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The syllabus for a first-year physics course, covering topics such as measurements and experimentation, energy, light, electricity, and magnetism. The course includes discussions on the international system of units, measurements using common instruments, energy flow and its importance, renewable energy sources, reflection and refraction of light, simple electric circuits, and more. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles of physics and their practical applications.
Typology: Assignments
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Aims:
There will be one paper of two hours duration carrying 80 marks and Internal Assessment of practical work carrying 20 marks.
Note: Unless otherwise specified, only SI Units are to be used while teaching and learning, as well as for answering questions.
1. Measurements and Experimentation
(i) International System of Units, the required SI units with correct symbols are given at the end of this syllabus. Other commonly used system of units - fps and cgs. (ii) Measurements using common instruments, Vernier callipers and micro-metre screw gauge for length, and simple pendulum for time. Measurement of length using, Vernier callipers and micro-metre screw gauge. Decreasing least-count leads to an increase in accuracy; least-count (LC) of Vernier callipers and screw gauge), zero error (basic idea), ( no numerical problems on callipers and screw gauge), simple pendulum; time period, frequency, graph of length l versus T^2
[ no derivation]. Only simple numerical problems.
2. Motion in One Dimension
Scalar and vector quantities, distance, speed, velocity, acceleration; graphs of distance-time and speed-time; equations of uniformly accelerated motion with derivations.
Examples of Scalar and vector quantities only, rest and motion in one dimension; distance and displacement; speed and velocity; acceleration and retardation; distance-time and velocity-time graphs; meaning of slope of the graphs; [Non- uniform acceleration excluded]. Equations to be derived: v = u + at; S = ut + ½at2;^ S = ½(u+v)t; v^2 = u^2 + 2aS. [Equation for Snth^ is not included]. Simple numerical problems.
3. Laws of Motion (i) Contact and non-contact forces; cgs & SI units. Examples of contact forces (frictional force, normal reaction force, tension force as applied through strings and force exerted during collision) and non-contact forces (gravitational, electric and magnetic). General properties of non-contact forces. cgs and SI units of force and their relation with Gravitational units. (ii) Newton’s First Law of Motion (qualitative discussion) introduction of the idea of inertia, mass and force. Newton's first law; statement and qualitative discussion; definitions of inertia and force from first law, examples of inertia as illustration of first law. (Inertial mass not included). (iii)Newton’s Second Law of Motion (including F =ma); weight and mass. Detailed study of the second law. Linear
rate of change of momentum;
Simple numerical problems combining
Units of force - only cgs and SI. (iv) Newton’s Third Law of Motion (qualitative discussion only); simple examples. Statement with qualitative discussion; examples of action - reaction pairs, (FBA and FAB); action and reaction always act on different bodies. (v) Gravitation Universal Law of Gravitation. (Statement and equation) and its importance. Gravity, acceleration due to gravity, free fall. Weight and mass, Weight as force of gravity comparison of mass and weight; gravitational units of force, (Simple numerical problems), (problems on variation of gravity excluded)
4. Fluids
(i) Change of pressure with depth (including the formula p=hρg); Transmission of pressure in liquids; atmospheric pressure. Thrust and Pressure and their units; pressure
daily life examples, (i) broadness of the base of a dam, (ii) Diver’s suit etc. some
pressure in liquids; Pascal's law; examples; atmospheric pressure; common manifestation and consequences. Variations of pressure with altitude, (qualitative only); applications such as weather forecasting and altimeter. (Simple numerical problems) (ii) Buoyancy, Archimedes’ Principle; floatation; relationship with density; relative density; determination of relative density of a solid. Buoyancy, upthrust (FB); definition; different cases, FB>, = or < weight W of the body immersed; characteristic properties of upthrust; Archimedes’ principle; explanation
immersed. Relative Density (RD) and Archimedes’ principle. Experimental determination of RD of a solid and liquid denser than water. Floatation: principle of floatation; relation between the density of a floating body, density of the liquid in which it is floating and the fraction of volume of the body immersed;
object; application to ship, submarine, iceberg, balloons, etc. Simple numerical problems involving Archimedes’ principle, buoyancy and floatation.
