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PHYSICS FORM ONE

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS
Science in our lives
Scientists are people trained in science and who practice the
knowledge of science. We require people in industries to work as
engineers, technicians, researchers, in hospitals as doctors, nurses
and technologists. Science gives us powerful ideas, instruments
and methods which affect us in our daily lives.
Scientific methods
1. A laboratory is a building specifically designed for
scientific work and may contain many pieces of
apparatus and materials for use.
2. A hypothesis is a scientific fact or statement
that has not been proven or experimented.
3. A law or principle is a scientific fact or
statement that has been proven and experimented
to be true for all conditions.
4. A theorem is a fact or statement that is true and proven
but applicable under specific conditions.

What is physics?
Physics is a Greek word meaning nature hence it deals
with natural phenomena. Physics is therefore a science
whose objective is the study of components of matter and
their mutual interactions. Physics is also defined as the
study of matter and its relation to energy. A physicist is
able to explain bulk properties of matter as well as other
phenomena observed.

Branches of physics
1. Mechanics - the study of motion of bodies under the influence
of force.
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2. Electricity - this deals with the movement of

charge from one point to another through a
conductor.
3. Magnetism - the study of magnets and magnetic
fields and their extensive applications.
4. Thermodynamics / heat - this is the study of the
transformation of heat from one form to another.
5. Optics -the study of light as it travels from one media to
another
6. Waves - the study of disturbances which travel through
mediums or a vacuum.
7. Particle physics
8. Nuclear physics
9. Plasma physics

Relation of physics to other subjects

Since physics enables us to understand basic components of
matter and their mutual interactions it forms the base of natural
science. Biology and chemistry borrow from physics in explaining
processes occurring in living things and organisms. Physics also
provides techniques which are applied almost every area of pure
and applied science i.e. meteorology, astronomy etc.
Career opportunities in physics
1. Engineering - Civil
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Agricultural
- Environmental
- Chemical
- Computer
2. Meteorology
3. Surveying
4. Geology
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5. Astronomy
NOTE: - all science based careers i.e. doctors,
nurses, technologists, engineers, pharmacists etc.
need physics as a true foundation.
Basic laboratory safety rules
1. Proper dressing must be observed, no loose clothing,
hair and closed shoes must be worn.
2. Identify the location of electricity switches, fire-
fighting equipment, first aid kit, gas and water supply
systems.
3. Keep all windows open whenever working in the laboratory.
4. Follow all instructions carefully and never attempt anything in
doubt.
5. No eating or drinking allowed in the laboratory.
6. Ensure that all electrical switches, gas and water taps are
turned off when not in use.
7. Keep floors and working surfaces dry. Any spillage must be
wiped off immediately.
8. All apparatus must be cleaned and returned in the
correct location of storage after use.
9. Hands must be washed before leaving the laboratory.
10. Any accidents must be reported to the teacher immediately.

CHAPTER TWO
MEASUREMENT I
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In order to measure we need to know or define the

quantity to be measured and the units for measuring it.
In 1971 a system known as the International System of
Units (Systeme’ Internationale) and seven basic units
were agreed upon as follows. Other quantities can be
obtained from these basic quantities and are referred to
as derived quantities.

Basic quantity SI units Symbols

Length Metre m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Second s
Electric current Ampere A
Thermodynamic temperature Kelvin K
Luminous intensity Candela Cd
Amount of substance Mole mol
Length
This is the measure of distance between two points in
space. The SI unit for length is the metre (m).Therefore
1 km = 1000 m
1 Hm = 100 m
1 Dm= 10 m
1 mm = 0.001 m
Length is measured using a metre rule (100 cm), tape measure
(100 m, 300 m, 500 m)

Area
This is the measure of the extent of a surface. It is a
derived quantity of length. Its SI units are square metres
(m2). Other units are cm2, km2, etc. Formulas are used
to determine areas of regular bodies while for irregular
bodies an approximation of area is used.
Volume
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This is the amount of space occupied by matter. The SI

units for volume is cubic metre (m3). Other sub-multiples
are cm3, mm3 and l. Hence 1 m3 = 1,000,000 cm3 and 1l=
1,000 cm3. Volume can be measured using a measuring
cylinder, eureka can, pipette, burette,
volumetric flask, beaker, etc.
Mass
This is the quantity of matter contained in a substance. Matter is
anything that occupies space and has weight. The SI unit for mass
is the Kilogram (kg). Other sub-multiples used are grams (g),
milligrams (mg) and tonnes (t). 1 kg = 1,000 g = 1,000,000
mg=100 tonnes. A
beam balance is used to measure mass.

Density
This is mass per unit volume of a substance. It is
symbolized by rho (ρ) and its SI units are kg/m3.
Density = mass / volume.

Examples

1. A block of glass of mass 187.5 g is 5.0 cm long, 2.0 cm thick

and 7.5 cm high. Calculate the density of the glass in kgm-3.
Solution
Density = mass / volume = (187.5 /1000) /(2.0 × 7.5 × 5.0
/1,000,000) = 2,500 kgm-3.

2. The density of concentrated sulphuric acid is 1.8

g/cm3. Calculate the volume of 3.1 kg of the acid.
Solution
Volume = mass / density = 3,100 / 1.8 = 1,722 cm3 or 0.001722
m3
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The following is a list of densities of some common substances

Substance Density (g/cm3) Density (kg/m3)
Platinum 21.4 21,400
Gold 19.3 19,300
Lead 11.3 11,300
Silver 10.5 10,500
Copper 8.93 8,930
Iron 7.86 7,860
Aluminium 2.7 2,700
Glass 2.5 2,500
Ice 0.92 920
Mercury 13.6 13,600
Sea water 1.03 1,030
Water 1.0 1,000
Kerosene 0.80 800
Alcohol 0.79 790
Carbon (iv) oxide 0.00197 1.97
Air 0.00131 1.31
Hydrogen 0.000089 0.089

Example
The mass of an empty density bottle is 20 g. Its mass when filled
with water is 40.0 g and 50.0 g when filled with liquid X.
Calculate the density of liquid X if the density of water is 1,000
kgm-3.
Solution
Mass of water = 40 - 20 = 20 g = 0.02 kg.
Volume of water = 0.02 / 1,000 = 0.00002 m3.
Volume of liquid = volume of bottle Mass of
liquid = 50 - 20 = 30 g = 0.03 kg
Therefore density of liquid = 0.03 / 0.00002 = 1,500 kgm-3
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Relative density
This is the density of a substance
compared to the density of water.
It is symbolized by (d) and has no units
since it’s a ratio.
Relative density (d) = density of
substance / density of water.
It is measured using a relative density bottle

Example
The relative density of some type of wood is 0.8. Find
the density of the wood in kg/m 3. Solution
Density of substance = d × density of water
Density of substance = 0.8 × 1,000 = 800 kgm-3

Densities of mixtures
We use the following formula to calculate densities of mixtures
Density of the mixture = mass of the mixture / volume of the
mixture

Example
100 cm3 of fresh water of density 1,000 kgm-3 is mixed
with 100 cm3 of sea water of density 1030 kgm-3.
Calculate the density of the mixture.
Solution
Mass = density × volume
Mass of fresh water = 1,000 × 0.0001 = 0.1 kg
Mass of sea water = 1030 × 0.0001 = 0.103 kg
Mass of mixture = 0.1 + 0.103 = 0.203 kg
Volume of mixture = 100 + 100 = 200 cm3 = 0.0002 m3
Therefore density = mass / volume = 0.203 / 0.0002 =1,015 kg/m3.

Time
This is a measure of duration of an event. The SI unit for time is
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the second (s). Sub-multiples of the second are milliseconds,

microseconds, minute, hour, day, week and year. It is measured
using clocks, stop watches, wrist watches, and digital watches.

Accuracy and errors

Accuracy is the closeness of a measurement to the correct value of
the quantity being measured. It is expressed as an error. An error
is therefore the deviation of measurement to the correct value
being measured. The smaller the error the accurate the
measurement. % error = (sensitivity / size measured) × 100.

CHAPTER THREE
FORCES
Force is a push or a pull. Force is therefore that which
changes a body’s state of motion or shape. The SI unit
for force is Newton (N). It is a vector quantity. It is
represented by the following symbol.

Types of forces
1. Gravitational force -this is the force of attraction
between two bodies of given masses.
- Earth’s gravitational force is the force
which pulls a body towards its center. This pull of
gravity is called weight.
2. Force of friction - this is a force which opposes the
relative motion of two surfaces in contact with each
other. Friction in fluids is known as viscosity.
3. Tension force - this is the pull or compression of a string or
spring at both its ends.
4. Upthrust force - this is the upward force acting on an object
immersed in a fluid.
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5. Cohesive and adhesive forces - cohesive is the force

of attraction of molecules of the same kind while
adhesive is the force of attraction of molecules of
different kinds.
6. Magnetic force - this is a force which causes attraction or
repulsion in a magnet.
7. Electrostatic force - this is the force of attraction or repulsion
of static charges.
8. Centripetal force - this is a force which constrains a
body to move in a circular orbit or path.
9. Surface tension - this is the force which causes the
surface of a liquid to behave like a stretched skin. This
force is cohesive.
Factors affecting surface tension
a) Impurities - they reduce the surface tension of a liquid i.e.
addition of detergent
b) Temperature - rise in temperature reduces tension
by weakening inter-molecular forces.
Mass and weight
Mass is the amount of matter contained in a substance
while weight is the pull of gravity on an object. The SI
unit for mass is the Kg while weight is the newton (N).
Mass is constant regardless of place while weight
changes with place. The relationship between mass and
weight is given by the following formula, W = mg where
g = gravitational force.

Differences between mass and weight

-It is measured in kilograms
Mass -It is the same everywhere
-It is the quantity of matter in a -It is measured using a be
body. balance.
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-Has magnitude only

Weight
-It is the pull of gravity on a b
-It is measured in newton’s
=It changes from place to plac
=Measured using a spring bala
=Has both magnitude and dire
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Example
An astronaut weighs 900 N on earth. On the moon he
weighs 150 N. Calculate the moons’ gravitational
strength. (Take g = 10 N/kg).
Solution
Moons’ gravitational strength = weight of astronaut on the moon /
mass of astronaut.
= 150 / 90 = 1.67 Nkg-1.
Measuring force
We use a spring balance to measure force. A spring
balance is an instrument that uses the extension of a
spring to measure forces.
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Example
The length of a spring is 16.0 cm. its length becomes 20.0 cm
when supporting a weight of 5.0 N. calculate the length of the
spring when supporting a weight of:
a) 2.5 N b) 6.0 N c) 200 N
Solution
5N causes an extension of 4.0 cm, therefore 1.0 cm
causes an extension of 4 /5 = 0.8 cm.
a) 2.5 N => 2.5 × 0.8 = 2.0 cm therefore
length becomes = 16.0 + 2.0 = 18.0 cm.
b) 6.0 N => 6.0 × 0.8 = 4.8 cm therefore
length becomes = 16.0 + 4.8 = 20.8 cm.
c) 200 N => 200 × 0.8 = 160.0 cm therefore
length becomes = 16.0 + 160.0 = 176.0 cm.

Vector and scalar quantities

A scalar quantity is a quantity which has magnitude
(size) only . Examples are distance, mass, speed
A vector quantity is a quantity which has both
magnitude and direction. Examples are displacement,
weight, velocity.

CHAPTER FOUR
PRESSURE
Pressure is defined as the force acting normally (perpendicularly)
per unit area. The SI units for pressure is newton per metre
squared (N/m2). One Nm-2 is known as one Pascal
(Pa).
Pressure = normal force / area or pressure = thrust /
area. Another unit for measuring pressure is the bar. 1
bar = 105 N/m2. 1millibar = 100 N/m2.
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Calculating pressure

Examples
1. A rectangular brick of weight 10 N, measures 50 cm
× 30 cm × 10 cm. calculate the values of the maximum
and minimum pressures which the block exert when
resting on a horizontal table.
Solution
Area of the smallest face = 0.3 × 0.1 = 0.03 m2.
Area of the largest face = 0.5 × 0.3 = 0.15 m2.
Maximum pressure = 10 N / 0.03
= 3.3 × 102 N/m2. Minimum
pressure = 10 N / 0.15 = 67 N/m2.
2. A man of mass 84 kg stands upright on a floor. If the
area of contact of his shoes and the floor is 420 cm2,
determine the average pressure he exerts on the floor.
(Take g = 10 N/Kg)
Solution
Pressure = force / area = 840 / 0.042 = 20,000 Nm-2.

Pressure in liquids

The following formula is used to determine pressure in liquids.

Pressure = h ρ g, where h - height of the liquid, ρ -
density and g - is force of gravity.

Examples
1. A diver is 10 m below the surface of water in a dam.
If the density of water is 1,000 kgm -3, determine the
pressure due to the water on the diver. (Take g = 10 Nkg-
1
)
Solution
Pressure = h ρ g = 10 × 1000 × 10 = 100,000 Nm-2.
2. The density of mercury is 13,600 kgm-3. Determine
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the liquid pressure at a point 76 cm below the surface of

mercury. (Take g = 10 Nkg-1)
Solution
Pressure = h ρ g = 0.76 × 13,600 × 10 = 103,360 Nm-2.
3. The height of the mercury column in a barometer is found to be
67.0 cm at a certain place. What would be the height of a water
barometer at the same place? (Densities of mercury and water are
1.36 × 104 kg/m3 and 1.0 × 103 kg/m3 respectively.)
Solution
Let the pressure due to water be h1ρ1g1 = h ρ g, hence;

h1 = h ρ / ρ1= (6.7 × 10-1) × (1.36 × 104) = 911.2 cm or 9.11 m.

U-tube manometer
It is a transparent tube bent into U-shape. When a liquid
is poured into a u-tube it settles at equal level since
pressure depends on height and they share the same
bottom. Consider the following diagrams;

For the levels to differ the pressure P1

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must be greater than P2, hence P1 = P2 +

hρg.
If P1 is the lung pressure, P0 is the atmospheric
pressure, then if the difference is ‘h’ then lung pressure
can calculated as follows.
P1 = P0 + hρg.
Example
A man blows into one end of a U-tube containing water
until the levels differ by 40.0 cm. if the atmospheric pressure is 1.01 ×
105 N/m2 and the density of water is 1000 kg/m3, calculate his lung
pressure.
Solution
Lung pressure = atmospheric Pressure + liquid pressure
P1 = P0 + hρg. Hence P1 = (1.01 × 105) + (0.4 × 10 × 1000) = 1.05 × 105 N/m2.
Measuring pressure
1. Simple mercury barometer- it is constructed using a thick walled
glass tube of length 1 m and is closed at one end. Mercury is added into
the tube then inverted and dipped into a dish containing more mercury.
The space above the mercury column is called torricellian vacuum. The
height ‘h’ (if it is at sea level) would be found to be
760 mm. Atmospheric pressure can be calculated as, P = ρ g h =>where ρ
(mercury)- 1.36 × 104 kg/m3, g- 9.81 N/kg, h- 0.76 m. Then P = (1.36 ×
104) × 9.81 × 0.76 = 1.014 × 105 Pa.
NOTE- this is the standard atmospheric pressure, sometimes called one
atmosphere. It is approximately one bar.
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2. Fortin barometer-this is a more accurate mercury

barometer. The adjusting screw is adjusted first to
touch the mercury level in the leather bag.

3. Aneroid barometer- increase in pressure causes the box to

contract, the movements are magnified by the system of levers and
is transmitted to the pointer by the fine chain and this causes the
pointer to move. The scale is suitably calibrated to read pressure.
Since pressure falls or rises as altitude falls or rises, the pointer
can also be calibrated to read altitude

4. Bourdon gauge- it is also called gauge pressure and is used in

gas cylinders. When air is blown into the rubber tube, the curved
metal tube tries to straighten out and this causes movement which
is transmitted by levers and gears attached to a pointer. This gauge
can measure both gas and liquid pressure.
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Examples
1. The height of the mercury column in a barometer is
found to be 67.0 cm at a certain place. What would be
the height of a water barometer at the same place?
(densities of mercury-
1.36 × 104 kg/m3 and water- 1.0 × 103 kg/m3).
Solution
Let the pressure due to water be h1 ρ1 g1 and that of water be h ρ g.
Then
h1 ρ1 g1 = h ρ g. Hence h1 = (6.7 × 10-1) × (1.36 × 104) / 1.0 × 103 =
911.2 cm or 9.11 m.
Application of pressure in gases and liquids
1. Rubber sucker- this is a shallow rubber cap. Before
use it is moistened to get a good seal then pressed firmly
on a smooth surface so that the air inside is pushed out.
The atmospheric pressure will then hold it firmly against
the surface as shown below. They are used by printing
machines to lift papers, lifting glass panes, heavy metal
sheets etc.

2. Drinking straw- when a liquid is drawn using a straw

air is sucked through the straw to the lungs. This leaves
the space in the straw partially evacuated. The
atmospheric pressure pushing down the liquid in the
container becomes greater than the pressure inside the
straw and this forces the liquid into your mouth.
3. The syringe- they work in the principle as the straw.
They are used by the doctors in hospitals for giving
injections.
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4. Bicycle pump- it uses two valves, one in the pump (greasy

leather) and the other in the tire. When the handle is pushed in, the
pressure inside the barrel becomes greater than the one in the tire
and this pushes air inside. The valve in the tire is made such that
air is locked inside once pumped.

5. The siphon- it is used to empty tanks which may not be easy to

empty by pouring their contents out. The tubing must be lowered
below the base of the tank. The liquid flows out due to pressure
difference caused by the difference in height (h ρ g).
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6. Lift pump.
7. Force pump.

Transmission of pressure in liquids and gases

It was first recognized by a French mathematician and
physicist called Blaise Pascal in the 17th century.
Pressure is equally distributed in a fluid and equally
transmitted as shown in the following:
a) Hydraulic brake system- the master cylinder
transmits pressure to the four slave cylinders on each
wheel. The cylinders contain brake fluid. Fluid is used
because liquids are almost incompressible. When force is
applied in the pedal the resulting pressure in the master
cylinder is transmitted to the slave cylinders. This forces
the piston to open the brake shoes which then pushes the
brake lining against the drum. This force the rotation of
the wheel to slow down. It is important to note that
pressure is equally distributed in all wheels so that the car
doesn’t pull or veer to one side.
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b) Hydraulic press- it consists of two pistons with

different cross -sectional areas. Since pressure is
transmitted equally in fluids, when force is applied in
one piston it is transmitted to the other piston. The
smaller piston is called the force while the bigger piston
is called the load. They are used to lift heavy loads in
industries, bending metals and sheets etc.
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Examples
1. The area of the smaller piston of a hydraulic press is
0.01 m2 and that of the bigger piston is 0.5 m2. If the
force applied to the smaller piston is 2 N, what force is
transmitted to the larger piston?
Solution
Pressure = force / area - hence P = 2 / 0.01 = 200 Pa.

Force = Pressure × Area = 200 × 0.5 = 100 N.

2. The master cylinder piston in a car braking system
has a diameter of 2.0 cm. The effective area of the
brake pads on each of the four wheels is 30 cm 2. The
driver exerts a force of 500 n on the brake pedal.
Calculate
a) The pressure in the master cylinder
b) The total braking force in the car.
Solution
a) Area of the master cylinder - π r2 = 3.14 cm2
Pressure = force /area = 500 / 3.14 × 10-4 = 1.59 × 106 N/m2
b) Area of brake pads = (30 × 4) cm2. Since pressure
in the wheel cylinder is the same as in the master
cylinder)
F = Pressure × Area = (1.59 × 106) × (120 × 10-4) = 1.91 × 104 N.
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CHAPTER FIVE
PARTICULATE NATURE OF MATTER
States of matter
Matter is anything that occupies space. Matter exists in three
states: solids, liquids and gases. Matter can be changed in various
ways which includes physical, chemical and nuclear changes.
a) Physical changes- they are normally reversible
and no new substances formed. Examples are:
(i)Change of state such as melting and vaporization
(ii)Thermal expansion due to heating
(iii)Dissolving solids in liquids
(iv)Magnetizing
(v)Charging electrically
b) Chemical changes- they are irreversible and new substances
are formed
Examples are:
(i)Changes caused by burning
(ii)Changes occurring in some chemicals due to heating e.g.
mercuric oxide
(iii)The reactions resulting from mixing chemicals to form other
substances.
c) Nuclear changes- these are changes occurring in
nuclear substances which give off some particles i.e.
Uranium and Radium. As this happens they change into
other substances.

Particulate nature of matter

Matter is made up of millions of tiny particles which
cannot be seen with naked eyes. These particles are called
atoms and are made up of sub-atomic particles called
protons, neutrons and electrons. Atoms join together to
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form molecules.
Movement of particles
Particles move from one region to another by the
process of diffu-sion. Diffusion is the movement of
molecules from regions of high concentration to
regions of low concentration until an equilibrium is
reached or achieved. Gases diffuse faster or readily
than liquids. The rate of diffusion depends on the
manner of arrangement of individual particles.
Solids
Individual atoms in solids have a small space between
them hence their forces of attraction are very strong.
They vibrate in their fixed positions and this gives solids
a fixed shape.
Liquids
Forces of attraction between liquid molecules are not as
strong as in solids where motion is not restricted. They
collide with each other as they move about. They take
the shape of the container they are put in hence have no
definite shape.
Gases
Molecules of atoms in gaseous state are further apart experiencing
very small forces of attraction. This makes them almost
completely free from each other. We say they are independent in
space. Gases have no definite shape and volume but they take up
the space and volume of the container they are put in.
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CHAPTER SIX
THERMAL EXPANSION
Introduction
Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of a
body. Both Celsius scale (0C) and Kelvin scale
(thermodynamic scale) are used to measure
temperature. The Kelvin scale is also known as the
absolute scale temperature and is measured from
absolute zero (0 K). Expansion of solids
When solids are heated they expand. The expansion is so small such that
we can’t see them. The following experiments will demonstrate actual
expansion of solids.
Experiment 1:- Ball and ring experiment

Procedure
1. Obtain a ball and ring apparatus.
2. Pass the ball through the ring at room temperature and observe that
it easily slips through.
3. Heat the ball using a Bunsen burner for one minute.
4. Try to pass the ball through the ring and observe what happens.
5. Let it cool for some time and try passing the ball again.
Discussion
When the ball is heated it expands and increases in diameter. This
makes the ball not to pass through the ring. After cooling it is found
that the ball slips through the ring easily again.
Experiment 2:- The bar-breaker
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Procedure
1. Try and break the cast-iron pin with your hands. Can you? (A bar-
breaker is a strong iron frame which holds a steel bar fitted with a wing-
nut. The other end is held by cast-iron pin as shown below).
2. Tighten the nut but do not break the pin.
3. Heat the bar strongly using two Bunsen burners as you keep tightening the nut.
4. Continue heating for another five minutes then let it cool.
5. Observe what happens.

