Course Description

Course Content

1. Physical Quantities & Measurement

• Base and derived quantities
• SI units; scalar vs vector
• Measurement devices (vernier calipers, screw gauge, meter rule)
• Significant figures; errors and accuracy

2. Motion & Kinematics

• Distance vs displacement
• Speed/velocity; acceleration
• Equations of uniformly accelerated motion
• Graphical analysis (x–t, v–t); free fall and projectile basics (range/maximum height qualitative)

3. Force & Newton’s Laws

• Types of forces; inertia
• F = ma; friction (static/kinetic, factors affecting)
• Circular motion (qualitative)
• Momentum, impulse and conservation in 1-D problems

4. Work, Energy & Power

• Work definition and units
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Mechanical energy conservation
• Power and efficiency
• Simple machines (MA, VR, efficiency)

5. Pressure & States of Matter

• Pressure in solids, liquids and gases
• Pascal’s law
• Hydraulic press (principle)
• Density
• Atmospheric pressure
• Boyle’s law & Charles’ law (qualitative relations)

6. Heat & Temperature

• Thermal expansion
• Specific heat capacity and latent heat
• Heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
• Calorimetry
• Phase change and cooling curves
• Simple numerical problems

7. Waves & Sound

• Wave types and properties (λ, f, v)
• Wave equation v = fλ
• Sound production and propagation
• Speed of sound factors
• Echo and reverberation
• Musical sound vs noise
• Applications and hazards

8. Light (Geometrical Optics)

• Rectilinear propagation
• Reflection (laws, plane & curved mirrors—focal length, image nature)
• Refraction (Snell’s law concept)
• Refractive index; total internal reflection
• Lenses (convex/concave) and image formation
• Magnification
• Simple optical instruments (qualitative)

9. Electricity

• Electric charge, current, potential difference; Ohm’s law
• Resistance, resistivity and factors
• Series/parallel circuits; electric power and energy
• Safety devices (fuse, MCB, earthing) and safe lab practice

10. Magnetism & Electromagnetism

• Natural and artificial magnets
• Magnetic field & lines; Earth’s magnetism (basics)
• Electromagnetism (Oersted’s discovery, electromagnets, applications)
• Simple DC motor and generator principles (qualitative)

11. Practical Skills & Data Handling

• Lab safety; experiment design
• Tables/graphs; slope/intercept interpretation
• Error sources and mitigation
• Sample SSC-style practical questions

12. Examination Workshops & Final Revision

• Mixed MCQ & CQ practice
• Time management
• Common traps
• Formula sheets
• Last-week planner

Learning Objectives

• Measurement & Data — Use SI units correctly, read instruments (vernier, screw gauge) and handle significant figures; plot and interpret basic graphs.
• Mechanics — Apply kinematics equations; analyze forces with Newton’s laws; solve momentum and energy problems; reason about friction and simple machines.
• Heat & Waves — Solve routine problems on specific heat, latent heat and heat transfer; describe wave/sound properties and practical implications (echo, noise control).
• Optics — Predict image properties for mirrors and lenses; explain refraction and total internal reflection; relate refractive index to ray diagrams and simple devices.
• Electricity & Magnetism — Use Ohm’s law and series/parallel rules to compute current, voltage and resistance; calculate electric power/energy; explain basic electromagnetic applications and lab safety.
• Exam Preparedness — Follow SSC marks scheme, show working clearly, avoid common errors, and complete full papers within time.