AIMSThis syllabus aims to enhance candidates’ knowledge and understanding of physics to enable them to either further their studies at institutions of higher learning or assist them to embark on a related career and also to promote awareness among them of the role of physics in the universe.

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OBJECTIVES

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cont.

PHYSICS (960)

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FIRST TERM : MECHANICS AND THERMODYNAMICS

1. Physical Quantities and Units1.1 Base quantities and SI units1.2 Dimensions of physical quantities1.3 Scalars and vectors1.4 Uncertainties in measurements

CONTENTS

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cont.

2. Kinematics2.1 Linear motion2.2 Projectiles

3. Dynamics3.1 Newton’s laws of motion3.2 Linear momentum and its conservation3.3 Elastic and inelastic collisions3.4 Centre of mass3.5 Frictional forces

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cont.

4. Works, Energy and Power4.1 Work4.2 Potential energy and kinetic energy4.3 Power

5. Circular Motion5.1 Angular displacement and angular velocity5.2 Centripetal acceleration5.3 Centripetal force

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cont.

6. Gravitation6.1 Newton’s law of universal gravitation6.2 Gravitational field6.3 Gravitational potential6.4 Satellite motion in a circular orbit6.5 Escape velocity

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cont.

7. Statics7.1 Centre of gravity7.2 Equilibrium of particles7.3 Equilibrium of rigid bodies

8. Deformation of Solids8.1 Stress and strain8.2 Force-extension graph and stress- strain graph8.3 Strain energy

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cont.

9. Kinetic Theory of Gases9.1 Ideal gas equation9.2 Pressure of a gas9.3 Molecular kinetic energy9.4 The r.m.s. speed of molecules9.5 Degree of freedom and law of equipartition of energy9.6 Internal energy of an ideal gas

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cont.

10. Thermodynamics of Gases10.1 Heat capacities10.2 Work done by a gas10.3 First law of thermodynamics10.4 Isothermal and adiabatic changes

11. Heat Transfer11.1 Conduction11.2 Convection11.3 Radiation11.4 Global warming

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SECOND TERM: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

12. Electrostatics12.1 Coulomb’s law12.2 Electric field12.3 Gauss’s law12.4 Electric potential

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cont.

13. Capacitors13.1 Capacitance13.2 Parallel plate capacitors13.3 Dielectrics13.4 Capacitors in series and in parallel13.5 Energy stored in a charged capacitor13.6 Charging and discharging of a

capacitor

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cont.

14. Electric Current14.1 Conduction of electricity14.2 Drift velocity14.3 Current density14.4 Electric conductivity and resistivity

15. Direct Current Circuits15.1 Internal resistance15.2 Kirchhoff’s laws15.3 Potential divider15.4 Potentiometer and Wheatstone bridge

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cont.

16. Magnetic Fields16.1 Concept of a magnetic field16.2 Force on a moving charge16.3 Force on a current-carrying conductor16.4 Magnetic fields due to currents16.5 Force between two current-carrying

conductors16.6 Determination of the ratio

16.7 Hall effect16

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cont.

17. Electromagnetic Induction17.1 Magnetic flux17.2 Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law17.3 Self induction17.4 Energy stored in an inductor17.5 Mutual induction

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cont.

18. Alternating Current Circuits18.1 Alternating current through a resistor18.2 Alternating current through an inductor18.3 Alternating current through a capacitor18.4 R-C and R-L circuits in series

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THIRD TERM: OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES, OPTICS AND MODERNPHYSICS

19. Oscillations19.1 Characteristics of simple harmonic

motion19.2 Kinematics of simple harmonic motion19.3 Energy in simple harmonic motion19.4 Systems in simple harmonic motion19.5 Damped oscillations19.6 Forced oscillations and resonance

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cont.

20. Wave Motion20.1 Progressive waves20.2 Wave intensity20.3 Principle of superposition20.4 Standing waves20.5 Electromagnetic waves

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cont.

21. Sound Waves21.1 Propagation of sound waves21.2 Sources of sound21.3 Intensity level of sound21.4 Beat21.5 Doppler effect

22. Geometrical Optics22.1 Spherical mirrors22.2 Refraction at spherical surfaces22.3 Thin lenses

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cont.

23. Wave Optics23.1 Huygens’s principle23.2 Interference23.3 Two-slit interference pattern23.4 Interference in a thin film23.5 Diffraction by a single slit23.6 Diffraction gratings23.7 Polarisation23.8 Optical waveguides

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cont.

24. Quantum Physics24.1 Photons 24.2 Wave-particle duality24.3 Atomic structure24.4 X-rays 24.5 Nanoscience

25. Nuclear Physics25.1 Nucleus25.2 Radioactivity25.3 Nuclear reaction

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THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW SYLLABUS FROM THE EXISTING SYLLABUS

Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus

Rationale for change

1. Number of topics

36 25 -

2. Change in content

Topic 5:Rotational of rigid body

- Topic 5 of the existing syllabus has been taken out as it is too specialized. This topic will be studied at higher education level.

Topic 12:State of matter

- Topic 12 of the existing syllabus is not included in the new syllabus

Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus

Rationale for change

2. Change in content

Topic 16:Thermal Conduction

Topic 11:Heat Transfer11.2 Convection11.3 Radiation11.4 Global warming

Topic 16 of the existing syllabus has been updated to Topic 11 of the new syllabusSubtopic 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 in the new syllabus are designed to reinforce the basic knowledge of physics and raise awareness of the latest developments in physics

Topic 21:Magnetic fields21.4 Magnetic fields due to currents

Topic 16:Magnetic fields16.4 Magnetic fields due to currents

Content has been updated

Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus

Rationale for change

2. Change in content

- Topic 18:Alternating current circuit18.4 R-C and R-L circuits in series

Subtopic 18.4 of the new syllabus is designed to reinforce the basic knowledge of physics

Topic 24:Electronic

- Topic 24 of the existing syllabus is not included in the new syllabus. This topic will be studied at higher education level

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Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus

Rationale for change

2. Change in content

Topic 11:Sound waves11.2 Sources of sound

Topic 21:Sound waves21.2 Sources of sound

Content has been updated

Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus

Rationale for change

2. Change in content

Topic 27:Physical optic27.4 Air wedge27.6 Diffraction at single slit27.8 Polarisation

Topic 23:Wave optics23.5 Diffraction by a single slit23.7 Polarisation23.8 Optical waveguides

Content has been updated by taking out Subtopic 27.4 of the existing syllabus and including Subtopic 23.8 for the new syllabus

Topic 32:Laser

- Topic 32 of the existing syllabus is not included in the new syllabus

Details Existing syllabus

(Terminal)

New syllabus Rationale for change

2. Change in content

- Topic 24:Quantum Physics24.5 Nanoscience

Topic 24 of the new syllabus is designed to raise awareness of the latest developments in physics

Topic 36:Elementary particles

- Topic 36 of the existing syllabus is not included in the new syllabus

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