411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
Physics Textbook
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
Energy is a precious commodity. It keeps a nation alive. It runs industries, transport, and communication facilities. It provides us conveniences in daily living. The radio, television, light fixtures, stove, water pump and other devices, and appliances require energy to function.
The unifying theme of this module is energy—its many forms and the changes it undergoes. This module discusses the importance of energy in the different aspects of daily living. The content is divided into the following units:
Unit I, Energy and Society, discusses the different views of physics—as a discipline and its relation to the other science disciplines, the activities of physicists and how their work relate to the developments in science and technology, and how physics interrelates with technology and society.
Unit II, Energy in the Environment, starts with light, a form of energy that we are familiar with. The behavior of light as it interacts with materials is presented in the context of light and vision. Everyday situations are used to advantage to describe the properties of light. Nuclear radiation, a form of energy other than sunlight, is the other theme included in this unit. The discussion shows the benefits derived from and the environmental hazards of nuclear energy.
Unit III, Energy in the Home, focuses on the use of electrical energy in the household. Concepts are discussed with the circuitry in the house as the starting point. The transformation of electrical energy to other forms, electrical energy consumption, and how to use energy wisely are given emphasis. The benefits derived from and dangers posed by the use of electrical energy conclude the unit.
Unit IV, Energy and the Economy, gives importance to the transformation of other forms of energy to electrical energy as it describes electrical energy generation, transmission, and distribution. Electromagnetic forces and electromagnetic induction are the major concepts of the unit.
The module features simple laboratory activities requiring readily available materials. Some activities are investigatory. Others are verifications. Some are meant to guide you in analyzing abstract ideas or experimental data. Some activities may be done at home. Doing the activities will concretize or operationalize certain physics concepts to enhance your understanding of the theories involved. It will also help you acquire analytical skills and familiarity with the science processes, which in turn will help you in decision-making.
The questions and problems in the study guide will help you integrate the main ideas discussed in each chapter.
I hope that this module will help you become more aware of the relevance and importance of science, particularly physics, and technology in your everyday life.
Table of Contents
Unit I Energy and Society
Chapter 1 Physics, You, and Society
Physics is a Way of Thinking
Physics is the Pioneer Science
Physics in a Personal and Social Context
Summary
Unit II Energy in the Environment
Chapter 2 Light and Sight
The Human Eye
Light
The Colors of Objects
Blue Sky, Red Sunset, and White Clouds
Color Vision
Summary
Chapter 3 Reflection and Mirrors
Plane Mirrors
Curved Mirrors
Summary
Chapter 4 Lenses and Vision
Refraction of Light
Trapping Light
Lenses
Image Formation by Lenses
The Camera and the Eye
Vision Defects and the Corrective Lenses
Aids to the Human Eye
Summary
Chapter 5 Radiation Around Us
A Century with Radioactivity
Natural and Artificial Isotopes
Changing Identities: Nuclear Transformation
Living with Radiation
People and Ionizing Radiation
Radiation Applications
Summary
Chapter 6 Reactors and Nuclear Energy
Mass Defect and Binding Energy
Fission
The Power of Nuclear Reactors
A Natural Nuclear Reactor
Environmental Hazards from a Nuclear Reactor
Fusion in the Stars
Summary
Unit III Energy in the Home
Chapter 7 Electric Circuits
House Wiring
Simple Electric Circuit
Electric Current
Voltage
Conductors or Insulators
Current, Voltage, and Resistance: Ohm's Law
Factors Affecting the Resistance of a Wire
Electrical Connections
Summary
Chapter 8 The Benefits and Dangers of Electrical Energy
Matching Source and Load
Power Rating of Appliances
Heat Generated in Appliances
Short Circuit and Overload
Circuit Protector
Electrical Energy Consumption
Energy Saving
Electric Current and the Human Body
Electrical Hazards and Safety
Summary
Unit IV Energy and the Economy
Chapter 9 The Magnet and Current Connection
Oersted and the Magic of Magnetism
From Magnets to Motors
Painting Pictures with Magnets
Summary
Chapter 10 Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
Power Plants
In Search of the Magnetic-Induced Current Connection
Electromagnetic Induction
Lenz's Law
Faraday's Dynamo
Electrical Energy Transmission and Distribution
Power Losses
Superconductivity
Summary
Unit V Energy and Transportation
Chapter 11 Going Places
Describing Motion
Average Speed
Acceleration
Falling Body
Graphing Motion
Speed and Velocity
Acceleration and Velocity
Moving On: Rapid and Mass Transport
Summary
Chapter 12 What Causes Motion
Early Studies on Causes of Motion
Net Force
The Law of Inertia
The Law of Acceleration
The Law of Interaction
Impulse and Momentum
Conservation of Momentum
Friction and Streamlining
Force: The Cause of Motion
Summary
Chapter 13 Conservation of Energy
Energy Transfer
Kinetic Energy
Potential Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Power and Efficiency
Heat and Work
Thermal Energy
Heat Engines
Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy Conservation Process: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Light Energy
Summary
Chapter 14 Floating and Flying
Pressure
Applying Fluid Pressure
Buoyancy in Liquid
Safety at Sea
Buoyancy in Air
Summary
Unit VI Energy and Information and Communication Technologies
Chapter 15 Sound in Communication
Contributors to the Development of the Telephone
The Nature of Sounds
Characteristics of Sound Waves
Properties of Sound Waves
The Beginning of Electric Communications
The Telephone System
Summary
Chapter 16 Wireless Communication
The Beginning of Wireless Communication
Radio Communication
Telecommunication Links
Energy Conservation in Communication
Summary
Chapter 17 Electronics
Early Development in Electronics
Semiconductors
Discrete Electronic Components
Integrated Circuits
Optoelectronic Components
Putting Electronics to Work
Summary
Physics
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