ACKNOLEDGEMENT

1
Very much thanks to the Malawi mathematics and science teaching improvement as a whole and
in particular to the coordinator Mr. John Maganga for his support

Thanks Mr. Alexander for his secretarial support

Lastly, great gratitude to my parents who send me to school my God bless you

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieved system or
photocopied without the prior permission of the owner

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 CHAPTER ONE

PHYSICS AS SCIENCE

WHAT IS SCIENCS?

This is a system of acquiring knowledge that uses observation and experimentation to explain natural
phenomena

WHAT IS PHYSICS

It is the study of matter and energy and how they interact to each other

BRANCHES OF PHYSICS

1. Mechanics
It is the study of mechanical movements of bodies especially machines

2. Nuclear physics

Is the study of vast amount of energy that can be obtained from the nucleus of an atom

3. Electricity and magnetism

There are two types of electricity

a. current electricity

b. static electricity

Magnetism is a force between magnets

4. properties of matter

Matter is anything that has mass an occupies space

States of matter

a) Solids

b) Liquid

c) gas

5. oscillation and waves

 Oscillation is a to and fro or up and down movement that represent it.

Examples

3
 a) pendulum

b) Cantilever

c) spiral spring

 Wave is a disturbance in a medium

 Medium can be liquid ,solid and gas
Example wave
 Sound wave e.g. tv, radio and water
 Light wave

6. thermodynamics

 This is a branch of natural science concerned with heat and temperature and the relation to
energy and work
HISTORY OF PHYSICS
 Physics was discovered by the earliest Greek physicist
Examples
 Archmedes discovered the principle of levers
 Isaac newton pioneered and use mathematics
 The father of motion and the law of the motion
 Faraday and Maxwell were developed the
 Electricity
 Magnetism
 Electromechanicalwave
 Rontgen discovered x - rays

CAREER CHOICES IN PHYSICS

 Mechanical engineers
 Medical doctors
 Physics teacher
 Industrial technician
 Telephone operator

CHAPTER TWO

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
 It is process of or method of trying to answer to a problem

4
 Planning scientific investigation
 Planning an investigation involves thinking through what you want to do so that you can
make predictions more accurately
STAGES IN SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
1. Identifying a problem
A problem requiring an answer
2. Formulating hypothesis or hypotheses
Hypotheses is a logical or testable prediction
3. selecting of variable
Variable is a factor that can affect the outcome of an investigation
They are derived from hypothesis
4. controlling the variables
This involves the control experiment in which all the variable are constant except one
being tested for
5. testing the hypothesis
The purpose of this stage is to collect data which should help in decision making about its
accuracy
We need to conduct an experiment and make further observation
6. data collection
a. making observations
observations are interpretation of what is happening during an investigation
b. taking measurements
measurements refers to comparing an observed property with known standard
c. recording data
 the data must be recorded as objectively as possible
 after an investigation you will need to write a report
d. interpretating experimental data ( data Analysis)
 data analysis means arranging the data sot that the question rose at the beginning of an
investigation can be answered
e. presentation of data
 data is an qualitative or quantitative information that is used in determining the results of
an experiment
 data is usually presented in a way that enables us to see the relationship you are
investigating
7. evaluating hypothesis
 after you have interpreted the data based on the experimental results , you now relate the
conclusions to hypothesis
8. drawing conclusions
 conclusions are derived from the evaluation of hypothesis
 conclusion must reflect the question that you set out to answer
 the conclusion must be supported with relevant reason

5
 IMPORTANCE AND APPLICATION OF PHYSICS IN TECHNOOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT
 It expands knowledge on young people
 It generates knowledge needed for future technological advance
 It enhances our understanding of other discipline e.g. earth, chemical , biological etc.
 It improves our quality of life by providing the basic understanding necessary for
developing new techniques for medical application

CHAPTER

LABORATORY SAFETY MEASURES

DEFINITION OF LABORATORY
It is a room for conducting scientific research and experiment

APPARATUS
These are tools for scientists
Examples of apparatus
 Beaker
 Conical flask
 Measuring cylinder
 Test tube
 Spatula

SAFETY RULES IN THE LABORATORY

 Do not drink, taste or eat anything in the laboratory
 Handle all materials in the lab with care
 Never run or play in the lab
 Wear or use protective materials
 Never work in or enter the laboratory barefooted
 Clean all equipment and work places after each laboratory period
 Observe good housekeeping practice
 Keep flame and flammable away from fire
 Turn off water, electricity off if not in use

