Physics Topics - Form Three

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TOPIC 1: Applications of Vectors

 

1. Scalar and Vector Quantities

   • Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities

   • Add vectors using graphical method

   • State the triangle and parallelogram laws of forces

2. Relative Motion

   • Explain the concept of relative motion

   • Calculate the relative velocity of two bodies

   • Apply the concept of relative motion in daily life

3. Resolution of Vectors

   • Explain the concept of components of a vector

   • Resolve a vector into two perpendicular components

   • Apply resolution of vectors in solving problems

 

TOPIC 2: Friction

 

1. Concept of Friction

   • Explain the concept for friction

   • Realize the advantages and disadvantages of friction in daily life

   • Describe methods of reducing friction

2. Types of Friction

   • Identify types of friction

   • Determine limiting friction

3. Laws of Friction

   • State laws of friction

   • Determine the coefficient of friction

   • Apply laws of friction in solving problems

 

TOPIC 3: Light

 

1. Reflection of Light from Curved Mirrors

   • Distinguish between concave and convex mirrors

   • Explain the terms principle, axis, pole, principle focus and radius of curvature as applied to curved mirrors

   • Locate the images formed by a curved mirror

   • Determine practically the focal length of a concave mirror

   • Use Convex and concave mirrors in daily life

2. Refraction of Light

   • Explain the concept of refraction of light

   • Measure the angle of incidence and angle of refraction

   • State the laws of refraction

   • Determine the refraction index of a material

   • Explain the concept of critical angle and total internal reflection of light

   • Explain the occurrence of mirage

3. Refraction of Light by Rectangular Prism

   • Trace the passage of light through a triangular prism

   • Demonstrate the dispersion of white light

   • Determine the angles of deviation and minimum deviation

   • Construct a simple prism binocular

4. Colours of Light

   • Explain the component of white light

   • Recombine colours of white light

   • Explain the appearances of coloured object under white light

   • Identify primary, secondary and complementary colours of light

   • Distinguish between additive and subtractive combination of colours

5. Refraction of Light by Lenses

   • Distinguish between convex and concave lenses

   • Explain the terms focal length, principle focus, principle axis and optical centre as applied to lenses

   • Determine practically the focal length of a lens

   • Locate the image formed by a lens

   • Determine the position, size and nature of the image formed by lens

   • Determine the magnification of the lens camera

   • Determine the relationship between focal length (f) object distance (u) and image distance (v) as applied to Lenses

 

TOPIC 4: Optical Instruments

 

1. Simple Microscope

   • Describe the structure of the simple microscope

   • Describe the mode of action of a simple microscope

   • Construct a simple microscope

2. Compound Microscope

   • Describe the structure of a compound microscope

   • Describe the mode of action of a compound microscope

   • Determine the magnification of a compound microscope

   • Mention uses of a compound microscope

3. Astronomical Telescope

   • Describe the structure of an astronomical telescope

   • Describe the mode of action of an astronomical telescope

   • Determine the magnification of an astronomical telescope

   • Mention uses of an astronomical telescope

   • Construct a simple astronomical telescope

4. Projection Lantern

   • Describe the structure of the projection lantern

   • Describe the mode of action of a projection lantern

   • Determine the magnification of a projection lantern

   • Mention uses of a projection lantern

   • Construct a simple projection lantern

5. The Lense Camera

   • Describe the structure of the lens camera

   • Describe the mode of action of the lens camera

   • Determine the magnification of the lens camera

   • Construct a simple lens camera

6. The Human Eye

   • Describe the structure of the human eye

   • Explain accommodation power of the human eye

   • Identify the defects of the human eye

   • Describe the correction of the defects of human eye

   • Compare the human eye and the lens camera

 

TOPIC 5: Thermal Expansion

 

