JUPEB PHYSICS SYLLABUS

GENERAL OBJECTIVES
At the end of the series of courses in this syllabus, Candidates should be able to:
1. Describe the properties of matter and waves, and various physical phenomenon at
the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
2. Analyse and apply physics laws and principles to solve real life problems:
3. Design, implement and draw meaningful inferences from the results of
experiments:
4. Explain natural and physical phenomena using physics laws and concepts:
5. Develop and enhance creativity in students in their day to day activities:
6. Prepare students for further and higher studies in physics related courses.

FIRST SEMESTER COURSES

PHY 001: MECHANICS AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER (3 UNITS)
PHY 002: HEAT, WAVES AND OPTICS (3 UNITS)

SECOND SEMESTER COURSES

PHY 003: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (3 UNITS)
PHY 004: MODERN PHYSICS (3 UNITS)
 COURSE DESCRIPTION

PHY 001: Mechanics and Properties of Matter

(3 Units)

Specific Objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to:
1. Differentiate between fundamental physical quantities and derived quantities:
2. Explain and apply the concept of dimensional analysis:
3. Define and explain various physical laws in relation to mechanics:
4. Describe the phases of matter:
5. Describe and explain physical phenomena in relation to fluid mechanics; and
6. Solve problems using the laws, principles and theories of mechanics.

Course Content

Topics Sub-Topics Details and notes

Units Order of magnitude, Revision of types of motion:
Definition of units: translational, random, oscillatory,
Length, mass, time, and rotational, linear motion:
Unit of conversion distance, displacement, uniform
and measurements,
Methods of measuring
 Length, Mass and velocity and uniform acceleration
Time. Basic and are required.
Derived units,
Dimensional Analysis
(L.M.T only) The following suggested
experiments will enhance the
Vectors Vector representation,
students understanding of the topics
Addition and
covered in this course:
Subtraction of vectors
(geometrical method 1. Error analysis and significant
only), Resolution of figures.
vectors. Vector 2. Measurement of velocity and
multiplication, acceleration.
vectors in Cartesian,
Coordinate system. 3. Investigation on the
proportionality of acceleration and
Particle Kinetics Types of motion: force.
translational, random,
oscillatory, and 4. Investigation of the relationship
rotational. Linear between period and length of simple
motion: uniform pendulum and hence calculations of
velocity motion, acceleration due to gravity (g)
uniform acceleration 5. Verification of the principle of
motion, graphs of conservation of momentum.
kinematic equations.
Instantaneous and 6. Investigation of the laws of
Average velocity and equilibrium for a set of coplanar
Acceleration in two or forces.
three dimensions. 7. Elasticity of materials – Hooke’s
Relative motion in law experiments.
one or two
dimensions, Free Fall, 8. Investigation of contact forces –
Projectile Motion. static and dynamic friction.
9. Investigation of forces in fluids –
Dynamics Newton’s laws of
motion, Types of surface tension n and capillarity.
force Newton’s
universal law of
 Gravitational, 10. Rigid body and Torsional
Equilibrium of forces, oscillation – Moment of Inertia
Centre of Mass and
Centre of Gravity,
moment of a force,
Linear momentum
and its conservation
Laws, Elastic and
Inelastic collisions.
Collisions in two
Dimensions. Motor in
inclined planes,
frictional forces.
The Gravitational Field Kepler’s law of
Planetary Motion,
Newton’s law of
Gravitation, Field
strength, G and its
measurement,
Gravitational
potential, Satellite
motion and escape
velocity.
Work, energy, and Work, Energy and
power sources, types of
energy, Conversation
and Conservation of
Energy, Power, the
Kilowatt hour,
principle of
mechanical Energy
Conservation
Circular and oscillatory Angular
motions. Displacement,
Angular Velocity,
 Torque and Angular
Acceleration, Angular
Momentum,
Centripetal
Acceleration,
Centripetal force,
Rotational kinetic
energy. Work done in
Rotation,
Conservation of
Angular Momentum.
Simple Harmonic
Motion, Damped and
Forced oscillations,
Resonance.
Elasticity Hooke’s Law, Elastic
Limit, elastic and
Plastic Deformations,
Ductile and Brittle
substances, Stress,
Strain, Elastic and
Plastic Behaviour,
Young’s Modulus,
Energy stored, Energy
per unit volume,
Shear modulus, Bulk
modulus.
Hydrostatics Matter (Solid, Liquid
and Gases0, Density,
Pressure in Fluids,
Change of phases,
Archimedes’
principle. Principle of
Floatation, Stoke’s
law, Terminal
velocity. Bernoulli’s
 principle, Pitot-static
Tube Principle.
Hydrodynamics Molecular properties
of Fluids, Viscosity,
Surface tension,
Adhesion, Cohesion,
Capillarity, Drops and
Bubbles, Bernoulli’s
principle, Pascal
principle, Reynold’s
Number, Turbulent
and Laminar Flow,
Poiseuille’s Equation.