HAZARD SYMBOLS AND DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH LABORATORY

SUBSTANCE

6
7
CONSQUENCES OF ACCIDENT IN THE LABORATORY

 It damages laboratory
 It spoils materials
 It causes injuries to student and the teacher
 Death

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WHEN AN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN IN THE

LABORATORY
 Apply first aid
 Take appropriate steps to control the accidents
 Report it immediately to the teacher

Chapter 4

MEASUREMENTS

 Measurements is an important skill in physics

 A standard measurement is an exact quantity that people can agree to use for comparison
INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS

 This system was established and agreed to by scientific

COMMON UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS AND THEIR SYMBOLS

1. MASS
The SI unit of mass is kilogram (kg) SI means international system
2. length

The SI unit of length is meter (M)

3. volume
The SI unit of volume of liquid is the litre (l)
4. time

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 Time is the interval between two events
The SI unit of time is the seconds (s)
5. temperature
This is measured in kelvin and degree Celsius
In physics the units of temperature used for calculation is kelvin (k)

Scales of temperature
a. Celsius scale of temperature
b. absolute or kelvin scale temperature

what is absolute of temperature

 It is the kelvin scale temperature
 The units on this scale are kelvins (K)
 It was proposed by lord Kelvin in 1854

What is absolute zero

 It is the temperature at which molecular motion stops
 It is – 273 degree Celsius on the celsius scale and 0 K on the kelvin scale

Calculations
1. to convert degree celsius to kelvin add 273
K = oC + 273

EXAMPLES
O
Convert 25 C to Kelvin
Solution

K = 25 + 273
= 298 k

2. to convert kelvin to degree celsius subtract 273

Example

Convert 300k to oC
O
C = 300 – 273
O
C = 27

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IMPORTANCE OF UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS

 It makes the number meaningful

 It prevents accidents in some chemical e.g. wrong dosage for sick people

BASE AND DERIVED UNITS OF MEASUREMENTS

1. BASE UNITS

 They provide the reference used to define all the units of measurements
Examples
Base quantity Symbol
Electric current A
Temperature K
Mass Kg
Length M
Time Sec
Force N
Weight N

2. DERIVED UNITS
 They are products of base units
 They measure of derived quantities
 They are expressed in mathematical symbols of multiplication and division
 The following are examples of base units expressed in terms of base units

Derived quantity Symbols

Area M2
Volume M3
Speed m/s
Density Kg/m3
Acceleration m/s2

Calibration of the thermometer in degrees Celsius

 To calibrate means to put the number on it

 A thermometer is an instrument that is used for measuring temperature
 Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of an object

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 Note: at sea level , the melting of pure ice or the freezing of point of pure water is
O Degree Celsius or O oC
 The boiling point of pure water is 100 oC
 Pure water is always liquid at above OOC and always solid below Ooc

CHAPTER 5

PARTICULATE NATURE OF MATTER

MATTER
 Is anything that Has mass and occupies space
 Matter can be visible or invisible
 Matter is made up of small particles that are in constant in motion
 Molecules are made up of indivisible and invisible particles called atoms
a. indivisible means that atoms can be divided
b. invisible means that atoms cannot be seen with naked eyes

EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT MATTER IS MADE UP OF SMALL

PARTICLES
1. DIFFUSION
 Diffusion is the spreading or movement of substance from one area to another due
to molecular motion

Factors that affect diffusion

 Size of particles
 Diffusion gradient
 Temperature
 Density

EXAMPLES OF DIFFUSION
 When you are in chemistry laboratory you smell chemicals
 When you enter a restaurant you smell food being cooked
 A person wearing perfume clothes
 When a person is drinking a coffee , the smell of coffee is felt in the room

STATES OF MATTER
There are three states of matter: these include:

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  Liquid
 Solids
 Gas

Properties of solids
 They have fixed shape
 They have defined volume
 Cannot be compressed
 Low expansion rate

Properties of liquids

 They take shape of the container

 Have fixed volume
 Cannot be compressed
 Low density than solids
 Particles are close together but not relatively further apart when
compressed
Properties of Gases

 They have indefinite shape

 They have indefinite volume
 Particles are far apart
 They can be compressed
 Have lowest density

Questions
1. why are solids difficult to compress?
2. describe any four properties of
A. solids
B. Liquid
C. Gases

