COURSE TITLE: GENERAL PHYSICS I

(MECHANICS AND PROPERTIES OF MATTER)

COURSE CODE: PHY111 (2 UNITS)
Introduction
Physics is the science that deals mainly with the
description of matter, energy, space and times as
they affect the universe. Physics attempt to find the
most basic laws that govern these occurrences and
express these laws in the most precise and
simplified way possible.

Objectives: To help the students understand the

concept of (a) space and time; (b) fundamental/
basic units, and derived units and (c) dimension as
algebraic quantities.
 SPACE AND TIME
Space and time are fundamental aspects of our universe. They
form the stage on which all physical events take place, and
understanding their nature is crucial for studying physics and
other natural sciences. In this lecture, we will explore the concepts
of space and time, their measurement, and how they relate to
each other.
Space is three-dimensional, which means it has three
independent directions: length, width, and height (or depth).
These three dimensions allow us to specify the position of any
object using a coordinate system.
• 1D space: Only one coordinate is needed to specify the
position of a point (e.g., a straight line).
• 2D space: Two coordinates are needed (e.g., x and y on a flat
surface or plane).
• 3D space: Three coordinates are needed (e.g., x, y, and z in
our everyday world).
In physics, we use a Cartesian coordinate system to describe
space, where positions are given as (x, y, z) in three dimensions.
The Nature of Space
• Absolute Space: According to Isaac Newton, space is an
unchanging, rigid structure that provides the backdrop for
physical processes.
• Relative Space: As per philosopher Gottfried Leibniz, space is
relative, meaning it only exists as the distance between objects,
and there is no "space" without matter.
• Non-Euclidean Geometry: In general relativity, space is not
perfectly flat (Euclidean) but can be curved by the presence of
mass and energy.
Time refers to the ongoing sequence of events from the past,
through the present, and into the future. It is used to quantify the
duration of events and the intervals between them. Time is often
considered as the fourth dimension that, along with the three
spatial dimensions, forms a four-dimensional continuum known as
spacetime. Time allows us to describe when events occur and
provides a framework for understanding motion and change.

The Nature of Time

• Absolute Time: According to Newton, time flows at a constant
rate and is independent of the observer.
• Relative Time: In contrast, Einstein’s theory of relativity
suggests that time is relative and can vary depending on the
observer’s velocity and gravitational field. Time can dilate,
meaning that for a fast-moving object, time passes slower
compared to a stationary observer (time dilation).
Space and Time in Classical Physics
In classical mechanics, space and time are treated as
independent and absolute.
• Galilean Transformation: In classical mechanics, we
assume that time flows at the same rate for all
observers, and space is the same regardless of the
motion of objects. The transformation of coordinates
between different observers moving at constant
velocity is straightforward.
However, classical physics only works well for everyday,
low-speed phenomena. At very high speeds (near the
speed of light) or in strong gravitational fields, Newtonian
ideas about space and time break down.
Special Relativity and Spacetime
Albert Einstein revolutionized our understanding of space and
time with his theory of special relativity in 1905.
The Two Postulates of Special Relativity
1. The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames: An
inertial frame is a non-accelerating frame of reference.
2. The speed of light in a vacuum is constant: It is the same for
all observers, regardless of their relative motion.
In special relativity, space and time are unified into a single four-
dimensional construct called spacetime.
Event: A point in spacetime, specified by four coordinates (x, y, z,
t), where t represents time.
Spacetime Interval: The distance between two events in
spacetime is called a spacetime interval, and it combines both
spatial distance and time differences.
Time Dilation and Length Contraction
Time Dilation: Time moves slower for objects moving at
high speeds relative to a stationary observer. This effect
has been confirmed by experiments involving fast-
moving particles and atomic clocks.
Example: A clock on a fast-moving spaceship will tick
more slowly than a clock on Earth.
Length Contraction: Objects moving at high speeds
appear shorter in the direction of motion relative to a
stationary observer.
Example: A fast-moving train would appear shorter to an
outside observer compared to its length measured at
rest.
Examples
1. Consider two points in three-dimensional space:

Find the distance between these two points.

Solution:
The distance d between two points in 3D space is given by the
formula:
2. An astronaut is traveling in a spaceship at a speed of v = 0.8c
(where c is the speed of light) relative to Earth. The astronaut
measures the time interval for a certain event to be 2 hours in her
frame of reference (proper time). How much time will pass on
Earth for the same event?
Solution:
The time dilation formula is given by:

• Δto is the proper time (time

interval in the astronaut's frame),
• Δt is the time interval in the
Earth's frame,
• v is the velocity of the moving
observer,
• c is the speed of light.
3. A spaceship is traveling past Earth at a speed of v = 0.9c. The
spaceship measures its own length to be 100 meters. How long
does the spaceship appear to an observer on Earth?
Solution:
The length contraction formula is given by:

L0​ is the proper length (length in the spaceship's frame),

L is the contracted length (length in Earth's frame),
v is the velocity of the moving object,
UNITS
Unit indicates the standard used in the
measurement of a parameter.

The Metric system is the most acceptable

international form of unit. It is based on powers of ten
and referred to as the SI units (Systeme International
d’Unites in French).
We have two types of unit; fundamental basic units
and the derived units.

Fundamental Units are those units taken as

independent, that do not depend on one another.
The SI fundamental units used in mechanics are
meter (m) for length, kilogram (kg) for mass and
second (s) for time. For electrical current the base
unit is ampere (A), for Temperature Kelvin (K), for
amounts of matters (mol), for luminous intensity
candela (cd).