PHY 002: HEAT, WAVES AND OPTICS

(3 UNITS)
Specific Objectives
At the end of this course, Candidates should be able to:
1. Explain the concept if ideal gas;
2. Explain the concept of Heat, temperature and nodes of heat transfer;
3. Explain Light as an Electromagnetic phenomenon and identify the components of
the electromagnetic spectrum;
4. Locate by graphical means and by calculation the position of images formed by
mirrors and lenses;
5. Describe the operations of various optical instruments and their applications;
6. Explain the dual nature of light – the particle nature and the wave nature;
7. Explain the properties of light arising from its wave nature; and
8. Explain the principles of sound propagation.

Course Content

Topics Sub-topics Details and notes

Ideal Gases Gas Laws: Boyle’s Revision of Rectilinear
Law, Charles’ Law andpropagation of light, laws of
Pressure Law.reflection and refraction,
Equation of state, reflection on plane and curved
Kinetic Theory Of mirrors, refraction at plane
Gases, Pressure of a surfaces, total internal
Gas, Kinetic Energy of
reflection, and critical angle are
a molecule. required. The following
suggested experiments will
Temperature and Heat Capacity, Specific
enhance the students
Thermometry Heat Capacity, Latent
understanding of the topics
Heat, Internal Energy,
covered in this course:
Thermal Conductivity,
Blackbody radiation. 1. Calibration curve of a
thermometer using the
Thermodynamics Work done by Gas,
laboratory mercury
Internal energy of Gas,
thermometer as a standard.
First and Second law of
Thermodynamics, 2. Verification of Boyle’s law.
Concepts Isothermal 3. Measurement of specific
and Adiabatic heat capacity of water or metal
Processes’.
Electromagnetic Electromagnetic by mechanical and electrical
Waves spectrum. Applications methods
of Components of the
4. Measurement of specific
Electromagnetic
latent heat of Fusion of ice.
Spectrum.
5. Measurement of specific
Geometrical Rectilinear
latent heat of vaporization of
Optics Propagation of Light.
water.
Laws of Reflection and
Refraction, Reflection 6. Change of state – The
on plane and curved cooling curve experiment.
mirrors, Refraction at 7. Measurement of the speed of
Plane surfaces, Total sound in air.
Internal Reflection,
Critical Angle, 8. Investigation of the variation
Dispersion by Prism. of fundamental frequency of a
stretched string with length.
Lenses and Lenses, Formation of
Optical Images by Lenses, the 9. Investigation of
Instruments eye, Defects of Vision. fundamental frequency of
Optical Instruments stretched string with tension.
(camera, refractor and 10. Resonance tube
reflector telescopes, experiments - fundamental
simple microscope, frequency and higher
compound microscope harmonics.
and ophthalmoscope).
11. Measurement of the focal
Oscillations and Classification of length of a concave mirror.
Waves Waves, Wave
Parameters, Graphical 12. Verification of Snell’s law
Representation of of refraction.
Waves, Wave 13. Measurement of the
equation, Progressive refractive index of a liquid and a
and Stationary Waves, solid.
Reflection, Refraction,
Diffraction, Principle 14. Measurement of the focal
of Superposition, length of a converging lens.
Interference.
Wave Theory of Wave-Particle Nature 15. Investigation of
Light of Light, Huygens’ interference phenomenon –
Principle. Interference Young’s double slit experiment.
and Diffraction,
16. Experiment with
Coherent Sources,
diffraction – Measurement of
Young’s Double Slit
the wavelength of a
Fringes. Diffraction of
monochromatic light.
Light Waves,
Resolving Power, 17. Measurement of the speed
Diffraction Grafting of light.
Polarization and its 18. Investigation of
Applications. polarization – Optical activity
Sound Waves Pitch, Loudness, experiments.
Quality, Intensity of
Sound, Decibel, Beats
and Application.
Doppler principle of
Sound, Waves in
strings and pipes.

PHY 003: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

(3 UNITS)

Specific Objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to;
1. state the fundamental laws in electricity and magnetism;
2. explain the relationship between the electronic force and the electric field;
 3. explain the relationship between the magnitude force and the magnitude field;
4. describe and explain the interaction between the electric field and the
magnetic field;
5. explain the effect of charges in motion;
6. describe and explain physical phenomena in electricity and magnetism;
7. solve problems using the laws, principles and theories of electricity and
magnetism; and
8. Identify and describe some industrial application of electromagnetic theory.

