Physics Class 8: Lessons 1–8 Full Notes + 10
Questions Each
Chapter 1: Matter
Notes: Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. It exists in three states: solid, liquid,
and gas. Particles of matter are very small, have spaces between them, and are in constant motion.
Temperature affects particle motion and interconversion between states.
Key Formulas:
• Diffusion rate ∝ 1 / particle mass
• No specific formula, but states interconversion depends on heat energy
Diagram:
States of Matter Interconversion:
[Solid] ■ [Liquid] ■ [Gas]
Sublimation/Deposition between Solid and Gas
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• Define diffusion. Intermixing of particles of two substances on their own.
• What is sublimation? Direct change of solid to gas without becoming liquid.
• Why do gases fill their container? Because particles move randomly and freely.
• Explain Brownian motion.
• Differentiate between melting and freezing.
• Describe deposition with an example.
• Why does ice float on water?
• How does temperature affect diffusion?
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 2: Physical Quantities & Measurement
Notes: Physical quantities are measurable properties like length, mass, time, and volume.
Standard SI units ensure uniform measurement. Least count is the smallest division an instrument
can measure accurately.
Key Formulas:
• Density ρ = m / V
Diagram:
Eureka Can Setup: Object immersed in water causes overflow collected in measuring cylin
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• Define least count. Smallest value measurable by an instrument.
• What is density? Mass per unit volume of a substance.
• How to measure volume of irregular solid? By displacement method using a Eureka can.
• List base SI units and their symbols.
• Explain the working of a vernier caliper.
• Calculate volume of a sphere given its radius.
• Describe how to use a micrometer screw gauge.
• Why is calibration necessary for measuring instruments?
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 3: Force & Pressure
Notes: Force is a push or pull that can change an object's motion or shape. Pressure is force
applied per unit area. Atmospheric pressure arises from air weight, and liquid pressure depends on
depth, density, and gravity.
Key Formulas:
• Pressure P = F / A
• Liquid pressure p = h × ρ × g
• Moment M = F × d
Diagram:
Pressure Comparison:
Large area → Low pressure
Small area → High pressure
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• Define pressure. Force per unit area.
• Why do nails have pointed tips? To increase pressure by reducing contact area.
• State Pascal's law. Pressure applied to enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished.
• Calculate pressure exerted by a 500 N force on 0.25 m² area.
• Explain hydraulic press principle.
• Differentiate between thrust and pressure.
• Describe an experiment to measure atmospheric pressure.
• What factors affect liquid pressure?
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 4: Energy, Work & Power
Notes: Energy is the capacity to do work. Work is force applied through displacement. Power is the
rate of doing work. Kinetic and potential energies are forms of mechanical energy.
Key Formulas:
• Work W = F × d
• Power P = W / t
• KE = ½ m v²
• PE = m g h
• Efficiency = (useful output / input) × 100%
Diagram:
Energy Conversion in Pendulum:
PE ↔ KE at highest and lowest points.
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• State law of conservation of energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transformed.
• Define kinetic energy. Energy of a body due to its motion.
• What is power? Rate of doing work.
• Calculate work done lifting 10 kg mass by 2 m.
• Determine power of a machine doing 200 J in 5 s.
• Explain energy changes in a falling object.
• Discuss factors affecting efficiency of a machine.
• Differentiate between work and energy.
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 5: Light Energy
Notes: Light travels in straight lines and obeys laws of reflection and refraction. Mirrors and lenses
form images based on these laws. Dispersion separates white light into colors.
Key Formulas:
• Mirror formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u
• Magnification m = h_i / h_o = v / u
• Refractive index n = sin(i)/sin(r)
Diagram:
Refraction of Light:
Incident ray → Normal → Refracted ray in new medium
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• State laws of reflection. Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection; all in one plane.
• What is refraction? Bending of light when entering a different medium.
• Define focal length. Distance between pole and focus of a mirror or lens.
• Draw ray diagram for image formation by convex lens.
• Explain dispersion through a prism.
• Calculate image distance for concave mirror (f=10 cm, u=20 cm).
• Describe total internal reflection.
• List applications of reflection and refraction.
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 6: Heat
Notes: Heat is energy transfer due to temperature difference. It causes changes in temperature
and state. Specific and latent heats quantify heat required for temperature change and phase
change.
Key Formulas:
• Q = m c ∆T
• Q=mL
• ∆L = α L ∆T
Diagram:
Heating Curve of Water:
Solid → Liquid → Gas with temperature vs heat input.
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• Define specific heat capacity. Heat required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.
• What is latent heat? Heat absorbed or released during phase change at constant temperature.
• Why do gaps exist in railway tracks? Allow for thermal expansion of metal rails.
• Calculate heat to raise 2 kg water by 30°C (c=4200 J/kg°C).
• Find mass of steam condensed releasing 2.26×10^6 J (L=2.26×10^6 J/kg).
• Explain cooling effect of evaporation.
• Differentiate conduction, convection, radiation.
• Describe experiment to measure specific heat of a metal.
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 7: Sound
Notes: Sound is a mechanical wave requiring a medium. Its characteristics include frequency,
amplitude, speed, wavelength, pitch, and loudness. Phenomena include echo, resonance, Doppler
effect.
Key Formulas:
• v=fλ
• Echo condition: t > 2D/v
Diagram:
Wave Representation:
Crest, trough, wavelength, amplitude marked on a sine wave.
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• Define frequency and unit. Number of vibrations per second; Hertz (Hz).
• What is loudness? Perception of sound intensity related to amplitude.
• Explain echo. Reflection of sound that returns to listener after >0.1s.
• Calculate wavelength for f=500 Hz, v=340 m/s.
• Determine distance for echo heard after 0.5s.
• Describe Doppler effect with example.
• Explain factors affecting speed of sound.
• List applications of ultrasound.
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.
Chapter 8: Electricity
Notes: Electricity involves flow of charges in circuits. Ohm’s law relates voltage, current, and
resistance. Power and energy in circuits depend on these quantities. Safety devices protect against
overcurrent.
Key Formulas:
• V=IR
• P=VI
• E=Pt
• Series: R = R1+R2, Parallel: 1/R = 1/R1+1/R2
Diagram:
Simple Electric Circuit:
Battery → Switch → Bulb → Back to Battery
Top 10 Practice Q&A;:
• State Ohm’s law. V = I R.
• What is a fuse? Safety device that melts to break circuit on overload.
• Define electric power. Rate of energy transfer; P=V I.
• Calculate resistance for V=12V, I=2A.
• Find energy consumed by 100W bulb in 3h.
• Explain difference between series and parallel circuits.
• Describe function of MCB.
• Draw and label household wiring.
• Extra Conceptual Question 9 Answer will vary.
• Extra Conceptual Question 10 Answer will vary.