Chapter 6

CHANGES OF MATTEER

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HEAT AND TEMPERATURE

1. HEAT
 It is a form of energy
 It is measured in joules

2. TEMPERATURE

 It is degree of hotness and coldness of an object

 It is measured in degree Celsius or kelvin

CHANGES OF STATE OF MATTER

1. MELTING
 It is the change of state of matter from solid to liquid
 Temperature at which melting takes place is called melting point
2. CONDENSATION
 It is change of state of matter from gas to liquid
 A temperature at which condensation takes place is called condensation `point
3. EVAPORATION
 It is change of state of matter from liquid to gas
 The temperature at which evaporation takes place is called boiling point
 The boiling point of water at sea level is 100 oC
NOTE: for every increase in attitude by 300m, the boiling point of pure water
will decrease by 1oC

4. FREEZING
 It is a change of state of matter from liquid to solid
 The temperature at which freezing point takes point is called freezing point
5. SUBLIMATION
 It is the change of state of matter directly from solid to gas…… example iodine

6. DEPOSITION
 It is the change of states of matter from gas to solid …… example carbon
dioxide

Melting liquid condensation

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 Solid sublimation gas

Deposition

freezing Liquid evaporation

the diagram above shows the processes that take place as substance changes from one
state to another

chapter 7

FORCE

 Force is a pull or push on a body exerts on another

 It is measured in newtons by an instrument called a spring balance

EFFECTS OF FORCES

 It can change the speed of an object

 It changes the direction of or motion of an object
 It changes the size or shape of an object
 It produces heat
1. BALANCED FORCES
 When force of the same magnitude act on an in the opposite direction they
cancel each other

5N 5N
Ball

1. calculate resultant force acting on the object

2. what will happen to the object

Solution

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A. resultant force (RF) = 5N – 5N

=0

B. the object will remain as it is, that is at the rest

2. UN BALANCED FORCE

 When unbalanced of difference size act on an object in the opposite direction

the forces are said to be unbalanced
 The force will cause an object to move
Examples
 See – saw
 Tag of war

Calculation

10N 25N

a) calculate resultant force

RF = 25 N – 10 N

= 15N

B. what will happen to the object

= the object will move to the right side

Types of forces

 Friction
 Weight
 Electrostatic force

1. FORCE

 It is the force that opposes motion between two object

Importance of friction

 It helps in moving
 It helps a nail and screws held in the wood

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  It makes an object to stop moving
 It slow down the movement of a parachute

Effects of friction
 It causes wear and tear
 It slow down motion
 It causes noise pollution
 It leads to wastage of kinetic energy

Ways of reducing friction

 by lubricating parts of machine with oil or grease
 by using ball bearings and rollers
 using cushions of air
 polishing surface

2. WEIGHT
 it is a measure of the force of gravity on an object
 it is measured in Newtons
CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAVITATIONAL FORCE
 It attracts objects
 It acts downwards
 It decreases with distance
 It acts on any type of materials

Differences between mass and weight

Mass Weight

It is the quantity of matter It is pull on the earth

It is measured in grams It is measured in newtons

It does not change in magnitude It changes the size of object

It measured by a beam balance It measured by a spring balance

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MASS AND WEIGHT

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  A mass of 1 kg of an object has a weight of 10 N on earth
Example
What is the weight of 24 kg of an object
Solution
1kg = 10 N
24kg = more
24kg/1kg x10 N

= 240 N
 The mass of the object will not change regardless of whatever it is

Calculation
Weight on moon (1/6)
Example
A. Calculate the weight of an object on the moon if it weighs 360 N on
earth
Solution
1/6 x 360N
60N

B. Calculate the weght of an object on the moon if its mass is 172 kg

on earth
Solution
Weight of the object on the earth
72kg/1kg x 10N
720 N

Weight on the moon

1/6 x720 N
12 N
Activities

If the mass of a girl on earth is 60kg calculate

a. her weight on earth

b. her weight on moon

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 chapter 8

WORK AND ENERGY

WORK

Is the energy changed whenever a force products movements

Work = force x distance

SI unit for work is joules

Examples

A man lifts a parcel weighing 5N from the ground onto a shelf 2 m high

a. how much work does he do on the object

Work = force x distance

= 5N x 2m

=10J

2. ENERGY

 It is ability to do work
 SI units for energy is joules
SOURCES OF ENERGY

1. Renewable source of energy

 Biogas
 Biomas
 Hydroelectricity

2. nonrenewable sources of energy

 Fossil fuel
 Solar energy
 Nuclear energy
 Geothermal energy

The law of conservation of energy

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It states that energy cannot be created or destroyed but changes from one form to another

Forms of energy

1. Kinetic energy

This is the energy of movement

2. Nuclear energy

 Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom

3. Heat energy

 Energy of moving molecules given out by burning

4. Potential energy

 This is the energy of height

5. Chemical energy
 Energy that is stored in the food

ENERGY CHANGES

1. A cell connected to a light bulb and switched on

Chemical electrical heat light

What is transducer?