Discussion
When the bar cools the cast-iron pin breaks. This shows that as the bar
cools it contracts and strong forces pull against the pin. These forces
makes the pin to break.
Experiment 3:- Heating a bimetallic strip
Procedure
1. Heat a brass-iron bimetallic strip using a Bunsen burner and make
sure it is heated evenly.
2. Observe what happens after a short while.

Discussion
When a brass-iron bimetallic strip is heated it bends
towards the iron. This means that brass expands more
than iron and this causes the strip to bend towards the
iron side. This shows that different materials expand at
different rates when heated.
Applications of the expansion of solids
1. Construction of railway lines- an expansion joint is
allowed between any two rails to accommodate
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expansion. A fish plate is used to join two rails. Modern

railway system use the overlapping joint at the end of
rails.

2. Construction of bridges and roof tops

(steel girders)- for bridges one side has rollers while the
other is fixed to allow for expansion. Concrete slabs are
also laid on the ground leaving space filled with pitch to
allow for expansion.

3. Hot water pipes- pipes carrying hot water (steam)

from boilers are fitted with expansion joints for
expansion.
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4. Riveting - used to join two pieces of

metal together i.e. bimetallic strips, car bodies, drum
 28

strips are used in thermostats (control temperature) - electric iron

box, alarm systems, car flasher units etc.

Expansion of liquids and gases

Expansion of liquids
Liquids expand more than solids so it is easy to observe
and see clearly as they expand. We use the hot water
bottle to demonstrate the expansion of water. Water is
put in the bottle as shown below.

When the bottle is immersed in hot water, initially there is

a drop in the level of water in the glass tube then it
steadily rises after a while. This shows that liquids expand
with increment in volume as shown by the hot water
bottle. Different liquids expand at different rates as shown
 29

below.

Expansion of gases
They are the easiest to observe since they expand the most.
Experiment: - Expansion of air
Procedure
1. Obtain an empty 500 ml round bottomed flask fitted with a
cork and a glass tubing.
2. Place a beaker with some water on a bench.
3. Rub your hands together thoroughly and place them
on the flask and place it in the water as shown.
4. Observe what happens.
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Discussion
The heat produced by the hands makes the air inside
the flask to expand. This makes the volume to increase
and therefore force the excess air out as bubbles.

Applications of the expansion of gases and liquids

1. Land and sea breeze- during the day the land is heated
by the sun causing the air above it to expand. The air
becomes less dense therefore it rises. The space left is
quickly filled by another cool air (generally from the sea
since the land gets hot faster). This causes a cool breeze
form the sea during the day. At night the land loses heat
faster than the sea. The air above the sea rises since it is
less dense and cool air from the land rushes to fill the
gap. This causes a breeze blowing from the land to the
sea.

Thermometers
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1. Liquid-in-glass thermometer-this applies

to the expansion of a liquid in a thin-walled glass-tube.
The liquid moves up the tube when the bulb is heated.
The liquid must be a good conductor, visible and be able
to contract and expand quickly and uniformly over a wide
range of temperatures. It should also not stick on the sides
of the tube. Liquids commonly used are mercury and
coloured alcohol. The scale is obtained by choosing two
temperature points called fixed points. In Celsius lower
point is taken to be 0oC (when placed in ice) and the
upper point as 100oC (boiling steam). The two points are
therefore divided into 100 equal parts (calibration). The
melting and boiling points of both mercury and alcohol
are (-39 oC - 357 oC) and (-112 oC - 78 oC) respectively.

2. Clinical thermometer- this is a special type of

mercury-in-glass thermometer used to measure body
temperature. Since body temperature is normally 37 oC
the scale is only a few degrees below and above 37oC. It
has a constriction which prevents mercury from going
 32

back after expansion for convenient reading of

temperature.
This thermometer has a narrow bore for
greater sensitivity and accuracy.

3. Six’s maximum and minimum thermometer- it is

used to measure temperature of surroundings of an area
or a place. It can record both maximum and minimum
temperatures attained. Consists of a large bulb (A)
containing oil of creosote connected to U-shaped stem
which connects to a second bulb (B) containing the
same liquid. The base (C) contains a thin thread of
mercury. The range of this thermometer is between -20
o
C and 50 oC. After each reading the indices are pulled
down to the level of mercury by use of a magnet.
 33

4. Bimetallic thermometer- it is made up of a

bimetallic strip with one end fixed and the other
connected to a pointer. Metals used are usually brass
and invar. As temperatures increase the strip unwinds
and moves the pointer over a calibrated scale. It is used
to measure high temperatures.

5. Thermocouple thermometer- thermocouple is a

 34

junction made of copper and iron

looped at both ends. In practice a
sensitive millivoltmeter is used instead of a
galvanometer. A cold junction is
maintained in melting ice (0oC) while the other
junction is heated steadily. This
thermometer does not apply the principle of
expansion.

Unusual expansion of water

If water is heated let’s say from -15oC it expands
normally like any solid but only up to 0oC.
At this point it starts to melt and it contracts. This
contraction will be observed up to 4 oC.
When heated further water starts to expand up to boiling
point. This is the unusual
expansion of water. This makes the top of water to
freeze (0oC) in temperate countries
allowing the one below to remain liquid (4oC). This
supports marine life during winter.

Molecules
 35

and heat.
1. Solids - when
heated molecules in solids absorb heat
energy and vibrate. They push against one another
and this causes expansion. Further expansion may
result to collapse as melting in ice.
2. Liquids - besides vibrating particles in a liquid move
short distances. As they move they collide by hitting
each other and this results to more expansion. For
boiling to occur molecules absorb enough energy to be
able to escape from the liquid.
3. Gases - individual particles are free of one another
and in rapid motion. When heated there are collisions
with the walls of the container. This results to high
pressure in the container.

CHAPTER SEVEN
HEAT TRANSFER
Heat is transferred in matter through the following
methods: conduction, convection and radiation.
Conduction
This is the transfer of heat in solids. The rate of conduction
depends on
1. Amount of temperature - the higher the temperature the higher
the rate of transfer.
2. Cross-sectional area - the larger the cross-sectional area the
higher the transfer.
3. Length of material - the shorter the material the higher the rate
of transfer.
4. Type of material - different materials
transfer heat at different rates. Good and bad
 36

conductors
Conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat.
Good conductors of heat are those materials which are
able to transfer heat easily and steadily. Bad conductors
are those which do not conduct heat.
Experiment: Comparing thermal
conductivity of metals
Procedure
1. Obtain four identical rods of copper, iron, aluminium and
brass.
2. At one end of each rod attach a matchstick using paraffin wax
and let it solidify.
3. Place the rods on a tripod stand with the free ends close to one
another as shown.
4. Heat the free ends strongly with a Bunsen burner.
5. Observe what happens.

Discussion
When done correctly and carefully the matchsticks will fall off in
the following order: copper, aluminium, brass and finally iron.
This shows that different metals conduct heat at different rates.
NOTE - on a cold morning a metallic chair would feel
cold compared to a wooden chair at the same
temperature, this is because the metallic chair absorbs
heat from your body as opposed to wood which is a bad
conductor of heat.
Applications of conductors
 37

Good conductors
1. They are used to manufacture cooking utensils
2. They are used as liquids suitable for thermometers i.e. mercury

3. Used as heat dumps (metal clips) when soldering delicate

components in a circuit board i.e. transistors
Poor conductors
1. Used as insulators in handles of cooking utensils
2. Used in making good winter clothes i.e. wool
3. Hot water cylinders are lagged with fibre-glass
since glass is a poor conductor of heat.
4. Houses in cold countries have double walls with air
trapped in them to keep them warm.
Convection
This is the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids and
gases). This occurs when part of the fluid is heated: they
become less dense and rise above the cold fluid. As they
move they carry heat with them. In convection we
observe streams of moving fluid called convectional
currents.
Convection in air
Experiment: model chimney (smoke box)
Procedure
1. Obtain a model chimney system or construct one as shown
2. Place a lighted candle under one of the chimneys
3. Place a smouldering cloth near the other chimney and observe
what happens.
 38

Discussion
Smoke will be seen going into the chimney and coming
out through the other chimney. The air above the candle
gets heated and rises up the chimney causing
convectional currents which carry the smoke out with
them.
Experiment: revolving paper-vane
Procedure
1. Make a paper-vane by cutting a thin card as shown
2. Put a string through the hole in the centre and hold it above a
lighted Bunsen burner.
3. Observe what happens.
 39

Discussion
As the air above the flame gets heated
convectional currents are formed and rise
upwards as these currents brush against the paper-
vane it rotates.
Convection in liquids
Experiment: heating water in a beaker
Procedure
1. Put water in a beaker until it is three quarters full and place it
on a tripod stand.
2. Drop a crystal of potassium permanganate through a
tube to settle at one corner at the bottom of the flask.
3. Heat the water gently using a Bunsen burner and
observe the movement of streams of colour.

Discussion
A stream of colour will be seen moving upwards and
downwards again at the other side of the beaker. This
will continue gradually until all the water becomes
coloured. This shows that convectional currents also
exist in liquids.

Experiment: model of hot water system

Procedure
1. Obtain two flat bottomed flasks and set up the apparatus as
 40

shown below.
2. Hold the flasks in place by use of clamp stands.
3. Heat the bottom of the lower flask and observe what happens.

Discussion
When the water in the lower flask becomes hot it rises
up to the upper flask. After some time the water in the
upper flask will become hot due to convectional
currents.

Applications of convection
1. Brings about the land and sea breezes.
2. Can be used to explain the weather phenomena.
3. Used in car radiators.
 41

4. Used in immersion water heaters by placing them at the

bottom.

Radiation
This is simply the flow of heat from one point to
another by means of electromagnetic waves.

Radiation from different surfaces

We use the Leslie cube to determine radiation of different
surfaces. It is a rectangular metal container of square
base with small opening at the top. One side is coated
with polished silver, another dull black (candle flame
soot), the other grey and the fourth white.
Experiment: Radiation from different surfaces
Procedure
1. Place a Leslie cube on a tripod stand and attach a
thermometer on each of the four sides.
2. All thermometers should be at least 5.0 cm form
the surface and should read the same temperature.
3. Pour hot water (about 80 0C) until it is full and note
the reading of each thermometer after 1 minute.
4. Repeat the above procedure using boiling water (100 0C).
 42

Discussion
The thermometer against the black surface records the highest
temperature, followed by the one on the grey side, then the white
surface while the polished side recorded the lowest temperature.
The readings when the water is boiling were higher, indicating
that radiation depends on temperature. It also depends on the
nature of surface.
Applications of radiation
1. Electric kettles have a chrome coat to reduce radiation.
2. Electric iron are silver coated to minimize radiation.
3. Green houses use radiation (heat trap) to grow crops.
4. Clouds reflect radiation back to the earth hence
cloudy nights are warmer than clear nights.

Vacuum flask
It was developed by Sir James Ivarin 1890. It keeps a
liquid hot or cold (depends on what is put in). The liquid
stays at the temperature it is poured in either hot or cold.
It has the following principle features:
(i)The vacuum between the double walls
(ii)The two interior walls coated with silver
(iii)Insulating cork supports (anti-shock pads)
(iv)Insulating cork stopper at the top.
 43

CHAPTER EIGHT
RECTILINEAR PROPAGATION AND
REFLECTION AT PLANE SURFACES
Introduction
Objects that produce their own light are known as
luminous objects i.e. the sun, torch lamps etc. objects that
do not produce their own light are called non-luminous
objects i.e. the moon. Opaque objects are those which do
not allow light to pass through them.
Translucent materials are those which allow light to pass
through them but we cannot see through them i.e. church
glass and bathroom glass. Transparent materials are those
which allow light to pass through them and we can see
 44

through them i.e. window panes, car windows etc. A ray

is the direction of the path followed by light. A beam is a
group of rays travelling together.

Experiment: light travels in straight lines

Procedure
1. Obtain three cardboards with a hole at the center
and mount them such that they form a straight line.
2. Arrange them as shown and place a lighted candle
at one end and make sure that you can see the flame
from the other end.
3. Move any of the cardboards and observe what happens.

Discussion
When one cardboard is displaced or moved slightly the
flame cannot be seen at the other end. This shows that
light travels in a straight line. This principle is applied in
the following:
Pinhole camera
It consists of a closed box with a small hole on one face and a
screen of tracing paper/ frosted glass on the opposite face as
shown. An image will be formed on the screen. Since light travels
from one point of the object through the hole an image will be
 45

formed on the opposite screen of the box. If the object is near the
hole it is magnified while diminished if away from the hole.
Magnification is therefore the ration of the image to object height ,
expressed as,
Magnification = height of image/ height of object or
= distance of image from pinhole/ distance of object from pinhole
 46

Shadows are formed when an opaque object is placed between a

source of light and a screen. When the shadow is big a dark patch
at the centre is formed (umbra) while a surrounding lighter patch
called penumbra is formed.

Eclipses
Eclipse of the sun (solar eclipse)
This occurs when the moon is between the earth and
the earth. The shadow of the moon falls on the earth’s
surface. Sometimes the distance is large for the shadow
to reach the earth and when this happens an annular
eclipse occurs.
 47

Annular eclipse
 48

Eclipse of the moon

It is also known as lunar eclipse and occurs when the
earth is between the sun and the moon. The shadow of
the earth falls on the moon.

Examples
1. Calculate the height of a building 300 m away from a pinhole
camera which produces an image 2.5 cm high if the distance
between the pinhole and the screen is 5.0 cm.
Solution
Object distance = 300 m, image height = 2.5 cm, image
distance = 5.0 cm. Object height/ image height = object
distance/ image distance
Object height = (30,000 × 2.5) / 5.0 = 15,000 cm = 150
m.
2. The length of a pinhole camera is 25.0 cm. An object 2.0 cm
is placed 10.0 m from the pinhole. Calculate the height of the
image produced and its magnification.
Solution
Image height = (image distance × object height) / object distance
= (25 ×200) / 10 = 500 cm or 5 m.
Magnification = image distance / object distance
= 25 /10 = 2.5
Reflection from plane surfaces
Diffuse and regular reflection
Regular reflection occurs when a parallel beam of light falls on a
plane mirror band reflected as a parallel beam. They occur on
polished surfaces. A diffuse reflection occurs on rough surfaces
where a parallel beam of light is reflected in all directions.
 49

Laws of reflection
1. The incident ray, the normal and the reflected ray at
the point of incidence must be on the same plane
2. The angle of
incidence is equal
to the angle of
reflection.

Images formed by reflection from plane surfaces

Characteristics of images formed in a plane mirror
1. The image is the same size as the object
2. The image is the same distance behind the mirror as the object
is in front
3. The image is laterally inverted
4. The image is virtual
5. The image is erect.

Location of an image by the non-parallax method

Parallax is the apparent relative motion of two objects due to the
movement of the observer. It only occurs when the objects are at a
distance from one another. This can be used to find the position of
images in plane mirrors.
Experiment: To find the position of an image
of a pin by non-parallax method Procedure
1. Obtain a sheet of paper and draw a mirror line
2. Place the mirror on the line as shown
3. Place the pin at least 5 cm from the mirror and obtain another
 50

pin (search pin)

4. Move the pin till you get a point where there is no
parallax and place your second pin.
5. Measure the distances (both image and object) and confirm
your results.

Mirrors at an angle
When mirrors are placed at an angle several images are
obtained depending on the angle between them. If the
angle is 600 the images formed will be five. We use the
following formula to find the number of images
n = (3600 / θ) - 1
When mirrors are parallel then the images formed are infinite.
 51

Kaleidoscope
It applies the principle of mirrors at an angle. Consists of
two mirrors arranged at an angle of 600 to one another
inside a tube. The bottom has a ground-glass plate with
brightly coloured glass for allowing light. When one
observes through the tube five images are seen.
 52

The periscope
This consists of two mirrors arranged at an angle of 450
as shown. This principle is used in periscopes (prisms)
and telescopes.

CHAPTER NINE
ELECROSTATICS I

Some substances get charged when rubbed against

other substances i.e. nylon, plastic, paper etc. the
charge acquired stays within the body i.e. it does not
 53

move and therefore known as electrostatic charge or

static electricity.

The law of charges - types of charges

There are two types of charges i.e. negative and positive charges.
The negative charge consists of electrons which are mobile. The
law of charges in summary states that “like charges repel, unlike
charges attract’’. Just like in magnetism attraction is not a sure
way of testing for charge but repulsion because it will only occur
if the bodies are similarly charged.
Charges, atoms and electrons
The atom is made up of a central part called the nucleus,
containing positively charged ions called protons and
outwardly surrounded by negatively charged electrons.
The nucleus also contain the particles called neutrons
which are not charged. When an atom is not charged the
number of protons equals the number of electrons. When
a material is rubbed with another i.e. acetate with silk,
electrons are transferred from one body to another. The
body accepting or receiving electrons becomes negatively
charged while the one donating or
losing electrons becomes positively charged. Protons and
neutrons in the nucleus do not move. The SI unit for
charge is the Coulomb (Coul.)

1 Coul. = charge on 6.25 × 1018 electrons.

Charge on one electron = 1.60 × 10-19 Coul.
1 Coul. = 1 Ampere second (As).

The leaf electroscope

This is a sensitive instrument for measuring charge. It
consists of a metal cap connected to a stem whose lower
part is flattened into a plate with a thin strip of
aluminium foil attached to it. The plate and the leaf are
 54

enclosed in a metal casing which is earthed. The sides of

the metal are made of glass to allow the leaf to be seen.

Other leaf electroscopes are made using gold strips

and are referred to as gold leaf electroscope.

Charging and discharging an electroscope

When a charged body is brought near the cap of the electroscope
the leaf diverges, and when removed it collapses. When a
negatively charged body is brought near the metal cap electrons
are repelled from the cap to the lower parts of the stem and the
leaf. This concentration of negative charges makes the leaf to
diverge. Similarly when a positively charged body comes near the
metal cap the electrons are attracted by the protons and move up
the stem, leaving a high concentration of positive charges which
make the leaf to
diverge.
 55

If you touch the metal cap with your finger the leaf
collapses showing that the charges have been discharged
through your body. An uncharged body will always
cause the leaf of a
charged electroscope to collapse regardless of the charge
on the electroscope. This shows that charge moves from
the charged electroscope to the uncharged body.

Conductors and insulators

Conductors are those substances which allow easy
passage of a charge. Insulators do not allow a charge to
pass through easily. A charged electroscope can be used
to classify objects into conductors and insulators.
Experiment: Arranging objects into
conductors and insulators. Procedure
1. Charge an electroscope by rubbing it with fur until its leaf
diverges.
2. Obtain a number of materials like aluminium, paper,
copper, iron, cloth, glass, wood etc.
3. Hold these items in your hand in turns and touch the
charged electroscopes’ metal cap with it.
4. Record your results in the table shown below.
56
 57

We have seen that when a charged body is brought near

a leaf electroscope, charges are transferred to the
electroscope and the leaf diverges. This method of
transferring charge without actual contact is called
induction.
Uses of the electroscope
1. To detect the presence of charge on a body
2. To test the quantity of charge on a charge body.
3. To test for insulation properties of a material.
4. To test the sign of charge on a charged body.
Applications of electrostatic charges
1. Electrostatic precipitator - they are used in chimneys to reduce
pollution by attracting pollutants through electric ionization which
then traps them by use of plates (wire mesh). Finger printing and
photocopying uses the same principle.
2. Spray painting- as air cruises above the paint
droplets acquire similar charges therefore spread out
finely due to repulsion. Little paint is then used.

Dangers of electrostatics
As liquid flows through a pipe its molecules get charged due to
rubbing against inner surface. If the liquid is flammable then this
can cause sparks and explode. The same happens to fuels carried
in plastic cans therefore it is advisable to carry fuel in metallic
cans to leak out the continuously produced charges.

CHAPTER TEN
CELLS AND SIMPLE CIRCUITS
Introduction
Work done per unit charge is called electrical potential.
Current is the flow of charge. For current to be
 58

continuous, potential difference between the two points

must be sustained.

Sources of continuous currents

In this process work is continuously done in moving
electrons against a repulsive force. A device in which
the potential difference is sustain-ned is called a cell . A
cell is a source of continuous current. The end of a cell
with a higher potential (fewer electrons)is called the
positive terminal while the end with lower potential
(higher electrons) is called the negative terminal.
1. Chemical sources
A good example is the electrochemical cell where
simultaneous oxidation-reduction process occurs between
the electrolyte and the electrodes. An external circuit is
used to transfer the electrons. Examples of
electrochemical cells are the primary cells i.e. the dry cell
and Daniel cell. The reactants must be replaced after
supplying a given amount of energy. The second type is
the secondary cell or storage cell where the chemical
reaction is reversible i.e. the lead-acid battery and nickel-
cadmium cell. The third type is the fuel cell where
chemical
energy supplied is continuously converted into electrical
energy i.e. hydrogen-oxygen cell used in spacecraft.
 59

2. Thermoelectric sources
A good example is the thermocouple where p.d is
sustained by the continuous heating which keeps the
terminals at different temperatures.
3. Solar sources
This occurs when some semi-conductor material called
P and N type absorbs light at their transition region and
gain energy enough to move electrons just like in cells.
They are used in spaceships, calculators, lighting, etc.
DC circuits
Conventionally current is a flow of positive charge and
flows from the positive terminal to the negative
terminal. A dc current is the flow of current in one
direction that is from the positive terminal to the
negative terminal when the loop is closed.

Circuit symbols
The following symbols are used in electrical circuits.
 60

Potential difference and current

Pd is the work done by moving an electron from one
point of a conductor to another. Current is by
definition the rate of flow of charge.
Current = charge / time
The SI unit for current is the ampere, A.
1 A = 1 Coul/sec
1 milliampere (mA) = 10-3 A
1 microampere (µA) = 10-6 A
Examples
1. The current in a single loop is 3.0 A. How long
would it take for a charge of 3600 coulombs to flow?
Solution
Current = charge / time
Time = charge / current => 3600 / 3 = 1200 seconds = 20 minutes.
2.
Primary cells
 61

This is a cell formed by dipping two different metals into an

electrolyte.
Experiment: making a simple cell
Procedure
1. Take a piece of copper strip and zinc strip and clean thoroughly
with emery paper.
2. Put the two strips in a beaker containing dilute sulphuric acid.
3. Observe what happens to the strips.
4. Connect the strips externally to a milliameter and a voltmeter.

Discussion
Sulphuric acid is chemically written as, H2SO4 ----- 2H+
+ SO42-
The electrons liberated by the acid
move to the zinc electrode Zn ------
Zn2+ + 2e-
The hydrogen ions move to the copper strip
2H+ + 2e- ---- H2
Copper strip therefore becomes positively charged while the zinc
becomes negatively charged electrode.
The accumulation of bubbles around the copper strip is called
polarization. The bubbles formed around the zinc strip is the
reaction of acid with zinc impurities and is called local action.
 62

Polarization produces insulation between the strip and the acid

cutting off
production of current eventually. This is known as the internal
resistance of the cell. Local action eats away the zinc strip and a
mercury coat is applied to prevent this (amalgamation).
Polarization and local action are the main defects of simple cells.
The Leclanche’ cell
In this cell carbon rod is used as the positive terminal
and zinc as the negative electrode. The electrolyte is
ammonium chloride solution (NH4Cl). No polarization
since it is reduced by use of manganese (IV) oxide
(MnO2) which oxidizes hydrogen into water. Local
action still occurs. They are used in operating bells and
telephone boxes.