5. Heat and Energy (i) Concepts of heat and temperature. Heat as energy, SI unit – joule, 1 cal = 4.186 J exactly. (ii) Anomalous expansion of water; graphs showing variation of volume and density of water with temperature in the 0 to 10 0 C range. Hope’s experiment and consequences of Anomalous expansion. (iii) Energy flow and its importance: Understanding the flow of energy as Linear and linking it with the laws of Thermodynamics- ‘Energy is neither created nor destroyed’ and ‘No Energy transfer is 100% efficient. (iv) Energy sources. Solar, wind, water and nuclear energy (only qualitative discussion of steps to produce electricity). Renewable versus non-renewable sources (elementary ideas with example). Renewable energy: biogas, solar energy, wind energy, energy from falling of water, run-of-the river schemes, energy from waste, tidal energy, etc. Issues of economic viability and ability to meet demands. Non-renewable energy – coal, oil, natural gas. Inequitable use of energy in urban and rural areas. Use of hydro electrical powers for light and tube wells.
Candidates will be asked to carry out experiments for which instructions are given. The experiments may be based on topics that are not included in the syllabus but theoretical knowledge will not be required. A candidate will be expected to be able to follow simple instructions, to take suitable readings and to present these readings in a systematic form. He/she may be required to exhibit his/her data graphically. Candidates will be expected to appreciate and use the concepts of least count, significant figures and elementary error handling.
A set of 6 to 10 experiments may be designed as given below or as found most suitable by the teacher. Students should be encouraged to record their observations systematically in a neat tabular form - in columns with column heads including units or in numbered rows as necessary. The final result or conclusion may be recorded for each experiment. Some of the experiments may be demonstrated (with the help of students) if these cannot be given to each student as lab experiments.
case when you had only one bulb? Disconnect the second bulb. Reconnect the circuit as in the first experiment. Now connect the second bulb across the first bulb. The two bulbs are connected in parallel. Observe the brightness of any one bulb. Compare with previous results. Draw your own conclusions regarding the current and resistance in the three cases.
south. Plot the magnetic field in the region around the magnet. Identify the regions where the combined magnetic field of the magnet and the earth is (a) strongest, (b) very weak but not zero, and (c) zero. Why is neutral point, so called?
2. Light
(i) Refraction of light through a glass block and a triangular prism - qualitative treatment of simple applications such as real and apparent depth of objects in water and apparent bending of sticks in water. Applications of refraction of light. Partial reflection and refraction due to change in medium. Laws of refraction; the
frequency (f) due to refraction of light; conditions for a light ray to pass undeviated. Values of speed of light (c) in vacuum, air, water and glass; refractive index μ = c/V, V =
as water, glass and diamond; experimental verification; refraction through glass block; lateral displacement; multiple images in thick glass plate/mirror; refraction through a glass prism, simple applications: real and apparent depth of objects in water; apparent bending of a stick under water. (Simple numerical problems and approximate ray diagrams required). (ii) Total internal reflection: Critical angle; examples in triangular glass prisms; comparison with reflection from a plane mirror (qualitative only). Applications of total internal reflection. Transmission of light from a denser medium (glass/water) to a rarer medium (air) at different angles of incidence; critical angle (C) μ = 1/sin C. Essential conditions for total internal reflection. Total internal reflection in a triangular glass prism; ray diagram, different cases - angles of prism (60º,60º,60º), (60º,30º,90º), (45º,45º,90º); use of right angle
diagram); comparison of total internal reflection from a prism and reflection from a plane mirror. (iii) Lenses (converging and diverging) including characteristics of the images formed (using ray diagrams only); magnifying glass; location of images using ray diagrams and thereby determining magnification. Types of lenses (converging and diverging), convex and concave, action of a lens as a set
of prisms; technical terms; centre of curvature, radii of curvature, principal axis, foci, focal plane and focal length; detailed study of refraction of light in spherical lenses through ray diagrams; formation of images - principal rays or construction rays; location of images from ray diagram for various positions of a small linear object on the principal axis; characteristics of images. Sign convention and direct numerical problems using the lens formula are included (derivation of formula not required). Scale drawing or graphical representation of ray diagrams not required. Power of a lens (concave and convex) – [simple direct numerical problems]: magnifying glass or simple microscope: location of image and magnification from ray diagram only [formula and numerical problems not included]. Applications of lenses. (iv) Using a triangular prism to produce a visible spectrum from white light; Electromagnetic spectrum. Scattering of light. Deviation produced by a triangular prism; dependence on colour (wavelength) of light; dispersion and spectrum; electromagnetic spectrum: broad classification (names only arranged in order of increasing wavelength); properties common to all electromagnetic radiations; properties and uses of infrared and ultraviolet radiation. Simple application of scattering of light e.g. blue colour of the sky.
3. Sound (i) Reflection of Sound Waves; echoes: their use; simple numerical problems on echoes. Production of echoes, condition for formation of echoes; simple numerical problems; use of echoes by bats, dolphins, fishermen, medical field. SONAR. (ii) Natural vibrations, Damped vibrations, Forced vibrations and Resonance - a special case of forced vibrations. Meaning and simple applications of natural, damped, forced vibrations and resonance.
