0
, 1
PHYSICS FOR BEGINNERS
PROLOGUE
This book has a dual purpose. As its title indicates, it is aimed at people who know nothing
about Physics and who wish to learn something about the subject, for whatever reason.
Secondly, its is aimed at all the mothers and fathers who are involved with home
schooling. This book does not cover any sillabus that is prescribed for homeschooling. Rather,
it offers those who did not take Physical Science as a subject at school, or who did so a long
time ago and find themselves a ‘bit rusted’ and out of touch, the opportunity to get rid of the rust
and to obtain more of a background about the subject. This book is the second in what I like to
call a mini series, the ‘Beginners series’. The first of this series was “Chemistry for
Beginners” (by the same author). After some enquiries about a second book, I decided to take
on the Physics section as well. Hence, Physics for Beginners”. This mini series enables
homeschooling mothers and fathers to get rid of the rust or to prepare themselves from scratch
for what is required in the prescribed syllabus. It will help you to prepare in advance so that you
can face the task with confidence. Please note that these books are not meant as additional
textbooks! – far from it. The idea is not to make chemists or physicists out of you!
WHAT IS PHYSICS?
The best way to answer this is to mention a few facts about Physics:
Physics is one of the most basic physical sciences.
Physics can basically be defined as the science of matter, motion, and energy.
Motion, speed, and time are three fundamental concepts in basic physics.
It is that part of science that deals with the structure of matter (how matter is put
together) and the interactions between the basic components of the universe as we
see it.
In the widest meaning of the word, Physics is concerned with all aspects of nature
ranging from what is visible to the eye to what is invisible to the eye
The main aim of studying Physics is to understand how the universe behaves.
Studying Physics includes the behaviour of objects under the action of all types of
forces as well as the nature and origin of gravitational and magnetic forces.
The idea is to eventually form a number of all-including principles or laws that
cover and explain all such different phenomena.
From these you can form a very good idea of what physics is.
The next qustion is: ‘WHAT CAN I EXPECT ABOUT PHYSICS AND WHAT WILLTHIS
BOOK HAVE TO OFFER?’ You have noticed that the words MATTER and ENERGY are
mentioned in the first paragraph. Matter and energy are the key words in any form
of natural science. So, you can expect that whatever you are going to learn about Physics in
this book, will involve matter and energy. In fact, the first two chapters of this book deal with
these two concepts.
“Physics is really nothing more than a search for ultimate simplicity” (Bill Bryson).
, 2
“Physics is fun. Physics is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity.” (Sally Ride).
I hope that you will experience that what Physics is dealt with in this book is, firstly fun, and
secondly that it will satisfy at least part of your curiosity. To add to the fun I have included
cartoons related to what each chapter is about. Enjoy them! Maybe you will see yourself in
them!
Let us quickly compare Physics to Chemistry. You may have heard ‘people’ in general and
students specifically, say ‘Chemistry is a mystery to me’ or ‘ I hated Chemistry at school’. I
have wondered a lot about this and I think I may have an answer to this.
Chemistry is based on a few very important fundamental concepts (elements, atoms,
compounds, etc.) and just about anything else that is Chemistry is based on this or
somehow related to this. So, I think it is very simply a case of ‘people’ not knowing the
basics, wanting to carry on hoping that somehow they will be successful. Once behind, you
never catch up! I always compare learning to building a house. Building a house involves
three stages: laying a sound foundation; building sturdy and strong walls, and, finally fitting
the roof. I don’t need to tell you what will happen if any of the fundamental stages of building
a house is lacking.
Physics, on the other hand does have a few basic concepts, but you will find that, for
example, you don’t need electricity to understand reflection of light, you don’t need vectors
and scalars to understand the refraction of light, etc. In other words the concepts (at least
those that we will deal with in this book) are not as closely interrelated as is the case in
Chemistry.
Let us return to this book. We are going to discuss the following concepts in six chapters:
Matter, Energy, Mechanics, Waves, Electricity, Magnetism.
In each chapter there will be worked examples and exercises for you to do to consolidate.
The answers/solutions to these exercises are given at the end, but it is recommended that
you try these exercises without consulting the answers. Consider them to be tests that you
yourself will grade to see how you performed.
Some good advice: Don’t learn definitions parrotlike! You are not going to write an exam
on it. Where necessary, I explain the definition to help you to understand what it says.
Remember what Sally Ride said. Physics must be fun. So, I hope you have some fun !
I finish by giving you something to inspire you.
“The study of Physics is also an adventure. You will find it challenging, sometimes
frustrating, occasionally painful and often richly rewarding” (Hugh D. Young).
Let’s saddle up this horse called “PHYSICS” and get going!!
, 3
CHAPTERS PAGE