The dry cell

It is referred to as dry because it contains no liquid. The
ammonium solution is replaced with ammonium chloride
jelly or paste, the manganese (IV) oxide and carbon
powder are used as the depolarizer. The hydrogen gas
produced is oxidized to water which eventually makes the
cell wet after use. They are used in torches, radios
calculators etc.
 63

Secondary cells
They are also called storage cells since they store electrical charge
as chemical energy.
Experiment: To charge and discharge a simple secondary cell
Procedure
1. Set up the apparatus as shown below.
2. Close the switch S1 and observe the changes in the plates if
any.
3. Note how the ammeter reading varies with time.
64
 65

Discussion
When charging oxygen is produced at the anode and
hydrogen at the cathode. The oxygen reacts with lead to
form lead (IV) oxide which is deposited at the anode.
The hydrogen formed has no effect.
When discharging current flows in opposite direction
with oxygen being formed at the cathode and
hydrogen at the anode. The colour of the positive
electrode changes from brown to grey.

Lead-acid accumulator
A 12V accumulator has six cells connected in series. Each cell has
several plates forming lattice grid with positive plates carrying
lead (IV) oxide and the negative plates having spongy lead. They
are placed close to one another with an insulating sheet separating
them. They are rated in ampere-hours i.e. 30 Ah means that it can
supply 1 ampere for 30 hours or 2 amperes for 15 hours etc.

Example
A battery is rated at 30 Ah. For how long will it work if it steadily
supplies a current of 3 A?
Solution
Q = I t, hence t = Q / I => 30 / 3 = 10 hours.

Alkaline accumulators
 66

Potassium hydroxide (KOH).Nickel hydroxide (Ni (OH)

forms the positive electrode while iron forms the negative
electrode. They are two types nickel cadmium (NiCd) and
nickel iron (NiFe). They are used in ships, hospitals and
buildings where large currents are required for
emergencies.
 67

Advantages of alkaline accumulators over lead-acid accumulators

1. Large currents can be drawn from them
2. They require little maintenance
3. They are portable
4. They can remain discharged for a long time
without getting ruined. Disadvantages
1. They are very expensive
2. They have lower e.m.f per cell.

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
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
 68

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
magnadur 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
69
 70

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.
 71

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
a.c. current through it for a short time.
 72

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.
 73

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 callipers
Vernier callipers is used when higher accuracy in
 74

measurement is required and this cannot be done using a

metre rule.
Vernier callipers 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 callipers 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
 75

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
 76

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 centre
line of the sleeve is parallel to the thimble scale division.
Examples
1. Give the reading in the following.
 77

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 πr3 and Area = πr2h.
Examples
 78

1. A drop of olive oil, whose volume is 0.12 mm3, was

placed on a surface of clean water.
The oil spread and formed a patch of area 6.0 × 104 mm2.
Estimate the size of the olive oil.
Solution
Volume = 0.12 mm3. Area of the oil
patch = 6.0 × 104 mm2. 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 mm3 and
forms a film with a radius of 10 cm.Calculate, the
thickness of the oil film.
Solution
Area of the film = πr2 = 3.14 × 10 × 10 = 314 cm2 = 31,400 mm2.
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.
 79

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 metre (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?

Solution
Taking moments about the
fulcrum, O then
Anticlockwise moments = (3
× 1) + (3 × 3)
= 3 + 9 = 12 Nm
Anti-clockwise moments = clockwise moments
3 W = 12 Nm W = 4 N
2. The following bar is of negligible weight. Determine the value of
‘x’ if the bar is balanced.
 80

Solution
The distance from the turning point to the line of action can be
determined as,
60 cm 1500

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 = 30cm.
3. Study the diagram below and determine the value of X and hence
the length of the bar.
 81

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
 82

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 centre of
the body. For irregular bodies their weight still acts at the
centre 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.
 83

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.
 84

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.
 85

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 centre of gravity - the higher the centre
of gravity the less stable the body will be.

States of equilibrium
1. Stable equilibrium - if a body is displaced by a small
 86

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.

Stable equilibrium
Unstable equilibrium
Neutral equilibrium

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

CHAPTER FIVE
 87

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.
 88

Parts of a spherical mirror.

1. Centre of curvature (C) - this is the centre of the sphere
of which the mirror is part of. The centre itself is called
the pole (P).
2. Principal axis - this is the line joining the centre 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 centre 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.
 89

Images formed by spherical mirrors

Location of images using ray diagrams.
When drawing ray diagrams the following symbols are used to
represent the mirrors.
 90

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 centre of curvature which is reflected along its
own path since ithits 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.

b) Object at C: image formed at C. It

is real, inverted the same and size as the object.

c) Object behind C: image is formed between C and F. It is real,

inverted and diminished.
 91

d) Object between F and C: Image is formed behind C. It is real,

inverted and magnified.

e) Object at F: Image formed is at infinity.

 92

f) Object between F and P: Image is formed behind the

mirror. It is virtual, erect and magnified.
 93

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
 94

= 7 cm, object height = 1 cm.

 95

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
 96

(diminished).

CHAPTER SIX
MAGNETIC EFFECT OF AN ELECTRIC CURRENT
Introduction: Oersted’s discovery

Hans Christian Oersted 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”.
 97

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”.
 98

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
 99

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.

‘
 100

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.
 101

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
 102

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 is 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.
 103

CHAPTER SEVEN
HOOKE’S LAW
Hooke’s law states that “the extension of a spring is
propo-rtional 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
 104

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.
 105

Solution
a) k = 100 100 Nm-1, extension = force / k = 10 / 100 = 0.1 m = 10
cm.
b) Extension of the lower spring = 10 cm, extension of the
two parallel springs = 5 cm. Total extension = 10 + 5 = 15
cm.
c) Extension of the two lower
springs = 5 cm Middle spring
extend by = 10cm
Upper two springs extend by = 5 cmTotal
extension = 5 + 10 + 5 = 20 cm.
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.
106
 107

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 F1 / F2 = e1 / e2 = F2 = (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
 108

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.
 109

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
 110

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 metres.

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
 111

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
waves;
a) Amplitude
b) Frequency (f)
c) Wavelength (λ)
 112

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 range in which compressional disturbances
occur is called the sonic spectrum and is very large. Sound
is a range of compressi-onal 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
 113

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.
 114

4. Quality
 115

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.
 116

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)Aluminium - 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 50C,
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 50C = 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
 117

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.
 118

Let the cross-sectional area in both sections be A1 and A2 and the

corresponding speeds of the fluid be V1 and V2 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 litres 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 v2 = (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.
119
 120

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.
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 122

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 airplanes, the
trajectory of a spinning ball, paint sprayer and Bunsen
burner among others.
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PHYSICS FORM THREE

CHAPTER ONE
LINEAR MOTION
Introduction
Study of motion is divided into two;
1. Kinematics
2. Dynamics
In kinematics forces causing motion are disregarded while dynamics
deals with motion of objects and the forces causing them.
I.Displacement
Distance moved by a body in a specified direction is called
displacement. It is denoted by letter‘s’ and has both magnitude and
direction. Distance is the movement from one point to another. The
Si unit for displacement is the metre (m).
II.Speed
This is the distance covered per unit time.
 126

Speed= distance covered/ time taken. Distance is a scalar quantity

since it has magnitude only. The SI unit for speed is metres per
second(m/s or ms-1)
Average speed= total distance covered/total time taken
Other units for speed used are Km/h.
Examples
1. A body covers a distance of 10m in 4 seconds. It rests for 10
seconds and finally covers a distance of 90m in 60 seconds.
Calculate the average speed.
Solution
Total distance covered=10+90=100m
Total time taken=4+10+6=20 seconds
Therefore average speed=100/20=5m/s
2. Calculate the distance in metres covered by a body moving with
a uniform speed of 180 km/h in 30 seconds.
Solution
Distance covered=speed*time
=180*1000/60*60=50m/s
=50*30
=1,500m
3. Calculate the time in seconds taken a by body moving with a
uniform speed of 360km/h to cover a distance of 3,000 km?
Solution
Speed:360km/h=360*1000/60*60=100m/s
Time=distance/speed
3000*1000/100
=30,000 seconds.
III.Velocity
This is the change of displacement per unit time. It is a vector
quantity.
Velocity=change in displacement/total time taken
The SI units for velocity are m/s
 127

Examples
1. A man runs 800m due North in 100 seconds, followed by 400m
due South in 80 seconds. Calculate,
a. His average speed
b. His average velocity
c. His change in velocity for the whole journey
Solution
a. Average speed: total distance travelled/total time taken
=800+400/100+80
=1200/180
=6.67m/s
b. Average velocity: total displacement/total time
=800-400/180
=400/180
=2.22 m/s due North
c. Change in velocity=final-initial velocity
= (800/100)-(400-80)
=8-5
=3m/s due North
2. A tennis ball hits a vertical wall at a velocity of 10m/s and
bounces off at the same velocity. Determine the change in velocity.
Solution
Initial velocity(u)=-10m/s
Final velocity (v) = 10m/s
Therefore change in velocity= v-u
=10- (-10)
=20m/s
IV.Acceleration
This is the change of velocity per unit time. It is a vector quantity
symbolized by ‘a’.
Acceleration ‘a’=change in velocity/time taken= v-u/t
The SI units for acceleration are m/s2
 128

Examples
1. The velocity of a body increases from 72 km/h to 144 km/h in 10
seconds. Calculate its acceleration.
Solution
Initial velocity= 72 km/h=20m/s
Final velocity= 144 km/h=40m/s
Therefore ‘a’ =v-u/t
= 40-20/10
2m/s2
2. A car is brought to rest from 180km/h in 20 seconds. What is its
retardation?
Solution
Initial velocity=180km/h=50m/s
Final velocity= 0 m/s
A = v-u/t=0-50/20
= -2.5 m/s2
Hence retardation is 2.5 m/s2

Motion graphs
Distance-time graphs
a)

Stationary body

b)
 129

A body moving with

uniform speed

c)

A body moving with

variable speed

Area under velocity-time graph

Consider a body with uniform or constant acceleration for time‘t’
seconds;

Distance travelled= average

velocity*t
=(0+v/2)*t
=1/2vt
This is equivalent to the area
under the graph. The area under velocity-time graph gives the
distance covered by the body under‘t’ seconds.
Example
A car starts from rest and attains a velocity of 72km/h in 10 seconds.
It travels at this velocity for 5 seconds and then decelerates to stop
after another 6 seconds. Draw a velocity-time graph for this motion.
From the graph;
i.Calculate the total distance moved by the car
 130

ii.Find the acceleration of the car at each stage.

Solution

a. From the graph, total distance covered= area of (A+B+C)

=(1/2×10×20)+(1/2×6×20)+(5×20)
=100+60+100
=260m
Also the area of the trapezium gives the same result.

b. Acceleration= gradient of the graph

Stage A gradient= 20-0/ 10-0 = 2 m/s2
Stage b gradient= 20-20/15-10 =0 m/s2
Stage c gradient= 0-20/21-15 =-3.33 m/s2

Using a ticker-timer to measure speed, velocity and acceleration.

It will be noted that the dots pulled at different velocities will be as
follows;
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Most ticker-timers operate at a frequency of 50Hzi.e. 50 cycles per

second hence they make 50 dots per second. Time interval between
two consecutive dots is given as,
1/50 seconds= 0.02 seconds. This time is called a tick.
The distance is measured in ten-tick intervals hence time becomes
10×0.02= 0.2 seconds.
Examples
a. A tape is pulled steadily through a ticker-timer of frequency 50
Hz. Given the outcome below, calculate the velocity with which the
tape is pulled.

• A • B C •

Solution
Distance between two consecutive dots= 5cm
Frequency of the ticker-timer=50Hz
Time taken between two consecutive dots=1/50=0.02 seconds
Therefore, velocity of tape=5/0.02= 250 cm/s
b. The tape below was produced by a ticker-timer with a
frequency of 100Hz. Find the acceleration of the object which was
pulling the tape.

Solution
Time between
successive
dots=1/100=0.01 seconds
Initial velocity (u) 0.5/0.01 50 cm/s
Final velocity (v) 2.5/0.01= 250 cm/s
Time taken= 4 ×0.01 = 0.04 seconds
Therefore, acceleration= v-u/t= 250-50/0.04=5,000 cm/s2
 132

Equations of linear motion

The following equations are applied for uniformly accelerated
motion;
v = u + at
s = ut + ½ at2
v2= u2 +2as
Examples
1. A body moving with uniform acceleration of 10 m/s2 covers a
distance of 320 m. if its initial velocity was 60 m/s. Calculate its final
velocity.
Solution
V2 = u2 +2as
= (60) +2×10×320
=3600+6400
= 10,000
Therefore v= (10,000)1/2
v= 100m/s
2. A body whose initial velocity is 30 m/s moves with a constant
retardation of 3m/s. Calculate the time taken for the body to come to
rest.
Solution
v = u+at
0= 30-3t
30=3t
t= 30 seconds.
3. A body is uniformly accelerated from rest to a final velocityof
100m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate the distance covered.
Solution
s=ut+ ½ at2
=0×10+ ½ ×10×102
= 1000/2=500m
Motion under gravity
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1. Free fall
The equations used for constant acceleration can be used to become,
v =u+gt
s =ut + ½ gt2
v2= u+2gs
2. Vertical projection
Since the body goes against force of gravity then the following
equations hold
v =u-gt ……………1
s =ut- ½ gt2 ……2
v2= u-2gs …………3
N.B time taken to reach maximum height is given by the following
t=u/g since v=0 (using equation 1)

Time of flight
The time taken by the projectile is the timetaken to fall back to its
point ofprojection. Using eq. 2 then, displacement =0
0= ut- ½ gt2
0=2ut-gt2
t(2u-gt)=0
Hence, t=0 or t= 2u/g
t=o corresponds to the start of projection
t=2u/gcorresponds to the time of flight
The time of flight is twice the time taken to attain maximum
height.

Maximum height reached.

Using equation 3 maximum height, Hmax is attained when v=0
(final velocity). Hence
v2= u2-2gs;- 0=u2-2gHmax, therefore
 134

2gHmax=u2
Hmax=u2/2g

Velocity to return to point of projection

At the instance of returning to the original point, total displacement
equals to zero.
v2 =u2-2gs hence v2= u2
Thereforev=u or v=±u
Example
A stone is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 30m/s from
the ground. Calculate,
a. The time it takes to attain maximum height
b. The time of flight
c. The maximum height reached
d. The velocity with which it lands on the ground. (take g=10m/s)
Solution
a. Time taken to attain maximum height
T=u/g=30/10=3 seconds

b. The time of flight

T=2t= 2×3=6 seconds
Or T=2u/g=2×30/10=6 seconds.

c. Maximum height reached

Hmax= u2/2g= 30×30/2×10= 45m

d. Velocity of landing (return)

v2= u2-2gs, but s=0,
Hence v2=u2
Thereforev=(30×30)1/2=30m/s
3. Horizontal projection
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The path followed by a body (projectile) is called trajectory. The

maximum horizontal distance covered by the projectile is called
range.
The horizontal
displacement ‘R’ at a
time‘t’ is given by
s=ut+1/2at2
Taking u=u and a=0
hence R=ut, is the
horizontal displacement
and h=1/2gt2 is the
vertical displacement.
NOTE
The time of flight is the same as the time of free fall.
Example
A ball is thrown from the top of a cliff 20m high with a horizontal
velocity of 10m/s. Calculate,
a. The time taken by the ball to strike the ground
b. The distance from the foot of the cliff to where the ball strikes
the ground.
c. The vertical velocity at the time it strikes the ground. (take
g=10m/s)
Solution
a. h= ½ gt2
20= ½ ×10×t2
40=10t2
t2=40/10=4
t=2 seconds
b. R=ut
=10×2
=20m
c. v=u+at=gt
 136

= 2×10=20m/s
CHAPTER TWO
REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Introduction
Refraction is the change of direction of light rays as they pass at
an angle from one medium to another of different optical densities.
Exp. To investigate the path of light through rectangular glass block.
Apparatus: - soft-board, white sheet of paper, drawing pins
(optical), rectangular glass block.
Procedure
1. Fix the white plain paper on the soft board using pins.
2. Place the glass block on the paper and trace its outline, label it
ABCD as shown below.
3. Draw a normal NON at point O.
4. Replace the glass block to its original position.
5. Stick two pins P1 and P2 on the line such that they are at least
6cm apart and upright.
6. Viewing pins P1 and P2 from opposite side, fixpins P3 and P4
such that they’re in a straight line.
7. Remove the pins and the glass block.
8. Draw a line joining P3 and P4 and produce it to meet the outline
face AB at point O
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Explanation of refraction
Light travels at a velocity of 3.0×108in a vacuum. Light travels with
different velocities in different media. When a ray of light travels
from an optically less dense media to more dense media, it is
refracted towards the normal. The glass block experiment gives rise
to a very important law known as the law of reversibility which
states that “if a ray of light is reversed, it always travels along its
original path”. If the glass block is parallel-sided, the emergent ray
will be parallel to the incident ray but displaced laterally as shown

‘e’ is called the angle of emergence. The direction of the light is not
altered but displaced sideways. This displacement is called lateral
displacement and is denoted by‘d’. Therefore
XY= t/Cos r YZ= Sin (i-r) ×xy
So, lateral displacement, d = t Sin (i-r)/Cos r
Laws of refraction
1. The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point
of incidence all lie on the same plane.
2. The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of
the angle of refraction is a constant for a given pair of media.
Sin i/sin r = constant (k)

Refractive index
 138

Refractive index (n) is the constant of proportionality in Snell’s

law; hence
Sin i/ sin r = n
Therefore sin i/sin r=n=1/sin r/sin i
Examples
1. Calculate the refractive index for light travelling from glass to
air given thatang= 1.5
Solution
gna= 1/ang = 1/1.5=0.67
2. Calculate the angle of refraction for a ray of light from air
striking an air-glass interface, making an angle of 600 with the
interface. (ang= 1.5)
Solution
Angle of incidence (i) = 900-600=300
1.5=sin 30o/sin r, sin r =sin 300/ 1.5=0.5/1.5
Sin r=0.3333, sin-10.3333= 19.50
R= 19.50
Refractive index in terms of velocity
Refractive index can be given in terms of velocity by the use of the
following equation;
1n2 = velocity of light in medium 1/velocity of light in medium 2
When a ray of light is travelling from vacuum to a medium the
refractive index is referred to as absolute refractive index of the
medium denoted by ‘n’
Refractive index of a material ‘n’=velocity of light in a
vacuum/velocity of light in material ‘n’
The absolute refractive indices of some common materials is given
below
Material Refractive
index
1 Air 1.00028
(ATP)
 139

2 Ice 1.31
3 Water 1.33
4 Ethanol 1.36
5 Kerosene 1.44
6 Glycerol 1.47
7 Perspex 1.49
8 Glass 1.55
(crown)
9 Glass 1.65
(flint)
10 Ruby 1.76
11 Diamond 2.72

Examples
1. A ray of light is incident on a water-glass interface as shown.
Calculate ‘r’. (Take the refractive index of glass and water as 3/2
and 4/3 respectively)

Solution
Since anw sin θw=ang sing
4/3 sin 300= 3/2 sin r
3/2 sin r= 4/3× 0.5
 140

Sin r =4/6×2/3=4/9= 0.4444

r = 26.40
2. The refractive index of water is 4/3 and that of glass is 3/2.
Calculate the refractive index of glass with respect to water.
Solution
wng= gna×ang, but wna = 1/ anw=3/4
wng=3/4×3/2=9/8= 1.13
Real and apparent depth
Consider the following diagram

The depth of the water

OM is the real depth,
and the distance IM is
known as the apparent
depth. OI is the distance through which the coin has been displaced
and is known as the vertical displacement. The relationship between
refractive index and the apparent depth is given by;
Refractive index of a material=real depth/apparent depth
NB: This is true only if the object is viewed normally.
Example
A glass block of thickness 12 cm is placed on a mark drawn on a
plain paper. The mark is viewed normally through the glass.
Calculate the apparent depth of the mark and hence the vertical
displacement. (Refractive index of glass =3/2)
Solution
 141

ang= real depth/apparent depth

apparent depth= real depth/ ang=(12×2)/3= 8 cm
vertical displacement= 12-8=4 cm
Applications of refractive index
Total internal reflection
This occurs when light travels from a denser optical medium to a
less dense medium. The refracted ray moves away from the normal
until a critical angle is reached usually 900 where the refracted ray is
parallel to the boundary between the two media. If this critical angle
is exceeded total internal reflection occurs and at this point no
refraction occurs but the ray is reflected internally within the denser
medium.
Relationship between the critical angle and refractive index
Consider the following diagram

From Snell’s law

0
gnw = sin C/sin 90 ,but ang = 1/gna
since sin 900 = 1
Thereforeang= 1/sin C, hence sin C=1/n or n=1/sin C
Example
Calculate the critical angle of diamond given that its refractive
index is 2.42
Solution
Sin C= 1/n=1/ 2.42= 0.4132= 24.40
Effects of total internal reflection
1. Mirage: These are ‘pools of water’ seen on a tarmac road
during a hot day. They are also observed in very cold regions but the
 142

light curves in opposite direction such that a polar bear seems to be

upside down in the sky.
2. Atmospheric refraction: the earths’ atmosphere refracts light
rays so that the sun can be seen even when it has set. Similarly the
sun is seen before it actually rises.
Applications of total internal reflection
1. Periscope: a prism periscope consists of two right angled glass
prisms of angles 450,900 and 450 arranged as shown below. They are
used to observe distant objects.

