Physics Principles

Analytical Chemistry Technology · Level 6  ·  9 Chapters

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What Physics Principles covers

In this unit, you will be able to confidently apply essential physics principles to real-world trade tasks, from understanding forces and motion to mastering heat, light, friction, and pressure. By the end, you’ll know how to measure, calculate, and solve practical problems using laboratory techniques and industry standards, empowering you to analyze and optimize equipment and processes with precision. Your new skills will help you troubleshoot, improve safety, and boost efficiency in any technical environment.

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Careers after Physics Principles

Understanding and applying physics principles opens doors to numerous exciting careers and entrepreneurial opportunities across Kenya’s vibrant economy. From the bustling jua kali workshops to the high-tech energy sector, mastering these skills empowers you to solve real-world problems, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s development.

  • In the jua kali sector, artisans and metal fabricators use static forces and motion principles daily to build durable tools, machinery, and vehicle parts, earning steady income through skilled craftsmanship and repairs.
  • At KenGen and other energy companies, engineers apply thermodynamics and heat energy calculations to optimize power generation from hydro, geothermal, and thermal plants, ensuring reliable electricity supply nationwide.
  • The construction industry relies heavily on physics principles to design stable structures, calculate loads, and ensure safety, offering careers as site engineers, surveyors, and project managers.
  • The matatu industry benefits from mechanics who understand forces and motion to maintain vehicles, improving safety and performance while earning through skilled service provision.
  • In agri-businesses and KTDA factories, knowledge of heat energy and thermodynamics enhances processing techniques like drying and fermentation, increasing product quality and profitability.
  • The hospitality sector uses optics and light properties in designing efficient lighting and entertainment systems, creating welcoming environments that attract customers.
  • Entrepreneurs can start ventures offering specialized services such as optical device calibration, vehicle maintenance using motion principles, or energy-efficient appliance repair, turning physics knowledge into profitable businesses.

Mastering these physics skills not only makes you a valuable asset in Kenya’s workforce but also equips you to innovate and lead in diverse fields—your future is bright, and the possibilities are endless!

Chapters

2 past papers for this unit →

What Physics Principles covers: 79 main topics in 9 chapters

1. Apply dynamics principles

  1. 1.1 Static forces
  2. 1.2 Velocity, speed and acceleration
  3. 1.3 Laws of motion
  4. 1.4 Motion graphs
  5. 1.5 Newton's laws of motion
  6. 1.6 Equations of linear and circular motion
  7. 1.7 Demonstration of Uniform circular motion
  8. 1.8 Angular displacement, angular velocity, angular acceleration and centripetal force
  9. 1.9 Applications of uniform circular motion

2. Apply principles of thermodynamics

  1. 2.1 Heat energy
  2. 2.2 Determination of Specific heat capacity
  3. 2.3 Determination of specific latent heats of fusion, vaporization and sublimation
  4. 2.4 Thermodynamic processes
  5. 2.5 Thermodynamic quantities

3. Apply principles of optics

  1. 3.1 Propagation of light
  2. 3.2 Light properties
  3. 3.3 Laws of reflection
  4. 3.4 Total internal reflection
  5. 3.5 Image formation by curved mirrors
  6. 3.6 Focal lengths, object distances, image distances and magnification calculation using mirror formula
  7. 3.7 Image formation by lenses
  8. 3.8 Laws of refraction
  9. 3.9 Focal lengths, object distances, image distances and magnification calculation using lens formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v
  10. 3.10 Refractive index, critical angle and total internal reflection
  11. 3.11 Optical instruments

4. Apply friction principles

  1. 4.1 Definition of friction
  2. 4.2 Source of friction
  3. 4.3 Laws of friction
  4. 4.4 Resultant forces
  5. 4.5 Coefficient of friction
  6. 4.6 Applications of friction
  7. 4.7 Methods of reducing friction

5. Apply pressure principles

  1. 5.1 Definition of pressure
  2. 5.2 Pressure in solids, liquids and gases
  3. 5.3 Transmission of pressure in liquids
  4. 5.4 Measurements of pressure
  5. 5.5 Atmospheric pressure
  6. 5.6 Applications of pressure

6. Apply principles of electromagnetism

  1. 6.1 Types of magnets
  2. 6.2 Properties of Magnets
  3. 6.3 Lines of force
  4. 6.4 Magnetic flux patterns
  5. 6.5 Flux density
  6. 6.6 Properties of magnetic field lines
  7. 6.7 Magnetic field pattern
  8. 6.8 Electromagnetism
  9. 6.9 Storage of magnets
  10. 6.10 Applications of electromagnetism

7. Apply electrostatic and electrical principles

  1. 7.1 Types of charges
  2. 7.2 Electrostatic devices
  3. 7.3 Factors affecting capacitance of parallel plate capacitors
  4. 7.4 Applications of capacitors
  5. 7.5 Mains Electricity sources
  6. 7.6 Electrical quantities
  7. 7.7 Electrical Circuits
  8. 7.8 Electrical measuring instruments
  9. 7.9 Ohm’s law
  10. 7.10 Electrical energy sources
  11. 7.11 Electromagnetic induction

8. Apply semiconductor device principles

  1. 8.1 Energy band theory
  2. 8.2 Semi-conductor devices
  3. 8.3 Rectification
  4. 8.4 Forward and backward biasing of semi-conductor diodes
  5. 8.5 Application of semi-conductor diodes in rectification
  6. 8.6 Types of transistors
  7. 8.7 Connection of transistors
  8. 8.8 Transistor characteristics
  9. 8.9 Uses of transistors

9. Apply principles of nuclear physics

  1. 9.1 Production of X-rays
  2. 9.2 Types of X-rays
  3. 9.3 Application of X-rays
  4. 9.4 Types of radioactivity
  5. 9.5 Elements of radioactivity
  6. 9.6 Properties of radio-active materials
  7. 9.7 Types of radioactive radiations
  8. 9.8 Half-lives of radioactive elements
  9. 9.9 Uses of radioactivity
  10. 9.10 Hazards associated with radioactive material
  11. 9.11 Safety precautions on X-rays and radio-active elements

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