for one cycle = 0.20 seconds

So f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.20 = 5 Hz.

c) Velocity = f λ hence λ = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m.

Chapter Nine

Sound.

Sound is an important example of a longitudinal wave which is

composed of both compressions and rarefactions. The frequency
ranges in which compressional disturbances occur is called the sonic
spectrum and is very large.

Sound is a range of compressional wave frequencies sensitive to

human ear and is known as audio range which ranges from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.

Compressional waves with frequencies above and below the audio

range are called ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies respectively.

Nature and transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a material medium for transmission from one

point to another. Sound waves therefore cannot be transmitted in a
vacuum.

The rate of transmission diminishes as you move from solids, to

liquids then to gases.

Characteristics of sound waves

1. Intensity and loudness – intensity of sound refers to the rate

of flow of energy through an area.

The loudness of a sound generally varies with the intensity of sound.

The frequency of sound waves determines their intensity while the

amplitude determines their loudness.

2. Frequency and pitch – pitch refers to the sharpness of a sound

and is determined by its frequency.

3. Fundamental tones and harmonics – fundamental frequency is

the vibration in a wire which has the lowest possible frequency.

The fundamental frequency and the tones with the frequencies that
are whole multiples of the fundamental are called harmonics.

The fundamental frequency is also the first harmonic.

The number of segments vibrating in a string depends on the point
at which the string is plucked.

4. Quality of sound or timbre – quality of sound can be improved

by adding the second harmonic to the fundamental frequency hence
the quality depends on the number of harmonics produced
simultaneously and their relative intensities.

Echo

Echoes are produced by reflection of sound waves from hard

surfaces such as a wall or a cliff.

To hear an echo, the sound waves travels double the distance

between the source and the reflector. So to determine the velocity
of sound ‘v’ between two successive claps is given as v = distance
from the reflecting surface / half the time taken between two
successive claps Hence; speed ‘v’= distance / time = m/s.

Example

A boy strikes a railway line (steel) with a hammer.

If the speed of sound in steel is 5,200 m/s, determine the time

taken for the sound to reach another boy 2.3 km down the railway
line with his ear on the rail.

Solution

Time taken = distance / speed = 2300 / 5200 = 0.44 seconds.

Factors affecting the speed of sound

a) Temperature – speed increases with increase in temperature

especially gases since the change in liquids and solids is small it can
be neglected.

b) Nature of transmitting medium – different substances transmit

sound waves at various speeds as shown below

(I) Air – 346 m/s

(ii) Hydrogen – 1339 m/s

(iii) Water – 1498 m/s

(iv) Aluminum – 5,000 m/s

(v) Iron – 5,200 m/s

(vi) Glass – 4,540 m/s

Example

A girl claps her hands once at a distance 250 m from a vertical cliff.

If the temperature in the surrounding is 50 o C, how long does it take

for her to hear the echo?

Solution

Distance travelled = 250 × 2 = 500 m

Speed of sound = (331.5 m/s at 00) the speed in air increases at

about 0.6 m/s per 0C.

Therefore, speed at 50 o C = 331.5 + (0.6 × 5) = 334.5 m/s

Time taken = distance / speed = 500 / 334.5 = 1.5 seconds.

Chapter Ten

Fluid Flow

Fluid in physics refers to liquids and gases.

 To study fluid flow we have to make the following assumptions:

1. We consider fluids to be incompressible

2. We assume that they have little or no internal friction or viscosity.

Streamline and turbulent flow.

The path followed by a small element of a moving fluid is called a line of flow. A streamline
is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.
A streamline flow occurs when all elements of a fluid passing a particular point follow the
same path or line of flow as the elements that passed through that point previously.

A streamline flow is achieved only when the speed is low.

If the speed increases, it is characterized by whirls and eddies then it becomes a turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow generally occurs when the speed is high and where there are sharp
bends along the path of the fluid.

Equation of continuity

Consider a fluid flowing (streamline flow) through a horizontal pipe with different cross -
sectional areas as shown.

Let the cross -sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the corresponding speeds of
the fluid be V1 and V1 respectively.

The volume of fluid flowing per second in each section is given by; V = A L = A v t = A v.
Where L, v t and v is the distance moved in one second.

Since the volumes in each section is the same, then A1 V1 = A2 V2, hence A v = constant.

The above equation is known as the equation of continuity. Since A1 A2, then V2 V1. i.e. the
speed increases when a tube narrows.

The quantity (A v) is called volume efflux i.e. volume flowing per second.

Example.

A horizontal pipe of cross-sectional area 50 cm2 carries water at the rate of 0.20 liters per
second. Determine the speed;

a) Of the speed of water in the pipe.

b) When the tube narrows to 20 cm2 at another point.

Solution

a) Volume efflux = o.20 l per second = A v from V (volume) = A v, then v = V / A = 0.20 ×

10-3 / 50 × 10-4 = 0.04 m/s b) Since A1 v1 = A2 v2 then v1 = (0.05 × 0.04) / 0.02 = 0.1 m/s

Bernoulli’s principle
Daniel Bernoulli (1700 – 1782) explained the variation of pressure exerted by a moving
fluid when its speed is changed. The pressure is lower where the speed is higher.

Bernoulli’s principle states that “For a fluid flowing through a tube, the sum of the
pressure, the kinetic energy per unit volume and the potential energy per unit volume of
the fluid is a constant”. Mathematically expressed as;

P + ½ ρ v2 + ρ g h = constant. Where P – pressure, ρ – density, v= velocity, g – acceleration

due to gravity and h – height.

Bernoulli’s effect

When air is blown through the tunnel formed, the area marked ‘T’ collapses inwards
showing that pressure outside is more than the one inside the tunnel.

The pressure inside the tunnel decreases as the air through it increases in speed.

Applications of Bernoulli’s principle.

1. Car carburetor– inside the carburetor the air passage is partially constricted at the point
where petrol mixes with air hence air intake increases the speed of air while decreasing the
pressure inside for petrol to vaporize quickly before it gets to the cylinder where
combustion occurs.

2. Horizontal pipe – for a streamline flow through a pipe the term ρ g h is eliminated from
the Bernoulli’s equation leaving P + ½ ρ v2 = constant, indicating that pressure in liquid is
greatest when speed is least.

When this is combined with the equation of continuity, the pressure is then greatest when
the pipe is widest hence the following observation.

3. Dynamic lift - when air is blown at the top a flat sheet of paper the ends of the paper
moves upward and this because the speed of air on top of the paper is greater than below
and according to Bernoulli’s principle the pressure on top lowers and the pressure below
becomes sufficient enough to produce a force which moves the paper upwards.

This is what is referred to as the dynamic lift since it is caused by motion.

The upward force is equal to the product of the pressure difference and the area of the
surface lifted.
It is applied in the taking off of air-planes, the trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer
and Bunsen burner among others.

Physics Form Two Notes

Chapter One

Magnetism

Introduction

Magnets are substances that are able to attract and hold items.
Lodestone is the only known natural magnet which was discovered
by the Chinese 2,000 years ago.

Other magnets produced artificially by man are called artificial l

magnets.

Magnets and non-magnetic materials

Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets

while non-magnetic ones are those that are not affected by
magnets.

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic substances, while wood,
glass and copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.

Substances that are repelled by magnets are said to be diamagnetic

whereas those which are strongly attracted i.e. iron, nickel, cobalt
are called ferromagnetic materials.

The materials that are so lightly attracted such that the magnet
seems to have no effect on them are called paramagnetic materials
(mostly non-magnetic materials).

Ferrites are a mixture of iron oxide and barium oxide are the most
newly developed magnetic materials.

Ceramic magnets or magnate magnets are made from ferrites and

are very strong.

Properties of magnets
1. They are double poled substances with both the North and South
poles.

2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Repulsion is a sure

method of determining whether two substances are magnets.

3. The greatest magnetic force is concentrated around the poles of a

magnet.

Magnetic field patterns.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field

(force) is observed.

Plotting field patterns

A line of force gives the direction of the magnetic field at each point
along it.

Their closeness is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field or

of the force that would be exerted by the bar magnet.

Examples of field patterns.

The points marked ‘X’ are called neutral points where there is no
magnetic field at such points.

Watches (non-digital), electron beams in cathode ray tubes and TV

sets are shielded from external magnetic fields by placing a soft-iron
cylinder around the neck of the tube or watch.

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

a) Magnetic induction – this is a process by which magnets are

made by placing ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field.
Materials like iron lose their magnetism easily and are said to be
soft while others like steel gain magnetism slowly but retain it
longer and are therefore said to be hard and are used to make
permanent magnets.

b) Magnetizing by stroking – the object to be magnetized is

placed on a bench then a bar magnet is dragged along the length of
the bar from one end to the other.

This is repeated several times and the object becomes magnetized.

This method is known as single-stroke method.

c) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of

magnetic effect of an electric current through a solenoid (insulated
wire of many turns).

Demagnetizing

Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a

magnet.

The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;

a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction

b) Heating them strongly

c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an arc. current

through it for a short time.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to

each other attached to pieces of soft iron called keepers.

b) Magnets should not be hammered especially with their poles

facing E-W direction.

c) Magnets should not be heated strongly or dropped roughly on

hard surfaces.

d) Magnets should not be placed near alternating currents.

e) Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them
lose their magnetism.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

Domain theory of magnetism.

In ferromagnetic substances small atomic magnets form large

groups called domains.

These atomic magnets face one direction where the direction varies
from one domain to another.

In an un-magnetized crystal, the directions of these domains are

different hence their resultant magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field the atomic

magnets rotate and eventually all domains face the same direction.

When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized we say it is saturated.

This means that the magnetism of the material cannot be increased

by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

Chapter Two

Measurement II

Measuring length using Vernier calipers.

Vernier calipers is used when higher accuracy in measurement is

required and this cannot be done using a meter rule.
Vernier calipers has two scales; main scale and Vernier scale.
Outside jaws are used to measure both lengths and external
diameters, inside jaws for measuring internal diameters while the
tail is used for measuring depths of cavities.

The main scale is divided into cm and mm. The Vernier scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions of 0.9 mm each. The accuracy of
Vernier calipers is 0.10 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The main scale is read at zero mark of the Vernier scale. The
values given in cm.

b) The Vernier is read at the position where a mark on the Vernier

scale is exactly lined up with a mark on the main scale. The values
are given as a two decimal of a cm.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following diagram.

Solution

Main scale reading: - 2.7 cm

Vernier scale reading: - 0.04 cm

Adding both we get 2.74 cm.

2. What is the reading of the Vernier calipers shown below?

Solution

Main scale reading - 7.6 cm Vernier scale reading - 0.04 cm Adding

both readings we get 7.64 cm.

Micrometer screw gauge

It is a device used to measure small lengths.

It has an accuracy of 0.01 mm. It has two scales; the sleeve scale
and thimble scale.

The sleeve scale is divided into upper and lower scales with the
upper division in mm and lower divisions in 0.5 mm.

Thimble scale is divided into 50 equal divisions each division

consisting of 0.01 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The reading on the sleeve scale is read ta the point where it

touches the edge of the thimble in mm and half mm.

b) The thimble scale is read at the point where the center line of the
sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following.

Solution Sleeve reading – 3.5 mm Thimble reading – 0.45 mm

Adding up we get 3.95 mm.

2. What is the reading in the following micrometer screw gauge?

Solution

Sleeve scale reading – 4.0 mm Thimble scale reading - 0. 32 mm

Adding up the two we get 4.32 mm.

Calculating the size of a molecule.

Both the volume and area of a drop can be calculated using the
following formulas Volume = 4/3 πr 3 and Area = πr 2 h.

Examples

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm 3 , was placed on a

surface of clean water.
The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Estimate
the size of the olive oil.

Solution

Volume = 0.12 mm 2 . Area of the oil patch = 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Volume

= area × thickness of the patch, therefore Thickness of the oil patch
= volume / area = 0.12 / 6.0 × 104 = 2.0 × 10-6 mm or 2.0 × 10-9
m.

2. Suppose an oil drop has a volume of 0.10 mm 3 and forms a film

with a radius of 10 cm.

Calculate, the thickness of the oil film. Solution

Area of the film = πr 2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm 2 = 31,400 mm 2 .

Thickness of the oil film = volume / area, hence 0.10 / 31,400 = 3.0
× 10-6 mm.

(The thickness of the oil film is called upper limit to the size of
molecule because the molecule cannot be bigger than the thickness
of the oil film)

Chapter Three

Turning Effect of a Force

Turning effects

The turning effect of a body is called the moment of that force.

The turning effect produced depends on both the size of the force
and the distance from the pivot.

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force

applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (or turning
point) to the line of action of the force.

Hence, Moments of a force = Force × perpendicular distance from

pivot.

The law of moments

The law of moments states that “when a body is in balance or in
equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments equals the sum of
anti-clockwise moments”.

The SI units of the moments of a force is Newton meter (Nm).

Examples

1. A uniform rod of negligible mass balances when a weight of 3 N is

at A, weight of 3 N is at B and a weight of W is at C. What is the
value of weight W?

2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of

‘x’ if the bar is balanced.

Solution

The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,

Clockwise moments = 10 × 30 = 300 N cm, Anticlockwise

moments = 10 × ‘x’ = 10 x. N cm. Using the principle of moments

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

10 x = 300, hence x = 30 cm.

3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.

Solution

Clockwise moments = 15x N + 5(X × 20) N

Anticlockwise moments = (20 × 10) + (60 × 10) N cm, = 800 N cm.

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

800 N cm = 15X + 5X + 100

800 n cm = 20X + 100

20X = 700

X = 35 cm.

Therefore, the length of the bar = 40 + 20 + 35 + 20 = 115 cm.

The lever

A lever is any device which can turn about a pivot or fulcrum.

The applied force is called the effort and is used to overcome the
resisting force called the load. We use the law of moments in the
operation of levers.

Example

Consider the following diagram. (The bar is of negligible mass).

Determine the effort applied.

Solution

Taking moments about O. Then, clockwise moments = effort × 200

cm. Anticlockwise moments = 200 × 30 cm.

Effort = (200 × 30)/ 200 = 30 N.

Chapter Four

Equilibrium and Centre of Gravity.

Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity or C.G is the point of balance of a body in which

the total weight of the body seems to act through.

For regular shaped bodies the C.G is at the geometric center of the
body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the center of the
gravity and the law of moments can be used to determine the
weight of the body.

Example
The figure below shows a uniform bar of weight ‘W’ and length 80
cm. If a force of 20 N keeps it in balance, determine the weight ‘W’
of the bar.