1. Thermal Energy

   • Explain the concept of heat

   • State the source of thermal energy in everyday life

   • Distinguish between heat and temperature

2. Thermal Expansion of Solids

   • Demonstrate expansion of solids

   • Explain expansion of solids in terms of kinetic theory of matter

   • Identify expansivity of different solids

   • Explain the applications of expansion of solids in daily life

3. Thermal Expansion of Liquids

   • Explain the apparent expansion of liquids

   • Demonstrate the effect of heat on liquids

   • Verify the anomalous expansion of water

   • Explain the applications of expansion of liquids in everyday life

4. Thermal Expansion of Gases

   • Explain the concept of thermal expansion of gases

   • Investigate the relationship between volume and temperature of fixed mass of air at constant pressure

   • Investigate the relationship between pressure and volume of a fixed mass of air at constant temperature

   • Investigate the relationship between pressure and temperature of a fixed mass of air at constant volume

   • Identify the general gas equation from the gas laws

   • Explain absolute scale of temperature

   • Convert temperature in degrees centigrade (celsius) to kelvin

   • Explain standard temperature and pressure (S.T.P)

   • Apply expansion of gas in daily life

 

TOPIC 6: Transfer Of Thermal Energy

 

1. Conduction

   • Explain the concept of conduction of Heat

   • Identify good and bad Conductors of Heat

   • Explain how to minimise Heat losses due to Conduction

   • Apply knowledge of conduction in daily life

2. Convection

   • Explain the concept of convection of heat

   • Explain convection in fluids in terms of kinetic theory of matter

   • Explain how to minimise heat losses due to convection to daily life

   • Apply knowledge of convection to daily life

3. Radiation

   • Explain the concept of radiation

   • Identify good absorbers and emitters of radiant heat

   • Minimize heat losses due to radiation

 

TOPIC 7: Measurement Of Thermal Energy

 

1. Heat Capacity

   • Explain the factors which determine heat quality of a substance

   • Determine the heat capacity

   • Determine the specific heat capacity

2. Change of State

   • Explain the behaviour of particles of matter by applying kinetic theory

   • Determine experimentally the melting point of a substance from its cooling curve

   • Demonstrate the effect of impurities on the freezing point and the boiling point of a substance

   • Demonstrate the effect of pressure on the boiling point and freezing point of a substance

   • Explain the phenomenon of regulation

   • Give the concept of boiling and evaporation in respect to the kinetic theory of matter

   • Demonstrate latent heat of fusion and vaporisation

   • Describe the mechanism of refrigeration

 

TOPIC 8: Vapour And Humidity

 

1. Vapour

   • Explain the process of evaporation of liquid

   • Identify factors affecting evaporation of a liquid

   • Distinguish between saturated and evaporation of a liquid

   • Explain the effect of temperature on saturated vapour pressure (S.V.P) of a liquid

2. Humidity

   • Explain the concept of humidity

   • Explain the formation of dew

   • Measure relative humidity

   • Apply the knowledge of humidity in daily life

 

TOPIC 9: Thermal Current Electricity

 

1. Electromotive force (emf) and potential difference (pd)

   • Explain the concept of electromotive force (emf) and potential difference (pd)

   • State the SI units of electromotive force and potential difference

   • Measure electromotive force of a cell and potential difference across a conductor

2. Resistance to Electric Current

   • Explain the concept of electric current in a conductor

   • Describe factors which determine the resistance of a conductor

   • Determine the relationship between potential difference across the conductor and current

   • Identify types of resistors

   • Determine the equivalent resistance of more than two resistors in series and parallel

   • Explain the mode of action of a Wheatstone bridge.

   • Connect and analyse a simple electric circuit

3. Effects of an Electric Current

   • Explain the mechanism of heating by electric current

   • Describe factors which determine the quality of heat generated in a conductor due to a current

   • Determine electrical power

   • Interpret the power rating of electrical appliances

4. Electric Installation

   • Explain the meaning of the letter E (Earthing) L (Live) and N (Neutral) in Electrical Wiring

   • Describe the function of a fuse and a circuit breaker

   • Perform wiring on a board

   • Check and rectify electrical faults in domestic appliances

5. Cells

   • Describe the mode of action of a dry cell (Leclanche)

   • Determine voltage of combination of cells in series and parallel

   • Identify the cell defects

   • Describe the mode of action of lead-acid accumulator

   • Explain the charging and discharging phenomenon of an accumulator

   • Use cells and accumulators in daily life