2. Prism binoculars: the arrangement of lenses and prisms is as

shown below.
Binoculars reduce the
distance of objects
such that they seem to
be nearer.
 143

3. Pentaprism: used in cameras to change the inverted images

formed into erect and actual image in front of the photographer.
4. Optical fibre: this is a flexible glass rod of small diameter. A
light entering through them undergoes repeated internal reflections.
They are
used in

medicine to observe or view internal organs of the body

5. Dispersion of white light: the splitting of light into its
constituent colours is known as dispersion. Each colour represents a
different wavelength as they strike the prism and therefore refracted
differently as shown.
 144

CHAPTER THREE
NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION
Newton’s first law (law of inertia)
This law states that “A body continues in its state of rest or uniform
motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it”. The mass of a body
is a measure of its inertia. Inertia is the property that keeps an object
in its state of motion and resists any efforts to change it.
Newton’s second law (law of momentum)
Momentum of a body is defined as the product of its mass and its
velocity.
Momentum ‘p’=mv. The SI unit for momentum is kgm/s or Ns.
The Newton’s second law states that “The rate of change of
momentum of a body is proportional to the applied force and takes
place in the direction in which the force acts”
Change in momentum= mv-mu
Rate of change of momentum= mv-mu/∆t
Generally the second law gives rise to the equation of force F=ma
Hence F=mv-mu/∆t and F∆t=mv-mu
The quantity F∆t is called impulse and is equal to the change of
momentum of the body. The SI unit for impulse is Ns.
Examples
1. A van of mass 3 metric tons is travelling at a velocity of 72
km/h. Calculate the momentum of the vehicle.
Solution
Momentum=mv=72km/h=(20m/s)×3×103 kg
=6.0×104kgm/s
2. A truck weighs 1.0×105 N and is free to move. What force
willgiveit an acceleration of 1.5 m/s2? (take g=10N/kg)
Solution
Mass of the truck = (1.0×105)/10=6.0×104
Using F=ma
=1.5×10×104
 145

=1.5×104 N
3. A car of mass 1,200 kg travelling at 45 m/s is brought to rest in
9 seconds. Calculate the average retardation of the car and the
average force applied by the brakes.
Solution
Since the car comes to rest, v=0, a=(v-u)/t =(0-45)/9=-5m/s
(retardation)
F=ma =(1200×-5) N =-6,000 N (braking force)
4. A truck of mass 2,000 kg starts from rest on horizontal rails.
Find the speed 3 seconds after starting if the tractive force by the
engine is 1,000 N.
Solution
Impulse = Ft=1,000×3= 3,000 Ns
Let v be the velocity after 3 seconds. Since the truck was initially at
rest then u=0.
Change in momentum=mv-mu
= (2,000×v) - (2,000×0)
=2,000 v
But impulse=change in momentum
2,000 v = 3,000
v = 3/2=1.5 m/s.
Weight of a body in a lift or elevator
When a body is in a lift at rest then the weight
W=mg
When the lift moves upwards with acceleration ‘a’ then the weight
becomes
W = m (a+g)
If the lift moves downwards with acceleration ‘a’ then the weight
becomes
W = m (g-a)
Example
 146

A girl of mass stands inside a lift which is accelerated upwards at a

rate of 2 m/s2. Determine the reaction of the lift at the girls’ feet.
Solution
Let the reaction at the girls’ feet be ‘R’ and the weight ‘W’
The resultant force F= R-W
= (R-500) N
Using F = ma, then R-500= 50×2, R= 100+500 = 600 N.

Newton’s third law (law of interaction)

This law states that “For every action or force there is an equal and
opposite force or reaction”
Example
A girl of mass 50 Kg stands on roller skates near a wall. She pushes
herself against the wall with a force of 30N. If the ground is
horizontal and the friction on the roller skates is negligible,
determine her acceleration from the wall.
Solution
Action = reaction = 30 N
Force of acceleration from the wall = 30 N
F = ma
a = F/m = 30/50 = 0.6 m/s2

Linear collisions
Linear collision occurs when two bodies collide head-on and move
along the same straight line. There are two types of collisions;
a) Inelastic collision: - this occurs when two bodies collide and
stick together i.e. hitting putty on a wall. Momentum is conserved.
b) Elastic collision: - occurs when bodies collide and bounce off
each other after collision. Both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved.
 147

Collisions bring about a law derived from both Newton’s third law
and conservation of momentum. This law is known as the law of
conservation of linear momentum which states that “when no
outside forces act on a system of moving objects, the total
momentum of the system stays constant”.
Examples
1. A bullet of mass 0.005 kg is fired from a gun of mass 0.5 kg. If
the muzzle velocity of the bullet is 300 m/s, determine the recoil
velocity of the gun.
Solution
Initial momentum of the bullet and the gun is zero since they are at
rest.
Momentum of the bullet after firing = (0.005×350) = 1.75 kgm/s
But momentum before firing = momentum after firing hence
0 = 1.75 + 0.5 v where ‘v’ = recoil velocity
0.5 v = -1.75
v =-1.75/0.5 = - 3.5 m/s (recoil velocity)
2. A resultant force of 12 N acts on a body of mass 2 kg for 10
seconds. What is the change in momentum of the body?
Solution
Change in momentum = ∆P = mv – mu= Ft
= 12×10 = 12 Ns
3. A minibus of mass 1,500 kg travelling at a constant velocity of
72 km/h collides head-on with a stationary car of mass 900 kg. The
impact takes 2 seconds before the two move together at a constant
velocity for 20 seconds. Calculate
a) The common velocity
b) The distance moved after the impact
c) The impulsive force
d) The change in kinetic energy
Solution
a) Let the common velocity be ‘v’
 148

Momentum before collision = momentum after collision

(1500×20) + (900×0) = (1500 +900)v
30,000 = 2,400v
v = 30,000/2,400 = 12.5 m/s (common velocity)
b) After impact, the two bodies move together as one with a
velocity of 12.5 m/s
Distance = velocity × time
= 12.5×20
= 250m
c) Impulse = change in momentum
= 1500 (20-12.5) for minibus or
=900 (12.5 – 0) for the car
= 11,250 Ns
Impulse force F = impulse/time = 11,250/2 = 5,625 N
d) K.E before collision = ½ × 1,500 × 202 = 3 × 105 J
K.E after collision = ½ × 2400 × 12.52 = 1.875×105 J
Therefore, change in K.E =(3.00 – 1.875) × 105 = 1.25× 105 J

Some of the applications of the law of conservation of momentum

1. Rocket and jet propulsion: - rocket propels itself forward by
forcing out its exhaust gases. The hot gases are pushed through
exhaust nozzle at high velocity therefore gaining momentum to
move forward.
2. The garden sprinkler: - as water passes through the nozzle at
high pressure it forces the sprinkler to rotate.

Solid friction
Friction is a force which opposes or tends to oppose the relative
motion of two surfaces in contact with each other.
Measuring frictional forces
We can relate weight of bodies in contact and the force between
them. This relationship is called coefficient of friction. Coefficient
 149

of friction is defined as the ratio of the force needed to overcome

friction Ff to the perpendicular force between the surfaces Fn.
Hence
µ = Ff/ Fn
Examples
1. A box of mass 50 kg is dragged on a horizontal floor by means
of a rope tied to its front. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between
the floor and the box is 0.30, what is the force required to move the
box at uniform speed?
Solution
Ff = µFn
Fn= weight = 50×10 = 500 N
Ff = 0.30 × 500 = 150 N
2. A block of metal with a mass of 20 kg requires a horizontal
force of 50 N to pull it with uniform velocity along a horizontal
surface. Calculate the coefficient of friction between the surface and
the block. (take g = 10 m/s)
Solution
Since motion is uniform, the applied force is equal to the frictional
force
Fn = normal reaction = weight = 20 ×10 = 200 N
Therefore, µ =Ff/ Fn = 50/ 200 = 0.25.

Laws of friction
It is difficult to perform experiments involving friction and thus the
following statements should therefore be taken merely as
approximate descriptions: -
1. Friction is always parallel to the contact surface and in the
opposite direction to the force tending to produce or producing
motion.
2. Friction depends on the nature of the surfaces and materials in
contact with each other.
 150

3. Sliding (kinetic) friction is less than static friction (friction

before the body starts to slide).
4. Kinetic friction is independent of speed.
5. Friction is independent of the area of contact.
6. Friction is proportional to the force pressing the two surfaces
together.
Applications of friction
1. Match stick
2. Chewing food
3. Brakes
4. Motion of motor vehicles
5. Walking
Methods of reducing friction
1. Rollers
2. Ball bearings in vehicles and machines
3. Lubrication / oiling
4. Air cushioning in hovercrafts

Example
A wooden box of mass 30 kg rests on a rough floor. The coefficient
of friction between the floor and the box is 0.6. Calculate
a) The force required to just move the box
b) If a force of 200 N is applied the box with what acceleration
will it move?
Solution
a) Frictional force Ff= µFn = µ(mg)
= 0.6×30×10 = 180 N
b) The resultant force = 200 – 180 = 20 N
From F =ma, then 20 = 30 a
a = 20 / 30 = 0.67 m/s2

Viscosity
 151

This is the internal friction of a fluid. Viscosity of a liquid

decreases as temperature increases. When a body is released in a
viscous fluid it accelerates at first then soon attains a steady velocity
called terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is attained when F + U =
mg where F is viscous force, U is upthrust and mg is weight.

CHAPTER FOUR
ENERGY, WORK, POWER AND MACHINES
Energy
This is the ability to do work.
Forms of energy
1. Chemical energy: - this is found in foods, oils charcoal
firewood etc.
2. Mechanical energy: - there are two types;
i. Potential energy – a body possesses potential energy due to its
relative position or state
ii. Kinetic energy – energy possessed by a body due to its motion
i.e. wind, water
iii. Wave energy – wave energy may be produced by vibrating
objects or particles i.e. light, sound or tidal waves.
iv. Electrical energy – this is energy formed by conversion of other
forms of energy i.e. generators.
Transformation and conservation of energy
Any device that facilitates energy transformations is called
transducer. Energy can be transformed from one form to another
i.e. mechanical – electrical – heat energy. The law of conservation
of energy states that “energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can
only be transformed from one form to another”.
Work
Work is done when a force acts on a body and the body moves in
the direction of the force.
Work done = force × distance moved by object
 152

W=F×d
Work is measured in Nm. 1 Nm = 1 Joule (J)
Examples
1. Calculate the work done by a stone mason lifting a stone of
mass 15 kg through a height of 2.0 m. (take g=10N/kg)
Solution
Work done = force × distance
= (15× 10) × 2 = 300 Nm or 300 J
2. A girl of mass 50 kg walks up a flight of 12 steps. If each step is
30 cm high, calculate the work done by the girl climbing the stairs.
Solution
Work done = force × distance
= (50× 10) × (12 ×30) ÷ 100 = 500 × 3.6 = 1,800 J
3. A force of 7.5 N stretches a certain spring by 5 cm. How much
work is done in stretching this spring by 8.0 cm?
Solution
A force of 7.5 produces an extension of 5.0 cm.
Hence 8.0 cm = (7.5 ×8)/ 5 = 12.0 N
Work done = ½ × force × extension
= ½ × 12.0 × 0.08 = 0.48 J
4. A car travelling at a speed of 72 km/h is uniformly retarded by
an applicationof brakes and comes to rest after 8 seconds. If the car
with its occupants has a mass of 1,250 kg. Calculate;
a) The breaking force
b) The work done in bringing it to rest
Solution
a) F = ma and a = v – u/t
But 72 km/h = 20m/s
a = 0 -20/8 = - 2.5 m/s
Retardation = 2.5 m/s
Braking force F = 1,250 × 2.5
= 3,125 N
 153

b) Work done = kinetic energy lost by the car

= ½ mv2 – ½ mu2
= ½ × 1250 × 02 – ½ × 1250 × 202
= - 2.5 × 105 J
5. A spring constant k = 100 Nm is stretched to a distance of 20
cm. calculate the work done by the spring.
Solution
Work = ½ ks2
= ½ × 100 × 0.22
=2J
Power
Poweris the time rate of doing work or the rate of energy
conversion.
Power (P) = work done / time
P=W/t
The SI unit for power is the watt (W) or joules per second (J/s).
Examples
1. A person weighing 500 N takes 4 seconds to climb upstairs to a
height of 3.0 m. what is the average power in climbing up the
height?
Solution
Power = work done / time = (force × distance) / time
= (500 ×3) / 4 = 375 W
2. A box of mass 500 kg is dragged along a level ground at a
speed of 12 m/s. If the force of friction between the box and floor is
1200 N. Calculate the power developed.
Solution
Power = F v
= 2,000 × 12
= 24,000 W = 24 kW.
Machines
 154

A machine is any device that uses a force applied at one point to

overcome a force at another point. Force applied is called the effort
while the resisting force overcome is called load. Machines make
work easier or convenient to be done. Three quantities dealing with
machines are;-
a) Mechanical advantage (M.A.) - this is defined as the ratio of
the load (L) to the effort (E). It has no units.
M.A = load (L) / effort (E)
b) Velocity ratio – this is the ratio of the distance moved by the
effort to the distance moved by the load
V.R = distance moved by effort/ distance moved by the load
c) Efficiency – is obtained by dividing the work output by the work
input and the getting percentage
Efficiency = (work output/work input) × 100
= (M.A / V.R) × 100
= (work done on load / work done on effort) ×
100
Examples
1. A machine; the load moves 2 m when the effort moves 8 m. If an
effort of 20 N is used to raise a load of 60 N, what is the efficiency of
the machine?
Solution
Efficiency = (M.A / V.R) × 100 M.A = load/effort =60/20 = 3
V.R =DE/ DL = 8/2 = 4
Efficiency = ¾ × 100 = 75%

Some simple machines

a) Levers– this is a simple machine whose operation relies on the
principle of moments
b) Pulleys – this is a wheel with a grooved rim used for lifting
heavy loads to high levels. The can be used as a single fixed pulley,
or as a block-and-tackle system.
 155

M.A = Load/ Effort

V.R = no. of pulleys/ no. of strings supporting the load
Example
A block and tackle system has 3 pulleys in the upper fixed block and
two in the lower moveable block. What load can be lifted by an effort
of 200 N if the efficiency of the machine is
60%?
Solution
V.R = total number of pulleys = 5
Efficiency = (M.A /V.R) × 100 = 60%
0.6 = M.A/ 5 =3, but M.A = Load/Effort
Therefore, load = 3 ×200 = 600 N
c) Wheel and axle– consists of a large wheel
of big radius attached to an axle of
smaller radius.
 156

V.R = R/r and M.A = R/r

Example
A wheel and axle is used to raise a load of 280 N by a force of 40 N
applied to the rim of the wheel. If the radii of the wheel and axle are
70 cm and 5 cm respectively. Calculate the M.A, V.Rand efficiency.
Solution
M.A = 280 / 40 = 7
V.R = R/r = 70/5 = 14
Efficiency = (M.A/ V.R) × 100 = 7/14 × 100 = 50 %
d) Inclined plane: -
V.R = 1/ sin θ M.A = Load/ Effort
Example
A man uses an inclined plane to lift a 50 kg load through a vertical
height of 4.0 m. the inclined plane makes an angle of 300 with the
horizontal. If the efficiency of the inclined plane is 72%, calculate;
a) The effort needed to move the load up the inclined plane at a
constant velocity.
 157

b) The work done against friction in raising the load through the
height of 4.0 m. (take g= 10 N/kg)
Solution
a) V.R = 1 / sin C = 1/ sin 300 = 2 M.A = efficiency × V.R =
(72/100)× 2 = 1.44
Effort = load (mg) / effort (50×10)/ 1.44 = 347.2 N

b) Work done against friction = work input – work output

Work output = mgh = 50×10×4 = 2,000 J
Work input = effort × distance moved by effort
347.2 × (4× sin 300) = 2,777.6 J
Therefore work done against friction = 2,777.6 – 2,000 = 777.6 J
e) The screw: - the distance between two successive threads is
called the pitch
V.R of screw = circumference of screw head / pitch P
= 2πr / P
Example
A car weighing 1,600 kg is lifted with a jack-screw of 11 mm pitch. If
the handleis 28 cmfrom the screw, find the force applied.
Solution
Neglecting friction M.A = V.R
V.R = 2πr /P = M.A = L / E
1,600 / E = (2π× 0.28) / 0.011
E = (1,600 × 0.011 × 7) / 22×2×0.28 =10 N
f) Gears: - the wheel in which effort is applied is called the driver
while the load wheel is the driven wheel.
V.R = revolutions of driver wheel / revolutions of driven wheel
Or
V.R = no.of teeth in the driven wheel/ no. of teeth in the driving
wheel

Example
 158

g) Pulley belts: -these are used in bicycles and other industrial

machines
V.R = radius of the driven pulley / radius of the driving pulley

h) Hydraulic machines
V.R = R2 / r2 where R- radius of the load piston and r- radius of the
effort piston
Example
The radius of the effort piston of a hydraulic lift is 1.4 cm while that
of the load piston is 7.0 cm. This machine is used to raise a load of
120 kg at a constant velocity through a height of 2.5 cm. given that
the machine is 80% efficient, calculate;
a) The effort needed
b) The energy wasted using the machine
Solution
a) V.R = R2 / r2 = (7×7) / 1.4 × 1.4 = 25
Efficiency = M.A / V.R = (80 /100) × 25 = 20
But M.A = Load / Effort = (120×10) / 20 = 60 N
b) Efficiency = work output / work input = work done on load (m
g h) /80
= (120 × 10× 2.5) / work input
80 / 100 = 3,000 / work input
Work input = (3,000 × 100) /80 = 3,750 J
Energy wasted = work input – work output
= 3,750 – 3,000 = 750 J

CHAPTER FIVE
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Electric potential difference and electric current
Electric current
 159

Electric potential difference (p. d) is defined as the work done per

unit charge in moving charge from one point to another. It is
measured in volts.
Electric current is the rate of flow of charge. P. d is measured using
a voltmeter while current is measured using an ammeter. The SI
units for charge is amperes (A).

Ammeters and voltmeters

In a circuit an ammeter is always connected in series with the battery
while a voltmeter is always connected parallel to the device whose
voltage is being measured.

Ohm’s law
This law gives the relationship between the voltage across a
conductor and the current flowing through it. Ohm’s law states that
“the current flowing through a metal conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference across the ends of the wire
provided that temperature and other physical conditions remain
constant”
Mathematically V α I
So V /I = constant, this constant of proportionality is called
resistance
V / I = Resistance (R)
Resistance is measured in ohms and given the symbol Ω
Examples
1. A current of 2mA flows through a conductor of resistance 2 kΩ.
Calculate the voltage across the conductor.
Solution
V = IR = (2 × 10-3) × (2 × 103) = 4 V.

2. A wire of resistance 20Ω is connected across a battery of 5 V.

What current is flowing in the circuit?
 160

Solution
I = V/R = 5 / 20 = 0.25 A

Ohmic and non-ohmic conductors

Ohmic conductors are those that obey Ohms law(V α I) and a good
example is nichrome wire i.e. the nichrome wire is not affected by
temperature.
Non-ohmic conductors do not obey Ohms law i.e. bulb filament
(tungsten), thermistor couple, semi-conductor diode etc. They are
affected by temperature hence non-linear.

Factors affecting the resistance of a metallic conductor

1. Temperature – resistance increases with increase in temperature
2. Length of the conductor– increase in length increases resistance
3. Cross-sectional area– resistance is inversely proportional to the
cross-sectional area of a conductor of the same material.
Resistivity of a material is numerically equal to the resistance of a
material of unit length and unit cross-sectional area. It is symbolized
by ρ and the units are ohmmeter (Ωm). It is given by the following
formula;
ρ = AR /lwhere A – cross-sectional area, R – resistance, l
– length
Example
Given that the resistivity of nichrome is 1.1× 10-6Ωm, what length of
nichrome wire of diameter 0.42 mm is needed to make a resistance
of 20 Ω?
Solution
ρ = AR /l, hence l = RA/ ρ = 20 × 3.142 × (2.1×10-4) / 1.1 × 10-6 =
2.52 m

Resistors
 161

Resistors are used to regulate or control the magnitude of current

and voltage in a circuit according to Ohms law.
Types of resistors
i) Fixed resistors – they are wire-wound or carbon resistors and
are designed togive a fixed resistance.

ii) Variable resistors – they consist

Carbon resistor
of the rheostat and potentiometer.
The resistance can be varied by
sliding a metal contact to
generate desirable resistance.

Wire-wound resistor

Resistor combination
a) Series combination
Consider the following loop

Since it is in series then,

 162

VT = V1 + V2 + V3
The same current (I) flows through the circuit (resistors), hence
IRT = I (R1 + R2 + R3), dividing through by I, then
RT = R1 + R2 + R3
Therefore for resistors connected in series the equivalent resistance
(Req) is equal to the total sum of their individual resistances.
Req = R1 + R2 + R3

b) Parallel combination
Consider the following circuit

Total current is given by;

IT = I1 + I2 + I3. But IT = VT/RT = V1/R1 + V2/R2 + V3/R3
Since in parallel, VT = V1 = V2 = V3
Then 1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +1/R3, for ‘n’ resistors in parallel
1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 +1/R3 ………… 1/Rn
If only two resistors are involved then the equivalent resistance
becomes
1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 = (R1 + R2)/ R1 R2

Examples
1. Calculate the effective resistance in the following
 163

Solution
This reduces to

Combining the two in parallel;

1/Req = (R1 + R2)/R1 R2 = 20/96
1/Req = 20/96, therefore Req = 96/20 = 4.8 Ω
Lastly combining the two in series;
Then Req = 4 Ω + 4.8 Ω = 8.8 Ω
2. In the diagram below, a current of 0.8 A, passing through an
arrangement of resistors as shown below. Find the current through
the 10 Ω resistor.

Solution
Combining those in series then this
can be replaced by two resistors of
60 Ω and 40 Ω.
Current through 10 Ω = (p.d. between P and R)/ (30 + 10) Ω
p.d between P and R = 0.8 × Req. Req = (40 × 60)/ 40 + 60 = 2400/
100 = 24 Ω
p.d across R and P = 0.8 × 24 (V=IR)
 164

therefore, current through 10 Ω = 19.2 / 10 + 30 = 0.48 A

Electromotive force and internal resistance

Electromotive force (e.m.f.) is the p.d across a cell when no current
is being drawn from the cell. The p.d across the cell when the circuit
is closed is referred to as the terminal voltage of the cell. Internal
resistance of a cell is therefore the resistance of flow of current that
they generate. Consider the following diagram;

The current flowing through the circuit is given by the equation,

Current = e.m.f / total resistance
I = E / R + rwhere E – e.m.f of the cell
Therefore E = I (R + r) = IR + I r = V + I r
Examples
1. A cell drives a current of 0.6 A through a resistance of 2 Ω. if
the value of resistance is increased to 7 Ω the current becomes 0.2
A. calculate the value of e.m.f of the cell and its internal resistance.
Solution
Let the internal resistance be ‘r’ and e.m.f be ‘E’.
Using E = V + I r = IR + I r
Substitute for the two sets of values for I and R
E = 0.6 × (2 + 0.6 r) = 1.2 + 0.36 r
E = 0.6 × (7 × 0.2 r) = 1.4 + 0.12 r
Solving the two simultaneously, we have,
E = 1.5 v and R = 0.5 Ω
 165

2. A battery consists of two identical cells, each of e.m.f 1.5 v and

internal resistance of 0.6 Ω, connected in parallel. Calculate the
current the battery drives through a 0.7 Ω resistor.
Solution
When two identical cells are connected in series, the equivalent e.m.f
is equal to that of only one cell. The equivalent internal resistance is
equal to that of two such resistance connected in parallel. Hence Req
= R1 R2 / R1 + R2 = (0.6 × 0.6) / 0.6 + 0.6 = 0.36 / 1.2 = 0.3 Ω
Equivalent e.m.f =1.5 / (0.7 + 0.3) = 1.5 A
Hence current flowing through 0.7 Ω resistor is 1.5 A

CHAPTER SIX
WAVES II
Properties of waves
Waves exhibit various properties which can be conveniently
demonstrated using the ripple tank. It consists of a transparent tray
filled with water and a white screen as the bottom. On top we have a
source of light. A small electric motor (vibrator) is connected to
cause the
disturbance
which produces
waves.

