HCI 2024 H3 Physics Complete Lecture Notes

Hwa Chong Institution (College) MOE H3 Physics 2024 1 Inertial Frames of Reference (non-relativistic) In the H3 syllabus, candidates should understand and apply concepts related to non-relativistic dynamics viewed from different inertial frames building on the understanding of collisions and the significance of the centre of mass in equilibrium situations. Learning Outcomes for the Inertial Frames (non-relativistic): Candidates should be able to: (a) show an understanding of what is meant by a frame of reference (b) recall and apply the Galilean transformation equations to solve problems relating observations in different frames of reference (c) show an understanding of what is meant by an inertial frame of reference, in the context of Newton’s laws of motion (d) show an understanding that the centre of mass moves as though the total mass is concentrated at that point and is acted upon by the net external force on the system (e) solve two-dimensional collision problems by considering velocities relative to the centre of mass of the system It will also be useful for this topic to recall the learning outcomes about the linear momentum and collisions in H2 syllabus. Students should be able to: (d) define and use linear momentum as the product of mass and velocity (e) define and use impulse as the product of force and time of impact (f) relate resultant force to the rate of change of momentum (g) recall and solve problems using the relationship F ma= , appreciating that resultant force and acceleration are always in the same direction (h) state the principle of conservation of momentum (i) apply the principle of conservation of momentum to solve simple problems including inelastic and (perfectly) elastic interactions between two bodies in one dimension (j) show an understanding that, for a (perfectly) elastic collision between two bodies, the relative speed of approach is equal to the relative speed of separation (k) show an understanding that, whilst the momentum of a closed system is always conserved in interactions between bodies, some change in kinetic energy usually takes place The notes, figures and questions are the compilation from the following physics textbooks for the students who take H3 A level Physics 9814: • Young and Freedman, University Physics • Serway and Jerwett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers • Eric Mazur, Principles and Practices of Physics

Hwa Chong Institution (College) MOE H3 Physics 2024 2 Introduction Did you ever, sitting in a car at a red light and looking at the car next to you, slam on the brakes because you thought you were starting to roll but it turned out your car never moved? If you did, you experienced the relativity of motion, first described quantitatively by Galileo. The velocity measured for any object depends on the motion of the observer (the person doing the measuring). For example, to a person sitting in a moving train, a suitcase o