It is a device that convert energy from one form to another

Examples of transducers

 Muscles
 Microphone
 Speaker
 Solar panel
 Cell or battery
 Thermocouple
Calculation for energy

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1. a man wants to raise a load of 1200N onto a platform 1 M above the ground in order to do this
he arranges a 5 m long plank as inclined plane . he can then drag a load up the plank with a force
of 400N

a) what is the planks mechanical advantage

M.A = load/effort

= 1200N /400N

= 3

B. How much energy of height does the load gain?

Energy = F X D

= 400 x 5

= 2000j

IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY CHANGES IN EVERYDAY LIFE

 Light energy is required in the process of photosynthesis in plants

 Chemical change is used in manual work
 Heat energy is used in cooking
ACTIVITY

1. A burning candle produced 10 NM of light energy. How much chemical energy was
produced? Explain your answer

2. what name is given to devices that changes energy from one form to another

3. in loading a lorry a woman lifts 4 boxes each of weight 100N through a height of 1.5 M. How
much work does she do to lift four boxes

Chapter 9

CURRENT ELECTRICITY

 It is the flow of electrons in complete circuit

 The amount of electric current depends on the number of electrons passing through a
point in a given time
Electric circuit

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 It is a complete path of electric current
Examples of circuit

Electric symbols

21
 OPEN AND CLOSED CIRCUITS

 The switch can be open and closed

 When the switch is closed current can flow so that the bulb lights up
 This means that when the switch is closed there is complete path around the circuit for
current to flow. Example of closed circult

B.

 When the switch is open, current can not flow so that the bulb cannot light up
 This means that there is complete and incomplete path for current to pass when the
switch is open

Example

MEASURING ELECTRIC CURRENT

 It is measured in amperes (A) by an ammeter

 The amount of electric current which flows in different circuit can be compared by
looking at the brightness of the bulb

Types of circuit

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 A. Series circuit
B. Parallel circuit

1. SERIES CIRCULT

It is a circuit in which components are connected end to end

Example

 In series circult current is the same along the circuit

 All components are controlled by one circuit
 Total voltage is divided amongst the components

Calculations

In figure above is a diagram of electric circuit in which A1 = 0.2A

a. what is the reading of A2 = 0.2 A

B. Give a reason for your answer

= current in the series circuit is the same

2. Parallel circuit

 It is the circuit in which components are connected end to end

 Current in parallel circuit are not the same
 Voltage is the same in parallel circuit
 Each bulb is controlled by each switch

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 EXAMPLE
 Figure below is diagram of an electric circuit

 If A1 = 0.2A and A3 = 0.6 A, What will be reading of A2

A1 + A2 = A3
A2 = 0.6A – 0.2A
A2 = 0.4 A
Give reason for your answer
Current in parallel circuit is not the same

CHAPTER 11

VOLTAGE
 It is a force that drives electrons in a conductor
 It is measured in a volts ( V) by voltmeter
 It is also called pontential difference (PD)
 It does not depend o number of electrons flowing

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (EMF)

 It is the voltage across the terminal of the cell in an open circuit.
VOLTAGE IN SERIES CIRCULT
 Voltage in series circuit is not same because an ammeter is connected end to end hence it
has low resistance
VOLTAGE IN PARALLER CIRCUIT
 In this circuit voltage is the same across the components
 NOTE; Connecting bulbs in series reduces
a. current
b. brightness of bulb

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 Current and brightness of the bulb are reduced because the voltage is divided amongst the
bulbs

DIRECTION OF FLOW OF ELECTRONS IN AN ELECTRIC CIRCULT

 Electrons flow from the negative terminal of the cell along the circuit as shown on the
above
 Conventional current flows in the opposite direction of the flow of electrons current

CHAPTER 12
ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE
 It is opposition flow of electrons in a circuit
 It is measured in ohms ( ᴥ)
 Resistor is sometimes made of nichrome wire
 It resist the flow of electrons