The wave fronts

represent wave
patterns as they
move along.

Rectilinear
propagation
This is the
property of the waves travelling in straight lines and perpendicular to
 166

the wave front. The following diagrams represent rectilinear

propagation of water waves.
 167

Refraction
This is the change of direction of waves at a boundary when they
move from one medium to another. This occurs when an obstacle is
placed in the path of the waves. The change of direction occurs at
the boundary between deep and shallow waters and only when the
waves hit the boundary at an angle.

Diffraction of waves
This occurs when waves pass an edge of an obstacle or a narrow
gap, they tend to bend around the corner and spread out beyond the
obstacle or gap.
 168

Interference of waves
This occurs when two waves merge and the result can be a much
larger wave, smaller wave or no wave at all. When the waves are in
phase they add up and reinforce each other. This is called a
constructive interference and when out of phase they cancel each
other out and this is known as destructive interference.
 169

A ripple tank can be used to produce both constructive

anddestructive waves as shown below in the following diagram.

Interference in sound
Two loud speakers L1 and L2 are connected to the same signal
generator so that sound waves from each of them are in phase. The
two speakers are separated by a distance of the order of wavelengths
i.e. 0.5 m apart for sound frequency of 1,000 Hz.
 170

If you walk along line AB about 2m away from the speakers, the
intensity of sound rises and falls alternately hence both destructive
and constructive interference will be experienced.
Stationary waves
They are also known as standing waves and are formed when two
equal progressive waves travelling in opposite direction are
superposed on each other. When the two speakers are placed facing
each other they produce standing waves. A rope tied at one end will
still produce stationary waves.

CHAPTER SEVEN
ELECTROSTATICS II
Electric fields
An electric field is the space around a charged body where another
charged body would be acted on by a force. These fields are
represented by lines of force. This line of force also called an electric
flux line points in the direction of the force.
Electric field patterns
Just like in magnetic fields, the closeness of the electric field-lines of
force is the measure of the field strength. Their direction is always
from the north or positive to the south or negative.
 171

Electric field pattern for an isolated

Electric field pattern for an isolated negative charge
positive charge

Electric field pattern for appositive

Electric field pattern for a dipole charge and a line of charge

Charge distribution on conductors’ surface

A proof plane is used to determine charge distribution on spherical
or pear-shaped conductors. For an isolated sphere it is found that the
effect is the same for all points on the surface meaning that the
charge is evenly distributed on all points on the spherical surface.
For appear-shaped conductor the charge is found to be denser in the
regions of large curvature (small radius). The density of charge is
greatest where curvature is greatest.

stand
 172

Charge distribution for an isolated spherical Charge distribution for an isolated pear-shaped
conductor conductor

Charges on or action at sharp points

A moving mass of air forms a body with sharp points. The loss of
electrons by molecules (ionization) makes the molecules positively
charged ions. These ions tend to move in different directions and
collide producing more charged particles and this makes the air
highly ionized. When two positively charged bodies are placed close
to each other, the air around them may cause a spark discharge
which is a rush of electrons across the ionized gap, producing heat,
light and sound in the process which lasts for a short time. Ionization
at sharp projections of isolated charged bodies may sometimes be
sufficient to cause a discharge. This discharge produces a glow
called corona discharge observed at night on masts of ships moving
on oceans. The same glow is observed on the trailing edges of
aircrafts. This glow in aircrafts and ships is called St. Elmo’s fire.
Aircrafts are fitted with ‘pig tails’ on the wings to discharge easily.

The lightning arrestors

Lightning is a huge discharge where a large amount of charge
rushes to meet the opposite charge. It can occur between clouds or
the cloud and the earth. Lightning may not be prevented but
protection from its destruction may be done through arrestors. An
arrestor consists of a thick copper strip fixed to the outside wall of a
building with sharp spikes.
 173

Capacitors and capacitance

A capacitor is a device used for storing charge. It consists of two or
more plates separated by either a vacuum or air. The insulating
material is called ‘dielectric’. They are symbolized as shown below,

Capacitance C = Q / V where Q- charge and V – voltage.

The units for capacitance are coulombs per volt (Coul /volt) and are
called farads.
1 Coul/ volt = 1 farad (F)
1 µF = 10-6 F and 1pF = 10-12
Types of capacitors are;
a) Paper capacitors
b) Electrolyte capacitors
c) Variable capacitors
d) Plastic capacitors
e) Ceramic capacitors
f) Mica capacitors
Factors affecting the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor
1. Distance between the plates: - reducing separation increases
capacitance but the plates should not be very close to avoid
ionization which may lead to discharge.
2. Area of plate: - reduction of the effective area leads to reduction
in capacitance.
3. Dielectric material between plates: - different materials will
produce different capacitance effects.
Charging and discharging a capacitor
 174

When the switch S1 is closed

the capacitor charges
through resistor R and
discharges through the same
resistor when switch S2 is
closed.

Applications of capacitors
1. Variable capacitor: - used in tuning radios to enable it transmit
in different frequencies.
2. Paper capacitors: - used in mains supply and high voltage
installations.
3. Electrolytic capacitors: - used in transistor circuits where large
capacitance values are required.
Other capacitors are used in reducing sparking as a car is ignited,
smoothing rectified current and increasing efficiency in a. c. power
transmission.
Example
A capacitor of two parallel plates separated by air has a
capacitance of 15pF. A potential difference of 24 volts is applied
across the plates,
a) Determine the charge on the capacitors.
b) When the space is filled with mica, the capacitance increases to
250pF. How much more charge can be put on the capacitor using a
24 V supply?
Solution
a) C= Q / V then Q = VC, hence Q = (1.5 × 10-12) × 24 = 3.6 × 10-
10
Coul.
b) Mica C = 250pF, Q = (250 × 10-12) × 24 = 6 × 10-9 Coul.
 175

Additional charge = (6 × 10-9) – (3.6 × 10-10) = 5.64 × 10-9 Coul.

Capacitor combination
1. Parallel combination – for capacitors in parallel the total
capacitance is the sum of all the separate capacitances.
CT = C1 + C2 + C3 + ………..

2. Series combination – for capacitors in series, the reciprocal of

the total capacitance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of all the
separate capacitances.
1/ CT = 1 / C1 + 1 / C2 + 1 / C3
For two capacitors in series then total capacitance becomes,
CT = (C1 C2) / (C1 + C2)

Examples
1. Three capacitors of capacitance 1.5µF, 2µF and 3µF are
connected to a potential difference of 12 V as shown.

Find;
a) The combined capacitance
b) The charge on each capacitor
c) The voltage across the 2 µF capacitor
Solution
a) 1 /CT = 1/ 1.5 + 1 / 3.0 + 1 /20 = 3/2 hence CT = 0.67 µF
b) Total charge, Q = V C , (2/3 × 10-6) × 12.0 V = 8 × 10-6 = 8 µC.
 176

c) The charge is the same for each capacitor because they’re in

series hence = 8 µC.
d) V = Q / C, then V = 8 µC / 2 µF = 4 V.
2. Three capacitors of capacitance 3 µF, 4 µF and 5 µF are
arranged as shown. Find
the effective capacitance.

Solution
Since 4 µF and 5 µF are in parallel then, CT = 9 µF, then the 9
µF is in series with 3 µF,
Hence CT = 27/ 12 = 2.25 µF
3. Calculate the charges on
the capacitors shown below.

Solution
The 2 µF and 4 µF are in
parallel then combined capacitance = 6 µF
The 6 µF is in series with the 3 µF capacitor hence combined
capacitance = 18 / 9 = 2 µF
Total charge Q = CV then Q = (2.0 × 10-6) × 100 = 2.0 × 10-4 C
The charge on the 3 µF capacitor is also equal to 2.0 × 10-4 C
The p.d across the 3 µF capacitor => V = Q / C => (2.0 × 10-4)/
3.0 × 10_6
= 2/3 × 102 = 66.7 V
The p.d across the 2 µF and 4 µF is equal to 100 V – 66.7 V =
33.3 V,
 177

Hence Q1 = CV = 2.0 × 10-6 × 33.3 = 6.66 × 10-5 C

Q2 = CV = 4.0 × 10-6 × 33.3 = 1.332 × 10-4 C
N.B
Energy stored in a capacitor is calculated as;
Work done (W) = average charge × potential difference
W = ½ QV or ½ CV2
Example
A 2 µF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 120 V. Find
the energy stored in it.
Solution
W = ½ CV2 = ½ × 2 × 10-6 × 1202 = 1.44 × 10-2 J

CHAPTER EIGHT
HEATING EFFECT OF AN ELECTRIC CURRENT
When current flows, electrical energy is transformed into other
forms of energy i.e. light, mechanical and chemical changes.

Factors affecting electrical heating

Energy dissipated by current or work done as current flows depends
on,

a) Current
b) Resistance
c) Time

This formula summarizes these factors as, E = I2 R t, E = I V t or E

= V2 t / R
Examples
1. An iron box has a resistance coil of 30 Ω and takes a current of
10 A. Calculate the heat in kJ developed in 1 minute.
Solution
 178

E = I2 R t = 102 × 30 × 60 = 18 × 104 = 180 kJ

2. A heating coil providing 3,600 J/min is required when the p.d

across it is 24 V. Calculate the length of the wire making the coil
given that its cross-sectional area is 1 × 10-7 m2 and resistivity 1 ×
10-6 Ω m.
Solution
E = P t hence P = E / t = 3,600 / 60 = 60 W
P = V2 / R therefore R = (24 × 24)/ 60 = 9.6 Ω
R = ρ l/ A, l = (RA) / ρ = (9.6 × 1 × 10-7) / 1 × 10-6 = 0.96 m

Electrical energy and power

In summary, electrical power consumed by an electrical appliance is
given by;
P=VI
P = I2 R
P = V2 / R
The SI unit for power is the watt (W)
1 W = 1 J/s and 1kW = 1,000 W.
Examples
1. What is the maximum number of 100 W bulbs which can be
safely run from a 240 V source supplying a current of 5 A?
Solution
Let the maximum number of bulbs be ‘n’. Then 240 × 5 = 100 n
So ‘n’ = (240 × 5)/ 100 = 12 bulbs.
2. An electric light bulb has a filament of resistance 470 Ω. The
leads connecting the bulb to the 240 V mains have a total resistance
of 10 Ω. Find the power dissipated in the bulb and in the leads.
Solution
Req = 470 + 10 = 480 Ω, therefore I = 240 / 480 = 0.5 A.
Hence power dissipated = I2 R = (0.5)2 × 470 = 117.5 W (bulb alone)
For the leads alone, R = 10 Ω and I = 0.5 A
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Therefore power dissipated = (0.5)2 × 10 = 2.5 W.

Applications of heating of electrical current

1. Filament lamp – the filament is made up of tungsten, a metal
with high melting point (3.400 0C). It is enclosed in aglass bulb with
air removed and argon or nitrogen injected to avoid oxidation. This
extends the life of the filament.
2. Fluorescent lamps – when the lamp is switched on, the mercury
vapour emits ultra violet radiation making the powder in the tube
fluoresce i.e. emit light. Different powders emit different colours.

3. Electrical heating – electrical fires, cookers e.tc. their elements

are made up nichrome ( alloy of nickel and chromium) which is not
oxidized easily when it turns red hot.

4. Fuse – this is
a short length of wire of a material with low
melting point (often thinned copper) which
melts when current through it exceeds a certain
value. They are used to avoid overloading.
CHAPTER NINE
QUANTITY OF HEAT
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Heat is a form of energy that flows from one body to another due to
temperature differences between them.
Heat capacity
Heat capacity is defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of a given mass of a substance by one degree Celsius or
one Kelvin. It is denoted by ‘C’.
Heat capacity, C = heat absorbed, Q / temperature change θ.
The units of heat capacity are J / 0C or J / K.
Specific heat capacity.
S.H.C of a substance is the quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 0C or 1 K. It is denoted by
‘c’, hence,
c = Q / m θ where Q – quantity of heat, m – mass andθ –
change in temperature.
The units for ‘c’ are J kg-1 K-1. Also Q = m c θ.
Examples
1. A block of metal of mass 1.5 kg which is suitably insulated is
heated from 30 0C to 50 0C in 8 minutes and 20 seconds by an
electric heater coil rated54 watts. Find;
a) The quantity of heat supplied by the heater
b) The heat capacity of the block
c) Its specific heat capacity
Solution
a) Quantity of heat = power × time = P t
= 54 × 500 = 27,000 J
b) Heat capacity, C = Q / θ = 27,000 / (50 – 30) = 1,350 J Kg-1 K-1
c) Specific heat capacity, c = C / m = 1,350 / 1.5 = 900 J Kg-1 K-1
2. If 300 g of paraffin is heated with an immersion heater rated 40
W, what is the temperature after 3 minutes if the initial temperature
was 20 0C? (S.H.C for paraffin = 2,200 J Kg-1 K-1).
Solution
Energy = P t = m c θ = Q = quantity of heat.
 181

P t = 40 × 180 = 7,200 J
m = 0.30 kg c = 2,200, θ = ..?
Q = m c θ, θ = Q / m c = 7,200 / (0.3 × 2,200) = 10.9 0C
3. A piece of copper of mass 60 g and specific heat capacity 390 J
Kg-1 K-1 cools from 90 0C to 40 0C. Find the quantity of heat given
out.
Solution
Q = m c θ, = 60 × 10-3 × 390 × 50 = 1,170 J.

Determination of specific heat capacity

A calorimeter is used to determine the specific heat capacity of a
substance. This uses the principle of heat gained by a substance is
equal to the heat lost by another substance in contact with each other
until equilibrium is achieved. Heat losses in calorimeter are
controlled such that no losses occur or they are very minimal.

Examples
1. A 50 W heating coil is immersed in a liquid contained in an
insulated flask of negligible heat capacity. If the mass of the liquid is
10 g and its temperature increases by 10 0C in 2 minutes, find the
specific heat capacity of the liquid.
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Solution
Heat delivered (P t) = 50 × 2 × 60 = 2,400 J
Heat gained = 0.1 × c × 10 J
Therefore ‘c’ = 2,400 / 0.1 × 10 = 2,400 J Kg-1 K-1
2. A metal cylindermass 0.5 kg is heated electrically. If the
voltmeter reads 15V, the ammeter 0.3A and the temperatures of the
block rises from 20 0C to 85 0C in ten minutes. Calculate the specific
heat capacity of the metal cylinder.
Solution
Heat gained = heat lost, V I t = m c θ
15 × 3 × 10 × 60 = 0.5 × c × 65
c = (15 × 3 × 600)/ 0.5 × 65 = 831 J Kg-1 K-1

Fusion and latent heat of fusion

Fusion is the change of state from solid to liquid. Change of state
from liquid to solid is called solidification. Latent heat of fusion is
the heat energy absorbed or given out during fusion. Specific latent
heat of fusion of a substance is the quantity of heat energy required
to change completely 1 kg of a substance at its melting point into
liquid without change in temperature. It is represented by the symbol
(L), we use the following formula,
Q = m Lf
Different substances have different latent heat of fusion.
Factors affecting the melting point
a) Pressure
b) Dissolved substances
Specific latent heat of vaporization is the quantity of heat required to
change completely 1 kg of a liquid at its normal boiling point to
vapour without changing its temperature. Hence
Q = m Lv
The SI unit for specific latent heat of vaporization is J / Kg.
Example
 183

An immersion heater rated 600 W is placed in water. After the water

starts to boil, the heater is left on for 6 minutes. It is found that the
mass of the water had reduced by 0.10 kg in that time. Estimate the
specific heat of vaporization of steam.
Solution
Heat given out by the heater = P t = 600 × 6 × 60
Heat absorbed by steam = 0.10 × L v
Heat gained = heat lost, therefore, 600 × 6 × 60 = 0.10 × L v = 2.16 ×
106 J / Kg
Evaporation
Factors affecting the rate of evaporation
a) Temperature
b) Surface area
c) Draught (hot and dry surrounding)
d) Humidity
Comparison between boiling and evaporation
Evaporation Boiling
1. Takes place at all temperature - takes place at a
specific temperature
2. Takes place on the surface (no bubbles formed)- takes place
throughout the liquid ( bubbles formed)
3. Decrease in atmospheric pressure increases the rate –decreases
as atmospheric pressure lowers
Applications of cooling by evaporation
a) Sweating
b) Cooling of water in a porous pot
c) The refrigerator

CHAPTER TEN
THE GAS LAWS
Pressure law
 184

This law states that “the pressure of a fixed mass of a gas is directly
proportional to the absolute temperature if the volume is kept
constant”. The comparison between Kelvin scale and degrees
Celsius is given by; θ0 = (273 + θ) K, and T (K) = (T – 273) 0C.
Examples
1. A gas in a fixed volume container has a pressure of 1.6 × 105
Pa at a temperature of 27 0C. What will be the pressure of the gas if
the container is heated to a temperature of 2770C?
Solution
Since law applies for Kelvin scale, convert the temperature to kelvin
T1 = 270C = (273 + 27) K = 300 K
T2 = 2270C = (273 + 277) = 550 K
P1 / T1 = P2 / T2, therefore P2 = (1.6 × 105) × 550 / 300 = 2.93 × 105
Pa.
2. At 200C, the pressure of a gas is 50 cm of mercury. At what
temperature would the pressure of the gas fall to 10 cm of mercury?
Solution
P / T = constant, P1 / T1 = P2 / T2, therefore T2 = (293 × 10) / 50 =
58.6 K or (– 214.4 0C)

Charles law
Charles law states that “the volume of a fixed mass of a gas is
directly proportional to its absolute temperature (Kelvin) provided
the pressure is kept constant”. Mathematically expressed as follows,
V1 / T1 = V2 / T2
Examples
1. A gas has a volume of 20 cm3 at 270C and normal atmospheric
pressure. Calculate the new volume of the gas if it is heated to 540C
at the same pressure.
Solution
Using, V1 / T1 = V2 / T2, then V2 =(20 × 327) / 300 = 21.8 cm3.
 185

2. 0.02m3 of a gas is at 27 0C is heated at a constant pressure until

the volume is 0.03 m3. Calculate the final temperature of the gas in
0
C.
Solution
Since V1 / T1 = V2 / T2, T2 = (300 × 0.03) / 0.02 = 450 K 0r 1770C

Boyle’s law
Boyle’s law states that “the pressure of a fixed mass of a gas is
inversely proportional to its volume provided the temperature of
the gas is kept constant”. Mathematically expressed as,
P1 V1 = P2 V2
Examples
1. A gas in a cylinder occupies a volume of 465 ml when at a
pressure equivalent to 725 mm of mercury. If the temperature is held
constant, what will be the volume of the gas when the pressure on it
is raised to 825 mm of mercury?
Solution
Using, P1 V1 = P2 V2, then V2 = (725 × 465) / 825 = 409 ml.

2. The volume of air 26 cm long is trapped by a mercury thread 5

cm long as shown below. When the tube is inverted, the air column
becomes 30 cm long. What is the value of atmospheric pressure?

Solution
Before inversion, gas
pressure = atm. Pressure + h p g
After inversion, gas pressure = atm. Pressure - h p g
From Boyle’s law, P1 V1 = P2 V2, then let the atm. Pressure be ‘x’,
 186

So (x + 5) 0.26 = (x – 5) 0.30
0.26x + 1.30 = 0.3x - 1.5, x = 2.8/ 0.04 = 70 cm.

A general gas law

Any two of the three gas laws can be used derive a general gas law
as follows,
P1 V1 / T1 = P2 V2 / T2or
P V / T = constant – equation of state for an ideal gas.
Examples
1. A fixed mass of gas occupies 1.0 × 10-3 m3 at a pressure of 75
cmHg. What volume does the gas occupy at 17.0 0C if its pressure is
72 cm of mercury?
Solution
P V / T = constant so V1 = (76 × 1.0 × 10-3 × 290) / 273 ×72 = 1.12 ×
10-3 m3.
2. A mass of 1,200 cm3 of oxygen at 270C and a pressure 1.2
atmosphere is compressed until its volume is 600 cm3 and its
pressure is 3.0 atmosphere. What is the Celsius temperature of the
gas after compression?
Solution
Since P1 V1 / T1 = P2 V2 / T2, then T2 = (3 × 600 × 300) / 1.2 × 1,200
= 375 K or 102 0C.

PHYSICS FORM FOUR NOTES

CHAPTER ONE
THIN LENSES
 187

A lens is conventionally defined as a piece of glass which is used to

focus or change the direction of a beam of light passing through it.
They are mainly made of glass or plastic. Lens are used in making
spectacles, cameras, cinema projectors, microscopes and telescopes.

Types of thin lenses

A lens which is thicker at its centre than at its edges
converges light and is called convex or converging lens.
A lens which is thicker at its edges than at its centre
diverges light and is known as concave or diverging
lens.

Properties of lenses
1. Optical centre - this is the geometric centre of a lens which is
usually shown using a black dot in ray diagrams. A ray travelling
through the optical centre passes through in a straight line.
2. Centre of curvature - this is the geometric centre of the circle of
which the lens surface
is part of. Since lenses have two surfaces there are two centres of
curvature. C is used to denote one centre while the other is denoted
by C1.
188
 189

3. Principal axis - this is an imaginary line which passes

through the optical centre at right angle to the lens.
4. Principal focus - this is a point through which all rays
travelling parallel to the principal axis pass after refraction
through the lens. A lens has a principal focus on both its
sides. F is used to denote the principal focus
5. Focal length - this is the distance between the optical
centre and the principal focus. It is denoted by ‘f’.

The principal focus for a converging lens is real and virtual

for a diverging lens. It is important to note that the principal
focus is not always halfway between the optical centre and
the centre of curvature as it is in mirrors.

(b) Principal foci of a diverging lens

 190

Images formed by thin lenses

The nature, size and position of the image formed by a
particular lens depends on the position of the object in
relation to the lens.
Construction of ray diagrams
Three rays are of particular importance in the construction of ray
diagrams.
1. A ray of light travelling parallel to the principal axis passes
through the principal focus on refraction through the lens. In case of
a concave lens the ray is diverged in a way that it appears to come
from the principal focus.
2. A ray of light travelling through the optical centre
goes un-deviated along the same path.
3. A ray of light travelling through the principal focus is
refracted parallel to the principal axis on passing through
the lens. The construction of the rays is illustrated below.

Images formed by a converging lens.

1. Object between the lens and the principal focus.
 191

-Image formed behind the object

-Virtual
-Erect
-Magnified
2. Object at infinity.

-Image formed at the principal focus of the lens

-Real
-Inverted
-Diminished

3. Object at the principal focus (at F).

-Image is at infinity.
4. Object between the principal focus (F) and 2 F.
 192

-Image situated beyond 2 F

-Real
-Inverted
-Magnified

5. Object at 2 F.

-Image is formed at 2 F
-Real
-Inverted
-Same size as the object
6. Object beyond F.