Course Content

Topics Sub-topics Details and notes

Electronics Coulomb’s Law, Gauss’s Revision of electric current,
Law and application, potential difference , resistance
Concepts of an Electric field, and resistivity, Ohm’s law,
Force Between point charges, Ohmic and non Ohmic
Electric field at a point, conductors, resistors in series and
electric potential, Potential parallel are required.
due to a point charge and The following suggested
charged sphere, Relationship experiments will enhance the
between Electric field and student’s understanding of the
Electric potential, topics covered in this course:
Equipotential surfaces. 1. Verification of joule’s law.
Capacitors Capacitors and capacitance, 2. Measurement of resistivity
Dielectric and Relative of a wire.
permittivity, Capacitors in 3. Experimental verification
series and parallel, energy of Ohms law.
stored in a capacitor, effects 4. Investigation of the
of dielectrics, charging and variation of resistance of a
discharging in C-R Circuit metallic conductor with
Time constant. temperature.
Current Electric Current, potential 5. Investigation of the
Electricity difference, resistance and variation of resistance
resistivity, Ohm’s law, ohmic with temperature.
and Non ohmic conductors, 6. Experiment with the
Resistors in series and Wheatstone bridge
parallel, Electromotive Force 7. Emf and internal
and circuit, Electrical power, resistance of cells.
Electrical energy and 8. Comparison of emf – the
efficiency, cells in series and Potentiometer.
parallel, Kirchhoff’s laws, 9. Basic electrochemistry
Temperature coefficient of experiments.
resistance, principle of 10.Alternating currents – The
potentiometer and R .L .C circuits.
Wheatstone Bridge, 11.Basic semi-conductors
Galvanometer. diode characteristics.
Magnetic Field Earth’s Magnetic Field,
concepts of Magnetic Field,
magnetic Flux and flux
density –B (of solenoids,
straight Conductors and
narrow Circular coil).
Force on Force on a current-carrying
conductor and conductor, Force Between
moving charge current-carrying conductors,
Fleming left-hand Rule,
Torque, application to
moving coil meters, ampere’s
Law , Biot-Savart’s law
Electromagnetic Faraday’s law, lenz Law,
Induction Fleming right-hand rule,
Dynamo, Transformer, Eddy
current, current in L-R circuit,
self and mutual inductance,
Energy in coil, motors and
Generators.
Alternating Characteristics Of alternating
current (A.C) current(period ,frequency,
Circuit peak value and Root-Mean-
Square value as applied to an
alternating current and
 voltage), resistive circuit,
capacitive circuit, inductive
circuit, capacitance-
Resistance Circuit,
Inductance –Resistance
circuit, L-C-R Series circuit,
resonance L-C-R circuit,
power in A.C Circuit, parallel
circuit.

PHY 004: Modern physics

(3 Units)

Specific objectives
At the end of this course, candidates should be able to:
1. Describe the structures of the atom;
2. Describe the structure of the atom and its energy spectrum
3. Explain the wave-particle duality of matter;
4. Explain the limitation of classical physics;
5. Describe the nature and properties of X-rays;
6. Explain the interaction of radiation with matter;
7. Explain the interaction of radiation with matter
Constants of different radioactive elements; and
8. Explain the concept of semi-conductors
 Course Content

Topics Sub-topics Details and notes

Atomic Structure The Nucleus (proton and The following
neutron), The Electron, specific suggested experiments
Charge, isotopes, Milikan’s will enhance the
Experiment, Cathode Ray student’s understanding
electroscope, Types of of the topics covered in
spectrum, hydrogen Spectrum, this course;
Spectra Series 1. Experiments on
Elements of Defect of the wave theory, the alpha particles,
modern physics Ultraviolent catastrophe, Photo beta particles and
Electric Emission, Bohr’s gamma rays.
theory of the hydrogen Atoms, 2. Measurement of
and Energy levels of the atom, long and short
Excitation Absorption and half-life.
Emission, Fraunhofer Lines. 3. Greiger-Marsden
Interaction of Radiation with experiment
matter, Laser principle. 4. Experiment with
X-rays Nature and properties of X- mass
rays, Crystal Definition, Bragg’s spectrometer
Law, moseley’s Law, X-ray, 5. Milikan’s oil
Absorption spectra. Drop Experiment
Wave-Particle Electron Diffraction, de Broglie – determination of
Duality Formula. Momentum and e/m ratio.
Energy, Duality , Compton
Effect. Heisenberg’s
Uncertainty principle

Simple application and

operation of some
conductors is required
Radioactivity, Mass Excess and
nuclear binding Energy. Nuclear
fission and nuclear fusion,
Geiger-Muller tube,
 Radioactivity Decay – half life
and decay constant, ,nuclear
Relations, isotopes, nuclear
Energy, Einstein Mass-Energy
relation
Introduction to Intrinsic Semiconductors,
Semiconductors energy Bands in solids, Doping
of semiconductors; p-n junction
diodes, Half and full wave
rectification, The bridge
Rectifier, transistor as an
Amplifier and switch.
Applied Physics Basic Applications of physics to
the Life Sciences, Fundamental
principles and Application of
Ultrasound, X-ray and Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance