Free and Comprehensive SS1 Physics First Term – Complete Lesson Notes with Audio

Free and Comprehensive SS1 Physics First Term – Complete Lesson Notes with Audio

This page contains the full SS1 Physics First Term Lesson Notes. 

You can also read or download the scheme of work here.

WEEK ONE

TOPIC: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS

CONTENT

  • MEANING OF PHYSICS
  • FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITIES AND UNITS
  • DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

MEANING OF PHYSICS

Physics is the scientific study of matter and energy and how they interact with each other. This energy can take the form of motion, light, electricity, radiation, gravity etc. Physics deals with matter on scales ranging from sub-atomic particles (i.e. the particles that make up the atom and the particles that make up those particles) to stars and even the entire galaxies. It can also be defined as a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space-time, as well as all applicable concepts, such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.

Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines, perhaps the oldest through its inclusion of astronomy. Over the last two millennia, Physics had been considered synonymous with Philosophy, Chemistry, and certain branches of Mathematics and Biology, but during the scientific revolution in the 16th century, it emerged to become a unique modern science in its own right. However, in some subject areas such as in mathematical physics and quantum chemistry, the boundaries of physics remain difficult to distinguish.

Physics is both significant and influential, in part because advances in its understanding have often translated into new technologies, but also because new ideas in Physics often resonate with other sciences, Mathematics, and Philosophy. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism or Nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products which have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of motorized transport; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

In order to understand clearly the fundamental concepts, Physics is divided into two main branches:

  • Classical Physics: mechanics, heat, optics, wave and sound, electricity and magnetism.
  • Modern Physics: matter, energy and their relations at atomic and sub-atomic levels.

Other fields of Physics are: Geophysics, Astrophysics, Bio-physics, Nuclear physics, Engineering physics etc.

EVALUATION

  1. What do you understand by the term “Physics’’?
  2. State the step involved in scientific method?

FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITIES AND UNIT

Measurements play an important role in Physics. A unit has to be defined before any kind of measurement can be made. Different systems of units have been used in the past. These include the foot–pound–second (FPS) system, the centimetre–gramme–second (CGS) system, and the metre–kilogramme–second (MKS) system. The new system which has now gained universal acceptance is the systeme international d’units, usually called S.I. units.

Physical quantities are often divided into fundamental quantities and derived quantities.

FUNDAMENTAL QUANTITIES

These are the basic quantities that are independent of others and cannot be defined in terms of other quantities. They are the basic quantities upon which most (though not all) quantities depend.

FUNDAMENTAL UNITS

These are the basic unit upon which other units depend. They are the units of the fundamental quantities.

The three most important basic quantities in Physics are length, mass and time.

  • Length: the extent of space or distance extended.
  • Mass: the quantity of matter or material in the body.
  • Time: that in which events are distinguishable with reference to before or after.

Examples of fundamental quantities and their units are shown below:

QuantityUnitUnit abbreviation
LengthMetrem
TimeSeconds
MassKilogramkg
Electric currentAmpereA
TemperatureKelvinK
Amount of substanceMolemol
Luminous intensityCandelacd

DERIVED QUANTITIES AND UNITS

Derived quantities and units are those obtained by some simple combination of the fundamental quantities and units. They are dependent on the fundamental quantities and units. Some examples of derived quantities and units are shown below:

Derived QuantityDerivationDerived unit
Area (A)Length × breadthm²
Volume (V)Length × breadth × heightm³
DensityMass ÷ volumekg·m⁻³
Velocity (v)Displacement ÷ timem·s⁻¹
Acceleration (a)Change in velocity ÷ timem·s⁻²
Force (F)Mass × accelerationNewton (N)

The unit of volume is obtained by multiplying three lengths m × m × m = m³ pronounced “cubic metre”. Density is the ratio of mass and volume therefore the unit of density is kg/m³ or kg·m⁻³ pronounced “kilogramme per metre cubed.”

Difference between Fundamental and Derived Units

Fundamental UnitsDerived Units
They are standard units of measurementThey are not standard units of measurement
They are generally accepted all over the worldNot all are generally accepted all over the world
They form the basis of measurementThey are not the basis of measurement
They are accepted by international organisationsThough accepted internationally, they are formulated by individuals
They are known as S.I. units, i.e. international systemThey are known as units

Difference between Fundamental and Derived Quantities

Fundamental QuantitiesDerived Quantities
They are generally acceptedThey are just accepted
They are based on international systemThey are formulated from international system
They can stand aloneThey cannot stand alone
They have direct calculationsTheir calculations are derived
They are basic units of measurementThey are not basic units of measurement

DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

The dimension of a physical quantity is the way it is related to the quantities of mass, length and time. The dimension of unit mass is M, for unit length L and for unit time T.

QuantityUnitDimension
MassKilogram (kg)M
LengthMetre (m)L
TimeSecond (s)T

Dimensional Analysis of Some Physical Quantities

  1. Density: mass per unit volume
    Dimensional equation of density = M / L³ = M L⁻³
  2. Velocity: displacement ÷ time
    = L / T = L T⁻¹
  3. Acceleration: velocity ÷ time
    = L T⁻¹ ÷ T = L T⁻²
  4. Force: mass × acceleration
    = M × (L T⁻²) = M L T⁻²

Below is a table of a few important physical quantities and their dimensions:

Physical QuantityUnitsDimensions
Velocitym·s⁻¹L T⁻¹
Accelerationm·s⁻²L T⁻²
ForceN (kg·m·s⁻²)M L T⁻²
Momentumkg·m·s⁻¹M L T⁻¹
Densitykg·m⁻³M L⁻³
PressureN·m⁻²M L⁻¹ T⁻²

EVALUATION

  1. State the dimension of the following quantities: (a) Acceleration (b) Pressure (c) Density
  2. From the following quantities given below, list out the derived and fundamental quantities in a tabular form: Velocity, mass, weight, length, volume, density, torque, speed, acceleration, power, energy, temperature, heat capacity, electric current, relative density.

READING ASSIGNMENT

New School Physics by M.W. Anyakoha, Prof. Pg 1–2

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

  1. Which of the units of the following physical quantities is not a derived unit? (a) Area (b) Thrust (c) Pressure (d) Mass
  2. Which of the following is a fundamental unit? (a) kg·m⁻³ (b) m³ (c) N·m⁻² (d) kg
  3. Which of the following quantities has the same unit as energy? (a) Power (b) Work (c) Force (d) Momentum
  4. Which of the following is a derived unit? (a) Ampere (b) Kilogramme (c) Second (d) Ohm
  5. Which of the following is a derived unit? (a) Tension (b) Impulse (c) Upthrust (d) Distance
  6. The internationally agreed system of units (S.I.) for physical measurement are: (a) lb, ft, sec (b) g, m, sec (c) kg, m, sec (d) cm, g, sec
  7. Which of the units of the following physical quantities are derived? I. Area; II. Thrust; III. Pressure; IV. Mass (a) I, II, III and IV (b) I, II and III only (c) I, II and IV only (d) I and IV only

THEORY

  1. State the dimension of the following: (a) Stress (Force/Area) (b) Energy (Force × distance) (c) Momentum (Mass × velocity)
  2. Determine the dimension of the following physical quantities: (a) Impulse (b) Potential energy (c) Pressure (d) Young’s modulus
  3. At what respective value of a, b, and c would the unit of impulse be dimensionally equivalent to Mᡃ Lᡇ Tᢜ?
  4. The dimension of pressure is given as MΛ£ LΚΈ TαΆ», deduce the values of x, y, and z. (Hint: Pressure = Force/Area, the unit is N·m⁻²)

Read more: 
  • Free and comprehensive sss1 physics for 1st term week 3: Read more


Daily French Conversation:

  1. At the Pharmacy πŸ‘‰ Read More
  2. At the Pharmacy (Version 2) πŸ‘‰ Read More
  3. Ordering Food (Placali avec Sauce Graine) πŸ‘‰ Read More
  4. At the Bank πŸ‘‰ Read More
  5. At the Doctor’s πŸ‘‰ Read More
  6. Ordering Garba (Ivorian Food) πŸ‘‰ Read More
  7. Asking for Directions πŸ‘‰ Read More
  8. Ordering at a Restaurant πŸ‘‰ Read More
  9. Dining at a Restaurant πŸ‘‰ Read More
  10. At the Hotel πŸ‘‰ Read More
  11. Shopping for Clothes πŸ‘‰ Read More
  12. Morning Meeting / Greetings πŸ‘‰ Read More
How to download Audio:

1. Join the  naijabriefsfr.blogspot.com telegram below:
https://t.me/+nb5nglphEDtkNjVk

2. Click on the link below to download: 




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

πŸ“˜ Lagos State JSS1 Scheme of Work – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Term (2025/2026 Academic Session)

JSS 1 First Term – Full NERDC Scheme of Work (All Subjects, Weeks 1–10)

πŸ“˜ Latest NERDC Approved JSS 3 Scheme of Work (All Subjects, 2025 Edition)

πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Daily French Conversation: At the Pharmacy πŸ’ŠπŸ₯

πŸ“˜ JSS 2 First Term Scheme of Work – Full NERDC Curriculum (All Subjects, 2025 Updated)

How to learn a New Language at Home: Complete Immersion Blueprint with 20 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions ) about learning a language.

10 Biggest Myths About Learning a New Language in 2025 (The Truth Revealed)

πŸ‡«πŸ‡· 30 French Conversations at the Airport ✈️(with 20 FAQ)

πŸ‡«πŸ‡· Daily French Conversation: The Morning Meet-Up ☕