(iii) Loudness, pitch and quality of sound: Characteristics of sound: loudness and intensity; subjective and objective nature of these properties; sound level in decibel(dB) (as unit only); noise pollution; interdependence of: pitch and frequency; quality and waveforms (with examples).
4. Electricity and Magnetism
(i) Ohm’s Law; concepts of emf, potential difference, resistance; resistances in series and parallel, internal resistance. Concepts of pd (V), current (I), resistance (R) and charge (Q). Ohm's law: statement, V=IR; SI units; experimental verification; graph of V vs I and resistance from slope; ohmic and non-ohmic resistors, factors affecting resistance (including specific resistance) and internal resistance; super conductors, electromotive force (emf); combination of resistances in series and parallel and derivation of expressions for equivalent resistance. Simple numerical problems using the above relations. [Simple network of resistors]. (ii) Electrical power and energy. Electrical energy; examples of heater, motor, lamp, loudspeaker, etc. Electrical power; measurement of electrical energy, W = QV = VIt from the definition of pd. Combining with ohm’s law W = VIt = I^2 Rt = (V^2 /R)t and electrical power P = (W/t) = VI = I^2 R = V^2 /R. Units: SI and commercial; Power rating of common appliances, household consumption of electric energy; calculation of total energy consumed by electrical appliances; W = Pt (kilowatt × hour = kW h), [simple numerical problems]. (iii) Household circuits – main circuit; switches; fuses; earthing; safety precautions; three-pin plugs; colour coding of wires. House wiring (ring system), power distribution; main circuit (3 wires-live, neutral, earth) with fuse / MCB, main switch and its advantages - circuit diagram; two- way switch, staircase wiring, need for earthing, fuse, 3-pin plug and socket; Conventional location of live, neutral and earth points in 3 pin plugs and sockets. Safety precautions, colour coding of wires.
(iv) Magnetic effect of a current (principles only, laws not required); electromagnetic induction (elementary); transformer. Oersted’s experiment on the magnetic effect of electric current; magnetic field (B) and field lines due to current in a straight wire (qualitative only), right hand thumb rule – magnetic field due to a current in a loop; Electromagnets: their uses; comparisons with a permanent magnet; Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, the DC electric motor- simple sketch of main parts (coil, magnet, split ring commutators and brushes); brief description and type of energy transfer(working not required): Simple introduction to electromagnetic induction; frequency of AC in house hold supplies , Fleming’s Right Hand Rule, AC Generator - Simple sketch of main parts, brief description and type of energy transfer(working not required). Advantage of AC over DC. Transformer- its types, characteristics of primary and secondary coils in each type (simple labelled diagram and its uses).
5. Heat (i) Calorimetry: meaning, specific heat capacity; principle of method of mixtures; Numerical Problems on specific heat capacity using heat loss and gain and the method of mixtures. Heat and its units (calorie, joule), temperature and its units (oC,, K); thermal
C) Mutual relation between Heat Capacity and Specific Heat capacity, values of C for some common substances (ice, water and copper). Principle of method of mixtures including mathematical statement. Natural phenomenon involving specific heat. Consequences of high specific heat of water. [Simple numerical problems]. (ii) Latent heat; loss and gain of heat involving change of state for fusion only. Change of phase (state); heating curve for water; latent heat; specific latent heat of fusion (SI unit). Simple numerical problems. Common physical phenomena involving latent heat of fusion.
Candidates will be asked to carry out experiments for which instructions will be given. The experiments may be based on topics that are not included in the syllabus but theoretical knowledge will not be required. A candidate will be expected to be able to follow simple instructions, to take suitable readings and to present these readings in a systematic form. He/she may be required to exhibit his/her data graphically. Candidates will be expected to appreciate and use the concepts of least count, significant figures and elementary error handling.
Note: Teachers may design their own set of experiments, preferably related to the theory syllabus. A comprehensive list is suggested below:
EVALUATION The practical work/project work are to be evaluated by the subject teacher and by an External Examiner. (The External Examiner may be a teacher nominated by the Head of the school, who could be from the faculty, but not teaching the subject in the relevant section/class. For example, a teacher of Physics of Class VIII may be deputed to be an External Examiner for Class X, Physics projects.) The Internal Examiner and the External Examiner will assess the practical work/project work independently. Award of Marks (20 Marks) Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner) 10 marks External Examiner 10 marks The total marks obtained out of 20 are to be sent to CISCE by the Head of the school. The Head of the school will be responsible for the online entry of marks on CISCE’s CAREERS portal by the due date.