| Syllabus |
Notes |
Experimental Work |
| Force. Work(as a measure
of energy transfer). Power. Newtonian
Mechanics. Conservation of linear momentum. Transformations between potential
energy and kinetic energy. Resolution of coplanar vectors. |
Revision and consolidation of lower form work. |
|
| Projectile motion |
Independence of horizontal and vertical motions. Simple
calculations. Terminal velocity (e.g. of a parachutist). |
|
| Circular motion |
Angular velocity  in .Linear
velocity  . Centripetal acceleration  .
Examples to include vehicles rounding bends (with and without banking),
aircraft turning in flight, looping the loop, the centrifuge (qualitatively). |
Experimental test of  by whirling
a rubber bung. |
| Simple harmonic motion |
Isochronous oscillation. Acceleration  ,
displacement  (or  )
Simple harmonic developed through analysis of uniform motion in a circle
(rotating vector model). Applications to include the dimple pendulum and
loaded spring. Quantitative treatment of kinetic and potential energy.
Phase lead and phase lag through rotating vector model. |
E2 Study of the motion of one simple harmonic oscillator
(e.g. ticker tape attached to long pendulum) |
| Resonance. Forced vibration
and damping. |
Qualitative treatment only. Mechanical, acoustic and
electrical examples. Link with experiments in other parts of the syllabus. |
|
| Applications of the principle of conservation
of linear momentum in one and two dimensions. |
Distinction between elastic and inelastic collisions.
Principle of measuring inertial mass e.g. using 
for explosive separation of two masses initially at rest. Equivalence of
inertial and gravitational mass. Examples of linear conservation to include
recoil of rifles. Collision of particles with helium atoms (analysis of
cloud chamber photographs). |
|
| Conditions of equilibrium
of a rigid body about a fixed axis. Moment of inertia and its physical
significance. Angular momentum and its
conservation. Torque. Energy stored in
a rotating rigid. |
Derivation of the formula for I in specific cased is
not required, but the factors determining I should be understood. The equation  and .
Illustrations to include the motion of ice-skaters, ballet dancers, acrobats,
and high-divers (qualitatively). Derivation of K.E. = .
Energy storage in flywheels. Use in motor vehicle engines. |
E3 Measurement of the moment of inertia of a flywheel
by coupling a falling weight to it.
E4 Demonstration of the conservation of angular momentum using swivel
chair or rotating platform (large masses held close to, and away from the
body). |