INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Subject:

PHYSICS

Term:

FIRST TERM

Week:

WEEK 1

Class:

SS 1

Topic:

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

Previous lesson:

The pupils have previous knowledge of

1st Term Examination PHYSICS SSS 1

that was taught as a topic in the previous lesson

Behavioural objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the learners will be able to

say the meaning of
give examples of various
explain the importance of
point out the need to

Instructional Materials:

Wall charts
Pictures
Related Online Video
Flash Cards

Methods of Teaching:

Class Discussion
Group Discussion
Asking Questions
Explanation
Role Modelling
Role Delegation

Reference Materials:

Scheme of Work
Online Information
Textbooks
Workbooks
School Education Curriculum

Content:

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

CONTENT

Definition of Physics
The Importance of Physics
Aspects/Careers in Physics
Branches of Physics

Definition of Physics

The word ‘’PHYSICS’’ originates from the Greek word, ‘’PHYSIS’’, which means nature and natural characteristics.

Physics as a body of scientific knowledge, deals with the study of events in the universe, both remote and immediate universe.

In actual sense, physics deals with the behaviour of matter as well as the interaction of matter and natural forces.

Physics is the study of matter in relation to energy.

Physics is the study of the physical world around us. It is the branch of science that deals with the properties and interactions of matter and energy. The main goal of physics is to understand how the universe works.

In physics, we learn about the basic principles that govern the natural world. These principles include the laws of motion, energy, and thermodynamics. We also learn about the structure and behavior of matter, the nature of light and electromagnetic radiation, and the origins and evolution of the universe.

Physics is essential for understanding how the world works, from the smallest particles to the largest structures in the cosmos. It is also vital for many practical applications, such as designing safe buildings and bridges, developing new medical technologies, and understanding the impact of human activity on the environment.

1. Physics is the study of the physical world around us

2. It is the branch of science that deals with the properties and interactions of matter and energy

3. The main goal of physics is to understand how the universe works

4. Physics is essential for understanding how the world works, from the smallest particles to the largest structures in the cosmos

5. It is also vital for many practical applications, such as designing safe buildings and bridges, developing new medical technologies, and understanding the impact of human activity on the environment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICS

Physics is important for the following reasons:

Physics is constantly striving to make sense of the universe. This is seen in the development of theories and new theories used for better understanding of the universe.
When we study physics, we acquire the knowledge and skills to understand how and why natural things happen the way they do, and to make reliable predictions about their future occurrences. (e.g mirage, eclipse, earthquake, thunder,…)
The knowledge of physics gives us a better understanding of our immediate and natural environment.
The study of physics has enhanced the communication and the transportation world, thus, making the world a ‘’global village’’.
Human health has been improved from the study of physics through the invention of modern medical equipment.

EVALUATION

What Greek word is physics derived from?
Define physics.
State five importance of physics.

Aspects/Careers in Physics

Physics has several applications on health, technology & engineering, agriculture and applied sciences. As a results, below are some of the aspects/careers related to physics.

A: In Health

We have:

Human medicine and surgery
Nursing & midwives
Radiotherapy
Pharmacology
Physiology
Anaesthesia
Veterinary etc.

B: In Engineering

We have:

Electrical engineering
Electronic engineering
Mechanical engineering
Aeronautic engineering
Petroleum engineering etc.

C: In Agriculture

We have:

Agricultural engineering
Agricultural production engineering
Horticulture etc.

D: In Basic/Applied Sciences

We have:

Geophysics
Applied physics
Biophysics
Medical physics
Space physics
Astronomical physics
Engineering physics, etc.

EVALUATION

Mention any four (4) careers related to physics in:

Health
Basic science
Engineering.

Ten career opportunities in physics.

1. Astronomer

2. Astrophysicist

3. Engineer

4. Environmental scientist

5. Geophysicist

6. Materials scientist

7. Medical physicist

8. Nuclear engineer

9. Optometrist

10. Science writer

Write a brief on the above.