Solution

Taking moments about the pivot, clockwise moments = W × 20 N

cm.

Anticlockwise moments = 20 × 30 N cm. Clockwise moments =

anticlockwise moments 20 W = 600, therefore W = 30 N.

Parallel forces and equilibrium

For a body to be in equilibrium (neither moving nor rotating), under

the action of parallel forces, the following conditions will be
satisfied;

a) The sum of upward forces must be equal to the sum of downward

forces.

b) The sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise

moments.

The two are called the first and second condition of equilibrium
respectively.

Examples 1. A uniform rod of length 1.0 m is hung from a spring

balance as shown and balanced in horizontal position by a force of
1.6 N. Determine; a) The weight of the rod

b) Reading of the spring balance.

Solution

a) Let the weight of the rod be ‘W’. W acts at 50 cm mark, therefore

taking moments about point of suspension, clockwise moments = W
× 0.2 Nm = 0.2W Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = 1.6 × 0.3 = 0.48 Nm.

Using the law of moments, then

Anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments

0.48 = 0.2 W, hence W = 2.4 N

b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward force = W + 1.6 N

= 2.4 + 1.6

= 4.0 N

Upward force = reading of the spring balance = 4.0 N

2. A uniform rod is 1.0 m long weighs 5 N. It is supported

horizontally at one end by a spring and the other end rests on a
table as shown below. A mass of 2kg is hung from the rod as shown;
determine,

a) Reading of the spring balance

b) Reaction force, F, from the table.

Solution

a) The 2kg mass and the weight of the rod (5 N) gives clockwise
moment while the spring balance provides anticlockwise moments.

Clockwise moments = (2 × 10) × 0.4 + (5 × 0.5) = 10.5 Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = S × 1 (reading of the spring balance)

1S = 10.5, hence S = 10.5 N. b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward forces = (2 × 10) + 5 = 25 N Therefore F+ 10.5 = 25,

hence F = 14.5 N.

Stability

This is a term which explains how easy or difficult it is for an object

to topple over when a force is applied to it. Factors affecting
stability,

a) Base area – the bigger the base area the more the stability.
b) Position of the center of gravity – the higher the center of gravity
the less stable the body will be.

States of equilibrium

1. Stable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount of

force it returns to its original position.

2. Unstable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount

of force it toppled over and does not return to its original position.

3. Neutral equilibrium – a body is at rest in whichever position it

is placed in i.e. it does not rise or fall when displaced.

Applications of stability

Neutral equilibrium It is used mainly in the design of motor

vehicles i.e.

a) Racing cars – they have a low and wide wheelbase to increase

their base area.

b) Double decker buses – they are manufactured with a low center

of gravity by mounting their chassis and engines as low as possible.

Chapter Five

Reflection at Curved Surfaces

Concave and convex mirrors

They are also known as spherical mirrors and are formed when a
spherical glass is silvered.

If the inside is silvered a convex or diverging is formed while a

concave or converging mirror is formed when the outside is silvered.
Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) – this is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is part of. The center itself is called the pole (P).

2. Principal axis – this is the line joining the center of curvature

(C) to the pole (P).3. Principal focus (F) – is a point on the
principal axis through which a ray is reflected when it hits a
concave mirror.

In a convex mirror the ray is reflected and appears to originate from

the point. F is virtual for a convex mirror while it is real for a
concave mirror.

4. Radius of curvature (r) - this is the distance from the pole to

the center of curvature. The distance from the pole to the principal
focus is called the focal length (f).
Parabolic mirrors.

They produce a wide parallel beam or converge a large beam of light

to a point. They are widely used in making car headlights or in
spotlights.

Images formed by spherical mirrors.

Location of images using ray diagrams.

When drawing ray diagrams, the following symbols are used to

represent the mirrors.

The image is located by drawing any two of the following

rays:

I) A ray parallel to the principal axis which is reflected through the

principal focus.

ii) A ray through the center of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since it hits the mirror normally.

iii) A ray through the principal focus which is reflected parallel to

the principal axis.

Virtual images are formed when rays diverge and as such the rays
are extended backwards using dotted line till they meet.

The image formed is also dotted since it is not formed by an

intersection of real rays.

A real image is formed by intersection of real rays.

Concave mirror.

a) Object at infinity: image is formed at F. It is real, inverted and

diminished.
Convex mirror.

g) Image is always formed behind the mirror. It is virtual, erect and

always diminished.

Applications of curved reflectors.

a) They are used in satellite dishes.

b) They are used in making shaving mirrors.

c) They are used in telescopes.

d) They are used in driving mirrors.

Magnification.

Magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.

Magnification (M) = height of the image / height of the object.

When the ratio is greater than one we say the image is magnified
and when less than one we say it is diminished.

Also magnification = image distance from the mirror / object

distance from the mirror.

Examples

1. Determine the size, position and nature of the image of an object

5.0 cm tall, placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm, at a distance 35 cm from the mirror.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. Then the focal length is 3 cm.

Object distance = 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 5.4 cm × 5 = 27 cm in front of the mirror.

Image size = 0.75 cm × 5 = 3.75 cm. Image is real and inverted.

2. A vertical object 5 cm high is placed 10 cm in front of a convex

mirror of focal length 15 cm.

find the position, size and nature of image formed. Determine the
magnification of the image.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm, then the focal length = 3 cm, object size =
1 cm Object distance = 2 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 1.2 cm × 5 = 6.0 cm behind the mirror. Image

size = 0.6 cm × 5 = 3.0 cm.

The image is virtual and erect.

Magnification = image dist. / object dist. Hence 6 /10 = 0.6

(diminished).

Chapter Six

Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current.

Introduction: Worsted’s discovery.

Hans Christian Forested discovered the magnetic effect of a current

in 1819. The direction of the field is dependent on the direction of
the current.

This discovery brought about the development of electric bells,

electric motors, telephone receivers and radios.

Determining the direction of the lines of force.

The direction of the lines of force can be determined using a simple

rule called the right-hand screw rule.
This rule states that “if a right-hand screw advances in the direction
of the current, then the rotation of the screw is in the direction of
the field”.

Another rule is the right-hand grip rule which states that “if the wire
carrying a current is gripped with the right hand, using the thumb
along the conductor and pointing in the direction of the current,
then the direction of curled fingers is in the direction of the lines of
force”.

Magnetic field due to a solenoid. The rule for polarity.

A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when

carrying electric current.

The direction of the field can be determined using a simple rule

stated as follows “if the coil (solenoid) is viewed from one end and
the current flows in an anticlockwise direction at that end, then that
end is the North Pole.

If the current flows in a clockwise direction, then that end is the

South Pole”.

Electromagnets.

An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by

passing an electric current through a coil surrounding it.

They only maintain their magnetism if current continues to flow, if

switched off they lose their magnetism.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.

1. Increasing current through the coil.

2. Increasing the number of turns of the coil.

3. Using iron of C- core shape which brings both magnetic poles

together.

Some applications of electromagnets.

a) Electric bell

When the switch is closed the current passing through the solenoids
magnetizes them and they pull the soft iron armature which makes
the hammer hit the gong therefore producing sound. When the
hammer hits the gong the contact between the spring and the screw
is broken and then stops the current from flowing.

The soft iron core loses its magnetism and releases the armature
which is then pulled back by the screw.

The contact between the spring and the screw is regained and the
process repeats itself again and again therefore the gong is struck
continuously.

b) Telephone receiver.

It consists of a u-magnet made by attaching two soft-iron bars to

the end of a short permanent magnet.

The solenoids are wound in opposite directions around the bars.

When the phone is lifted the current flows through the solenoids
depending on the microphone on the other end of the line.

These varying current spasms induce magnetism of varying

strengths in the iron bars which in turn causes the magnetic alloy
diaphragm to vibrate differently producing sound.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

When a conductor carries a current in a magnetic field a force acts

on it.

The direction of the force depends on the directions of the field and
current.

The factors affecting the magnitude of the force are;

a) The current flowing in the conductor

b) The strength of the magnet

c) The length of the conductor in the magnetic field.

The relationship between the directions of the current, field and

force are mutually perpendicular.

They are summarized in a law called Fleming’s right-hand rule or the

motor rule.

This rule states that “if you hold the first finger, the second finger
and the thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other, so that the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger points in the direction of the current in
the conductor, then the thumb points in the direction of the force
acting on the conductor”.

Applications of the force on a conductor.

Simple D.C motor.

Consists of a rectangular coil of wire mounted on an axle which can

rotate between the poles of a magnet.

For the rotation to be continuous the ends of the coil are connected
to half -rings called the split-ring commutators.

The battery terminals are attached to brushes which slide on these

half-rings. D.C motors are useful as car starter motors, hand drills,
machine motors, fans etc.

Chapter Seven

Hooke’s Law.

Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is proportional to

the applied force, provided that the force is not large enough to
deform the spring permanently”.

Mathematically expressed as Force α extension.

Spring constant
Since Force α extension then Force / Extension = constant (k). The
constant of proportionality (k) is called the spring constant. F / e =
k or Force (N) = k e. The spring constant is a measure of the
stiffness of a spring.

The greater the constant the stiffer the spring.

The spring constant varies with the following; -

a) Material – identical springs mad of different materials will have

different constants i.e. Steel and copper.

b) Diameter – the stiffness decreases with the increase in diameter.

c) Thickness of the wire – a spring made of a thicker wire is stiffer

than the one made of thin wire of the same material.

d) Length of spring – a short spring is stiffer than a longer one.

e) Number of turns per unit length – a spring with higher number of

turns per unit length is less stiff than the one with fewer turns per
unit length.

Example

1. If the springs shown below are similar and the constant of

proportionality (k) is 100 Nm - 1 , determine total extension in each
arrangement.

The spring balance

It is made up of a spring mounted in a metal or plastic casing.

The spring is fitted with a pointer which moves along a calibrated

scale divided into ten equal parts.

Examples

1. A load of 4 N causes a certain copper wire to extend by 1.0 mm.

Find the load that will cause a 3.2 mm extension on the same wire.
(Assume Hooke’s law is obeyed).
Solution

F α e also F 1 / F 2 = e 1 / e 2 = F 2 = (4 × 3.2) / 1.0 = 12.8 N. 2. A

body of 200 g was hung from the lower end of a spring which obeys
Hooke’s law. Given that the spring extended by 100 mm, what is the
spring constant for this spring? Solution F = α e, F = k e. F = 200 ×
10-3 kg × 10 N /kg = 2 N. Extension = 100 × 10 3 m = 0.1 m.

Spring constant (k) = 2 / 0.1 = 20 N/m.

3. Two identical springs, whose spring constant is 6.0 N/cm, are

used to support a load of 60 N as shown below. Determine the
extension of each spring.

Solution

Since the springs are parallel their spring constant equals 2k.
Therefore, extension = Force / k = 2 F / k = 60 / 2 × 6 = 5 cm.
Each spring will extend by 5 cm.

Chapter Eight

Waves I

A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other

waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a
vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays,
gamma rays UV rays etc. Other waves require a material medium to
be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound
waves etc.

Transverse and longitudinal pulses and waves.

1. Transverse waves – they consist of a crest and a trough. In this

case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are
perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance)
travels.

A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.

If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a

series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.
They can be produced as shown below. Examples are water waves,
light and radio waves.

2. Longitudinal waves – these are waves whereby the particles of

the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the
disturbance.

When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression)

and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.

When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original

position.

In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion

of the wave and this is known as longitudinal. Examples are the
sound waves.

Characteristics of waves

1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of

disturbance.

2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive

points in a wave).

Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in meters. 3. All

waves have frequency ‘f’ which is the number of waves passing a
point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz
(Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave
to pass a given point.

Therefore, T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).

The speed ‘v’ is given as; v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T)

× λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.

4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of

the particles of the medium as the wave passes.

Examples
1. A rope is displaced at a frequency of 3 Hz. If the distance
between two successive crests of the wave train is 0.8 m, calculate
the speed of the waves along the rope.

Solution

v = f λ = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 m Hz = 2.4 m/s.

2. The figure below illustrates part of the displacement-time graph

of a wave travelling across water at a particular place with a
velocity of 2 ms - 1 . Calculate the wave’s;

a) Amplitude

b) Frequency (f)

c) Wavelength (λ)

Solution

a) From the graph, maximum displacement (a) = 0.4 cm

b) From the graph, period T = time for one cycle = 0.20 seconds

So f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.20 = 5 Hz.

c) Velocity = f λ hence λ = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m.

Chapter Nine

Sound.

Sound is an important example of a longitudinal wave which is

composed of both compressions and rarefactions. The frequency
ranges in which compressional disturbances occur is called the sonic
spectrum and is very large.

Sound is a range of compressional wave frequencies sensitive to

human ear and is known as audio range which ranges from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.

Compressional waves with frequencies above and below the audio

range are called ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies respectively.
Nature and transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a material medium for transmission from one

point to another. Sound waves therefore cannot be transmitted in a
vacuum.

The rate of transmission diminishes as you move from solids, to

liquids then to gases.

Characteristics of sound waves

1. Intensity and loudness – intensity of sound refers to the rate

of flow of energy through an area.

The loudness of a sound generally varies with the intensity of sound.

The frequency of sound waves determines their intensity while the

amplitude determines their loudness.

2. Frequency and pitch – pitch refers to the sharpness of a sound

and is determined by its frequency.

3. Fundamental tones and harmonics – fundamental frequency is

the vibration in a wire which has the lowest possible frequency.

The fundamental frequency and the tones with the frequencies that
are whole multiples of the fundamental are called harmonics.

The fundamental frequency is also the first harmonic.

The number of segments vibrating in a string depends on the point

at which the string is plucked.

4. Quality of sound or timbre – quality of sound can be improved

by adding the second harmonic to the fundamental frequency hence
the quality depends on the number of harmonics produced
simultaneously and their relative intensities.

Echo

Echoes are produced by reflection of sound waves from hard

surfaces such as a wall or a cliff.
To hear an echo, the sound waves travels double the distance
between the source and the reflector. So to determine the velocity
of sound ‘v’ between two successive claps is given as v = distance
from the reflecting surface / half the time taken between two
successive claps Hence; speed ‘v’= distance / time = m/s.

Example

A boy strikes a railway line (steel) with a hammer.

If the speed of sound in steel is 5,200 m/s, determine the time

taken for the sound to reach another boy 2.3 km down the railway
line with his ear on the rail.

Solution

Time taken = distance / speed = 2300 / 5200 = 0.44 seconds.

