Physics Semester 2 Notes

Syllabus dot point Information

The amount of power is related to the rate at which energy is transformed
Explain that power Power is the rate at which energy is transferred from one form to
is the rate at which another, in other words, it can be said as being the rate at which
energy is energy is supplied to a device. The following equation, describes
transformed from power:
one form to another
1. Power = Work/Time or P = W/t

2. Power = Energy/Time or P = E/t

In this case, energy is measured in joules, time is measure in

seconds and power is measure in joules per second, or watts.

E.g. Battery generating 12W transforms or converts 12 joules of

chemical energy in 1 second.
Identify the From the definition of voltage (V = E/q), energy is equal to the
relationship voltage multiplied by charge. In addition, current is defined from (I
between power, = q/t), where charge equals to current multiplied by time. Using all
potential difference this, we can gather that:
and current
V X I = Energy times Coulomb = Energy = P
Coulomb Time Time

Therefore power is equal to voltage multiplied by current:

P = VI
Where:
- P is power measured in joules per seconds, or watts
- V is the potential difference (voltage), which is energy per
coulomb used, passing through a resistor
- I is the current, where it is coulombs of charge per second,
passing through a resistor
Identify that the Since power is joules per second, the total energy can be found by
total amount of multiplying power formula by time (t), where the following shows:
energy used
depends on the P x t = Energy x t = Energy
length of time the t
current is flowing Since P = VI, therefore Energy = VIt (E = VIt)
and can be
calculated using:
Energy = VIt
Ohms Law Wheel:
Explain why the kilo- Since large amounts of energy is used by most individuals of the
watt hour is used to society, it is extremely inconvenient if it was measured in joules.
measure electrical Therefore by using kilowatt hour, it encompasses much larger
energy consumption values. One Kilowatt hour is defined as the amount of energy used
rather than the by one kilowatt device in one hour. In order to calculate this, the
joule following is the formula:

Energy in kilowatt-hours = power in kilowatts x time in hours

W = Pt

Where the conversion between kilowatt hours and joules is either:

- From kilowatt horus to joules, you would times 3600
- From joules to kilowatt hours, you would divide 3.6
Electric currents also produce magnetic fields and these fields are used in
different devices in the home
Describe the The magnetism of a bar magnet is not spread evenly throughout
behaviour of the but concentrated at the end or the poles of the magnets. There are
magnetic poles of always two poles on a magnet: the north and the south pole.
bar magnets when When two poles are brought close together , they exert forces
they are brought between each other:
close together North and North repel, South and South repel, North and South
attract
Like poles repel, whereas opposite poles attract
The force amongst the two increases, the distance between the
two poles becomes smaller.
Define the direction Magnetic fields, have fields surrounding a magnetic pole that
of the magnetic continuously exerts force on other poles in the field.
field at a point as
the direction of fore
on a very small The direction of the field is the direction of force on a small north
north magnetic pole pole placed on that particular point. This means:
when placed at that - The north pole of a magnet points towards the direction of the
point field.
- To visualise this is to change the magnetic field into an electric
field, where the north point being the positive point charge and
the South Pole being the negative point charge.
Describe the The magnetic fields are represented by lines, from N to S, where
magnetic field the amount of lines, represents the strength.
around the pairs of Magnetic fields ALWAYS goes away from North and towards South
magnetic poles around pairs of magnetic poles:

Describe the Magnetic fields produced by electric currents are concentric circles
production of a around the conductor. Where this was proven through Oersteds
magnetic field by an theory where his compass was deflected at right angles to the wire
electric current in a because North aligns in the same direction as the field.
straight current-
carrying conductor Using the right hand grip rule, to determine the direction of
and describe how current and field lines:
the right hand grip - Thumb points to the direction of the conventional current
rule can determine (either + or - )
the direction of the - Fingers curling at direction of magnetic field lines
current and field
lines
 The diagram of magnetic field is sometimes drawn perpendicular
to the paper, where:
- Current going in is a circle with an x in it
- Current going out is a circle with a dot in it
Compare the nature Wire carries a current bent into a loop, so that the magnet field
and generation of direction from the right of loop, goes to the left, similar to the bar
magnetic fields by magnet.
solenoids and a bar A solenoid is a straight wire wound into a helix, where :
magnet - North is towards the direction of convection current. Similarly,
N is anticlockwise and S is clockwise
- Different to bar magnets, as field continues to pass through the
inside of the solenoid

Vehicles do not typically travel at a constant speed

Identify that a It is considered rare to maintain a constant speed for the entire
typical journey journey. Eg. At the princess highway, there are designated speed
involves speed limits, for designated parts of the highway, or when you reach a
changes corner, a speed bump, you would have to slow down, o even speed
up if you are going up a hill.
Distinguish between Speed is the measure of the rate of change at which an objects
the instantons and moves over a certain distance. The average speed of an object can
average speed of be calculated through the division of the distance travelled by the
vehicles and other time taken.
bodies
Average speed = Distance travelled
Time of travel
Instantaneous speed is the speed at any particular instant of time.
Distinguish between A scalar quantity specifies size (magnitude) without a direction,
scalar and vector where the quantity is being expressed as a particular number with
quantities in a particular unit. Examples of this can be mass, time or density.
equations A vector quantity specifies both size (magnitude) with a direction.
To emphasize if something is a vector quantity, a direction with an
arrow has been pointed to. Example of this, is 15ms due west.
Compare The average speed of an objects is the rate of change of distance
instantaneous and and can be defined as:
average speed with Average Speed = distance travelled/ time taken
instantaneous and
average velocity The average velocity of an object is the rate of change of
displacement and can be defined as:

Average velocity = Triangle (position) = Displacement

Time Time

The difference between the two is that: instantaneous speed is the

speed at a particular instant of time, whereas instantaneous
velocity is the velocity at a particular instant of time.
Define average
Vav =
velocity:

Vav =
Where:
R = the displacement
Vav is the average velocity = displacement divided by the change of
time.
t = time

Displacement indicates how far in a straight line an object is from

its starting point and the direction of the finishing point from the
starting point.
Present information Time is normally graphed on the horizontal axis, whereas the
graphically of: other, would be displayed on the vertical axis.
- Displacement vs
time
- Velocity vs time
For objects with
uniform and non-
uniform linear
velocity
 Where:
a. Shows that the object is stationary, with no velocity.
b. Shows that the object is travelling at a constant and
positive velocity.
c. Shows the object is accelerating, with a positive velocity.

The above graphs, shows velocity vs time graphs.

Where:
- The left one shows the object is accelerate at a constant speed.
- The right one shows the object decelerating at a constant
speed.

An analysis of the external forces on Vehicles helps to understand the effects

of acceleration and deceleration
Describe the motion Motion occurs when an object changes its position relative to
of one body relative other or some co-ordinate system. The relative velocity of the two
to another moving objects can be found by subtracting their vectors.
It can be calculated by:
V relative = V object - V observer
Eg. Car A travelling 90kmh-1 east and car B travelling 100kmh-1 west.
Velocity of car B relative to car A is 190kmh-1 west.
Identify the Vector diagrams are very useful in order to help solve problems. A
usefulness of using vector can be represented by a line whose length is proportional to
vector diagrams to the size of the vector, and an arrowhead, that gives its direction.
assist solving Adding vectors
problems 1. Draw the vector lines.
2. Draw the resultant line from the beginning of the first vector to the
end of the second.
Example: What is the resultant displacement if a ship moves 8km due
East then 6km due North?

? km
6 km

8 km
 The resultant displacement is found by
Pythagoras Theorem and trigonometry.

Tan = 6/8 r2 = 82 + 62
= 37o r = 10

The resultant displacement is:

10 km east 37o north

Vectors Subtraction
It can be used:
1) when finding relative velocity
2) when finding the change in a quantity
i.e. Change in velocity V = Vfinal - Vinitial
change in momentum = final - initial

To subtract one vector from another we reverse the direction of

the vector being subtracted and add it to the first vector.

v = -15m/s V = v- u
= -15+ (-20)
= -30m/s
(-) means move to left
u = 20m/s

Example1: A ball is bounced back from the wall. Find the change
in velocity.

Vy Vy = Vsin
V
Vx = Vcos
Vx

Example2: A single vector can be represented by two vectors at

right-angles to one another.
Explain the need for The normal reaction is a force that acts perpendicular to a surface
a net external force as a result of an object applying a force to the surface. The vector
to act in order to sum of these forces acting on an object is called the net force.
change the velocity In application of Newtons 1st law of motion states that a body will
of an object continue in its state of rest or uniform motion unless a net
(unbalanced) force acts upon it, this means that inertia is the
tendency of an object to resist a change in motion.

Some examples of this, can be ddemostrated through the motion

of a car:
 Weight weight can act as the centre of mass, also known
as the balancing point of a car.
Road friction acts on the non-driving wheels in the
opposite direction to the direction of movement of the car.
When the wheels are not turned, the road friction opposes
the forward movement of all four wheels. When the brakes
are applied, the wheels are no longer rolling freely, thus
increases the road frictions greatly and the car eventually
stops.
Air resistance air resistance or drag increases as the car
moves faster, as it is a form of friction caused by the air
that acts on the car in the opposite direction.
The net force of the car is always 0 when the car is at rest or
moving at a constant velocity.
- Describe the - When a vehicle is speeding up, the driver must push the
actions that accelerator, in order the driving force to increase, as there is an
must be taken unbalance force applied. The car continues to speed up, until
for a vehicle to there is a balance between the unbalanced force and the sum
change of the air resistance and the road friction.
direction, speed - When a vehicle is slowing down, the driver would stop pushing
up and slow the accelerator, causing the motor to stop the wheels, thus
down making the driving force become 0. Air resistance and the road
friction begins to decease until the car stops. The net forces
eventually becomes zero until the accelerator is being pushed
back again. Brakes can be applied on the wheels in short
distances, to immediately stop the driving force.
- When a vehicle is changing direction, the steering wheels is
turned to the direction, you are going to, resulting in the
direction of the velocity being changed and the direction of the
driving force to be changed.
Describe the typical As said from above:
effects of external Weight weight can act as the centre of mass, also known
forces on bodies as the balancing point of a car.
including: Road friction acts on the non-driving wheels in the
- Friction opposite direction to the direction of movement of the car.
between When the wheels are not turned, the road friction opposes
surfaces the forward movement of all four wheels. When the brakes
- Air resistance are applied, the wheels are no longer rolling freely, thus
increases the road frictions greatly and the car eventually
stops.
Air resistance air resistance or drag increases as the car
moves faster, as it is a form of friction caused by the air
that acts on the car in the opposite direction.
Driving force using the rotation of the cars tyres on the
road, powdered by the cars motor, the tyres are being
pushed forward on the road, which allows the car to move
forward.
Define average Acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity, and is
acceleration as: considered as a vector quantity. Average velocity can be expressed
aav = triangle (v) as:

triangle (t) aav = which is the change in velocity / change in time.

therefore
Therefore it can be expressed to:
aav = vu
t aav = (final velocity initial velocity / time)
- Define the terms - Mass is the amount of matter in an object. An individual
mass and masses remains the same wherever they are, because the
weight with amount of matter doesnt change. This can be measured in kg,
reference to the g, etc.
effects of gravity - Weight is the force applied to an object due to the gravitational
attraction. An individual weight changes where there is
different amounts of gravity. The weight on Earth is 9.8ms-2
Weight can be calculated by:
Weight = mg (mass X gravity)
- The gravitational field strength is the force of gravity on a unit
of mass though the given symbol of g. It is a vector quantity
and can be represented through the formula of:

g=w
m
Outline the forces Coasting with no pressure on the accelerator Driving force
involved in causing becomes zero, but the air resistance and the road friction
a change in the would decrease until the car stops.
velocity of a vehicle Pressing on the accelerator Driving force increase, until
when: balanced by the air resistance and the road friction leaving the
- Coasting with no car moving at a constant (higher) speed.
pressure on the Pressing on the brakes The friction between the brake pads
accelerator and the metal discs increase, making it harder for the wheels to
- Pressing on the turn, and causing the car to stop.
accelerator Passing over an ice patch on the road the friction between
- Pressing on the the road covered with ice and tyres increase significantly
brakes making it tough for the wheels to grip the road, and increases
- Passing over an the chances of the car to skid.
icy patch on the Climbing and descending hills When the car is going up the
road hill, the weight cancels some of the thrust and pull the car
- Climbing and downhill, so the speed is decreased. The speed will increase
descending hills when the car is going downhill.
- Following a Following a curve in the road When the steering wheel is
curve in the turned to a particular direction, the driving force changes
road which changes the direction of the velocity. This causes a
change in acceleration because there is a change in velocity.
The acceleration is caused by the centripetal force. This can be
calculated by:
 a=

Where the only net force in this situation is the sideway friction
only (friction on the wheel), therefore:
Fc = sideways friction =

Where:
m = mass
v = velocity
r = radius
Interpret Newtons Newtons second law states the acceleration of an object is
Second Law of directly proportional to the external net force acting on it, and
Motion and relate it inversely proportional to its mass, which means that the force is
to the equation: the rate of change of momentum. This can be interpreted as:
Sum of forces = ma
F = mv mu F = m(v - u) F = ma
t t

The acceleration of an object will increase as the net force

increases, where lighter objects change their velocity faster than
heavier objects when the same force is being applied.

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force and

inversely proportional to the mass.

Identify the net When an object is stationery or at the constant velocity, its net force
force in a wide will be zero. The net force will not be 0, if there is acceleration. Net
variety of situations force is directly proportional to the acceleration.
involving modes of
transport and
explain the
consequences of
the application of
that net force in
terms of Newtons
Second Law of
Motion
Change of momentum relates to the forces acting on the vehicle or the driver
Define momentum Momentum is the product of the mass of an object and its velocity.
as: It is a vector quantity.
P=mv
= mv (kgms-1)
Define impulse as Impulse is the product of the force and the time interval over
the product of force which it acts. Since it is a vector quantity, it is measured in Ns. In
and time order to calculate the impulse from a force time graph, we
calculate the area underneath the line, or using the formula:

Impulse = F.t = mv mu

Explain why When calculating the momentum of two objects during a collision, the
momentum is total change in momentum is equal to the momentum of the first car of
conserved in the momentum of the second car. The momentum of the first car is
collisions in terms of equal and opposite to the momentum of the second care.
Newtons Third Law
of Motion Momentum is always conserved.

Total momentum = Total Momentum

before collision after collision

m1u1 + m2u2 = m1v1 + m2v2

Newtons 3rd law of motion states: For every Action force there
is an equal but opposite Reaction force. The formula below,
describes this action.

momentum gain = momentum lost

1 = - 2 (F1 = -F2)

Since the momentum lost by one is equal to that gained by the

other, it follows that the total amount of momentum has not
changed, and therefore that momentum has been conserved.