-Image moves nearer to F as object shifts further beyond 2 F

-Real
-Inverted
-Diminished
 193

Images formed by a diverging lens.

Images formed by diverging lens are always erect, virtual
and diminished for all positions of the object.

Linear magnification
The linear magnification produced by a lens defined as the ratio of the
height of the image to the height of the object, denoted by letter ‘m’,
therefore; m = height of the image / height of the object. Magnification is
also given by = distance of the image from the lens/ dist. of object from lens.
m=v/u
Example
An object 0.05 m high is placed 0.15 m in front of a convex lens of focal
length 0.1 m. Find by construction, the position, nature and size of the
image. What is the magnification?
Solution
Let 1 cm represent 5 cm. hence 0.05 m = 5 cm = 1 cm - object height
0.15 m = 15 cm = 3 cm
0.1 m = 10 cm = 2 cm - focal length.

a) Image formed is - image is beyond 2 F

 194

-Inverted
-Real
-Magnified

b) Magnification = v / u = 30 cm / 15 cm = 2.
The lens formula
Let the object distance be represented by ‘u’, the image
distance by ‘v’ and the focal length by ‘f’, then the general
formula relating the three quantities is given by;
1 / f = 1 / u + 1 / v - this is the lens formula.

Examples
1.An object is placed 12 cm from a converging lens of focal length
18 cm. Find the position of the image.
Solution
Since it is a converging lens f = +18 cm (real-is-positive
and virtual-is-negative rule)
The object is real therefore u = +12 cm, substituting in
the lens formula, then 1 / f = 1 / u + 1 / v or 1 / v = 1 / f
- 1 / u = 1 / 18 - 1 / 12 = - 1 / 36
Hence v = - 36 then the image is virtual, erect and same
size as the object.

2. The focal length of a converging lens is found to be 10

cm. How far should the lens be placed from an
illuminated object to obtain an image which is magnified
five times on the screen?
Solution
f = + 10 cm m = v / u = 5 hence v = 5 u
Using the lens formula 1 / f = 1 / u + 1 / v => 1 /10 = 1 / u +
1 / 5 u (replacing v with 5 u) 1 / 10 = 6 / 5 u, hence 5 u = 60 giving u
= 12 cm (the lens should be placed 12 cm from the illuminated
 195

object)
3. The lens of a slide projector focuses on an image of
height 1.5m on a screen placed 9.0 m from the projector. If
the height of the picture on the slide was 6.5 cm, determine,
a) Distance from the slide (picture) to the lens
b) Focal length of the lens
Solution
Magnification = height of the image / height of the object
= v / u = 150 / 6.5 = 900 / u u = 39 cm (distance from
slide to the lens). m = 23.09
1 / f = 1 / u + 1 / v = 1 /39 + 1 / 90 =
0.02564 + 0.00111 1 / f = 0.02675
(reciprocal tables)
f = 37.4 cm.
 196

Determining focal lengths

1. Determining focal length of a converging lens
Experiment: To determine the focal length of a converging
lens using the lens formula.
Procedure
1. Set up the apparatus as shown below

2. Place the object at reasonable length from the screen until a real
image is formed on the screen. Move the lens along the metre rule
until a sharply focused image is obtained.
3. By changing the position of the object obtain several pairs of
value of u and v and record your results as shown.
U v uv uv/u+v

Discussion
The value u v / u + v is the focal length of the lens and the different sets of
values give the average value of ‘f’. Alternatively the value ‘f’ may be
obtained by plotting a graph of 1 / v against 1 / u. When plotted the following
graph is obtained.
 197

Since 1 / f = 1 / u + 1 / v, at the y-intercept 1 / u = 0, so that 1/ f = 1 /

v or f = v.
The focal length may therefore be obtained by reading off the y-
intercept and finding the reciprocal. Similarly at the x-intercept, 1 / v
= 0, therefore 1 / f = 1 / u or f = u hence the focal length can also be
obtained by reading off the x-intercept and finding the reciprocal.
Uses of lenses on optical devices
1. Simple microscope- it is also referred to as magnifying glass
where the image appears clearest at about 25 cm from the eye. This
distance is known as the least distance of distinct vision (D) or near
vision.

Magnification in a simple microscope

Magnification produced depends on the focal length of the lens.
Lens of short focal give greater magnification than those of long
focal length. The angle ϐ subtended by the image at the eye is much
greater than α which is the angle that the object would subtend at
the eye when viewed without the lens. The ratio of the ϐ toα is
known as angular magnification or magnifying power of an
instrument. The angular magnification is equal to linear
magnification.
 198

Uses of a simple microscope

1. To study the features of small animals in biology
2. To look closely at small print on a map
3. To observe crystals in physics and chemistry
4. For forensic investigation by the police
2. Compound microscope - It consists of two lenses with
one nearer the object called the objective lens and the
other nearer the eye called the eyepiece lens.

Uses of compound microscope

1. Used to observe Brownian motion in science
2. To study micro-organisms and cells in biology
3. Analyze laboratory tests in hospital.
4. The astronomical telescope -It is used to view distant stars. It
consists of two lenses; objective and eye-piece lenses. The objective
lens has a large focal length while the eyepiece lens has a much
shorter focal length.
 199

5. The camera - consists of a converging lens system,

clicking button, shutter, diaphragm and a mounting base
for the film all enclosed in a light proof box. The distance
is adjusted to obtain a clear focus. The diaphragm has a
hole called the aperture with an adjusting control knob to
control the amount of light entering the camera. The
shutter opens to allow light and close at a given time
interval.

Uses of a camera
1. The sine camera is used to make motion pictures
2. High speed cameras are used to record movement of particles
3. Close circuit television cameras (CCTV) are used to
protect high security installations like banks, supermarkets
etc.
4. Digital cameras are used to capture data that can be fed to
computers.
5. Human eye - It consists of a transparent cornea, aqueous
humour and a crystal-like lens which form a converging
 200

lens system. The ciliary muscles contract or relax to change

the curvature of the lens. Though the image formed at the
retina is inverted the brain ‘sees’ the image as upright. For
distant objects ciliary muscles relax while near objects it
contracts to control the focal length and this is known as
accommodation. When at 25 cm away an object appears
clearest and this is known as least distance of vision or near
point.

Common eye defects

1. Short sightedness or hypermetropia- the eyeball is too
large for the ‘relaxed focal length’ of the eye. The defect
is corrected by placing a concave lens in front of the
eye.

2. Long sightedness or myopia- images are formed

beyond the retina. The defect is corrected by placing a
converging lens in front of the eye.
 201

3. Presbyopia - this is the inability of the eye to

accommodate and this occurs as the eye ages due to the
weakening of the ciliary muscles. It can be corrected by the
use a pair of spectacles.
4. Astigmatism - this is a defect where the eye has two
different focal lengths as a result of the cornea not being
spherical. Corrected by the use of cylindrical lens.
5. Colour blindness- caused by deficiency of colour detecting cells
in the retina.
Power of lens
The power of a simple lens is given by the formula: Power
= 1 / f. The unit for power of a lens is diopter (D).
Example
Find the power of a concave lens of a focal length 25 cm.
Solution
Power = 1 / f = 1 / -0.25 = -4 D.

CHAPTER TWO
UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION
Introduction
Circular motion is the motion of bodies travelling in circular
paths. Uniform circular motion occurs when the speed of a
body moving in a circular path is constant. This can be
defined as motion of an object at a constant speed along a
curved path of constant radius. When acceleration (variation
of velocities) is directed towards the centre of the path of
motion it is known as centripetal acceleration and the force
producing this centripetal acceleration which is also directed
towards the centre of the path is called centripetal force.
 202

Angular motion
This motion can be described as the motion of a body
moving along a circular path by giving the angle covered
in a certain time along the path of motion. The angle
covered in a certain time is proportional to the distance
covered along the path of motion.

The radian
One radian is the angle subtended at the centre of the circle by an arc
of length equal to the radius of the circle. Since one circle = 3600and
has 2 π radians therefore 1 radian = 3600 / 2 π r=
57.2960 or 57.30.
Example
A wheel of radius 50 cm is rolled through a quarter turn. Calculate
(i)The angle rotated in radians
(ii)The distance moved by a point on the circumference.
Solution
(i) A quarter turn = 3600 / 4= 900. Since 3600 = 2 π radians.
Alternately since 1 radian = 57.30 hence
900 1.57 radii. (ii) A point on the
circumference moves through an arc,
Arc = radius ×θ (θ in
radians)
= 50 cm × 1.57
= 78.5 cm.
Angular velocity
If a body moving in a circular path turns through an angle θ radians
in time ‘t’, we define angular velocity omega (ω), as the rate of
 203

change of the angle θ with time.

ω= θ / t, unit for angular velocity is radians per second (rads-1). Since
the radian measure is a ratio we can write it as second-1 (s-1). We can
establish the relationship between angular velocity ‘ω’ and linear
velocity ‘v’, from the relation, θ = arc / radius, arc = radius ×
θ.Dividing the expression by ‘t’, then arc / t = radius, but
arc / t = v (angular velocity). So ‘v’ = radius × ω. This
expression gives us the relationship between angular and
linear velocity.

Angular acceleration
If the angular velocity for a body changes from ‘ω1’
to ‘ω2’, in time ‘t’ then the angular acceleration, α
can be expressed as;
α= (ω2 - ω1) / t
Units for angular acceleration are radians per second
squared (rad s-2) or second-2 (s-2). When α is constant with
time, we say the body is moving with uniform angular
acceleration.
Note: In uniform circular motion α is equal to zero.
To establish the relationship between angular
acceleration and linear acceleration, from the relation, v
= radius × ω, then dividing by ‘t’, we get (v / t) = radius
× ω / t.
But v / t = a (linear acceleration) and ω / t = α (angular
acceleration).
 204

So a = radius × α.

Centripetal force
This is a force which acts on a body by directing the
body towards its centre . Since the direction is
continuously changing, the velocity therefore cannot
be constant.

Applying Newton’s law of motion (F = ma), the

centripetal force Fc is given by; Fc = ma
=mv2/R. Since v = radius ω, then Fc = mv2 -
ω2/R = mRω2. The centripetal acceleration ‘a’
in relation to angular velocity, ω, is given by a
= Rω2.
Motion in a vertical circle
Consider a mass ‘m’ tied to a string of length ‘r’ and moving in a
vertical circle as shown below.
 205

At position 1- both weight (mg) and tension T are in the same

direction and the centripetal
force is provided by both, hence T1 + mg = mv2/r. T1 = mv2/r -
mg.(The velocity decreases as
T1decreases since mg is constant).T1will be zero when mv2/r = mg
and thus v = √ - this is the
value of minimum speed at position 1 which keeps the body
in a circle and at this time when T = 0 the string begins to
slacken.
At position 2- the ‘mg’ has no component towards the
centre thus playing no part in providing the centripetal
force but is provided by the string alone.
T2 = mv2/r
At position 3- ‘mg’ and T are in opposite directions, therefore;
T3 - mg = mv2/r; T3 = mv2/r + mg- indicates that the
greatest value of tension is at T3 or at the bottom of the
circular path.
Examples
1. A ball of mass 2.5 × 10-2 kg is tied to a string and
whirled in a horizontal circular path at a speed of 5.0 ms-2.
If the string is 2.0 m long, what centripetal force does the
string exert on the ball?
Solution
Fc = mv2/r = (2.5 × 10-2) × 52 / 2.0 = 0.31 N.
2. A car of mass 6.0 × 103 kg is driven around a horizontal curve of
radius 250 m. if the force of friction between the tyres and the road
is 21,000 N. What is the maximum speed that the car can be driven
at on a bend without going off the road?
Solution
Fc = force of friction = 21,000, also Fc = mv2/r, hence
21,000 = (6.0 × 103) × v2 / 250, v2 = (21,000 × 250) /6.0 × 103
 206

3. A stone attached to one end of a string is whirled in

space in in a vertical plane. If the length of the string is
80 cm, determine the minimum speed at which the stone
will
describe a vertical circle. (Take g = 10 m/s2).
Solution
Minimum speed v = √ = √ × 10 = 2.283 m/s.

The conical pendulum

It consists of a small massive object tied to the end of a thin string
tied to affixed rigid support.
The object is then pulled at an angle then made to whirl in a
horizontal circle.
 207

When speed of the object is constant the angle θ becomes constant

also. If the speed is
increased theangle θ increases, that is the object rises and
describes a circle of bigger radius. Therefore as the
angular velocity increases ‘r’ also increases.

The centrifuge
It consists of a small metal container tubes which can be
electrically or manually rotated in a circle. If we consider
two particles of different masses m1and m2 each of them
requires a centripetal force to keep it in circular motion, the
more massive particle require a greater force and so a
greater radius and therefore it moves to the bottom of the
tube.

This method is used to separate solids and liquids faster than using a
filter paper.

Banked tracks
As a vehicle moves round a bend, the centripetal force is
provided by the sideways friction between the tyres and
the surface, that is;
Centripetal force = mv2/r = frictional force
To enable a vehicle to turn along a bend at high speed the
road is raised on the outer edge to attain a saucer-like shape
and this is known as banking, where part of the centripetal
 208

force necessary to keep the vehicle on track is provided by

the weight of the vehicle. This allows cars to negotiate
bends at critical speeds.

Application of uniform circular motion

1. Centrifuges - they are used to separate liquids of different
densities i.e. cream and milk
2. Drying clothes in spin dryer- clothes are placed in a
perforated drum rotated at high speed, water is expelled
through the holes and this makes the clothes dry.
3. Road banking- especially for racing cars which enables
them to move at critical speed along bends without going
off the tracks.
 209

4. Speed governor- the principle of conical pendulum is used here to

regulate the speed by controlling the fuel intake in the combustion
chamber. As the collar moves up and down through a system of
levers it thereby connects to a device which controls the fuel intake.

CHAPTER THREE
FLOATING AND SINKING
Any object in a liquid whether floating or submerged experiences an
upward force from the liquid; the force is known as upthrust force.
Upthrust force is also known as buoyant force and is denoted by
letter ‘u’.

Archimedes’ principle
Archimedes, a Greek scientist carried out first experiments
to measure upthrust on an object in liquid in the third
century. Archimedes principle states that ‘When a body is
wholly or partially immersed in a fluid (liquid/ gas), it
experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of the
displaced fluid”.
Experiment: To demonstrate
Archimedes principle
Procedure
 210

1. Pour water into an overflow can (eureka can) until it starts to flow out
then wait until it stops dripping
2. Tie a suitable solid body securely and suspend it on a spring
balance. Determine weight in air.
3. Lower the body slowly into the overflow can while still
attached to the spring balance then read off its weight when fully
submerged.
4. Weigh the displaced water collected in a beaker. Record
your readings as follows;
Weight of body in air = W1
Weight of body in water = W2
Weight of empty beaker = W3
Weight of beaker and displaced liquid = W4
Upthrust of the body = W1-W2
Weight of displaced water = W4 - W3

Discussion
The upthrust on the solid body will be found to be equal to the
weight of displaced water therefore demonstrating the
Archimedes principle.
Example
A block of metal of volume 60 cm3 weighs 4.80 N in air.
Determine its weight when fully submerged in a liquid of
density 1,200 kgm-3.
Solution
 211

Volume of liquid displaced = 60 cm3 = 6.0 × 10-5 m3.

Weight of the displaced liquid = volume × density × gravity = v × ρ
×g
= 6.0 × 10-5 × 1200 × 10 =
0.72 N
Upthrust = weight of the liquid displaced.
Weight of the block in the liquid = (4.80 - 0.72) = 4.08 N.
Floating objects
Objects that float in a liquid are less dense than the
liquid in which they float . We have to determine the
relationship between the weight of the displaced liquid
and the weight of the body.
Experiment: to demonstrate the law of floatation
Procedure
1. Weigh the block in air and record its weight as W1.
2. Put water into the overflow can (eureka can) up to the level of the
spout.
3. Collect displaced water in a beaker. Record the weight
of the beaker first in air and record as W2. Weigh both the
beaker and the displaced water and record as W3.
4. Record the same procedure with kerosene and record your results
as shown below.
W1 W2 W3 W3 - W2
Water
Kerosene
5. What do you notice between W1 and W3 - W2
 212

Discussion
The weight of the displaced liquid is equal to the weight
of the block in air. This is consistent with the law of
floata-tion which states that “A body displaces its own
weight of the liquid in which it floats”. Mathematically,
the followi-ng relation can be deduced
Weight = volume × density × gravity = v × ρ × g,
therefore
W = v d × ρ × gwhere vdis the volume of displaced liquid.

NOTE - Floatation is a special case of Archimedes

principle. This is because a floating body sinks until the
upthrust equals the weight of the body.

Example
A wooden block of dimensions 3 cm × 3 cm × 4 cm floats
vertically in methylated spirit with 4 cm of its length in the
spirit. Calculate the weight of the block. (Density of methy-
lated spirit = 8.0 × 102 kgm-3).
Solution
Volume of the spirit displaced = (3 × 3 × 4) = 36 cm3 = 3.6 × 10-5 m3
Weight of the block =v d × ρ × g = (3.6 × 10-5) × 8.0 × 102 × 10 =
2.88 × 10-1 N.

Relative density
We have established the relative density as the ratio of
the density of a substance to the density of water. Since
by the law of floatation an object displaces a fluid equal
to its own weight hence the following mathematical
expressions can be established.
Relative density = density of substance / density of water.
 213

= weight of substance / weight of equal volume of water

= mass of substance / mass of equal
volume of water
Applying Archimedes principle, the relative density‘d’; d =
weight of substance in air / upthrust in water or d = W / u Since
upthrust is given by (W2 - W1)where W2 - weight in air, W2-
weight when submerged. Hence d = W / u = W / W2 - W1, the
actual density, ρ of an object can be obtained as follows ρ of an
object = d × 1,000 kgm-3.
Relative density of a floating body
Experiment: To determine the
relative density of a cork
Procedure
1. Select a sinker which is heavy enough to make the cork to sink.
2. Attach the cork and the sinker as follows
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3. Record the results obtained as follows

Weight of the sinker in water = W1
Weight of the sinker in water and cork in air = W2
Weight of the sinker and cork in water = W3
Weight of the cork in air = W2 -W1
Upthrust on the cork = W2 - W3

The relative density of the cork in air is determined as follows;

d = weight of the cork in air / upthrust on the cork.

Applications of Archimedes principle and relative density

1. Ships - steel which is used to make ships is 6-7 times
dense than water but a ship is able to float on water because
it is designed to displace more water than its volume. Load
lines called plimsoll marks are marked on the side to
indicate the maximum load at different seasons to avoid
overloading.
2. Submarines - they are made of steel and consists of
ballast tanks which contain water when they have to sink
and filled with air when they have to float. This makes the
submarines to balance their weight and be able to rise
upwards.
3. Balloons - when they are filled with helium gas balloons become
lighter and the upthrust on the balloon becomes greater than their
weight therefore becoming able to rise upwards.
4. Hydrometers - they are used to measure the relative densities
of liquids quickly and conveniently. Various types of
hydrometers are made to measure different ranges of different
densities i.e. lactometer - for measuring milk water (range 1.015
- 1.045), battery acid tester - used to test the charge in a lead-acid
battery.
 215

Examples
1. A solid of mass 1.0 kg is suspended using a thread and
then submerged in water. If the tension on the thread is
5.0 N, determine the relative density of the solid.
Solution
Mass of solid = 1.0 kg
Weight of solid W = mg = 10 N
Tension on the string (T) = 5 N
Upthrust on solid (u) = W -
T = 10 - 5 = 5
Relative density (d) = W / u
= 10 / 5 = 2.
2. A balloon made up of a fabric weighing 80 N has a
volume of 1.0 × 107 cm. the balloon is filled with hydrogen
of density 0.9 kgm-3. Calculate the greatest weight in
addition to that of the hydrogen and the fabric, which the
balloon can carry in air of average density
1.25 kgm-3.
Solution
Upthrust = weight of the air displaced
= volume of air × density ×
gravity = (1.0 × 107 × 106) ×
(1.25 × 10) = 10 × 1.25 × 10
=125 N
Weight of hydrogen = 10 × 0.09 × 10 = 9 N
Total weight of hydrogen and fabric
= 80 + 9 = 89 N
Total additional weight to be lifted
= 125 - 89 = 36 N.
3. A material of density 8.5 gcm-3 is attached to a piece of wood of
mass 100g and density 0.2 gcm-3. Calculate the volume of material X
which must be attached to the piece of wood so that the two just
 216

submerge beneath a liquid of density 1.2 gcm -3.

Solution
Let the volume of the material be V cm3
The mass of the material be 8.5 V grams
Volume of wood = 100 g / 0.2 g/cm = 500 cm3.
In order to have an average density of 1.2 gcm-3 =
total mass / total volume Therefore (100 + 8.5V) /
(500 + V) = 1.2 gcm-3
Hence V = 68.5 cm3.

CHAPTER FOUR
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of all electro-
magnetic waves arranged according to frequency and
wavelength. It includes visible light, ultra-violet rays,
microwaves, X-rays, radio waves and gamma rays.
Electromagnetic waves are produced when electrically
charged particles oscillate or change energy in some way.
The waves travel perpendicularly to both electric and
magnetic fields.
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 218

Wavelength, frequency and energy of electromagnetic waves.

X-rays and gamma rays are usually described in terms of
wavelength and radio waves in terms of frequency.

The electromagnetic spectrum

It is divided into seven major regions or bands. A band
consists of a range of frequencies in the spectrum in terms
of frequencies i.e. radio, microwaves, infra -red.
Properties of electromagnetic waves
Common properties
i.They do not require a material medium and can travel through a
vacuum.
ii. They undergo reflection, refraction and diffraction.
iii. All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light i.e. 3 × 108
ms-1.
iv. They carry no electric charge
v. They transfer energy from a source to a receiver in the form of
oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
vi. They obey the wave

equation (v = λ f).
 219

Examples
1. A VHF radio transmitter broadcasts radio waves at a
frequency of 30 M Hz. What is their wavelength?
Solution
v = f λ => then λ = v / f = 3.0 × 108 / 300 × 106 = 1.00 m.
2. Calculate the frequency of a radio wave of wavelength 150 m.
Solution
v = f λ =>f = v / λ = 2.0 × 106 = 2 M Hz.

Unique properties
1. Radio waves- they are further divided into long waves
(LW), medium waves (MW) and short waves (SW). They
are produced by electrical circuits called oscillators and
they can be controlled accurately. They are easily diffra-
cted by small objects like houses but not by large objects
like hills.
2. Microwaves - they are produced by oscillation of
charges in special aerials mounted on dishes. They are
detected by special receivers which convert wave energy to
sound i.e. ‘RADAR’ -
Radio Detection and Raging.
3. Infra-red radiation - infra-red radiations close to microwaves
are thermal (produce heat) i.e. sun, fire but those closer to the
visible light have no thermal properties i.e. TV remote control
system. Detectors of infra-red radiation are the human skin,
photographic film etc.
4. Optical spectrum (visible light) - they form a tiny part of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Sources include the sun, electricity,
candles etc. these have wavelengths visible to the human eye and
includes the optical spectrum (ROYGBIV). It is detected through
the eyes, photographic films
and photocells.
 220

5. Ultra-violet rays (UV) - has shorter wavelength than visible light.

It is emitted by very hot objects i.e. the sun, welding machines etc.
Exposure to UV rays may cause skin cancer and cataracts. They can
be detected through photographic film.
6. X-rays - they have very short wavelength but are high
energy waves. They are produced in X-ray tubes when high
speed electrons are stopped by a metallic object. They are
detected by the use of a photographic film or a fluorescent
screen.
7. Gamma rays - produced by some radioactive materials
when large changes of energy occur inside their nuclei.
They can be detected by the use of photographic films,
Geiger Muller tube or a cloud chamber.

Applications of electromagnetic radiation

1. Radio waves - they are used in radio, TV and cellular mobile
communications.
-Used in military communications (satellite imagery) to
form an image of the ground even when there are clouds.
2. Microwaves - used in radar communications by giving direction
and distance.
-Used in speed guns by the police to detect over speeding.
-Used in microwave ovens to warm food. The food
becomes warm by absorbing energy.
-Used reliably for communication (telephone and computer data).
3. Infra-red radiation - used to produce images of hot objects
through the colours
-Produced by the amount of heat dissipated by an object.
-Images produced by satellites give important information
on vegetation cover in all areas of the globe. They can also
detect fires.
-They are used in hospitals to detect illnesses (diagnosis)
 221

-Used in warfare missiles and burglar alarm systems

-Used in green houses to grow crops
4.Visible light - used by plants in remote sensing and humans in the
identification of things
-Used by plants in the process of photosynthesis
5. Ultra-violet (UV) radiation - used to make reflective materials
which absorb light and re-emit it as visible light.
-Used in banks to detect fake currency
6. X-rays - used in hospitals to detect fractures, broken bones and in
treatment of cancer (radiotherapy).
-Used to detect foreign materials in the body i.e. metals
-Used to detect invisible cracks in metal castings and welding joints
7. Gamma rays - used to sterilize medical instruments
-Used to kill weevils in grain
-Used to take photographs same way like X-rays.

CHAPTER FIVE
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
Electromagnetism is the effect resulting from the
interaction between an electric current and a magnetic
field. This effect brings about induced electromagnetic
force (e.m.f) and the
resulting current is called induced current.

Experiments on electromagnetic induction

Consider the following diagram
 222

When the wire is moved up the galvanometer deflects in one

direction then the opposite direction when moved downwards. When
moved horizontally or held in a fixed position there is no deflection
in the galvanometer. This shows that e.m.f is induced due to the
relative motion of the wire or the magnet.

Factors affecting the magnitude of the induced e.m.f

1. The rate of relative motion between the conductor
and the field - if the velocity of the conductor is
increased the deflection in the conductor increases.
2. The strength of the magnetic field - a stronger magnetic field
creates a bigger deflection
3. The length of the conductor - if the length is increased
in the magnetic field the deflection increases.

Faraday’s law of magnetic induction

After considering the factors affecting the magnitude of
the induced e.m.f, Michael Faraday came up with a law
which states that “The induced e.m.f in a conductor in a
magnetic field is proportional to the rate of change of the
magnetic flux linking the conductor”.

Lenz’s law of electromagnetic induction

This law is used to determine the direction of the induced current in
a conductor. It states that “An induced current flows in such a
direction that its magnetic effect opposes the change through which
the current has been produced”. It is applied similarly when a wire is
been moved in magnetic field.
 223

Fleming’s right hand rule.

The law states that “The first finger, the second finger and
the thumb of the right hand when placed mutually
perpendicular to each other, the first finger points in the
direction of the field and the thumb in the direction of
motion then second finger points in the direction of the
induced current”. This law is also called the generator rule.

Applications of electromagnetic induction

1. A.c generator/alternator- a generator is a device which
produces electricity on the basis of electromagnetic
induction by continuous motion of either a solenoid or a
magnet. It consists of an armature made of several turns
of insulated wire wound on
 224

soft iron core and revolving freely on an axis between the poles of a
powerful magnet. Two slip rings are connected to the ends of the
armature with two carbon brushes rotating on the slip ring.

In an external circuit the current is at maximum value at 900 and

minimum value at2700. This brings about alternating current and the
corresponding voltage (e.m.f) is the alternating voltage. They are
used in car alternators and H.E.P.
2. D.c generator/alternator- in this case the commutators
replaces the slip rings to enable the output to move in one
direction. After a rotation of 1800, instead of current
reversing, the connections to the external circuit are
reversed so that currentdirection flows in one direction.
225
 226

3. Moving coil microphone- it consists of a coil wound on a

cylindrical cardboard which opens into a diaphragm. The coil is
placed between the poles of a magnet as shown.

As sound waves hit the diaphragm, they vibrate and

move the coil which produces induced current into the
coil and then it flows to the loudspeakers.
Eddy currents
They are composed of loops of current which have a magnetic effect
opposing the force producing them. When a copper plate with slits is
used the loops are cut off and hence the effective currents are
drastically reduced and so is the opposing force.

Practically eddy currents are reduced by laminating metal plates.

Armatures of electric generators and motors are wound on laminated
soft iron cores. The lamination slices, which are quite thin are glued
together by a non-conducting glue and this reduces eddy currents to
an almost negligible value. Eddy currents are useful in moving coil
 227

meters to damp the oscillations of the armature when the current is

switched off.

Mutual induction
Mutual induction is produced when two coils are placed
close to each other and a changing current is passed
through one of them which in turn produces an induced
e.m.f in the second coil. Therefore mutual induction occurs
when a changing magnetic flux in one coil links to another
coil.

Applications of mutual induction

1. The transformer- it converts an alternating voltage across one coil
to a larger or smaller alternating voltage across the other. Since
H.E.P is lost through transmission lines therefore it is stepped down
before it being transmitted and stepped up again at the point of
supply lines. In a step up transformer the number of turns in the
secondary
coil (Ns) is higher than the number of turns in the primary coil (Np).
In a step down transformer the primary coil has more turns than the
secondary coil. The relationship between the primary voltage and the
secondary voltage is given by;
Np / Ns = Vp / Vs.The efficiency of a transformer is the ratio of power
in secondary coil
(Ps) to power in primary coil (Pp), therefore efficiency = Ps / Pp ×
100%.
 228

Step down transformer

Examples
1. A current of 0.6 A is passed through a step up transformer with a
primary coil of 200 turns and a current of 0.1 A is obtained in the
secondary coil. Determine the number of turns in the secondary coil
and the voltage across if the primary coil is connected to a 240 V
mains.
Solution
Np / Ns = Vp / Vs = Ip / Is = Ns = (0.6
× 200) / 0.1 = 1200 turns Vp = 240 V
hence Vs = (240 × 1200) / 200 = 1440
V

2. A step-up transformer has 10,000 turns in the secondary coil and

100 turns in the primary coil. An alternating current of 0.5 A flows
in the primary circuit when connected to a 12.0 V a.c. supply.
a) Calculate the voltage across the secondary coil
b) If the transformer has an efficiency of 90%, what is the current in
the secondary coil?
Solution
a) Vs = (Ns / Np) × Vp = (10,000 × 12) / 100 = 1200 V
b) Power in primary = Pp = Ip ×Vp= 5.0 × 12 = 60 W
Efficiency = Ps / Pp × 100% but Ps = Is Vs
Is = (60 × 90) / (1200 × 100) = 0.045 A
Energy losses in a transformer.
Loss of energy in a transformer is caused by;
i)Flux leakage- this may be due to poor transformer design
ii)Resistance in the windings-it is reduced by using copper wires
which have very lowresistance
iii) Hysteresis losses- caused by the reluctance of the domains to
rotate as the magnetic field changes polarity. Reduced by using
 229

materials that magnetize and demagnetize easily like soft iron in the
core of the transformer.
iv)Eddy currents- reduced by using a core made of thin, well
insulated and laminated sections.

Uses of transformers
1. Power stations - used to step up or down to curb power losses
during transmission
2. Supplying low voltages for school laboratories
3. Low voltage supply in electronic goods like radios, TVs etc.
4. High voltage supply in cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) for
school laboratories.

3. Induction coil -was developed in 1851 by Heinrich

Ruhmkortt. It has both secondary and primary coils with
an adjustable spark gap.
4. Car ignition system - it is applied in petrol driven
engines where a spark plug is used to ignite petrol vapour
and air mixture to run the engine.
 230

CHAPTER SIX
MAINS ELECTRICITY
Sources of mains electricity
Mains electricity comes from a power station and its current is the alternating current
which can either be stepped up or down by a transformer. A.c is produced when a
conductor is rotated in a magnetic field or when a magnetic field is rotated near a
conductor. This method is known as electromagnetic induction. The source of energy for
rotating the turbine is the actual source of electrical energy. Most of the electricity in
East Africa is generated from water.
Power transmission
This is the bulk transfer of electric power from one place to another. A
power transmission system in a country is referred to as the national grid.
This transmission grid is a network of power generating stations,
transmission circuits and sub-stations. It is usually transmitted in three
phase alternating current.
Grid input
At the generating plant the power is produced at a relatively low voltage of up to 25 kV
then stepped up by the power station transformer up to 400 kV for transmission. It is
transmitted by overhead cables at high voltage to minimize energy losses. The cables are
made of aluminium because it is less dense than copper. Metallic poles (pylons) carry
four cables, one for each phase and the fourth is the neutral cable which is thinner and
completes the circuit to the generator.
Grid exit
At sub-stations transformers are used to step down voltage to a lower
voltage for distribution to industrial and domestic users. The combination
of sub-transmission (33 kV to 132 kV) and distribution (11 kV to 33 kV)
which is then finally transformed to a voltage of 240 V for
domestic use.
231
 232

Electricity distribution
This is the penultimate process of delivery of electric power . It is
considered to include medium voltage (less than 50 kV) power lines,
low voltage (less than 1,000 V) distribution, wiring and sometimes
electricity meters.

Dangers of high voltage transmission

1. They can lead to death through electrocution
2. They can cause fires during upsurge
3. Electromagnetic radiations from power lines elevate the risk of
certain types of cancer

Electrical power and energy

Work done = volts × coulombs = VQ, but Q = current ×
time = I t. So work done = V I t
Other expressions for work may be obtained by
substituting V and I from Ohms law as below V = I R and
I = V / R, work done = I R × I t = I2 R t, or work done = V
× V t / R = V2 t / R.
The three expressions can be used to calculate work done.
Electrical power may be computed from the definition of
power. Power = work / time = I2 R t /t = I2 R or V2 t / R t =
V2 / R
Using work done = V I t, then Power = V I.
These expressions are useful in solving problems in
electricity. Work done or electrical energy is measured in
joules (J) and power is measured in watts (W). 1 W = 1 J/s.

Example
An electric heater running on 240 V mains has a current of 2.5 A.
a) What is its power rating?
b) What is the resistance of its element?
 233

Solution
a) Power = V I = 240 × 2.5 = 600 W. Rating is 600 W, 240 V.
b) Power = V / R = 600 W. R = V / I. R = 240 / 2.5 = 96 Ω.

Costing electricity
The power company uses a unit called kilowatt hour (kWh)
which is the energy transformed by a kW appliance in one
hour. 1 kW = 1,000 W × 60 × 60 seconds = 3,600,000 J.
The meter used for measuring electrical energy uses the
kWh as the unit and is known as joule meter.
Examples
1. An electric kettle is rated at 2,500 W and uses a voltage of 240 V.
a) If electricity costs Ksh 1.10 per kWh, what is the cost of running
it for 6 hrs?
b) What would be its rate of dissipating energy if the mains
voltage was dropped to 120 V?

Solution
a) Energy transformed in 6 hrs = 2.5 × 6 = 15 kWh. Cost = 15 ×
1.10 × 6 = Ksh 99.00
b) Power = V2 / R = 2500. R = (240 × 240) /2500 = 23.04 Ω.
Current = V / R = (240 × 2500) / (240 × 240) = 10.42 A Power =
V I = (2500 × 120) / 240 = 1,250 W.
2.An electric heater is made of a wire of resistance 100 Ω connected
to a 240 V mains supply. Determine the;
a) Power rating of the heater
b) Current flowing in the circuit
c) Time taken for the heater to raise the temperature of
200 g of water from 230C to 950C. (specific heat capacity
of water = 4,200 J Kg-1 K-1)
d) Cost of using the heater for two hours a day for 30
days if the power company charges Ksh 5.00 per kWh.
 234

Solution
a) Power = V2 / R = (240 × 240) / 100 = 576 W
b) P = V I =>> I = P / V = 576 / 240 = 2.4 A
c) P × t = heat supplied = (m c θ) = 576 × t = 0.2 × 4200 × 72.
Hence t = (0.2 × 4200 × 72) / 576 = 105 seconds.
d) Cost = kWh × cost per unit = (0.576 × 2 × 30) × 5.0 = Ksh
172.80
3.A house has five rooms each with a 60 W, 240 V bulb. If the bulbs
are switched on fro7.00 pm to 10.30 pm, calculate the;
a) Power consumed per day in kWh
b) Cost per week for lighting those rooms if it costs 90 cents per
unit.
Solution
a) Power consumed by 5 bulbs = 60 × 5 = 300 W = 0.3
kWh. Time = 10.30 - 7.00 = 3 ½ hrs.Therefore for the time
duration = 0.3 × 3 ½ = 1.05 kWh.
b) Power consumed in 7 days = 1.05 × 7 = 7.35 kWh. Cost = 7.35 ×
0.9 = Ksh 6.62

Domestic wiring system

Power is supplied by two cables where one line is live wire
(L) and the other is neutral (N).
Domestic supply in Kenya is usually of voltage 240 V. The
current alternates 50 times per second hence the frequency
is 50 Hz. The neutral is earthed to maintain a zero potential.
The main fuse is fitted on the live wire to cut off supply in
case of a default. A fuse is a short piece of wire which melts
if current of more value flows through it. Supply to the
house is fed to the joule meter which measures the energy
consumed. From the meter both L and N cables go to
the consumer box (fuse box) through the main switch which
is fitted on the live cable.
 235

Consumer units within the house are fitted with circuit

breakers which go off whenever there is a default in the
system. Lights in the house are controlled by a single or
double switch (two way). In most wiring systems the main
sockets are connected to a ring main which is a cable
which starts and end at the consumer unit. Plugs used are
the three- pin type.

CHAPTER SEVEN
CATHODE RAYS
These are streams of electrons emitted at the cathode of
an evacuated tube containing an anode and a cathode.

Production of cathode rays

They are produced by a set up called a discharge tube
where a high voltage source usually referred to as extra
high tension (EHT) supply connected across a tube conta-
ining air at low pressure thereby producing a luminous
electron discharge between the two brass rods placed at
opposite ends of the tube. These electron discharges are
called cathode rays which were discovered by J.J Thomson
in the 18th century.
236
 237

Properties of cathode rays

1. They travel in straight lines
2. They are particulate in nature i.e. negatively charged electrons
3. They are affected by both magnetic and electric fields
since they are deflected towards the positive plates
4. They produce fluorescence in some materials
5. Depending on the energy of the cathode rays they can
penetrate thin sheets of paper, metal foils
6. When cathode rays are stopped they produce X-rays.
7. They affect photographic plates.

Cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)

It is a complex equipment used in displaying waveforms from

various sources and measuring
p.d. It comprises of the following main components; - The
cathode ray tubes (CRT) - consists of
a tube, electron gun, deflection plates and the time base
(TB). The tube is made of strong glass
to

withstand the pressure difference between the outside

atmospheric pressure and the vacuum inside. It has a square
grid placed in front of it to allow measurements to be made.
 238

The electron
gun produces the electrons with main parts consisting of a
filament, a cathode, a grid and the anode. Electrons are
produced by the cathode when heated by the filament. The
grid is a control electrode which determines the number of
electrons reaching the screen therefore determining the
brightness of the screen. The Y-deflection plates deflects the
beam up or down. Clearly observable when low frequency
inputs are applied i.e. 10 Hz from a signal operator. The X-
deflection plates are used to move the beam left or right of
the screen at a steady speed using the time base circuit
which automatically changes voltage to an a.c. voltage.
When time base control is turned the speed can be adjusted
to produce a waveform.
Examples
1. If the time base control of the CRO is set at 10
milliseconds per cm, what is the frequency of the wave
traced given wavelength as 1.8 cm?
Solution
Wavelength = 1.8 cm. time for complete wave = period = 1.8 × 10
milliseconds / cm
= 18 milliseconds
= 1.8 × 10-2 seconds.
Frequency ‘f’, is given by f = 1 / T = 1 / 1.8 × 10-2 = 100 / 1.8 = 56
Hz.

NOTE: -
The television set (TV) is a type of a CRT with both Y and
X-deflection plates which control the
formation of a picture (motion) on the screen. The colour
television screen is coated with different phosphor dots
(chemicals) which produce a different colour when struck
 239

by an electron beam.

CHAPTER EIGHT
X-RAYS
X-rays were discovered by a German scientist named
Roentgen in 1985. They can pass through most substances
including soft tissues of the body but not through bones
and most metals. They were named X-rays meaning
'unknown rays'.
X-ray production
They are produced by modified discharge tubes called X-ray
tubes. The cathode is in the form of a filament which emits
electrons on heating. The anode is made of solid copper
molybdenum and is called the target. A high potential
difference between the anode and the cathode is maintained
(10,000 v to 1,000,000 or more) by an external source. The
filament is made up of tungsten and coiled to provide high
resistance to the current. The electrons produced are
changed into x-rays on hitting the anode and getting
stopped. Only 0.2% of the energy is converted into x-rays.
Cooling oil is led in and out of the hollow of the anode to
maintain low
temperature. The lead shield absorbs stray x-rays.
 240

Energy changes in an X-ray tube.

When the cathode is heated electrons are emitted by thermionic
emission. They acquire electrical energy which can be expressed
as E = e V. Once in motion the electrical energy is converted to
kinetic energy, that is eV = ½ me v2.
The energy of an electromagnetic wave can be calculated using
the following equation Energy = h f, where h- Planck’s constant,
f - frequency of the wave.
The highest frequency of the X-rays released after an
electron hits the target is when the greatest kinetic
energy is lost, that is h f max = eV.
Lower frequencies are released when the electrons make multiple
collisions losing energy in stages, the minimum wavelength, λ min,
of the emitted X-rays is given by;
(hc) / λ min = eV.
These expressions can be used to calculate the energy, frequencies
and wavelengths of X-rays.
Examples
1.Determine the energy possessed by X-rays whose frequency is 4 ×
1017 Hz.
Solution
E = h f => 6.63 × 10-34 ×4 × 1017 = 2.652 × 10-16 J.
2. An x-ray tube operates at 60 kV and the current through it is 4.0
mA. Calculate the,
a) Number of electrons striking the target per second.
b) Speed of the electrons when they hit the target.
Solution
a) Current through the tube is given by I = ne, where n-
number of electrons striking target per second and e-
electronic charge ( e = 1.6 × 10-19coulombs)
So, n = 1/e = (4.0 × 10-3) / 1.6 × 10-19 = 2.5 × 1016
 241

electrons.
b) Kinetic energy = electrical energy
½ me v2 = eV, then v = √ =√ = 2.13 × 108 m/s.
3. An 18 kV accelerating voltage is applied across an X-ray tube.
Calculate;
a) The velocity of the fastest electron striking the target
b) The minimum wavelength in the continuous spectrum of X-rays
produced. (mass of electron-9 × 10-31 kg, charge on an electron-1.6
× 10-19 C, h- 6.6 × 10-34 J/s, c- 3 × 108 m/s)
Solution
a) V = 18 × 103 V
me = 9 × 10-31 kg
e = 1.6 × 10-19 C
h = 6.6 × 10-34 J/s
c = 3 × 108 m/s
½ me v2 = e v; therefore v = √ =√ = 8 × 107
m/s’
b)(h c) / λ min = eV; λ min = hc / eV
λ min = (6.6 × 10-34× 3 × 108 ) / (1.6 × 10-19× 18 × 103) = 6.9 × 10-11
m.
Properties of X-rays
i)They travel in straight lines
ii)They undergo reflection and diffraction
iii)They are not affected by electric or magnetic fields since they are
not chargedparticles.
iv)They ionize gases causing them to conduct electricity
v)They affect photographic films
vi)They are highly penetrating, able to pass easily through thin
sheets of paper, metal foils and body tissues
vii) They cause fluorescence in certain substances for example
barium platinocynide.
 242

Hard X-rays
These are x-rays on the lower end of their range (10-11 -
10-8 m) and have more penetrating power than normal x-
rays. They are capable of penetrating flesh but are
absorbed by bones.

Soft X-rays
They are on the upper end of the range and are less
penetrative. They can only penetrate soft flesh and can be
used toshow malignant growth in tissues.

Dangers of X-rays and the precautions

1. They can destroy or damage living cells when over exposed.
2. Excessive exposure of living cells can lead to genetic mutation.
3. As a precautionary measure X-ray tubes are shielded by lead
shields.

Uses of X-rays
1. Medicine - X-ray photos called radiographs are used as
diagnostic tools for various diseases. They are also used to treat
cancer in radiotherapy.
2. Industry - they are used to photograph and reveal
hidden flaws .i.e. cracks in metal casting and welded
joints.
3. Science - since the spacing of atomic arrangement causes
diffraction of x-rays then their structure can be studied
through a process called X-ray crystallography.
4. Security - used in military and airport installations to detect
dangerous metallic objects .i.e. guns, explosives, grenades etc.

CHAPTER NINE
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
 243

Photoelectric effect was discovered by Heinrich Hertz in 1887.

Photoelectric effect is a phenomenon in which electrons are emitted
from the surface of a substance when certain electromagnetic
radiation falls on it. Metal surfaces require ultra-violet radiation
while caesium oxide needs a visible light i.e. optical spectrum
(sunlight).

Work function
A minimum amount of work is needed to remove an electron from
its energy level so as to overcome the forces binding it to the
surface. This work is known as the work function with units of
electron volts (eV). One electron volt is the work done when one
electron is
transferred between points with a potential difference of one volt;
that is,
1 eV = 1 electron × 1 volt
1 eV = 1.6 × 10-19 × 1 volt
1 eV = 1.6× 10-19 Joules (J)

Threshold frequency
This is the minimum frequency of the radiation that will cause a
photoelectric effect on a certain surface. The higher the work
function, the higher the threshold frequency.