Factors affecting the speed of sound

a) Temperature – speed increases with increase in temperature

especially gases since the change in liquids and solids is small it can
be neglected.

b) Nature of transmitting medium – different substances transmit

sound waves at various speeds as shown below

(I) Air – 346 m/s

(ii) Hydrogen – 1339 m/s

(iii) Water – 1498 m/s

(iv) Aluminum – 5,000 m/s

(v) Iron – 5,200 m/s

(vi) Glass – 4,540 m/s

Example

A girl claps her hands once at a distance 250 m from a vertical cliff.

If the temperature in the surrounding is 50 o C, how long does it take

for her to hear the echo?
Solution

Distance travelled = 250 × 2 = 500 m

Speed of sound = (331.5 m/s at 00) the speed in air increases at

about 0.6 m/s per 0C.

Therefore, speed at 50 o C = 331.5 + (0.6 × 5) = 334.5 m/s

Time taken = distance / speed = 500 / 334.5 = 1.5 seconds.

Chapter Ten

Fluid Flow

Fluid in physics refers to liquids and gases.

 To study fluid flow we have to make the following assumptions:

1. We consider fluids to be incompressible

2. We assume that they have little or no internal friction or viscosity.

Streamline and turbulent flow.

The path followed by a small element of a moving fluid is called a line of flow. A streamline
is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.

A streamline flow occurs when all elements of a fluid passing a particular point follow the
same path or line of flow as the elements that passed through that point previously.

A streamline flow is achieved only when the speed is low.

If the speed increases, it is characterized by whirls and eddies then it becomes a turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow generally occurs when the speed is high and where there are sharp
bends along the path of the fluid.

Equation of continuity

Consider a fluid flowing (streamline flow) through a horizontal pipe with different cross -
sectional areas as shown.
Let the cross -sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the corresponding speeds of
the fluid be V1 and V1 respectively.

The volume of fluid flowing per second in each section is given by; V = A L = A v t = A v.
Where L, v t and v is the distance moved in one second.

Since the volumes in each section is the same, then A1 V1 = A2 V2, hence A v = constant.

The above equation is known as the equation of continuity. Since A1 A2, then V2 V1. i.e. the
speed increases when a tube narrows.

The quantity (A v) is called volume efflux i.e. volume flowing per second.

Example.

A horizontal pipe of cross-sectional area 50 cm2 carries water at the rate of 0.20 liters per
second. Determine the speed;

a) Of the speed of water in the pipe.

b) When the tube narrows to 20 cm2 at another point.

Solution

a) Volume efflux = o.20 l per second = A v from V (volume) = A v, then v = V / A = 0.20 ×

10-3 / 50 × 10-4 = 0.04 m/s b) Since A1 v1 = A2 v2 then v1 = (0.05 × 0.04) / 0.02 = 0.1 m/s

Bernoulli’s principle

Daniel Bernoulli (1700 – 1782) explained the variation of pressure exerted by a moving
fluid when its speed is changed. The pressure is lower where the speed is higher.

Bernoulli’s principle states that “For a fluid flowing through a tube, the sum of the
pressure, the kinetic energy per unit volume and the potential energy per unit volume of
the fluid is a constant”. Mathematically expressed as;

P + ½ ρ v2 + ρ g h = constant. Where P – pressure, ρ – density, v= velocity, g – acceleration

due to gravity and h – height.

Bernoulli’s effect

When air is blown through the tunnel formed, the area marked ‘T’ collapses inwards
showing that pressure outside is more than the one inside the tunnel.

The pressure inside the tunnel decreases as the air through it increases in speed.
Applications of Bernoulli’s principle.

1. Car carburetor– inside the carburetor the air passage is partially constricted at the point
where petrol mixes with air hence air intake increases the speed of air while decreasing the
pressure inside for petrol to vaporize quickly before it gets to the cylinder where
combustion occurs.

2. Horizontal pipe – for a streamline flow through a pipe the term ρ g h is eliminated from
the Bernoulli’s equation leaving P + ½ ρ v2 = constant, indicating that pressure in liquid is
greatest when speed is least.

When this is combined with the equation of continuity, the pressure is then greatest when
the pipe is widest hence the following observation.

3. Dynamic lift - when air is blown at the top a flat sheet of paper the ends of the paper
moves upward and this because the speed of air on top of the paper is greater than below
and according to Bernoulli’s principle the pressure on top lowers and the pressure below
becomes sufficient enough to produce a force which moves the paper upwards.

This is what is referred to as the dynamic lift since it is caused by motion.

The upward force is equal to the product of the pressure difference and the area of the
surface lifted.

It is applied in the taking off of air-planes, the trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer
and Bunsen burner among others.

Physics Form Two Notes

Chapter One

Magnetism

Introduction

Magnets are substances that are able to attract and hold items.
Lodestone is the only known natural magnet which was discovered
by the Chinese 2,000 years ago.
Other magnets produced artificially by man are called artificial l
magnets.

Magnets and non-magnetic materials

Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets

while non-magnetic ones are those that are not affected by
magnets.

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic substances, while wood,
glass and copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.

Substances that are repelled by magnets are said to be diamagnetic

whereas those which are strongly attracted i.e. iron, nickel, cobalt
are called ferromagnetic materials.

The materials that are so lightly attracted such that the magnet
seems to have no effect on them are called paramagnetic materials
(mostly non-magnetic materials).

Ferrites are a mixture of iron oxide and barium oxide are the most
newly developed magnetic materials.

Ceramic magnets or magnate magnets are made from ferrites and

are very strong.

Properties of magnets

1. They are double poled substances with both the North and South
poles.

2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Repulsion is a sure

method of determining whether two substances are magnets.

3. The greatest magnetic force is concentrated around the poles of a

magnet.

Magnetic field patterns.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field

(force) is observed.

Plotting field patterns

A line of force gives the direction of the magnetic field at each point
along it.

Their closeness is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field or

of the force that would be exerted by the bar magnet.

Examples of field patterns.

The points marked ‘X’ are called neutral points where there is no
magnetic field at such points.

Watches (non-digital), electron beams in cathode ray tubes and TV

sets are shielded from external magnetic fields by placing a soft-iron
cylinder around the neck of the tube or watch.

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

a) Magnetic induction – this is a process by which magnets are

made by placing ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field.
Materials like iron lose their magnetism easily and are said to be
soft while others like steel gain magnetism slowly but retain it
longer and are therefore said to be hard and are used to make
permanent magnets.

b) Magnetizing by stroking – the object to be magnetized is

placed on a bench then a bar magnet is dragged along the length of
the bar from one end to the other.

This is repeated several times and the object becomes magnetized.

This method is known as single-stroke method.

c) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of

magnetic effect of an electric current through a solenoid (insulated
wire of many turns).

Demagnetizing
Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a
magnet.

The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;

a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction

b) Heating them strongly

c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an arc. current

through it for a short time.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to

each other attached to pieces of soft iron called keepers.

b) Magnets should not be hammered especially with their poles

facing E-W direction.

c) Magnets should not be heated strongly or dropped roughly on

hard surfaces.

d) Magnets should not be placed near alternating currents.

e) Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them
lose their magnetism.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

Domain theory of magnetism.

In ferromagnetic substances small atomic magnets form large
groups called domains.

These atomic magnets face one direction where the direction varies
from one domain to another.

In an un-magnetized crystal, the directions of these domains are

different hence their resultant magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field the atomic

magnets rotate and eventually all domains face the same direction.

When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized we say it is saturated.

This means that the magnetism of the material cannot be increased

by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

Chapter Two

Measurement II

Measuring length using Vernier calipers.

Vernier calipers is used when higher accuracy in measurement is

required and this cannot be done using a meter rule.

Vernier calipers has two scales; main scale and Vernier scale.
Outside jaws are used to measure both lengths and external
diameters, inside jaws for measuring internal diameters while the
tail is used for measuring depths of cavities.

The main scale is divided into cm and mm. The Vernier scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions of 0.9 mm each. The accuracy of
Vernier calipers is 0.10 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The main scale is read at zero mark of the Vernier scale. The
values given in cm.
b) The Vernier is read at the position where a mark on the Vernier
scale is exactly lined up with a mark on the main scale. The values
are given as a two decimal of a cm.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following diagram.

Solution

Main scale reading: - 2.7 cm

Vernier scale reading: - 0.04 cm

Adding both we get 2.74 cm.

2. What is the reading of the Vernier calipers shown below?

Solution

Main scale reading - 7.6 cm Vernier scale reading - 0.04 cm Adding

both readings we get 7.64 cm.

Micrometer screw gauge

It is a device used to measure small lengths.

It has an accuracy of 0.01 mm. It has two scales; the sleeve scale
and thimble scale.

The sleeve scale is divided into upper and lower scales with the
upper division in mm and lower divisions in 0.5 mm.

Thimble scale is divided into 50 equal divisions each division

consisting of 0.01 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The reading on the sleeve scale is read ta the point where it

touches the edge of the thimble in mm and half mm.
b) The thimble scale is read at the point where the center line of the
sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following.

Solution Sleeve reading – 3.5 mm Thimble reading – 0.45 mm

Adding up we get 3.95 mm.

2. What is the reading in the following micrometer screw gauge?

Solution

Sleeve scale reading – 4.0 mm Thimble scale reading - 0. 32 mm

Adding up the two we get 4.32 mm.

Calculating the size of a molecule.

Both the volume and area of a drop can be calculated using the
following formulas Volume = 4/3 πr 3 and Area = πr 2 h.

Examples

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm 3 , was placed on a

surface of clean water.

The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Estimate
the size of the olive oil.

Solution

Volume = 0.12 mm 2 . Area of the oil patch = 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Volume

= area × thickness of the patch, therefore Thickness of the oil patch
= volume / area = 0.12 / 6.0 × 104 = 2.0 × 10-6 mm or 2.0 × 10-9
m.

2. Suppose an oil drop has a volume of 0.10 mm 3 and forms a film

with a radius of 10 cm.

Calculate, the thickness of the oil film. Solution

Area of the film = πr 2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm 2 = 31,400 mm 2 .

Thickness of the oil film = volume / area, hence 0.10 / 31,400 = 3.0
× 10-6 mm.

(The thickness of the oil film is called upper limit to the size of
molecule because the molecule cannot be bigger than the thickness
of the oil film)

Chapter Three

Turning Effect of a Force

Turning effects

The turning effect of a body is called the moment of that force.

The turning effect produced depends on both the size of the force
and the distance from the pivot.

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force

applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (or turning
point) to the line of action of the force.

Hence, Moments of a force = Force × perpendicular distance from

pivot.

The law of moments

The law of moments states that “when a body is in balance or in

equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments equals the sum of
anti-clockwise moments”.

The SI units of the moments of a force is Newton meter (Nm).

Examples

1. A uniform rod of negligible mass balances when a weight of 3 N is

at A, weight of 3 N is at B and a weight of W is at C. What is the
value of weight W?

2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of

‘x’ if the bar is balanced.
Solution

The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,

Clockwise moments = 10 × 30 = 300 N cm, Anticlockwise

moments = 10 × ‘x’ = 10 x. N cm. Using the principle of moments

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

10 x = 300, hence x = 30 cm.

3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.

Solution

Clockwise moments = 15x N + 5(X × 20) N

Anticlockwise moments = (20 × 10) + (60 × 10) N cm, = 800 N cm.

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

800 N cm = 15X + 5X + 100

800 n cm = 20X + 100

20X = 700

X = 35 cm.

Therefore, the length of the bar = 40 + 20 + 35 + 20 = 115 cm.

The lever

A lever is any device which can turn about a pivot or fulcrum.

The applied force is called the effort and is used to overcome the
resisting force called the load. We use the law of moments in the
operation of levers.
Example

Consider the following diagram. (The bar is of negligible mass).

Determine the effort applied.

Solution

Taking moments about O. Then, clockwise moments = effort × 200

cm. Anticlockwise moments = 200 × 30 cm.

Effort = (200 × 30)/ 200 = 30 N.

Chapter Four

Equilibrium and Centre of Gravity.

Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity or C.G is the point of balance of a body in which

the total weight of the body seems to act through.

For regular shaped bodies the C.G is at the geometric center of the
body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the center of the
gravity and the law of moments can be used to determine the
weight of the body.

Example

The figure below shows a uniform bar of weight ‘W’ and length 80
cm. If a force of 20 N keeps it in balance, determine the weight ‘W’
of the bar.

Solution

Taking moments about the pivot, clockwise moments = W × 20 N

cm.

Anticlockwise moments = 20 × 30 N cm. Clockwise moments =

anticlockwise moments 20 W = 600, therefore W = 30 N.

Parallel forces and equilibrium

For a body to be in equilibrium (neither moving nor rotating), under
the action of parallel forces, the following conditions will be
satisfied;

a) The sum of upward forces must be equal to the sum of downward

forces.

b) The sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise

moments.

The two are called the first and second condition of equilibrium
respectively.

Examples 1. A uniform rod of length 1.0 m is hung from a spring

balance as shown and balanced in horizontal position by a force of
1.6 N. Determine; a) The weight of the rod

b) Reading of the spring balance.

Solution

a) Let the weight of the rod be ‘W’. W acts at 50 cm mark, therefore

taking moments about point of suspension, clockwise moments = W
× 0.2 Nm = 0.2W Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = 1.6 × 0.3 = 0.48 Nm.

Using the law of moments, then

Anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments

0.48 = 0.2 W, hence W = 2.4 N

b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward force = W + 1.6 N

= 2.4 + 1.6

= 4.0 N

Upward force = reading of the spring balance = 4.0 N

2. A uniform rod is 1.0 m long weighs 5 N. It is supported

horizontally at one end by a spring and the other end rests on a
table as shown below. A mass of 2kg is hung from the rod as shown;
determine,

a) Reading of the spring balance

b) Reaction force, F, from the table.

Solution

a) The 2kg mass and the weight of the rod (5 N) gives clockwise
moment while the spring balance provides anticlockwise moments.

Clockwise moments = (2 × 10) × 0.4 + (5 × 0.5) = 10.5 Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = S × 1 (reading of the spring balance)

1S = 10.5, hence S = 10.5 N. b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward forces = (2 × 10) + 5 = 25 N Therefore F+ 10.5 = 25,

hence F = 14.5 N.

Stability

This is a term which explains how easy or difficult it is for an object

to topple over when a force is applied to it. Factors affecting
stability,

a) Base area – the bigger the base area the more the stability.

b) Position of the center of gravity – the higher the center of gravity

the less stable the body will be.

States of equilibrium

1. Stable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount of

force it returns to its original position.

2. Unstable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount

of force it toppled over and does not return to its original position.