Derived units are formulated from combinations of

the basic units.
Example: Unit of velocity = ms-1
Unit of volume = (Unit of length) 3 = m3
Rules on Applications of SI Units
1. When spelling out a unit in full small letters are
used. The symbols are also small letters except
when a unit is named after a scientist.

2. The letter “s” is not attached to a symbol when the

numerical value of a measurement is plural; but it
can be attached if the unit is spelt out fully.

Classwork
1. Derive the units for the following (a) force (b) work
(c) power
 The equation for the velocity V, in a gas
states that

V=
γkbT
m
v is velocity, ɣ is a constant, T is
temperature in Kelvin (K), m is mass. What
is the unit of the Boltzmann constant kb.?
Solution
γ k bT
v =
m
Square both sides and make kb subject of formula

γ k bT
v2 =
m
2
mv
kb =
γ T
= kg(ms-1)2K-1 [m:kg, v2:(ms-1)2, T-1:K-1]
= kgm2s-2K-1
SI Prefixes
Prefix(abbre Multiplying Example

viation) Factor
tera (T)
1012 Freq. of mid. infra red waves 10THz (tera

Hertz)

giga (G) 109 Memory of computer 37.2GB (giga bytes)

mega (M) 106 Capacity of a diskette 1.44MB (mega byte)

Kilo (k) 103 Power consumed by an electric iron (kilo

watt)

deci (d) 10-1 Length of a ruler 3dm (decimeter)

centi (c) 10-2 Length of a ruler 30cm (centimeter)

milli (m) 10-3 Period of a sound wav 1ms (milli second)

micro (μ) 10-6 Leakage current in diode 3.5 μm (micro

amp)

nano (n) 10-9 Wavelength of UV-B radiation 220nm

(nanometer)

pico (p) 10-12 Capacitance of a capacitor 4.7pf

(picofarad)

femto (f) 10-15 Energy of an X-ray photon 1fJ (femto joule)

Classwork
1. A chain of micro-organisms each of 12 μm in
length formed on a river, if the length of the chain is
0.60 km, what is the maximum number of organisms
that can be found on the chain.
2. A task was accomplished within 3.2 x10-6 year.
Express the time taken in minutes and seconds.
Solution
0.60 10 3
60
−6
= 10 = 5 10
7 7

12 10 12
3.2 x10-6year = 0.0000032 x 365days x 24hours x 60min
= 1.68 min
= 0.0000032 x 365days x 24hours x 60mins x 60mins
= 100.9 s
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Dimensional analysis is a powerful tool in physics used
to check equations and derive relationships between
physical quantities. It involves expressing physical
quantities in terms of their fundamental dimensions
(such as mass [M], length [L], time [T], etc.)
Example: Dimension for area is L2, volume is L3,
density is ML-3, and speed is LT-1
Classwork
1. Derive the dimensions for the following (a)
acceleration (b) force (c) work (d) power.
2. Determine the values of the indices x, y and z in
the relation T = kax ρy γz , where T is the period of
vibration of a string, a is the radius, ρ is the density
and γ is the surface tension which is force per unit
length.
work
Power =
time
Work = Force x distance = mass x acceleration x
distance length
Work = Force x distance = mass x time 2 x length

Power = mass x (length)2. (time)-3

= M(L2)T-3
Solution to 2:
T is the period has dimension of time = T
k is a constant and has no dimension
a is the radius has dimension of length = L
dimension of density, ρ = M.L-3
γ the surface tension has dimension of force per
unit length = MLT-2L-1 = M.T-2
Equate the indices of M, L, and T on both sides,
both M and L must cancel out on the right side
leaving only T.
T = kax ρy γz
Equating the dimensions, we have
T = (L)x.(ML-3)y.(MT-2)z
= Lx . My . L-3y . Mz . T-2z
Equating the indices of M , L, and T on both sides
0=y+z . . . (1)
0 = x – 3y . . . (2)
1 = -2z . . . (3)
From equation (3),
z= -1/2
Plug z = -1/2 into equation (1),
y = 1/2
Plug y = 1/2 into equation (2),
x = 3/2
Thus, aρ3

T = k a3/2 ρ1/2 γ-1/2 = k(a3 ρ γ-1)1/2 = k γ

3. The centripetal force (F) acting on a particle
(moving uniformly in a circle) depends on the mass
(m) of the particle, its velocity (v) and radius (r) of
the circle. Derive dimensionally formula for force
(F).
Solution: Given, F ∝ ma.vb.rc
∴ F = kma.vb.rc (where k is constant)
Putting dimensions of each quantity in the equation,
[M1L1T-2] = [M1L0T0]a. [M0L1T-1]b. [M0L1T0]c =
[MaLb+c+T-b]
⇒ a =1, b +c = 1, -b = -2
⇒ a= 1, b = 2, c = -1
∴ F = km1.v2.r-1 = kmv2/r
ASSIGNMENT 1
1. Compute the dimensional formula of electrical resistance (R)

2. Hooke’s law states that the force, F, in a spring

extended by a length x is given by F = −kx.
Calculate the dimension of the spring constant k.

3. The Force between two wires 1, 2, length 1 metres

separated a distance d metres and carrying currents I1, I2
amperes is given by
kI 1 I 2
F=
d
Find (i) the units of the constant k (ii) dimension of k
4. Using unit and dimension, determine x, y, z in the
expression v =kηxry(P/L)z where v is the volume of
liquid passing per second, η (in Pa. s) is the
viscosity of liquid, r is the radius of the pipe, P is
pressure difference and L is the length of the pipe.

CLASSWORK
The formula for the gravitational force between two
masses is given by Newton’s Law of Gravitation with
all parameters having their usual meaning. Find the
dimensions of the gravitational constant G.