Factors affecting the photoelectric effect

1. Intensity of the incident radiation- the rate of
emission of photoelectrons is directly proportional to the
intensity of incident radiation.
2. Work function of the surface- photoelectrons are emitted
at different velocities with the maximum being processed
by the ones at the surface.
3. Frequency of the incident radiation- the cut-off potential for each
 244

surface is directly proportional to the frequency of the incident

radiation.
Planck’s constant
When a bunch of oscillating atoms and the energy of each oscillating
atom is quantified i.e. it could only take discrete values. Max
Planck’s predicted the energy of an oscillating atom to be E = n h f,
where n - integer, f - frequency of the source, h - Planck’s constant
which has a value of 6.63 × 10-34 Js.

Quantum theory of light

Planck’s published his quantum hypothesis in 1901 which assumes
that the transfer of energy between light radiation and matter occurs
in discrete units or packets. Einstein proposed that light is made up
of packets of energy called photons which have no mass but they
have
momentum and energy given by; E = h f
The number of photons per unit area of the cross -section of a beam
of light is proportional to its intensity. However the energy of a
photon is proportional to its frequency and not the
intensity of the light.

Einstein’s photoelectric equation

As an electron escapes energy equivalent to the work function ‘Φ’ of

the emitter substance is given up. So the photon energy ‘h f’ must be
greater than or equal to Φ. If the ‘h f’ is greater than Φ then the
electron acquires some kinetic energy after leaving the surface. The
maximum kinetic energy of the ejected photoelectron is given by;
K.E max = ½ m v2max = h f - Φ ……………… (i), where m v2max =
maximum velocity and mass. This is the Einstein’s photoelectric
equation.
If the photon energy is just equivalent to work function then, m v2max
 245

= 0, at this juncture the electron will not be able to move hence no

photoelectric current, giving rise to a condition known as cut-off
frequency, h fco = Φ………………. (ii)
Also the p.d required to stop the fastest photoelectron is the cut-off
potential, V cowhich is given by E = e V co electron volts, but this
energy is the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons and
therefore, ½ m v2max = e V co ………….. (iii).
Combining equations (i), (ii) and (iii), we can write Einstein’s
photoelectric equation as, e V co = h f - h fco ………………….. (iv)
NOTE: -- Equations (i) and (iv) are quite useful in solving problems
involving photoelectric effect.
Examples
1.The cut-off wavelength for a certain material is 3.310 × 10-7 m.
What is the cut-off frequency for the material?
Solution
Speed of light ‘c’ = 3.0 × 108
m/s. Since f = c / λ, then f = 3.0
× 108 / 3.310 × 10-7 = 9.06 × 1014
Hz.
2. The work function of tungsten is 4.52 e V. Find the cut-
off potential for photoelectrons when a tungsten surface is
illuminated with radiation of wavelength 2.50 × 10-7 m.
(Planck’s constant, h = 6.62 × 10-34 Js).
Solution
Frequency ‘f’ = c / λ = 3.0 × 108 / 2.50 × 10-7.
Energy of photon = h f = 6.62 × 10-34 × (3.0 ×
108 / 2.50 × 10-7) × (1 / 1.6 × 10-19) = 4.97 eV.
Hence h fco = 4.52 e V. e V co = 4.97 e V -
4.52 e V = 0.45 e V = 7.2 × 10-20 J V co = 7.2
× 10-20 / 1.6 × 10-19 = 0.45 e V.
3.The threshold frequency for lithium is 5.5 × 1014 Hz. Calculate the
work function for lithium. (Take‘h’ = 6.626 × 10-34 Js)
 246

Solution
Threshold frequency, f o = 5.5 × 1014
Hz, ‘h’ = 6.626 × 10-34 Js
Φ = h f = 5.5 × 1014×
6.626 × 10-34 = 36.4 × 10-20
4. Sodium has a work function of 2.0
e V. Calculate
a) The maximum energy and velocity of the emitted electrons when
sodium is Illuminated by a radiation of wavelength 150 nm.
b) Determine the least frequency of radiation by which electrons are
emitted.
(Take ‘h’ = 6.626 × 10-34 Js, e = 1.6 × 10-19, c =
3.0 × 108 m/s and mass of electron = 9.1 × 10-31
kg).
Solution
a) The energy of incident photon is given by h f = c / λ
= (6.626 × 10-34 × 3.0 × 108) / 1.50 × 10-9 = 1.325 × 10-18 J

K.E max = h f - Φ = (1.325 × 10-18) - (2 × 1.6 × 10-19) = 1.0 × 10 -18 J

(max. K.E of the emitted electrons)
But K.E max = ½ m v2max. Therefore; 1.0 × 10 -18 = ½ × 9.1 × 10-31 ×
V2max
V2max = (1.0 × 10 -18 / 9.1 × 10-31)1/2 = 1.5 × 106 m/s (max. velocity of
emitted electrons).
b) Φ = h f co and f o = Φ / λ, Φ = 2 × 1.6 × 10-19
fo = (2 × 1.6 × 10-19) / (6.626 × 10-34) = 4.8 × 1014
Hz (min. threshold frequency of the emitted
electrons)
 247

Applications of photoelectric effect

1. Photo-emissive cells- they are made up of two electrodes
enclosed in a glass bulb (evacuated or containing inert gas at
low temperature). The cathode is a curved metal plate while
the anode is normally a single metal rod)

They are used mostly in controlling lifts (doors) and reproducing the sound
track in a film. Photoconductive cells - some semi-conductors such as
cadmium sulphide (cds) reduces their resistance when light is shone at them
(photo resistors). Other devices such as photo-diodes and photo-transistors
block current when the intensity of light increases. Photo-conductive cells are
also known as light dependent resistors (LDR) and are used in alarm circuits
i.e. fire alarms, and also in cameras as exposure metres.

2. Photo-voltaic cell- this cell generates an e.m.f using light and consists of a
copper disc oxidized on one surface and a very thin film of
gold is deposited over the exposed surfaces (this thin film
allows light). The current increases with light intensity.
248
 249

They are used in electronic calculators, solar panels etc.

CHAPTER TEN
RADIOACTIVITY
Introduction
Radioactivity was discovered by Henri Becquerel in 1869. In 1898,
Marie and Pierre Curie succeeded in chemically isolating two
radioactive elements, Polonium (z=84) and Radium (z=
88). Radioactivity or radioactive decay is the spontaneous disinter-
gration of unstable nuclides to form stable ones with the emission of
radiation. Unstable nuclides continue to disintegrate until a stable
atom is formed.Alpha (α) and beta (ϐ) particles are emitted and the
gamma rays (ϒ) accompany the ejection of both alpha and beta
particles.

The nucleus
The nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons. They are surrou-
nded by negatively charged ions known as electrons. The number
of protons is equal to the number of electrons. Both protons and
neutrons have the same mass. The weight of an electron is
relatively small compared to neutrons and protons. The number of
protons in an atom is referred to as the proton number (atomic
number) and denoted by the symbol Z . the number of neutrons is
denoted by the symbol N. Protons and neutrons are called nucleons
since they form the nucleus of an atom. The sum of both the
protons and neutrons is called the mass number A or nucleon
number. Therefore;
A = Z + N and N = A - Z.
The masses of atoms are conveniently given in terms of atomic mass
units (ᴜ) where (ᴜ) is 1/12th the mass of one atom of carbon-12 and
has a value of 1.660 × 10-27 kg. Hence the mass of one proton is
equal to 1.67 × 10-27 and is equal to 1ᴜ.
 250

Radioactive isotopes
Isotopes are elements with different mass numbers but
with equal atomic numbers i.e. uranium with mass
numbers 235 and 238.

Properties of radioactive emissions

a)Alpha (α) particles
They are represented as, hence with a nucleus number 4 and a
charge of +2.
Properties
1. Their speeds are 1.67 × 107 m/s, which is 10% the speed of light.
2. They are positively charged with a magnitude of a charge double
that of an electron.
3. They cause intense ionization hence loosing energy
rapidly hence they have a very short range of about 8 cm
in air.
4. They can be stopped by a thin sheet of paper, when
stopped they capture two electrons and become helium gas
atoms
5. They can be affected by photographic plates and
produce flashes when incident on a fluorescent screen
and produce heating effect in matter.
6. They are slightly deflected by a magnetic field
indicating that they have comparatively large masses.
b)Beta (ϐ) particles
They are represented by meaning that they have no mass but a
charge of -1.
Properties
1. Their speeds are as high as 99.9% or more the speed of light
2. They are deflected by electric and magnetic fields but in
a direction opposite to that of alpha particles.
 251

3. Due to their high speed they have a higher penetrative

rate than alpha particles (about 100 times more)
4. They can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium
5. Their ionization power is much less intense about 1/100th that of
alpha particles.
c)Gamma (ϒ) particles
They have very short wavelengths in the
order of 10-10 m and below. Properties
1. They travel at the speed of light.
2. They have less ionization power than that of both alpha and beta
particles
3. They accompany the emission of alpha and beta particles
4. They carry no electric charge hence they are not defle-
cted by both electric and magnetic fields.
5. They have more penetrating power than X-rays.
 252

Detecting nuclear radiation

1. Gold leaf electroscope-the rate of collapse of the leaf depends on the nature and intensity of
radiation. The radioactive source ionizes the air around the electroscope. Beta particles discharges a
positively charged electroscope with the negative charge neutralizing the charge of the electroscope. Alpha
particles would similarly discharge a negatively charged electroscope.
To detect both alpha and beta particles a charged electroscope may not be suitable because their ionization
in air may not be sufficiently intense making the leaf not to fall noticeably.

2. The spark counter - the detector is shown below

This detector is suitable for alpha sources due to the inadequacy of

the ionization by both beta and gamma radiations. By putting the
source away from the gauze or placing a sheet of paper between the
two one can determine the range and penetration of the alpha
particles.
3. Geiger Muller (GM) tube- it is illustrated as below
 253

The mica window allows passage of alpha, beta and gamma radiations. The radiations
ionize the gas inside the tube. The electrons move to the anode while the positive ions
move to the cathode. As the ions are produced there are collisions which produce small
currents which are in turn amplified and passed to the scale. The scale counts the pulses
and shows the total on a display screen. After each pulse the gas returns to normal ready
for the next particle to enter. A small presence of halogen gas in the tube helps in
absorbing the positive ions to reduce further ionization and hence a quick return to
normal. This is called quenching the tube.
4. The solid state detector- this detector can be used to detect alpha, beta and gamma
radiations where the incoming radiation hits a reverse biased p-n junction diode
momentarily conducting the radiation and the pulse of the current is detected using a
scaler.
5. The diffusion cloud chamber- this chamber is simplified as shown below
 254

The bottom of the chamber is cooled by solid carbon (V) oxide to

around -800 C and the alcohol vapour from the felt ring spreads
downwards. It is cooled below its normal condensing temperature.
As a particle enters the chamber it ionizes the air in its path
and alcohol condenses around the path to form millions of tiny
alcohol droplets leaving a trail visible because it reflects light from
the source. Alpha particles leave a thick, short straight tracks. Beta
particles leave thin irregular tracks. Gamma particles do not
produce tracks and since they eject electrons from atoms the tracks
are similar to those of beta particles.

Activity and half-life of elements

The activity of a sample of radioactive element is the rate at which
its constituent nuclei decay or disintegrate. It is measured in
disinter-grations per second or Curie (Ci) units, where 1 Ci = 3.7 ×
1010 disintegrations per second 1 micro Curie (µ C) = 3.7 × 104
disintegrations per second.
The law of radioactive decay states that “the activity of a sample is
proportional to the number of undecayed nuclei present in the
sample”. The half-life of a radioactive element is the time required
for its one-half of the sample to decay. It is important to note that
although the activity approaches zero, it never goes to zero.
 255

Examples
1. The half-life of a sample of a radioactive substance is
98 minutes. How long does it take for the activity of the
sample to reduce to 1/16th of the original value?

Solution
Time (minutes) Activity
0 1
98 ½
196 ¼
294 1/8
392 1/16 =>> time taken = 392
minutes.

2.An isotope has a half-life of 576 hours. Complete the following

table and show how mass
varies with time from an initial mass of 1280 g?
Time (hrs) 576 1152 1728 2304
Mass (g) 640

Solution
1152 ------ 320 g
1728 ------ 160 g
2304 ------ 80 g.
3. The initial number of atoms in a sample is 5.12 × 1020. If the half-
life of the sample is 3.0 seconds, determine the number of atoms that
will have decayed after six seconds.
Solution
After the first half-life, then ½ (5.12 × 1020) = 2.56 × 1020 will have
decayed.
The second half-life, then ½ (2.56 × 1020) = 1.28 × 1020 will have
decayed.
 256

The total number of decayed atoms = (2.56 + 1.28) × 1020 = 3.84 ×

1020 atoms.
4. A radioactive element has an initial count rate of 2,400 counts per
minute on a scaler. The count rate falls to 300 units per minute in 30
hours,
a) Calculate the half-life of the element
b) If the initial number of atoms in another sample of the same
element is 6.0 × 1020, how many atoms will have decayed in 50
hours?
Solution
a) 2,400 × ½ × ½ × ½ = 300
Three half-lives have a total of 30 hours, thus half-life = 30 /3 = 10
hours
b) Since half-life = 10 hrs half-lives in 50 hrs = 50/10 = 5 hrs.
So the remaining undecayed atoms are ½ × ½ × ½ × ½ × ½ × 6.0 ×
1020
= 0.1875 × 1020, thus
The number of atoms which have decayed = (6.0 - 0.1875) × 1020
= 5.812 × 1020

Nuclear equations
Particles making an atom can be written using upper and
lower subscripts where a proton, ‘p’ with charge +1 and
mass 1ᴜ, is written as . A neutron ‘n’ with no charge but
with mass 1ᴜ, is written as, while an electron with a charge
of -1 and negligible mass is written as. It isimportant to
note that the principles of conservation apply in radioactive
decay. That means that the total number of nucleons
(neutrons + protons) must be the same before and after
decay. The L.H.S of the equation must be equal to the
R.H.S for both total mass and charge.
 257

Effects of radioactive decay on the nucleus

Alpha decay
A nucleus emitting an alpha particle reduces its mass by 4 atomic
mass units and its proton number by 2. The equation can be written
as follows,
---------- + α or---------- +
Example
Uranium- 235 ( ) changes to ) by emitting an alpha particle. W
Thorium (equation to represent the nuclear
decay.
Solution
-------- +
 258

The change of an element (nucleus) to another is called

transmutation.
Beta decay
The beta particle is an electron. Beta particles are produced
by changing a neutron to a proton and later to an electron
as shown,
-------- +
The electron is then ejected from the nucleus and the
number of protons increases by 1 while the mass number
remains the same (an electron is of negligible mass).
---------- +
Examples
1. Thorium ) changes to Proctanium (Po) with the
emission of a beta particle. Show the decay using nuclear equation.
Solution
---------- o+
2. Write an equation to show how a radioactive isotope of
cobalt ( o) undergoes a beta decay followed by the
emission of gamma rays to form a new nuclide X.
Solution
o ------- ϐ + ϒ + or o + +ϒ +
3. A radioactive carbon-14 decays to nitrogen by
emitting a beta particle as shown.
Determine the values of ‘x’ and ‘y’ in the equation
below.
------ +
Solution
X + 0 = 14 hence x = 14
7 + y =6 hence y = -1

Nuclear fission
Nuclear fission is a process in which a nucleus splits into two or
 259

more lighter nuclei . This process generates large amounts of energy

together with neutron emission. Nearly 80% of the energy produced
appears as kinetic energy of the fission fragments. For example
Uranium-235 undergoes nuclear fission when bombarded with slow
neutrons releasing 2-3 neutrons per Uranium molecule and every
neutron released brings about the fission of another Uranium-
235nuclei. Another substance which undergoes the same process is
Plutonium-239. Substances which undergo fission directly with slow
neutrons are known as fissile substances or isotopes. Applications of
nuclear fission
1. They are used in the manufacture of atomic bombs where
tremendous amount of energy is released within a very short time
leading to an explosion.
2. When this release of energy is controlled such that it can be
released at a steady rate then it is converted into electrical energy
hence the principle in nuclear reactors.

Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is the thermal combining of light elements to form
relatively heavier nuclei . The process requires very high
temperatures for the reacting nuclei to combine upon collision.
These temperatures are provided by ordinary fission bombs. These
reactions sometimes known as thermonuclear reactions. A fusion
reaction releases energy at the rate of 3-23 MeV per fusion event i.e.
two deuterium (heavy hydrogen) nuclei to form helium.

This 3.3 MeV (energy) produced

is equal to 5.28 × 10-13 J.
Application of nuclear fusion
1. Used in the production of hydrogen bomb. Possible
reactions for an hydrogen bomb include;
 260

Hazards of radioactivity and their precautions

(i)Due to the ionizing radiation emitted by radiation materials, they

affect living cellsleading to serious illnesses. Symptoms of radiation
exposures are immature births, deformations, retardedness, etc.
(ii) Their exposure to the environment through leaks may lead to
environmental pollution leading to poor crop growth and destruction
of marine life.

Applications of radioactivity
1. Carbon dating - through the identification of carbon-14 and
carbon-12 absorbed by dead plants and animals. Scientists can be
able to estimate the age of a dead organism. Since carbon is a
radioactive element with a half-life of 5,600 years archeologists can
be able to estimate the ages of early life through carbon dating.
2. Medicine - radiation is used in the treatment of cancer, by using a
radioactive cobalt-60 to kill the malignant tissue. Radiations are used
in taking x-ray photographs using cobalt-60. Radiations are used to
sterilize surgical instruments in hospitals. Radioactive elements can
also be used as tracers in medicine where they determine the
efficiency of organisms such as kidneys and thyroid glands.
3. Biology and agriculture - radioactive sources are used to generate
different species of plants with new characteristics that can withstand
diseases and drought. Insects are sterilized through radiation to
prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Potatoes exposed to
radiation can be stored for a long time without perishing.
4. Industry - thickness of metal sheets is measured accurately using
radiation from radioactive sources. Recently the manufacture of
industrial diamonds is undertaken through transmutation.
5. Energy source - in N. America, Europe and Russia nuclear
 261

reactors are used to generate electricity. The amount of fuel used is

quite small hence an economical way of generating electricity energy
as compared to H.E.P generation.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
ELECTRONICS

Conductors, insulators and semi-conductors

i)An insulator is a material or object which resists flow of heat
(thermal insulator) or electrical charges (electrical insulators).
Examples are paraffin, wood, rubber, plastics etc.

ii)Conductor are materials that contain free electrons which carry an

electrical charge from one point to another. Examples are metals and
non-metals like carbon, graphite etc.
iii) Semi-conductors are materials or objects which allow the flow of
electrical heat or energy through them under certain conditions i.e.
temperature. Examples are germanium, silicon, cadmium sulphide,
gallium arsenide etc.

Electronic bond structure

This is the series of “allowed” and “forbidden” energy bands that it y
bands that it contains according to the band theory which postulates
the existence of continuous ranges of energy values (bands) which
electron may occupy “allowed” or not occupy ‘forbidden”.
According to molecular orbital theory, if several atoms are brought
together in a molecule, their atomic orbitals split, producing a
number of molecular orbitals proportional to the number of atoms.
However when a large number of atoms are brought together the
difference between their energy levels become very small, such that
some intervals of energy contain no orbitals and this theory makes an
assumption that these energy levels are as numerous as to be
 262

indistinct.
Number, size and spacing of bands
Any solid has a large number of bands (theoretically infinite). Bands
have different widths based upon the properties of the atomic
orbitals from which they arise. Bands may also overlap to produce a
bigger single band.
Valence and conduction bands
Valence band is the highest range of electron energies where electr-
ons are normally present at zero temperature. Conduction band is the
range of electron energy higher than that of the valence band
sufficient to make electrons free (delocalized); responsible for
transfer of electric charge. Insulators and semi-conductors have a
gap above valence band followed by conduction band above it. In
metals, the conduction band is the valence band.
 263

Band structure of a semi-conductor

Electrons in the conduction band break free of the covalent bonds between
atoms and are free to move around hence conduct charge. The covalent
bonds have missing electrons or ‘holes’ after the electrons have moved. The
current carrying electrons in the conduction band are
known as free electrons.

Doping of semi-conductors
Doping is the introduction of impurities in semi-conductors to alter their electronic
properties. The impurities are called dopants. Doping heavily may increase their
conductivity by a factor greater than a million.
Intrinsic and extrinsic semi-conductors
An intrinsic semi-conductor is one which is pure enough such that the impurities in it do
not significantly affect its electrical behavior. Intrinsic semi-conductors increase their
conductivity with increase in temperature unlike metals.An extrinsic semi-conductor is
one which has been doped with impurities to modify its number and type of free charge
carriers present.

N-type semi-conductors
In this case the semi-conductor is given atoms by an impurity and this
impurity is known as donor so it is given donor atoms (donated).
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P-type semi-conductors
The impurity within the semi-conductor accepts atoms with
free electrons (dopants). This forms a ‘hole’ within the
semi-conductors.

Junction diodes
Junction refers the region where the two types of semi-conductors
meet. The junctions are made by combining an n-type and p-type
semi-conductor. The n-region is the cathode and the p-region is the
anode.
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Forward bias of a p-n junction

It occurs when the p-type block is connected to the positive
terminal and the n-type block is connected to the negative
terminal of a battery. The depletion layer of the junction
reduces to be very thin to allow the flow of electric current.

Reverse bias of a p-n junction

The negative terminal of the battery is connected to
the p-type region while the n-type isconnected to
positive terminal.
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The depletion layer widens and resists the flow of electrons to minimal or
zero (no currentflowing through) when the electric field increases beyond
critical point the diode junction eventually breaks down and at this voltage it
is referred to as the breakdown voltage. Diodes are intended to operate below
the breakdown voltage.
Applications of junction diodes
They are mainly used for rectification of a.c. current for use by many
electrical appliances. Rectification is the conversion of sinusoidal waveform
into unidirectional (non -zero) waveform.
Half wave rectification
In this case the first half cycle of a sinusoidal waveform is positive and the
inclusion of a reverse biased diode makes the current not to flow to the
negative side of the wave. The current therefore conducts on every half cycle
hence a half wave rectification is achieved. The voltage is d.c. and always
positive in value though it is not steady and needs to be smoothed by placing
a large capacitor in parallel to the load as shown.

Centre-tap full wave rectification

This is achieved by using a transformer whose output has a centre tap that is
taken at two points where one is half the other as shown.

Bridge full wave rectification

In this case a bridge rectifier is used to achieve a full wave
rectification. The current flows in the same direction in
both half cycles.
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Radio transmitter and receiver

Radio waves are produced by circuits that make electrons vibrate and they are
known as oscillators which produce varied frequencies. Since radio waves have
greater range in air than sound or even light waves they are used as carriers of
audio (sound) and visual information (TV) waves. The sound is first changed into
electrical vibrations by use of a microphone or other device then added to the radio
carrier wave and this changes the amplitude of the carrier and is
called amplitude modulation. The modulated wave is given out by the transmitting
aerial and received by another aerial in a radio or TV when they cause vibrations
between the earth and
the aerial. They are then demodulated by a diode and hence heard as a sound or
image.
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