Resistance (R) = Voltage (V)/Current (I)

R = V/I

OR V
R I

EXAMPLES
1. current flowing through a bulb is 5.1 A. It is plugged into a 120V output. What is the
resistance of the bulb
Solution

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 R = V/I

R = 120V /5.1A
R = 23.5 OHMS

2. Find the current flowing through a 20 wire connected to a 12 V battery. What if it were
connected to a 6V battery
Solution
If 20/X = 12V/6 V
12X = 120
X = 10 A

FACTORS THAT AFFECTING THE RESISTANCE

1. LENGTH OF WIRE

 When the length of the wire increases the resistance also increase
 In a long wire there are more collisions between elecrons and positive ions than in short
wire

2. CROSS SECTION AREA / THICKNESS

 Resistance decreases as thickness increases

 A thick wire has small resistance because it has more space for electrons to pass through
hence fewer collisions with positive ions

3. TEMPERATURE

 Resistance increases as the temperature of the wire increases

 At high temperatures fixed metal ions vibrate more vigorously hence colliding frequency
with moving electrons

4. TYPE OF MATERIAL

 Some materials has high resistance than the other e.g. nichrome wire

Questions

What relationship between electrical resistance and the length of wire?

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EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

 Heating effects
 Lighting effects
 Chemical effects
 Magnetic effects

1. HEATING EFFECTS
 Kinetic energy of moving electrons in a piece of wire is changed to heat energy due to
frequent collisions between electron and fixed ions in a piece of wire
USES OF HEATING EFFECTS OF AN ELECTRIC CURRENT
 Used for ironing clothes
 Used for lighting
 Used for boiling water (kettle)
 For cooking ( cooker)

BIMETRIC STRIP
 It is made by fixing equal length of two different metal plates

Examples

Uses of bimetallic strip

 It is used as a thermostat in iron

 It is used in making fire alarm bell
 It is used in a car indicator

Thermostat: it is a device that controls or regulates temperature in a fridge or electric iron

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 EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC CURRENT

 An electric wire carrying current deflects a compass needle when when it is held
over it
 If the cell are reversed then the direction of current is also reversed

3. ELECTROMAGNET

This is the solenoid with a nail inside it

Uses of electromagnet

 They are used in hospital dealing with eye injuries

 They are used in transformer to induce current
 For making electric bell

4. CHEMICAL EFECTS

 When electric current passes through liquid , current may decompose the liquid in the
process called electrolysis
 The liquid that conduct electricity is called electrolyte

FUSE
 A fuse is a low melting point wire made of tin and lead that is connected into the circuit
right next to the beginning of the live wire.
 It has higher resistance
 It becomes hot when a current flows through it

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 HOW DOES FUSE WORK
 When current in a circuit rises above its normal maximum due to normal maximum due
to normal circuit or overloading a fuse melts, thus opening the circuit
 A fuse has low melting point

Electric cell
 This is a device consisting of one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored
chemical energy into an electric energy.
TYPES OF A CELL
 Simple cell
 Wet cell
 Dry cell
DISPOSAL OF DRY AND WET CELL S
 Disposal it in a deep cell

CHAPTER 13
MAGNETS
What is a magnet?
 Magnet is a any ferrous material that can attract other metallic objects
 Magnets attract materials that are made up of iron and steel

Magnetic materials
 These are materials that are attracted by magnets
Example
Iron
NON MAGNETIC MATERIALS
 These are material s that cannot be attracted by magnet
Examples
Plastics, paper
Note: a material is dipped into iron filling it is noticed that most iron filling to the end of
the magnet and very few in the middle
The attraction is greatest at the ends which are called poles
EFFECTS OF DISTANCE ON MAGNETIC FORCE
 Magnetic force decreases with increase in a distance
NORTH SEEKING POLE AND SOUTH SEEKING POLE

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 When a magnet is suspended on a retort stand and pushed slightly so that it can swing as
shown below

 It will point always north south when it comes to rest

 The `pole of the magnet that points north is the north seeking pole
 The pole of the magnet that point south is called south seeking pole

LAWS OF FORCES BETWEEN MAGNETIC POLES

 Like poles repel
 Unlike poles attract

CHARACTERISTICS OF MAGNETIC FORCE

 It acts in any direction
 It acts only on magnetic substances
 It attract or repulsive
 It decreases with distances

Uses of magnets
 Electric motor
 Dynamo
 Radio speaker
 Ammeter
 Voltmeter

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