1. Astronomers use physics to study the universe beyond Earth, including the formation and evolution of stars, planets, and galaxies

2. Astrophysicists use physics to study the behavior of matter and energy in the universe on a grand scale

3. Engineers apply physics to design and build structures and devices, such as bridges, buildings, and computers

4. Environmental scientists use physics to study the impact of human activity on the environment

5. Geophysicists use physics to study the Earth’s physical properties, such as its composition, structure, and history

6. Materials scientists use physics to study the structure and behavior of materials, such as metals, semiconductors, and polymers

7. Medical physicists use physics to develop new medical technologies, such as radiation therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

8. Nuclear engineers use physics to design and build nuclear reactors

9. Optometrists use physics to measure vision and prescribe corrective lenses

10. Science writers use physics to communicate scientific information to the general public

Physics is a vast and ever-growing field of study. New technologies and discoveries are constantly expanding our understanding of the physical world. From the smallest particles to the largest structures in the cosmos, physics is essential for understanding how the world works. The ten career opportunities listed above are just a few of the many ways that physics can be of help to mankind.

Branches of Physics

The following are the branches of physics.

Mechanics
Heat
Electricity
Optics
Sound
Magnetism
Atomic physics
Nuclear physics

NOTE: No. 7 & 8 above had been combined and addressed with the current name, ‘’NUCLEAR PHYSICS’’, since the energy comes from the nucleus of the atom. The OLD NAME is ATOMIC PHYSICS.

EVALUATION

Develop a mnemonic for branches of physics.
Mention the branches of physics.
What is the recent name for atomic physics?
What do you understand by the term, ‘Physics’?
How has physics made the world, ‘a global village’?
State five importance of physics.
Mention five careers each related to physics in the following areas. i. Engineering ii. Health iii. Applied sciences
Mention the branches of physics.

There are four main branches of physics: classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and quantum mechanics

Classical mechanics is the study of motion without taking into account the atomic structure of matter. It is the physics of the macroscopic world that we see around us. Electricity and magnetism are the physics of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter. Optics is the physics of light, including its properties, behavior, and interactions with matter. Quantum mechanics is the physics of subatomic particles, such as electrons and photons. It is the physics of the microscopic world that we cannot see directly

Each of these branches of physics has led to important discoveries and technological advances. Classical mechanics has helped us to understand the motions of everything from planets to baseballs. Electricity and magnetism have given us electricity, magnets, and electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves and x-rays. Optics has led to the development of lasers and fiber optic cables. Quantum mechanics has given us the transistor, the laser, and the semiconductor industry.

PRESENTATION

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

1. Physics helps us to understand how the world works

2. Physics is essential for developing new technologies

3. Physics can be used to solve problems in a variety of fields

4. Physics is a foundation for other sciences

5. Physics is interesting and fun!

Importance of physics in our daily life

1. Physics is everywhere! It is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. It is also in the objects we use every day, such as our cars, computers, and phones

2. Physics is essential for developing new technologies. Without physics, there would be no television, no radio, no computers, and no smartphones

3. Physics can be used to solve problems in a variety of fields. For example, physics is used in engineering to design safer and more efficient buildings and bridges

4. Physics is a foundation for other sciences. Many of the concepts in chemistry and biology are based on principles of physics

5. Physics is interesting and fun! Studying physics can help us to better understand the world around us and how it works.

BRANCHES OF PHYSICS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS .

1. Acoustics: The study of sound

2. Astrophysics: The study of the universe

3. Biophysics: The study of the physics of living systems

4. Chemical physics: The study of the physical properties of atoms and molecules

5. Classical mechanics: The study of the motion of objects

6. Electricity and magnetism: The study of the physical properties of electricity and magnetism

7. Fluid mechanics: The study of the behavior of fluids

8. Geophysics: The study of the Earth’s physical properties

9. Heat and thermodynamics: The study of heat and its effects

10. Lasers and optics: The study of lasers and their applications

11. Material science: The study of the properties of materials

12. Mathematical physics: The application of mathematics to physics

13. Mechanics: The study of the motion of objects

14. Nuclear physics: The study of the properties of nuclei

15. Particle physics: The study of the properties of subatomic particles

16. Plasma physics: The study of the behavior of plasma

17. Quantum mechanics: The study of the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels

18. Relativity: The study of the effects of motion on matter and energy

19. Solid state physics: The study of the physical properties of solids

20. Thermodynamics: The study of the effects of heat on matter and energy.

EVALUATION

1. What is acoustics?

A. The study of sound

B. The study of the universe