3. Neutral equilibrium – a body is at rest in whichever position it

is placed in i.e. it does not rise or fall when displaced.
Applications of stability

Neutral equilibrium It is used mainly in the design of motor

vehicles i.e.

a) Racing cars – they have a low and wide wheelbase to increase

their base area.

b) Double decker buses – they are manufactured with a low center

of gravity by mounting their chassis and engines as low as possible.

Chapter Five

Reflection at Curved Surfaces

Concave and convex mirrors

They are also known as spherical mirrors and are formed when a
spherical glass is silvered.

If the inside is silvered a convex or diverging is formed while a

concave or converging mirror is formed when the outside is silvered.

Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) – this is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is part of. The center itself is called the pole (P).

2. Principal axis – this is the line joining the center of curvature

(C) to the pole (P).3. Principal focus (F) – is a point on the
principal axis through which a ray is reflected when it hits a
concave mirror.

In a convex mirror the ray is reflected and appears to originate from

the point. F is virtual for a convex mirror while it is real for a
concave mirror.

4. Radius of curvature (r) - this is the distance from the pole to

the center of curvature. The distance from the pole to the principal
focus is called the focal length (f).
Parabolic mirrors.

They produce a wide parallel beam or converge a large beam of light

to a point. They are widely used in making car headlights or in
spotlights.

Images formed by spherical mirrors.

Location of images using ray diagrams.

When drawing ray diagrams, the following symbols are used to

represent the mirrors.

The image is located by drawing any two of the following

rays:

I) A ray parallel to the principal axis which is reflected through the

principal focus.

ii) A ray through the center of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since it hits the mirror normally.

iii) A ray through the principal focus which is reflected parallel to

the principal axis.

Virtual images are formed when rays diverge and as such the rays
are extended backwards using dotted line till they meet.

The image formed is also dotted since it is not formed by an

intersection of real rays.

A real image is formed by intersection of real rays.

Concave mirror.

a) Object at infinity: image is formed at F. It is real, inverted and

diminished.
Convex mirror.

g) Image is always formed behind the mirror. It is virtual, erect and

always diminished.

Applications of curved reflectors.

a) They are used in satellite dishes.

b) They are used in making shaving mirrors.

c) They are used in telescopes.

d) They are used in driving mirrors.

Magnification.

Magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.

Magnification (M) = height of the image / height of the object.

When the ratio is greater than one we say the image is magnified
and when less than one we say it is diminished.

Also magnification = image distance from the mirror / object

distance from the mirror.

Examples

1. Determine the size, position and nature of the image of an object

5.0 cm tall, placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm, at a distance 35 cm from the mirror.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. Then the focal length is 3 cm.

Object distance = 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 5.4 cm × 5 = 27 cm in front of the mirror.

Image size = 0.75 cm × 5 = 3.75 cm. Image is real and inverted.

2. A vertical object 5 cm high is placed 10 cm in front of a convex

mirror of focal length 15 cm.

find the position, size and nature of image formed. Determine the
magnification of the image.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm, then the focal length = 3 cm, object size =
1 cm Object distance = 2 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 1.2 cm × 5 = 6.0 cm behind the mirror. Image

size = 0.6 cm × 5 = 3.0 cm.

The image is virtual and erect.

Magnification = image dist. / object dist. Hence 6 /10 = 0.6

(diminished).

Chapter Six

Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current.

Introduction: Worsted’s discovery.

Hans Christian Forested discovered the magnetic effect of a current

in 1819. The direction of the field is dependent on the direction of
the current.

This discovery brought about the development of electric bells,

electric motors, telephone receivers and radios.

Determining the direction of the lines of force.

The direction of the lines of force can be determined using a simple

rule called the right-hand screw rule.
This rule states that “if a right-hand screw advances in the direction
of the current, then the rotation of the screw is in the direction of
the field”.

Another rule is the right-hand grip rule which states that “if the wire
carrying a current is gripped with the right hand, using the thumb
along the conductor and pointing in the direction of the current,
then the direction of curled fingers is in the direction of the lines of
force”.

Magnetic field due to a solenoid. The rule for polarity.

A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when

carrying electric current.

The direction of the field can be determined using a simple rule

stated as follows “if the coil (solenoid) is viewed from one end and
the current flows in an anticlockwise direction at that end, then that
end is the North Pole.

If the current flows in a clockwise direction, then that end is the

South Pole”.

Electromagnets.

An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by

passing an electric current through a coil surrounding it.

They only maintain their magnetism if current continues to flow, if

switched off they lose their magnetism.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.

1. Increasing current through the coil.

2. Increasing the number of turns of the coil.

3. Using iron of C- core shape which brings both magnetic poles

together.

Some applications of electromagnets.

a) Electric bell

When the switch is closed the current passing through the solenoids
magnetizes them and they pull the soft iron armature which makes
the hammer hit the gong therefore producing sound. When the
hammer hits the gong the contact between the spring and the screw
is broken and then stops the current from flowing.

The soft iron core loses its magnetism and releases the armature
which is then pulled back by the screw.

The contact between the spring and the screw is regained and the
process repeats itself again and again therefore the gong is struck
continuously.

b) Telephone receiver.

It consists of a u-magnet made by attaching two soft-iron bars to

the end of a short permanent magnet.

The solenoids are wound in opposite directions around the bars.

When the phone is lifted the current flows through the solenoids
depending on the microphone on the other end of the line.

These varying current spasms induce magnetism of varying

strengths in the iron bars which in turn causes the magnetic alloy
diaphragm to vibrate differently producing sound.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

When a conductor carries a current in a magnetic field a force acts

on it.

The direction of the force depends on the directions of the field and
current.

The factors affecting the magnitude of the force are;

a) The current flowing in the conductor

b) The strength of the magnet

c) The length of the conductor in the magnetic field.

The relationship between the directions of the current, field and

force are mutually perpendicular.

They are summarized in a law called Fleming’s right-hand rule or the

motor rule.

This rule states that “if you hold the first finger, the second finger
and the thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other, so that the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger points in the direction of the current in
the conductor, then the thumb points in the direction of the force
acting on the conductor”.

Applications of the force on a conductor.

Simple D.C motor.

Consists of a rectangular coil of wire mounted on an axle which can

rotate between the poles of a magnet.

For the rotation to be continuous the ends of the coil are connected
to half -rings called the split-ring commutators.

The battery terminals are attached to brushes which slide on these

half-rings. D.C motors are useful as car starter motors, hand drills,
machine motors, fans etc.

Chapter Seven

Hooke’s Law.

Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is proportional to

the applied force, provided that the force is not large enough to
deform the spring permanently”.

Mathematically expressed as Force α extension.

Spring constant
Since Force α extension then Force / Extension = constant (k). The
constant of proportionality (k) is called the spring constant. F / e =
k or Force (N) = k e. The spring constant is a measure of the
stiffness of a spring.

The greater the constant the stiffer the spring.

The spring constant varies with the following; -

a) Material – identical springs mad of different materials will have

different constants i.e. Steel and copper.

b) Diameter – the stiffness decreases with the increase in diameter.

c) Thickness of the wire – a spring made of a thicker wire is stiffer

than the one made of thin wire of the same material.

d) Length of spring – a short spring is stiffer than a longer one.

e) Number of turns per unit length – a spring with higher number of

turns per unit length is less stiff than the one with fewer turns per
unit length.

Example

1. If the springs shown below are similar and the constant of

proportionality (k) is 100 Nm - 1 , determine total extension in each
arrangement.

The spring balance

It is made up of a spring mounted in a metal or plastic casing.

The spring is fitted with a pointer which moves along a calibrated

scale divided into ten equal parts.

Examples

1. A load of 4 N causes a certain copper wire to extend by 1.0 mm.

Find the load that will cause a 3.2 mm extension on the same wire.
(Assume Hooke’s law is obeyed).
Solution

F α e also F 1 / F 2 = e 1 / e 2 = F 2 = (4 × 3.2) / 1.0 = 12.8 N. 2. A

body of 200 g was hung from the lower end of a spring which obeys
Hooke’s law. Given that the spring extended by 100 mm, what is the
spring constant for this spring? Solution F = α e, F = k e. F = 200 ×
10-3 kg × 10 N /kg = 2 N. Extension = 100 × 10 3 m = 0.1 m.

Spring constant (k) = 2 / 0.1 = 20 N/m.

3. Two identical springs, whose spring constant is 6.0 N/cm, are

used to support a load of 60 N as shown below. Determine the
extension of each spring.

Solution

Since the springs are parallel their spring constant equals 2k.
Therefore, extension = Force / k = 2 F / k = 60 / 2 × 6 = 5 cm.
Each spring will extend by 5 cm.

Chapter Eight

Waves I

A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other

waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a
vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays,
gamma rays UV rays etc. Other waves require a material medium to
be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound
waves etc.

Transverse and longitudinal pulses and waves.

1. Transverse waves – they consist of a crest and a trough. In this

case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are
perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance)
travels.

A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.

If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a

series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.
They can be produced as shown below. Examples are water waves,
light and radio waves.

2. Longitudinal waves – these are waves whereby the particles of

the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the
disturbance.

When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression)

and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.

When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original

position.

In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion

of the wave and this is known as longitudinal. Examples are the
sound waves.

Characteristics of waves

1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of

disturbance.

2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive

points in a wave).

Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in meters. 3. All

waves have frequency ‘f’ which is the number of waves passing a
point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz
(Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave
to pass a given point.

Therefore, T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).

The speed ‘v’ is given as; v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T)

× λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.

4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of

the particles of the medium as the wave passes.

Examples
1. A rope is displaced at a frequency of 3 Hz. If the distance
between two successive crests of the wave train is 0.8 m, calculate
the speed of the waves along the rope.

Solution

v = f λ = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 m Hz = 2.4 m/s.

2. The figure below illustrates part of the displacement-time graph

of a wave travelling across water at a particular place with a
velocity of 2 ms - 1 . Calculate the wave’s;

a) Amplitude

b) Frequency (f)

c) Wavelength (λ)

Solution

a) From the graph, maximum displacement (a) = 0.4 cm

b) From the graph, period T = time for one cycle = 0.20 seconds

So f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.20 = 5 Hz.

c) Velocity = f λ hence λ = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m.

Chapter Nine

Sound.

Sound is an important example of a longitudinal wave which is

composed of both compressions and rarefactions. The frequency
ranges in which compressional disturbances occur is called the sonic
spectrum and is very large.

Sound is a range of compressional wave frequencies sensitive to

human ear and is known as audio range which ranges from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.

Compressional waves with frequencies above and below the audio

range are called ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies respectively.
Nature and transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a material medium for transmission from one

point to another. Sound waves therefore cannot be transmitted in a
vacuum.

The rate of transmission diminishes as you move from solids, to

liquids then to gases.

Characteristics of sound waves

1. Intensity and loudness – intensity of sound refers to the rate

of flow of energy through an area.

The loudness of a sound generally varies with the intensity of sound.

The frequency of sound waves determines their intensity while the

amplitude determines their loudness.

2. Frequency and pitch – pitch refers to the sharpness of a sound

and is determined by its frequency.

3. Fundamental tones and harmonics – fundamental frequency is

the vibration in a wire which has the lowest possible frequency.

The fundamental frequency and the tones with the frequencies that
are whole multiples of the fundamental are called harmonics.

The fundamental frequency is also the first harmonic.

The number of segments vibrating in a string depends on the point

at which the string is plucked.

4. Quality of sound or timbre – quality of sound can be improved

by adding the second harmonic to the fundamental frequency hence
the quality depends on the number of harmonics produced
simultaneously and their relative intensities.

Echo

Echoes are produced by reflection of sound waves from hard

surfaces such as a wall or a cliff.
To hear an echo, the sound waves travels double the distance
between the source and the reflector. So to determine the velocity
of sound ‘v’ between two successive claps is given as v = distance
from the reflecting surface / half the time taken between two
successive claps Hence; speed ‘v’= distance / time = m/s.

Example

A boy strikes a railway line (steel) with a hammer.

If the speed of sound in steel is 5,200 m/s, determine the time

taken for the sound to reach another boy 2.3 km down the railway
line with his ear on the rail.

Solution

Time taken = distance / speed = 2300 / 5200 = 0.44 seconds.

Factors affecting the speed of sound

a) Temperature – speed increases with increase in temperature

especially gases since the change in liquids and solids is small it can
be neglected.

b) Nature of transmitting medium – different substances transmit

sound waves at various speeds as shown below

(I) Air – 346 m/s

(ii) Hydrogen – 1339 m/s

(iii) Water – 1498 m/s

(iv) Aluminum – 5,000 m/s

(v) Iron – 5,200 m/s

(vi) Glass – 4,540 m/s

Example

A girl claps her hands once at a distance 250 m from a vertical cliff.

If the temperature in the surrounding is 50 o C, how long does it take

for her to hear the echo?
Solution

Distance travelled = 250 × 2 = 500 m

Speed of sound = (331.5 m/s at 00) the speed in air increases at

about 0.6 m/s per 0C.

Therefore, speed at 50 o C = 331.5 + (0.6 × 5) = 334.5 m/s

Time taken = distance / speed = 500 / 334.5 = 1.5 seconds.

Chapter Ten

Fluid Flow

Fluid in physics refers to liquids and gases.

 To study fluid flow we have to make the following assumptions:

1. We consider fluids to be incompressible

2. We assume that they have little or no internal friction or viscosity.

Streamline and turbulent flow.

The path followed by a small element of a moving fluid is called a line of flow. A streamline
is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.

A streamline flow occurs when all elements of a fluid passing a particular point follow the
same path or line of flow as the elements that passed through that point previously.

A streamline flow is achieved only when the speed is low.

If the speed increases, it is characterized by whirls and eddies then it becomes a turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow generally occurs when the speed is high and where there are sharp
bends along the path of the fluid.

Equation of continuity

Consider a fluid flowing (streamline flow) through a horizontal pipe with different cross -
sectional areas as shown.
Let the cross -sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the corresponding speeds of
the fluid be V1 and V1 respectively.

The volume of fluid flowing per second in each section is given by; V = A L = A v t = A v.
Where L, v t and v is the distance moved in one second.

Since the volumes in each section is the same, then A1 V1 = A2 V2, hence A v = constant.

The above equation is known as the equation of continuity. Since A1 A2, then V2 V1. i.e. the
speed increases when a tube narrows.

The quantity (A v) is called volume efflux i.e. volume flowing per second.

Example.

A horizontal pipe of cross-sectional area 50 cm2 carries water at the rate of 0.20 liters per
second. Determine the speed;

a) Of the speed of water in the pipe.

b) When the tube narrows to 20 cm2 at another point.

Solution

a) Volume efflux = o.20 l per second = A v from V (volume) = A v, then v = V / A = 0.20 ×

10-3 / 50 × 10-4 = 0.04 m/s b) Since A1 v1 = A2 v2 then v1 = (0.05 × 0.04) / 0.02 = 0.1 m/s

Bernoulli’s principle

Daniel Bernoulli (1700 – 1782) explained the variation of pressure exerted by a moving
fluid when its speed is changed. The pressure is lower where the speed is higher.

Bernoulli’s principle states that “For a fluid flowing through a tube, the sum of the
pressure, the kinetic energy per unit volume and the potential energy per unit volume of
the fluid is a constant”. Mathematically expressed as;

P + ½ ρ v2 + ρ g h = constant. Where P – pressure, ρ – density, v= velocity, g – acceleration

due to gravity and h – height.

Bernoulli’s effect

When air is blown through the tunnel formed, the area marked ‘T’ collapses inwards
showing that pressure outside is more than the one inside the tunnel.

The pressure inside the tunnel decreases as the air through it increases in speed.
Applications of Bernoulli’s principle.

1. Car carburetor– inside the carburetor the air passage is partially constricted at the point
where petrol mixes with air hence air intake increases the speed of air while decreasing the
pressure inside for petrol to vaporize quickly before it gets to the cylinder where
combustion occurs.

2. Horizontal pipe – for a streamline flow through a pipe the term ρ g h is eliminated from
the Bernoulli’s equation leaving P + ½ ρ v2 = constant, indicating that pressure in liquid is
greatest when speed is least.

When this is combined with the equation of continuity, the pressure is then greatest when
the pipe is widest hence the following observation.

3. Dynamic lift - when air is blown at the top a flat sheet of paper the ends of the paper
moves upward and this because the speed of air on top of the paper is greater than below
and according to Bernoulli’s principle the pressure on top lowers and the pressure below
becomes sufficient enough to produce a force which moves the paper upwards.

This is what is referred to as the dynamic lift since it is caused by motion.

The upward force is equal to the product of the pressure difference and the area of the
surface lifted.

It is applied in the taking off of air-planes, the trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer
and Bunsen burner among others.

Physics Form Two Notes

Chapter One

Magnetism

Introduction

Magnets are substances that are able to attract and hold items.
Lodestone is the only known natural magnet which was discovered
by the Chinese 2,000 years ago.
Other magnets produced artificially by man are called artificial l
magnets.

Magnets and non-magnetic materials

Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets

while non-magnetic ones are those that are not affected by
magnets.

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic substances, while wood,
glass and copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.

Substances that are repelled by magnets are said to be diamagnetic

whereas those which are strongly attracted i.e. iron, nickel, cobalt
are called ferromagnetic materials.

The materials that are so lightly attracted such that the magnet
seems to have no effect on them are called paramagnetic materials
(mostly non-magnetic materials).

Ferrites are a mixture of iron oxide and barium oxide are the most
newly developed magnetic materials.

Ceramic magnets or magnate magnets are made from ferrites and

are very strong.

Properties of magnets

1. They are double poled substances with both the North and South
poles.

2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Repulsion is a sure

method of determining whether two substances are magnets.

3. The greatest magnetic force is concentrated around the poles of a

magnet.

Magnetic field patterns.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field

(force) is observed.

Plotting field patterns

A line of force gives the direction of the magnetic field at each point
along it.

Their closeness is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field or

of the force that would be exerted by the bar magnet.

Examples of field patterns.

The points marked ‘X’ are called neutral points where there is no
magnetic field at such points.

Watches (non-digital), electron beams in cathode ray tubes and TV

sets are shielded from external magnetic fields by placing a soft-iron
cylinder around the neck of the tube or watch.

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

a) Magnetic induction – this is a process by which magnets are

made by placing ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field.
Materials like iron lose their magnetism easily and are said to be
soft while others like steel gain magnetism slowly but retain it
longer and are therefore said to be hard and are used to make
permanent magnets.

b) Magnetizing by stroking – the object to be magnetized is

placed on a bench then a bar magnet is dragged along the length of
the bar from one end to the other.

This is repeated several times and the object becomes magnetized.

This method is known as single-stroke method.

c) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of

magnetic effect of an electric current through a solenoid (insulated
wire of many turns).

Demagnetizing
Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a
magnet.

The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;

a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction

b) Heating them strongly

c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an arc. current

through it for a short time.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to

each other attached to pieces of soft iron called keepers.

b) Magnets should not be hammered especially with their poles

facing E-W direction.

c) Magnets should not be heated strongly or dropped roughly on

hard surfaces.

d) Magnets should not be placed near alternating currents.

e) Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them
lose their magnetism.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

Domain theory of magnetism.

In ferromagnetic substances small atomic magnets form large
groups called domains.

These atomic magnets face one direction where the direction varies
from one domain to another.

In an un-magnetized crystal, the directions of these domains are

different hence their resultant magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field the atomic

magnets rotate and eventually all domains face the same direction.

When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized we say it is saturated.

This means that the magnetism of the material cannot be increased

by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

Chapter Two

Measurement II

Measuring length using Vernier calipers.

Vernier calipers is used when higher accuracy in measurement is

required and this cannot be done using a meter rule.

Vernier calipers has two scales; main scale and Vernier scale.
Outside jaws are used to measure both lengths and external
diameters, inside jaws for measuring internal diameters while the
tail is used for measuring depths of cavities.

The main scale is divided into cm and mm. The Vernier scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions of 0.9 mm each. The accuracy of
Vernier calipers is 0.10 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The main scale is read at zero mark of the Vernier scale. The
values given in cm.
b) The Vernier is read at the position where a mark on the Vernier
scale is exactly lined up with a mark on the main scale. The values
are given as a two decimal of a cm.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following diagram.

Solution

Main scale reading: - 2.7 cm

Vernier scale reading: - 0.04 cm

Adding both we get 2.74 cm.

2. What is the reading of the Vernier calipers shown below?

Solution

Main scale reading - 7.6 cm Vernier scale reading - 0.04 cm Adding

both readings we get 7.64 cm.

Micrometer screw gauge

It is a device used to measure small lengths.

It has an accuracy of 0.01 mm. It has two scales; the sleeve scale
and thimble scale.

The sleeve scale is divided into upper and lower scales with the
upper division in mm and lower divisions in 0.5 mm.

Thimble scale is divided into 50 equal divisions each division

consisting of 0.01 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The reading on the sleeve scale is read ta the point where it

touches the edge of the thimble in mm and half mm.
b) The thimble scale is read at the point where the center line of the
sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following.

Solution Sleeve reading – 3.5 mm Thimble reading – 0.45 mm

Adding up we get 3.95 mm.

2. What is the reading in the following micrometer screw gauge?

Solution

Sleeve scale reading – 4.0 mm Thimble scale reading - 0. 32 mm

Adding up the two we get 4.32 mm.

Calculating the size of a molecule.

Both the volume and area of a drop can be calculated using the
following formulas Volume = 4/3 πr 3 and Area = πr 2 h.

Examples

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm 3 , was placed on a

surface of clean water.

The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Estimate
the size of the olive oil.

Solution

Volume = 0.12 mm 2 . Area of the oil patch = 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Volume

= area × thickness of the patch, therefore Thickness of the oil patch
= volume / area = 0.12 / 6.0 × 104 = 2.0 × 10-6 mm or 2.0 × 10-9
m.

2. Suppose an oil drop has a volume of 0.10 mm 3 and forms a film

with a radius of 10 cm.

Calculate, the thickness of the oil film. Solution

Area of the film = πr 2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm 2 = 31,400 mm 2 .

Thickness of the oil film = volume / area, hence 0.10 / 31,400 = 3.0
× 10-6 mm.

(The thickness of the oil film is called upper limit to the size of
molecule because the molecule cannot be bigger than the thickness
of the oil film)

Chapter Three

Turning Effect of a Force

Turning effects

The turning effect of a body is called the moment of that force.

The turning effect produced depends on both the size of the force
and the distance from the pivot.

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force

applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (or turning
point) to the line of action of the force.

Hence, Moments of a force = Force × perpendicular distance from

pivot.

The law of moments

The law of moments states that “when a body is in balance or in

equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments equals the sum of
anti-clockwise moments”.

The SI units of the moments of a force is Newton meter (Nm).

Examples

1. A uniform rod of negligible mass balances when a weight of 3 N is

at A, weight of 3 N is at B and a weight of W is at C. What is the
value of weight W?

2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of

‘x’ if the bar is balanced.
Solution

The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,

Clockwise moments = 10 × 30 = 300 N cm, Anticlockwise

moments = 10 × ‘x’ = 10 x. N cm. Using the principle of moments

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

10 x = 300, hence x = 30 cm.

3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.

Solution

Clockwise moments = 15x N + 5(X × 20) N

Anticlockwise moments = (20 × 10) + (60 × 10) N cm, = 800 N cm.

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

800 N cm = 15X + 5X + 100

800 n cm = 20X + 100

20X = 700

X = 35 cm.

Therefore, the length of the bar = 40 + 20 + 35 + 20 = 115 cm.

The lever

A lever is any device which can turn about a pivot or fulcrum.

The applied force is called the effort and is used to overcome the
resisting force called the load. We use the law of moments in the
operation of levers.
Example

Consider the following diagram. (The bar is of negligible mass).

Determine the effort applied.

Solution

Taking moments about O. Then, clockwise moments = effort × 200

cm. Anticlockwise moments = 200 × 30 cm.

Effort = (200 × 30)/ 200 = 30 N.

Chapter Four

Equilibrium and Centre of Gravity.

Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity or C.G is the point of balance of a body in which

the total weight of the body seems to act through.

For regular shaped bodies the C.G is at the geometric center of the
body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the center of the
gravity and the law of moments can be used to determine the
weight of the body.

Example

The figure below shows a uniform bar of weight ‘W’ and length 80
cm. If a force of 20 N keeps it in balance, determine the weight ‘W’
of the bar.

Solution

Taking moments about the pivot, clockwise moments = W × 20 N

cm.

Anticlockwise moments = 20 × 30 N cm. Clockwise moments =

anticlockwise moments 20 W = 600, therefore W = 30 N.

Parallel forces and equilibrium

For a body to be in equilibrium (neither moving nor rotating), under
the action of parallel forces, the following conditions will be
satisfied;

a) The sum of upward forces must be equal to the sum of downward

forces.

b) The sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise

moments.

The two are called the first and second condition of equilibrium
respectively.

Examples 1. A uniform rod of length 1.0 m is hung from a spring

balance as shown and balanced in horizontal position by a force of
1.6 N. Determine; a) The weight of the rod

b) Reading of the spring balance.

Solution

a) Let the weight of the rod be ‘W’. W acts at 50 cm mark, therefore

taking moments about point of suspension, clockwise moments = W
× 0.2 Nm = 0.2W Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = 1.6 × 0.3 = 0.48 Nm.

Using the law of moments, then

Anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments

0.48 = 0.2 W, hence W = 2.4 N

b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward force = W + 1.6 N

= 2.4 + 1.6

= 4.0 N

Upward force = reading of the spring balance = 4.0 N

2. A uniform rod is 1.0 m long weighs 5 N. It is supported

horizontally at one end by a spring and the other end rests on a
table as shown below. A mass of 2kg is hung from the rod as shown;
determine,

a) Reading of the spring balance

b) Reaction force, F, from the table.

Solution

a) The 2kg mass and the weight of the rod (5 N) gives clockwise
moment while the spring balance provides anticlockwise moments.

Clockwise moments = (2 × 10) × 0.4 + (5 × 0.5) = 10.5 Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = S × 1 (reading of the spring balance)

1S = 10.5, hence S = 10.5 N. b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward forces = (2 × 10) + 5 = 25 N Therefore F+ 10.5 = 25,

hence F = 14.5 N.

Stability

This is a term which explains how easy or difficult it is for an object

to topple over when a force is applied to it. Factors affecting
stability,

a) Base area – the bigger the base area the more the stability.

b) Position of the center of gravity – the higher the center of gravity

the less stable the body will be.

States of equilibrium

1. Stable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount of

force it returns to its original position.

2. Unstable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount

of force it toppled over and does not return to its original position.

3. Neutral equilibrium – a body is at rest in whichever position it

is placed in i.e. it does not rise or fall when displaced.
Applications of stability

Neutral equilibrium It is used mainly in the design of motor

vehicles i.e.

a) Racing cars – they have a low and wide wheelbase to increase

their base area.

b) Double decker buses – they are manufactured with a low center

of gravity by mounting their chassis and engines as low as possible.

Chapter Five

Reflection at Curved Surfaces

Concave and convex mirrors

They are also known as spherical mirrors and are formed when a
spherical glass is silvered.

If the inside is silvered a convex or diverging is formed while a

concave or converging mirror is formed when the outside is silvered.

Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) – this is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is part of. The center itself is called the pole (P).

2. Principal axis – this is the line joining the center of curvature

(C) to the pole (P).3. Principal focus (F) – is a point on the
principal axis through which a ray is reflected when it hits a
concave mirror.

In a convex mirror the ray is reflected and appears to originate from

the point. F is virtual for a convex mirror while it is real for a
concave mirror.

4. Radius of curvature (r) - this is the distance from the pole to

the center of curvature. The distance from the pole to the principal
focus is called the focal length (f).
Parabolic mirrors.

They produce a wide parallel beam or converge a large beam of light

to a point. They are widely used in making car headlights or in
spotlights.

Images formed by spherical mirrors.

Location of images using ray diagrams.

When drawing ray diagrams, the following symbols are used to

represent the mirrors.

The image is located by drawing any two of the following

rays:

I) A ray parallel to the principal axis which is reflected through the

principal focus.

ii) A ray through the center of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since it hits the mirror normally.

iii) A ray through the principal focus which is reflected parallel to

the principal axis.

Virtual images are formed when rays diverge and as such the rays
are extended backwards using dotted line till they meet.

The image formed is also dotted since it is not formed by an

intersection of real rays.

A real image is formed by intersection of real rays.

Concave mirror.

a) Object at infinity: image is formed at F. It is real, inverted and

diminished.
Convex mirror.

g) Image is always formed behind the mirror. It is virtual, erect and

always diminished.

Applications of curved reflectors.

a) They are used in satellite dishes.

b) They are used in making shaving mirrors.

c) They are used in telescopes.

d) They are used in driving mirrors.

Magnification.

Magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.

Magnification (M) = height of the image / height of the object.

When the ratio is greater than one we say the image is magnified
and when less than one we say it is diminished.

Also magnification = image distance from the mirror / object

distance from the mirror.

Examples

1. Determine the size, position and nature of the image of an object

5.0 cm tall, placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm, at a distance 35 cm from the mirror.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. Then the focal length is 3 cm.

Object distance = 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 5.4 cm × 5 = 27 cm in front of the mirror.

Image size = 0.75 cm × 5 = 3.75 cm. Image is real and inverted.

2. A vertical object 5 cm high is placed 10 cm in front of a convex

mirror of focal length 15 cm.

find the position, size and nature of image formed. Determine the
magnification of the image.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm, then the focal length = 3 cm, object size =
1 cm Object distance = 2 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 1.2 cm × 5 = 6.0 cm behind the mirror. Image

size = 0.6 cm × 5 = 3.0 cm.

The image is virtual and erect.

Magnification = image dist. / object dist. Hence 6 /10 = 0.6

(diminished).

Chapter Six

Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current.

Introduction: Worsted’s discovery.

Hans Christian Forested discovered the magnetic effect of a current

in 1819. The direction of the field is dependent on the direction of
the current.

This discovery brought about the development of electric bells,

electric motors, telephone receivers and radios.

Determining the direction of the lines of force.

The direction of the lines of force can be determined using a simple

rule called the right-hand screw rule.
This rule states that “if a right-hand screw advances in the direction
of the current, then the rotation of the screw is in the direction of
the field”.

Another rule is the right-hand grip rule which states that “if the wire
carrying a current is gripped with the right hand, using the thumb
along the conductor and pointing in the direction of the current,
then the direction of curled fingers is in the direction of the lines of
force”.

Magnetic field due to a solenoid. The rule for polarity.

A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when

carrying electric current.

The direction of the field can be determined using a simple rule

stated as follows “if the coil (solenoid) is viewed from one end and
the current flows in an anticlockwise direction at that end, then that
end is the North Pole.

If the current flows in a clockwise direction, then that end is the

South Pole”.

Electromagnets.

An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by

passing an electric current through a coil surrounding it.

They only maintain their magnetism if current continues to flow, if

switched off they lose their magnetism.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.

1. Increasing current through the coil.

2. Increasing the number of turns of the coil.

3. Using iron of C- core shape which brings both magnetic poles

together.

Some applications of electromagnets.

a) Electric bell

When the switch is closed the current passing through the solenoids
magnetizes them and they pull the soft iron armature which makes
the hammer hit the gong therefore producing sound. When the
hammer hits the gong the contact between the spring and the screw
is broken and then stops the current from flowing.

The soft iron core loses its magnetism and releases the armature
which is then pulled back by the screw.

The contact between the spring and the screw is regained and the
process repeats itself again and again therefore the gong is struck
continuously.

b) Telephone receiver.

It consists of a u-magnet made by attaching two soft-iron bars to

the end of a short permanent magnet.

The solenoids are wound in opposite directions around the bars.

When the phone is lifted the current flows through the solenoids
depending on the microphone on the other end of the line.

These varying current spasms induce magnetism of varying

strengths in the iron bars which in turn causes the magnetic alloy
diaphragm to vibrate differently producing sound.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

When a conductor carries a current in a magnetic field a force acts

on it.

The direction of the force depends on the directions of the field and
current.

The factors affecting the magnitude of the force are;

a) The current flowing in the conductor

b) The strength of the magnet

c) The length of the conductor in the magnetic field.

The relationship between the directions of the current, field and

force are mutually perpendicular.

They are summarized in a law called Fleming’s right-hand rule or the

motor rule.

This rule states that “if you hold the first finger, the second finger
and the thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other, so that the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger points in the direction of the current in
the conductor, then the thumb points in the direction of the force
acting on the conductor”.

Applications of the force on a conductor.

Simple D.C motor.

Consists of a rectangular coil of wire mounted on an axle which can

rotate between the poles of a magnet.

For the rotation to be continuous the ends of the coil are connected
to half -rings called the split-ring commutators.

The battery terminals are attached to brushes which slide on these

half-rings. D.C motors are useful as car starter motors, hand drills,
machine motors, fans etc.

Chapter Seven

Hooke’s Law.

Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is proportional to

the applied force, provided that the force is not large enough to
deform the spring permanently”.

Mathematically expressed as Force α extension.

Spring constant
Since Force α extension then Force / Extension = constant (k). The
constant of proportionality (k) is called the spring constant. F / e =
k or Force (N) = k e. The spring constant is a measure of the
stiffness of a spring.

The greater the constant the stiffer the spring.

The spring constant varies with the following; -

a) Material – identical springs mad of different materials will have

different constants i.e. Steel and copper.

b) Diameter – the stiffness decreases with the increase in diameter.

c) Thickness of the wire – a spring made of a thicker wire is stiffer

than the one made of thin wire of the same material.

d) Length of spring – a short spring is stiffer than a longer one.

e) Number of turns per unit length – a spring with higher number of

turns per unit length is less stiff than the one with fewer turns per
unit length.

Example

1. If the springs shown below are similar and the constant of

proportionality (k) is 100 Nm - 1 , determine total extension in each
arrangement.

The spring balance

It is made up of a spring mounted in a metal or plastic casing.

The spring is fitted with a pointer which moves along a calibrated

scale divided into ten equal parts.

Examples

1. A load of 4 N causes a certain copper wire to extend by 1.0 mm.

Find the load that will cause a 3.2 mm extension on the same wire.
(Assume Hooke’s law is obeyed).
Solution

F α e also F 1 / F 2 = e 1 / e 2 = F 2 = (4 × 3.2) / 1.0 = 12.8 N. 2. A

body of 200 g was hung from the lower end of a spring which obeys
Hooke’s law. Given that the spring extended by 100 mm, what is the
spring constant for this spring? Solution F = α e, F = k e. F = 200 ×
10-3 kg × 10 N /kg = 2 N. Extension = 100 × 10 3 m = 0.1 m.

Spring constant (k) = 2 / 0.1 = 20 N/m.

3. Two identical springs, whose spring constant is 6.0 N/cm, are

used to support a load of 60 N as shown below. Determine the
extension of each spring.

Solution

Since the springs are parallel their spring constant equals 2k.
Therefore, extension = Force / k = 2 F / k = 60 / 2 × 6 = 5 cm.
Each spring will extend by 5 cm.

Chapter Eight

Waves I

A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other

waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a
vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays,
gamma rays UV rays etc. Other waves require a material medium to
be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound
waves etc.

Transverse and longitudinal pulses and waves.

1. Transverse waves – they consist of a crest and a trough. In this

case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are
perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance)
travels.

A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.

If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a

series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.
They can be produced as shown below. Examples are water waves,
light and radio waves.

2. Longitudinal waves – these are waves whereby the particles of

the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the
disturbance.

When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression)

and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.

When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original

position.

In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion

of the wave and this is known as longitudinal. Examples are the
sound waves.

Characteristics of waves

1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of

disturbance.

2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive

points in a wave).

Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in meters. 3. All

waves have frequency ‘f’ which is the number of waves passing a
point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz
(Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave
to pass a given point.

Therefore, T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).

The speed ‘v’ is given as; v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T)

× λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.

4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of

the particles of the medium as the wave passes.

Examples
1. A rope is displaced at a frequency of 3 Hz. If the distance
between two successive crests of the wave train is 0.8 m, calculate
the speed of the waves along the rope.

Solution

v = f λ = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 m Hz = 2.4 m/s.

2. The figure below illustrates part of the displacement-time graph

of a wave travelling across water at a particular place with a
velocity of 2 ms - 1 . Calculate the wave’s;

a) Amplitude

b) Frequency (f)

c) Wavelength (λ)

Solution

a) From the graph, maximum displacement (a) = 0.4 cm

b) From the graph, period T = time for one cycle = 0.20 seconds

So f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.20 = 5 Hz.

c) Velocity = f λ hence λ = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m.

Chapter Nine

Sound.

Sound is an important example of a longitudinal wave which is

composed of both compressions and rarefactions. The frequency
ranges in which compressional disturbances occur is called the sonic
spectrum and is very large.

Sound is a range of compressional wave frequencies sensitive to

human ear and is known as audio range which ranges from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.

Compressional waves with frequencies above and below the audio

range are called ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies respectively.
Nature and transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a material medium for transmission from one

point to another. Sound waves therefore cannot be transmitted in a
vacuum.

The rate of transmission diminishes as you move from solids, to

liquids then to gases.

Characteristics of sound waves

1. Intensity and loudness – intensity of sound refers to the rate

of flow of energy through an area.

The loudness of a sound generally varies with the intensity of sound.

The frequency of sound waves determines their intensity while the

amplitude determines their loudness.

2. Frequency and pitch – pitch refers to the sharpness of a sound

and is determined by its frequency.

3. Fundamental tones and harmonics – fundamental frequency is

the vibration in a wire which has the lowest possible frequency.

The fundamental frequency and the tones with the frequencies that
are whole multiples of the fundamental are called harmonics.

The fundamental frequency is also the first harmonic.

The number of segments vibrating in a string depends on the point

at which the string is plucked.

4. Quality of sound or timbre – quality of sound can be improved

by adding the second harmonic to the fundamental frequency hence
the quality depends on the number of harmonics produced
simultaneously and their relative intensities.

Echo

Echoes are produced by reflection of sound waves from hard

surfaces such as a wall or a cliff.
To hear an echo, the sound waves travels double the distance
between the source and the reflector. So to determine the velocity
of sound ‘v’ between two successive claps is given as v = distance
from the reflecting surface / half the time taken between two
successive claps Hence; speed ‘v’= distance / time = m/s.

Example

A boy strikes a railway line (steel) with a hammer.

If the speed of sound in steel is 5,200 m/s, determine the time

taken for the sound to reach another boy 2.3 km down the railway
line with his ear on the rail.

Solution

Time taken = distance / speed = 2300 / 5200 = 0.44 seconds.

Factors affecting the speed of sound

a) Temperature – speed increases with increase in temperature

especially gases since the change in liquids and solids is small it can
be neglected.

b) Nature of transmitting medium – different substances transmit

sound waves at various speeds as shown below

(I) Air – 346 m/s

(ii) Hydrogen – 1339 m/s

(iii) Water – 1498 m/s

(iv) Aluminum – 5,000 m/s

(v) Iron – 5,200 m/s

(vi) Glass – 4,540 m/s

Example

A girl claps her hands once at a distance 250 m from a vertical cliff.

If the temperature in the surrounding is 50 o C, how long does it take

for her to hear the echo?
Solution

Distance travelled = 250 × 2 = 500 m

Speed of sound = (331.5 m/s at 00) the speed in air increases at

about 0.6 m/s per 0C.

Therefore, speed at 50 o C = 331.5 + (0.6 × 5) = 334.5 m/s

Time taken = distance / speed = 500 / 334.5 = 1.5 seconds.

Chapter Ten

Fluid Flow

Fluid in physics refers to liquids and gases.

 To study fluid flow we have to make the following assumptions:

1. We consider fluids to be incompressible

2. We assume that they have little or no internal friction or viscosity.

Streamline and turbulent flow.

The path followed by a small element of a moving fluid is called a line of flow. A streamline
is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.

A streamline flow occurs when all elements of a fluid passing a particular point follow the
same path or line of flow as the elements that passed through that point previously.

A streamline flow is achieved only when the speed is low.

If the speed increases, it is characterized by whirls and eddies then it becomes a turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow generally occurs when the speed is high and where there are sharp
bends along the path of the fluid.

Equation of continuity

Consider a fluid flowing (streamline flow) through a horizontal pipe with different cross -
sectional areas as shown.
Let the cross -sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the corresponding speeds of
the fluid be V1 and V1 respectively.

The volume of fluid flowing per second in each section is given by; V = A L = A v t = A v.
Where L, v t and v is the distance moved in one second.

Since the volumes in each section is the same, then A1 V1 = A2 V2, hence A v = constant.

The above equation is known as the equation of continuity. Since A1 A2, then V2 V1. i.e. the
speed increases when a tube narrows.

The quantity (A v) is called volume efflux i.e. volume flowing per second.

Example.

A horizontal pipe of cross-sectional area 50 cm2 carries water at the rate of 0.20 liters per
second. Determine the speed;

a) Of the speed of water in the pipe.

b) When the tube narrows to 20 cm2 at another point.

Solution

a) Volume efflux = o.20 l per second = A v from V (volume) = A v, then v = V / A = 0.20 ×

10-3 / 50 × 10-4 = 0.04 m/s b) Since A1 v1 = A2 v2 then v1 = (0.05 × 0.04) / 0.02 = 0.1 m/s

Bernoulli’s principle

Daniel Bernoulli (1700 – 1782) explained the variation of pressure exerted by a moving
fluid when its speed is changed. The pressure is lower where the speed is higher.

Bernoulli’s principle states that “For a fluid flowing through a tube, the sum of the
pressure, the kinetic energy per unit volume and the potential energy per unit volume of
the fluid is a constant”. Mathematically expressed as;

P + ½ ρ v2 + ρ g h = constant. Where P – pressure, ρ – density, v= velocity, g – acceleration

due to gravity and h – height.

Bernoulli’s effect

When air is blown through the tunnel formed, the area marked ‘T’ collapses inwards
showing that pressure outside is more than the one inside the tunnel.

The pressure inside the tunnel decreases as the air through it increases in speed.
Applications of Bernoulli’s principle.

1. Car carburetor– inside the carburetor the air passage is partially constricted at the point
where petrol mixes with air hence air intake increases the speed of air while decreasing the
pressure inside for petrol to vaporize quickly before it gets to the cylinder where
combustion occurs.

2. Horizontal pipe – for a streamline flow through a pipe the term ρ g h is eliminated from
the Bernoulli’s equation leaving P + ½ ρ v2 = constant, indicating that pressure in liquid is
greatest when speed is least.

When this is combined with the equation of continuity, the pressure is then greatest when
the pipe is widest hence the following observation.

3. Dynamic lift - when air is blown at the top a flat sheet of paper the ends of the paper
moves upward and this because the speed of air on top of the paper is greater than below
and according to Bernoulli’s principle the pressure on top lowers and the pressure below
becomes sufficient enough to produce a force which moves the paper upwards.

This is what is referred to as the dynamic lift since it is caused by motion.

The upward force is equal to the product of the pressure difference and the area of the
surface lifted.

It is applied in the taking off of air-planes, the trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer
and Bunsen burner among others.

Physics Form Two Notes

Chapter One

Magnetism

Introduction

Magnets are substances that are able to attract and hold items.
Lodestone is the only known natural magnet which was discovered
by the Chinese 2,000 years ago.
Other magnets produced artificially by man are called artificial l
magnets.

Magnets and non-magnetic materials

Magnetic materials are those that are strongly attracted by magnets

while non-magnetic ones are those that are not affected by
magnets.

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel are magnetic substances, while wood,
glass and copper are examples of non-magnetic substances.

Substances that are repelled by magnets are said to be diamagnetic

whereas those which are strongly attracted i.e. iron, nickel, cobalt
are called ferromagnetic materials.

The materials that are so lightly attracted such that the magnet
seems to have no effect on them are called paramagnetic materials
(mostly non-magnetic materials).

Ferrites are a mixture of iron oxide and barium oxide are the most
newly developed magnetic materials.

Ceramic magnets or magnate magnets are made from ferrites and

are very strong.

Properties of magnets

1. They are double poled substances with both the North and South
poles.

2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Repulsion is a sure

method of determining whether two substances are magnets.

3. The greatest magnetic force is concentrated around the poles of a

magnet.

Magnetic field patterns.

Magnetic field is the space around a magnet where magnetic field

(force) is observed.

Plotting field patterns

A line of force gives the direction of the magnetic field at each point
along it.

Their closeness is a measure of the strength of the magnetic field or

of the force that would be exerted by the bar magnet.

Examples of field patterns.

The points marked ‘X’ are called neutral points where there is no
magnetic field at such points.

Watches (non-digital), electron beams in cathode ray tubes and TV

sets are shielded from external magnetic fields by placing a soft-iron
cylinder around the neck of the tube or watch.

Making magnets

The following are methods used to make magnets.

a) Magnetic induction – this is a process by which magnets are

made by placing ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field.
Materials like iron lose their magnetism easily and are said to be
soft while others like steel gain magnetism slowly but retain it
longer and are therefore said to be hard and are used to make
permanent magnets.

b) Magnetizing by stroking – the object to be magnetized is

placed on a bench then a bar magnet is dragged along the length of
the bar from one end to the other.

This is repeated several times and the object becomes magnetized.

This method is known as single-stroke method.

c) Magnetizing using an electric current – this is the use of

magnetic effect of an electric current through a solenoid (insulated
wire of many turns).

Demagnetizing
Demagnetizing is the process of removing magnetic properties of a
magnet.

The following methods are which a magnet can lose its magnetism;

a) Hammering them hard with their poles facing E-W direction

b) Heating them strongly

c) Placing a magnet inside a solenoid and passing an arc. current

through it for a short time.

Caring for magnets

a) Magnets should be stored in pairs with unlike poles adjacent to

each other attached to pieces of soft iron called keepers.

b) Magnets should not be hammered especially with their poles

facing E-W direction.

c) Magnets should not be heated strongly or dropped roughly on

hard surfaces.

d) Magnets should not be placed near alternating currents.

e) Magnets should be kept dry and clean since rust can make them
lose their magnetism.

Uses of magnets

1. Used in making other magnets

2. Used in making loud speakers

3. Used in making moving coil meters

4. Used in making telephone speakers.

Domain theory of magnetism.

In ferromagnetic substances small atomic magnets form large
groups called domains.

These atomic magnets face one direction where the direction varies
from one domain to another.

In an un-magnetized crystal, the directions of these domains are

different hence their resultant magnetism is zero.

When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field the atomic

magnets rotate and eventually all domains face the same direction.

When this happens then the material becomes magnetized.

When a material is magnetized we say it is saturated.

This means that the magnetism of the material cannot be increased

by any other method and this is the domain theory of magnetism.

Chapter Two

Measurement II

Measuring length using Vernier calipers.

Vernier calipers is used when higher accuracy in measurement is

required and this cannot be done using a meter rule.

Vernier calipers has two scales; main scale and Vernier scale.
Outside jaws are used to measure both lengths and external
diameters, inside jaws for measuring internal diameters while the
tail is used for measuring depths of cavities.

The main scale is divided into cm and mm. The Vernier scale is
divided into 10 equal divisions of 0.9 mm each. The accuracy of
Vernier calipers is 0.10 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The main scale is read at zero mark of the Vernier scale. The
values given in cm.
b) The Vernier is read at the position where a mark on the Vernier
scale is exactly lined up with a mark on the main scale. The values
are given as a two decimal of a cm.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following diagram.

Solution

Main scale reading: - 2.7 cm

Vernier scale reading: - 0.04 cm

Adding both we get 2.74 cm.

2. What is the reading of the Vernier calipers shown below?

Solution

Main scale reading - 7.6 cm Vernier scale reading - 0.04 cm Adding

both readings we get 7.64 cm.

Micrometer screw gauge

It is a device used to measure small lengths.

It has an accuracy of 0.01 mm. It has two scales; the sleeve scale
and thimble scale.

The sleeve scale is divided into upper and lower scales with the
upper division in mm and lower divisions in 0.5 mm.

Thimble scale is divided into 50 equal divisions each division

consisting of 0.01 mm.

The reading is taken in two steps;

a) The reading on the sleeve scale is read ta the point where it

touches the edge of the thimble in mm and half mm.
b) The thimble scale is read at the point where the center line of the
sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.

Examples

1. Give the reading in the following.

Solution Sleeve reading – 3.5 mm Thimble reading – 0.45 mm

Adding up we get 3.95 mm.

2. What is the reading in the following micrometer screw gauge?

Solution

Sleeve scale reading – 4.0 mm Thimble scale reading - 0. 32 mm

Adding up the two we get 4.32 mm.

Calculating the size of a molecule.

Both the volume and area of a drop can be calculated using the
following formulas Volume = 4/3 πr 3 and Area = πr 2 h.

Examples

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm 3 , was placed on a

surface of clean water.

The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Estimate
the size of the olive oil.

Solution

Volume = 0.12 mm 2 . Area of the oil patch = 6.0 × 104 mm 2 . Volume

= area × thickness of the patch, therefore Thickness of the oil patch
= volume / area = 0.12 / 6.0 × 104 = 2.0 × 10-6 mm or 2.0 × 10-9
m.

2. Suppose an oil drop has a volume of 0.10 mm 3 and forms a film

with a radius of 10 cm.

Calculate, the thickness of the oil film. Solution

Area of the film = πr 2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm 2 = 31,400 mm 2 .

Thickness of the oil film = volume / area, hence 0.10 / 31,400 = 3.0
× 10-6 mm.

(The thickness of the oil film is called upper limit to the size of
molecule because the molecule cannot be bigger than the thickness
of the oil film)

Chapter Three

Turning Effect of a Force

Turning effects

The turning effect of a body is called the moment of that force.

The turning effect produced depends on both the size of the force
and the distance from the pivot.

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force

applied and the perpendicular distance from the pivot (or turning
point) to the line of action of the force.

Hence, Moments of a force = Force × perpendicular distance from

pivot.

The law of moments

The law of moments states that “when a body is in balance or in

equilibrium, the sum of the clockwise moments equals the sum of
anti-clockwise moments”.

The SI units of the moments of a force is Newton meter (Nm).

Examples

1. A uniform rod of negligible mass balances when a weight of 3 N is

at A, weight of 3 N is at B and a weight of W is at C. What is the
value of weight W?

2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of

‘x’ if the bar is balanced.
Solution

The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,

Clockwise moments = 10 × 30 = 300 N cm, Anticlockwise

moments = 10 × ‘x’ = 10 x. N cm. Using the principle of moments

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

10 x = 300, hence x = 30 cm.

3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.

Solution

Clockwise moments = 15x N + 5(X × 20) N

Anticlockwise moments = (20 × 10) + (60 × 10) N cm, = 800 N cm.

Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments

800 N cm = 15X + 5X + 100

800 n cm = 20X + 100

20X = 700

X = 35 cm.

Therefore, the length of the bar = 40 + 20 + 35 + 20 = 115 cm.

The lever

A lever is any device which can turn about a pivot or fulcrum.

The applied force is called the effort and is used to overcome the
resisting force called the load. We use the law of moments in the
operation of levers.
Example

Consider the following diagram. (The bar is of negligible mass).

Determine the effort applied.

Solution

Taking moments about O. Then, clockwise moments = effort × 200

cm. Anticlockwise moments = 200 × 30 cm.

Effort = (200 × 30)/ 200 = 30 N.

Chapter Four

Equilibrium and Centre of Gravity.

Centre of gravity

Centre of gravity or C.G is the point of balance of a body in which

the total weight of the body seems to act through.

For regular shaped bodies the C.G is at the geometric center of the
body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the center of the
gravity and the law of moments can be used to determine the
weight of the body.

Example

The figure below shows a uniform bar of weight ‘W’ and length 80
cm. If a force of 20 N keeps it in balance, determine the weight ‘W’
of the bar.

Solution

Taking moments about the pivot, clockwise moments = W × 20 N

cm.

Anticlockwise moments = 20 × 30 N cm. Clockwise moments =

anticlockwise moments 20 W = 600, therefore W = 30 N.

Parallel forces and equilibrium

For a body to be in equilibrium (neither moving nor rotating), under
the action of parallel forces, the following conditions will be
satisfied;

a) The sum of upward forces must be equal to the sum of downward

forces.

b) The sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise

moments.

The two are called the first and second condition of equilibrium
respectively.

Examples 1. A uniform rod of length 1.0 m is hung from a spring

balance as shown and balanced in horizontal position by a force of
1.6 N. Determine; a) The weight of the rod

b) Reading of the spring balance.

Solution

a) Let the weight of the rod be ‘W’. W acts at 50 cm mark, therefore

taking moments about point of suspension, clockwise moments = W
× 0.2 Nm = 0.2W Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = 1.6 × 0.3 = 0.48 Nm.

Using the law of moments, then

Anticlockwise moments = clockwise moments

0.48 = 0.2 W, hence W = 2.4 N

b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward force = W + 1.6 N

= 2.4 + 1.6

= 4.0 N

Upward force = reading of the spring balance = 4.0 N

2. A uniform rod is 1.0 m long weighs 5 N. It is supported

horizontally at one end by a spring and the other end rests on a
table as shown below. A mass of 2kg is hung from the rod as shown;
determine,

a) Reading of the spring balance

b) Reaction force, F, from the table.

Solution

a) The 2kg mass and the weight of the rod (5 N) gives clockwise
moment while the spring balance provides anticlockwise moments.

Clockwise moments = (2 × 10) × 0.4 + (5 × 0.5) = 10.5 Nm.

Anticlockwise moments = S × 1 (reading of the spring balance)s

1S = 10.5, hence S = 10.5 N. b) Upward forces = downward forces

Downward forces = (2 × 10) + 5 = 25 N Therefore F+ 10.5 = 25,

hence F = 14.5 N.

Stability

This is a term which explains how easy or difficult it is for an object

to topple over when a force is applied to it. Factors affecting
stability,

a) Base area – the bigger the base area the more the stability.

b) Position of the center of gravity – the higher the center of gravity

the less stable the body will be.

States of equilibrium

1. Stable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount of

force it returns to its original position.

2. Unstable equilibrium – if a body is displaced by a small amount

of force it toppled over and does not return to its original position.

3. Neutral equilibrium – a body is at rest in whichever position it

is placed in i.e. it does not rise or fall when displaced.
Applications of stability

Neutral equilibrium It is used mainly in the design of motor

vehicles i.e.

a) Racing cars – they have a low and wide wheelbase to increase

their base area.

b) Double decker buses – they are manufactured with a low center

of gravity by mounting their chassis and engines as low as possible.

Chapter Five

Reflection at Curved Surfaces

Concave and convex mirrors

They are also known as spherical mirrors and are formed when a
spherical glass is silvered.

If the inside is silvered a convex or diverging is formed while a

concave or converging mirror is formed when the outside is silvered.

Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) – this is the center of the sphere of

which the mirror is part of. The center itself is called the pole (P).

2. Principal axis – this is the line joining the center of curvature

(C) to the pole (P).3. Principal focus (F) – is a point on the
principal axis through which a ray is reflected when it hits a
concave mirror.

In a convex mirror the ray is reflected and appears to originate from

the point. F is virtual for a convex mirror while it is real for a
concave mirror.

4. Radius of curvature (r) - this is the distance from the pole to

the center of curvature. The distance from the pole to the principal
focus is called the focal length (f).
Parabolic mirrors.

They produce a wide parallel beam or converge a large beam of light

to a point. They are widely used in making car headlights or in
spotlights.

Images formed by spherical mirrors.

Location of images using ray diagrams.

When drawing ray diagrams, the following symbols are used to

represent the mirrors.

The image is located by drawing any two of the following

rays:

I) A ray parallel to the principal axis which is reflected through the

principal focus.

ii) A ray through the center of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since it hits the mirror normally.

iii) A ray through the principal focus which is reflected parallel to

the principal axis.

Virtual images are formed when rays diverge and as such the rays
are extended backwards using dotted line till they meet.

The image formed is also dotted since it is not formed by an

intersection of real rays.

A real image is formed by intersection of real rays.

Concave mirror.

a) Object at infinity: image is formed at F. It is real, inverted and

diminished.
Convex mirror.

g) Image is always formed behind the mirror. It is virtual, erect and

always diminished.

Applications of curved reflectors.

a) They are used in satellite dishes.

b) They are used in making shaving mirrors.

c) They are used in telescopes.

d) They are used in driving mirrors.

Magnification.

Magnification is the ratio of the image size to the object size.

Magnification (M) = height of the image / height of the object.

When the ratio is greater than one we say the image is magnified
and when less than one we say it is diminished.

Also magnification = image distance from the mirror / object

distance from the mirror.

Examples

1. Determine the size, position and nature of the image of an object

5.0 cm tall, placed on the principal axis of a concave mirror of focal
length 15 cm, at a distance 35 cm from the mirror.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. Then the focal length is 3 cm.

Object distance = 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 5.4 cm × 5 = 27 cm in front of the mirror.

Image size = 0.75 cm × 5 = 3.75 cm. Image is real and inverted.

2. A vertical object 5 cm high is placed 10 cm in front of a convex

mirror of focal length 15 cm.

find the position, size and nature of image formed. Determine the
magnification of the image.

Solution

Let 1 cm represent 5 cm, then the focal length = 3 cm, object size =
1 cm Object distance = 2 cm.

From the scale drawing,

Image position = 1.2 cm × 5 = 6.0 cm behind the mirror. Image

size = 0.6 cm × 5 = 3.0 cm.

The image is virtual and erect.

Magnification = image dist. / object dist. Hence 6 /10 = 0.6

(diminished).

Chapter Six

Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current.

Introduction: Worsted’s discovery.

