TOPIC 5: ARCHIMEDES’ PRINCIPLE AND LAW OF FLOTATION Archimedes’ Principle Archimedes’ principle indicates that the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces. The Concept of Upthrust Explain the concept of upthrust If a heavy object is lifted while immersed in water, it may be raised more easily than when outside the water. This is due to the reason that when anything is placed in liquid, it receives an upward force called upthrust. A body appears to have…
Author: Msomi Bora
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TOPIC 4: FORCE A force is an interaction that causes a change. In mechanics, a force is an interaction that causes a change in velocity (an interaction that causes acceleration). Concept of Force The Concept of Force Explain the concept of force For better understanding of this concept, let’s ask ourselves the following question: What causes/makes a body at rest to move? What causes the same body in motion to stop? The answers to these questions, is of course that a force is required to do so. Here, an applied force to a body can cause the body at rest…
TOPIC 3: MEASUREMENT Concepts of Measurement The Concepts of Measurement Explain the concepts of measurement Measurement is the process of assigning numbers to observations or events. It is the process in which the amount of values, data or quantity is obtained. Measurement is an important activity in physics. During measurement, a scientist follows the proper procedures uses proper instruments so as to get exact amounts. Importance of Measurement in Real Life State the importance of measurement in real life Measurement is among very important practices in several fields such as engineering, medicine, architecture, teaching, communication, transport and many more. It plays…
TOPIC 2: INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORY PRACTICE A Laboratory is a room or a building designed specifically for carrying out experiments. Laboratory Rules and Safety Guidelines Rules in a Physics Laboratory State rules in physics laboratory While working in the lab, individuals are advised to adhere to specific lab rules to ensure their safety, that of other people working in the lab and the safety of the apparatus and chemicals stored in the lab. Rules in the physics lab You should only enter the lab in the presence of a lab attendant. Keep all exits and entrances to and from the…
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS Physics is often described as the study of matter and energy. It is concerned with how matter and energy relate to each other, and how they affect each other over time and through space. Physicists ask the fundamental questions how did the universe begin? how and of what is it made? how does it change? what rules govern its behavior? Concepts of Physics The Concepts of Physics Explain the concepts of physics Physics is one of the branches of science which explains about how things behave or occur in our environment. For example, physics explains…
TOPIC 5: QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS The Concept of Qualitative Analysis The Meaning of Qualitative Analysis Explain the meaning of qualitative analysis Qualitative analysis involves determining metals and non metals (or metallic and non-metallic elements) present in a given sample. It is a process used to determine what elements (or radicals) are present in the sample. Whereas quantitative analysis involves determining how much (quantity) of a substance is present in a sample, qualitative analysis involves identifying what (quality) substances are present in a sample. Qualitative analysis may be divided into examination of: acidic or non-metallic radicals or negative ions; basic or metallic radicals,…
TOPIC 4: POLLUTION Pollution can be defined as the introduction by human (or animal) activities, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the environment resulting in harmful effects which may endanger human health and harm living resources and ecosystems. Concept of Pollution The Concept of Pollution Explain the concept of pollution Pollution can also be defined as the introduction of contaminants or pollutants into the natural environment. The environment comprises of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) things such as plants, animals, air, land and water. Contaminants or pollutants are harmful substances introduced into the environment that disturb the balance…
TOPIC 3: SOIL CHEMISTRY Soil Formation Soil Formation Describe soil formation Soil is formed by the process of weathering. All types of weathering (physical, chemical or biological) result to disintegration of rocks into smaller particles. Air and water enter the space between these particles and chemical changes take place, which lead to the production of chemical substances. Bacteria and plant life soon appear. When plants and animals die, they decay and produce humus. Bacteria and other decomposers play a vital role in the decomposition of plant and animal substrata. The end product of these mechanical, chemical and biological processes is…
TOPIC 2: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Introduction to Organic Chemistry Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds. Due to the ability of carbon to form chains of atoms, and for other atoms or groups of atoms to be attached to these chains, there are a huge number of carbon compounds. All organic compounds contain carbon together with one or more other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and the halogens. Normally every compound of carbon is an organic compound. Even after discovering that these compounds could be synthesized in the laboratory, the definition that they are organic (of organic nature, that is,…
TOPIC 1: NON METALS AND THEIR COMPOUNDS General Chemical Properties of Non Metals The non-metals are very reactive and most of them react with other elements to form different compounds. The following are important chemical properties of non-metals which are connected with their tendency towards electron gain in the course of formation of compounds: 1. The oxide of a non-metal is either acidic or neutral but never basic. The oxide of a non-metal is a covalent compound. Being acidic, it combines with water to form an acid, e.g. 2. A non-metal never replaces hydrogen in an acid to form a…