Hans Christian Forested discovered the magnetic effect of a current

in 1819. The direction of the field is dependent on the direction of
the current.

This discovery brought about the development of electric bells,

electric motors, telephone receivers and radios.

Determining the direction of the lines of force.

The direction of the lines of force can be determined using a simple

rule called the right-hand screw rule.
This rule states that “if a right-hand screw advances in the direction
of the current, then the rotation of the screw is in the direction of
the field”.

Another rule is the right-hand grip rule which states that “if the wire
carrying a current is gripped with the right hand, using the thumb
along the conductor and pointing in the direction of the current,
then the direction of curled fingers is in the direction of the lines of
force”.

Magnetic field due to a solenoid. The rule for polarity.

A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when

carrying electric current.

The direction of the field can be determined using a simple rule

stated as follows “if the coil (solenoid) is viewed from one end and
the current flows in an anticlockwise direction at that end, then that
end is the North Pole.

If the current flows in a clockwise direction, then that end is the

South Pole”.

Electromagnets.

An electromagnet is a soft metal core made into a magnet by

passing an electric current through a coil surrounding it.

They only maintain their magnetism if current continues to flow, if

switched off they lose their magnetism.

Factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet.

1. Increasing current through the coil.

2. Increasing the number of turns of the coil.

3. Using iron of C- core shape which brings both magnetic poles

together.

Some applications of electromagnets.

a) Electric bell

When the switch is closed the current passing through the solenoids
magnetizes them and they pull the soft iron armature which makes
the hammer hit the gong therefore producing sound. When the
hammer hits the gong the contact between the spring and the screw
is broken and then stops the current from flowing.

The soft iron core loses its magnetism and releases the armature
which is then pulled back by the screw.

The contact between the spring and the screw is regained and the
process repeats itself again and again therefore the gong is struck
continuously.

b) Telephone receiver.

It consists of a u-magnet made by attaching two soft-iron bars to

the end of a short permanent magnet.

The solenoids are wound in opposite directions around the bars.

When the phone is lifted the current flows through the solenoids
depending on the microphone on the other end of the line.

These varying current spasms induce magnetism of varying

strengths in the iron bars which in turn causes the magnetic alloy
diaphragm to vibrate differently producing sound.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

When a conductor carries a current in a magnetic field a force acts

on it.

The direction of the force depends on the directions of the field and
current.

The factors affecting the magnitude of the force are;

a) The current flowing in the conductor

b) The strength of the magnet

c) The length of the conductor in the magnetic field.

The relationship between the directions of the current, field and

force are mutually perpendicular.

They are summarized in a law called Fleming’s right-hand rule or the

motor rule.

This rule states that “if you hold the first finger, the second finger
and the thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each
other, so that the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger points in the direction of the current in
the conductor, then the thumb points in the direction of the force
acting on the conductor”.

Applications of the force on a conductor.

Simple D.C motor.

Consists of a rectangular coil of wire mounted on an axle which can

rotate between the poles of a magnet.

For the rotation to be continuous the ends of the coil are connected
to half -rings called the split-ring commutators.

The battery terminals are attached to brushes which slide on these

half-rings. D.C motors are useful as car starter motors, hand drills,
machine motors, fans etc.

Chapter Seven

Hooke’s Law.

Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is proportional to

the applied force, provided that the force is not large enough to
deform the spring permanently”.

Mathematically expressed as Force α extension.

Spring constant
Since Force α extension then Force / Extension = constant (k). The
constant of proportionality (k) is called the spring constant. F / e =
k or Force (N) = k e. The spring constant is a measure of the
stiffness of a spring.

The greater the constant the stiffer the spring.

The spring constant varies with the following; -

a) Material – identical springs mad of different materials will have

different constants i.e. Steel and copper.

b) Diameter – the stiffness decreases with the increase in diameter.

c) Thickness of the wire – a spring made of a thicker wire is stiffer

than the one made of thin wire of the same material.

d) Length of spring – a short spring is stiffer than a longer one.

e) Number of turns per unit length – a spring with higher number of

turns per unit length is less stiff than the one with fewer turns per
unit length.

Example

1. If the springs shown below are similar and the constant of

proportionality (k) is 100 Nm - 1 , determine total extension in each
arrangement.

The spring balance

It is made up of a spring mounted in a metal or plastic casing.

The spring is fitted with a pointer which moves along a calibrated

scale divided into ten equal parts.

Examples

1. A load of 4 N causes a certain copper wire to extend by 1.0 mm.

Find the load that will cause a 3.2 mm extension on the same wire.
(Assume Hooke’s law is obeyed).
Solution

F α e also F 1 / F 2 = e 1 / e 2 = F 2 = (4 × 3.2) / 1.0 = 12.8 N. 2. A

body of 200 g was hung from the lower end of a spring which obeys
Hooke’s law. Given that the spring extended by 100 mm, what is the
spring constant for this spring? Solution F = α e, F = k e. F = 200 ×
10-3 kg × 10 N /kg = 2 N. Extension = 100 × 10 3 m = 0.1 m.

Spring constant (k) = 2 / 0.1 = 20 N/m.

3. Two identical springs, whose spring constant is 6.0 N/cm, are

used to support a load of 60 N as shown below. Determine the
extension of each spring.

Solution

Since the springs are parallel their spring constant equals 2k.
Therefore, extension = Force / k = 2 F / k = 60 / 2 × 6 = 5 cm.
Each spring will extend by 5 cm.

Chapter Eight

Waves I

A wave is simply a disturbance that moves through a medium. Other

waves do not require a medium to travel i.e. they can travel in a
vacuum, are known as electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, X-rays,
gamma rays UV rays etc. Other waves require a material medium to
be transferred and are called mechanical waves i.e. water, sound
waves etc.

Transverse and longitudinal pulses and waves.

1. Transverse waves – they consist of a crest and a trough. In this

case the displacement of the medium caused by these pulses are
perpendicular to the direction in which the wave (disturbance)
travels.

A pulse is a single non-repeated disturbance.

If the pulses are repeated periodically (regularly) they produce a

series of waves called periodic transverse wave train.
They can be produced as shown below. Examples are water waves,
light and radio waves.

2. Longitudinal waves – these are waves whereby the particles of

the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of movement of the
disturbance.

When several turns of a spring are pulled together (compression)

and then released they tend to spread out to their original position.

When pulled apart (rarefaction) they also turn to their original

position.

In this case the displacement of the spring is parallel to the motion

of the wave and this is known as longitudinal. Examples are the
sound waves.

Characteristics of waves

1. All waves have speed which depends on the nature of

disturbance.

2. All waves have wavelength (distance between two successive

points in a wave).

Represented by the symbol λ and is measured in meters. 3. All

waves have frequency ‘f’ which is the number of waves passing a
point in one second. It is measured in cycles per second or hertz
(Hz). The period of a wave is the time required for a complete wave
to pass a given point.

Therefore, T = 1 / f or f = 1 / T (period is measured in seconds).

The speed ‘v’ is given as; v = λ / T, since f = 1 / T then v = (1 / T)

× λ = f λ or v = f λ. This is the wave equation.

4. All waves have amplitude which is the maximum displacement of

the particles of the medium as the wave passes.

Examples
1. A rope is displaced at a frequency of 3 Hz. If the distance
between two successive crests of the wave train is 0.8 m, calculate
the speed of the waves along the rope.

Solution

v = f λ = 3 × 0.8 = 2.4 m Hz = 2.4 m/s.

2. The figure below illustrates part of the displacement-time graph

of a wave travelling across water at a particular place with a
velocity of 2 ms - 1 . Calculate the wave’s;

a) Amplitude

b) Frequency (f)

c) Wavelength (λ)

Solution

a) From the graph, maximum displacement (a) = 0.4 cm

b) From the graph, period T = time for one cycle = 0.20 seconds

So f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.20 = 5 Hz.

c) Velocity = f λ hence λ = 2 / 5 = 0.4 m.

Chapter Nine

Sound.

Sound is an important example of a longitudinal wave which is

composed of both compressions and rarefactions. The frequency
ranges in which compressional disturbances occur is called the sonic
spectrum and is very large.

Sound is a range of compressional wave frequencies sensitive to

human ear and is known as audio range which ranges from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.

Compressional waves with frequencies above and below the audio

range are called ultrasonic and infrasonic frequencies respectively.
Nature and transmission of sound waves.

Sound waves require a material medium for transmission from one

point to another. Sound waves therefore cannot be transmitted in a
vacuum.

The rate of transmission diminishes as you move from solids, to

liquids then to gases.

Characteristics of sound waves

1. Intensity and loudness – intensity of sound refers to the rate

of flow of energy through an area.

The loudness of a sound generally varies with the intensity of sound.

The frequency of sound waves determines their intensity while the

amplitude determines their loudness.

2. Frequency and pitch – pitch refers to the sharpness of a sound

and is determined by its frequency.

3. Fundamental tones and harmonics – fundamental frequency is

the vibration in a wire which has the lowest possible frequency.

The fundamental frequency and the tones with the frequencies that
are whole multiples of the fundamental are called harmonics.

The fundamental frequency is also the first harmonic.

The number of segments vibrating in a string depends on the point

at which the string is plucked.

4. Quality of sound or timbre – quality of sound can be improved

by adding the second harmonic to the fundamental frequency hence
the quality depends on the number of harmonics produced
simultaneously and their relative intensities.

Echo

Echoes are produced by reflection of sound waves from hard

surfaces such as a wall or a cliff.
To hear an echo, the sound waves travels double the distance
between the source and the reflector. So to determine the velocity
of sound ‘v’ between two successive claps is given as v = distance
from the reflecting surface / half the time taken between two
successive claps Hence; speed ‘v’= distance / time = m/s.

Example

A boy strikes a railway line (steel) with a hammer.

If the speed of sound in steel is 5,200 m/s, determine the time

taken for the sound to reach another boy 2.3 km down the railway
line with his ear on the rail.

Solution

Time taken = distance / speed = 2300 / 5200 = 0.44 seconds.

Factors affecting the speed of sound

a) Temperature – speed increases with increase in temperature

especially gases since the change in liquids and solids is small it can
be neglected.

b) Nature of transmitting medium – different substances transmit

sound waves at various speeds as shown below

(I) Air – 346 m/s

(ii) Hydrogen – 1339 m/s

(iii) Water – 1498 m/s

(iv) Aluminum – 5,000 m/s

(v) Iron – 5,200 m/s

(vi) Glass – 4,540 m/s

Example

A girl claps her hands once at a distance 250 m from a vertical cliff.

If the temperature in the surrounding is 50 o C, how long does it take

for her to hear the echo?
Solution

Distance travelled = 250 × 2 = 500 m

Speed of sound = (331.5 m/s at 00) the speed in air increases at

about 0.6 m/s per 0C.

Therefore, speed at 50 o C = 331.5 + (0.6 × 5) = 334.5 m/s

Time taken = distance / speed = 500 / 334.5 = 1.5 seconds.

Chapter Ten

Fluid Flow

Fluid in physics refers to liquids and gases.

 To study fluid flow we have to make the following assumptions:

1. We consider fluids to be incompressible

2. We assume that they have little or no internal friction or viscosity.

Streamline and turbulent flow.

The path followed by a small element of a moving fluid is called a line of flow. A streamline
is a curve whose tangent at any point is in the direction of the fluid velocity at that point.

A streamline flow occurs when all elements of a fluid passing a particular point follow the
same path or line of flow as the elements that passed through that point previously.

A streamline flow is achieved only when the speed is low.

If the speed increases, it is characterized by whirls and eddies then it becomes a turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow generally occurs when the speed is high and where there are sharp
bends along the path of the fluid.

Equation of continuity

Consider a fluid flowing (streamline flow) through a horizontal pipe with different cross -
sectional areas as shown.
Let the cross -sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the corresponding speeds of
the fluid be V1 and V1 respectively.

The volume of fluid flowing per second in each section is given by; V = A L = A v t = A v.
Where L, v t and v is the distance moved in one second.

Since the volumes in each section is the same, then A1 V1 = A2 V2, hence A v = constant.

The above equation is known as the equation of continuity. Since A1 A2, then V2 V1. i.e. the
speed increases when a tube narrows.

The quantity (A v) is called volume efflux i.e. volume flowing per second.

Example.

A horizontal pipe of cross-sectional area 50 cm2 carries water at the rate of 0.20 liters per
second. Determine the speed;

a) Of the speed of water in the pipe.

b) When the tube narrows to 20 cm2 at another point.

Solution

a) Volume efflux = o.20 l per second = A v from V (volume) = A v, then v = V / A = 0.20 ×

10-3 / 50 × 10-4 = 0.04 m/s b) Since A1 v1 = A2 v2 then v1 = (0.05 × 0.04) / 0.02 = 0.1 m/s

Bernoulli’s principle

Daniel Bernoulli (1700 – 1782) explained the variation of pressure exerted by a moving
fluid when its speed is changed. The pressure is lower where the speed is higher.

Bernoulli’s principle states that “For a fluid flowing through a tube, the sum of the
pressure, the kinetic energy per unit volume and the potential energy per unit volume of
the fluid is a constant”. Mathematically expressed as;

P + ½ ρ v2 + ρ g h = constant. Where P – pressure, ρ – density, v= velocity, g – acceleration

due to gravity and h – height.

Bernoulli’s effect

When air is blown through the tunnel formed, the area marked ‘T’ collapses inwards
showing that pressure outside is more than the one inside the tunnel.

The pressure inside the tunnel decreases as the air through it increases in speed.
Applications of Bernoulli’s principle.

1. Car carburetor– inside the carburetor the air passage is partially constricted at the point
where petrol mixes with air hence air intake increases the speed of air while decreasing the
pressure inside for petrol to vaporize quickly before it gets to the cylinder where
combustion occurs

2. Horizontal pipe – for a streamline flow through a pipe the term ρ g h is eliminated from
the Bernoulli’s equation leaving P + ½ ρ v2 = constant, indicating that pressure in liquid is
greatest when speed is least.

When this is combined with the equation of continuity, the pressure is then greatest when
the pipe is widest hence the following observation.

3. Dynamic lift - when air is blown at the top a flat sheet of paper the ends of the paper
moves upward and this because the speed of air on top of the paper is greater than below
and according to Bernoulli’s principle the pressure on top lowers and the pressure below
becomes sufficient enough to produce a force which moves the paper upwards.

This is what is referred to as the dynamic lift since it is caused by motion.

The upward force is equal to the product of the pressure difference and the area of the
surface lifted.

It is applied in the taking off of air-planes, the trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer
and Bunsen burner among others.