Word with Students

 

Dear Students,

In my opinion, study of physics even at introductory, 10+2 level, should be consistent with broader perspective of understanding of science. Study of science in general and physics in particular, should be in the framework of the Fundamental Laws. This book aims at providing sufficient theoretical foundation along with sequential questions which are systematically integrated with each other. This book aims at first level introduction to physics and previous knowledge of the subject is not an essential prerequisite. Knowledge of tenth standard elementary mathematics is sufficient for most part of this book. Simple solved examples are given for better understanding of the concepts. This book is written to reduce your work load. This book is being published in four parts in two volumes. Different parts of this book will sequentially introduce concepts and questions based on fundamental laws as following-

Volume One

Part I: Mechanics- Contains thirteen chapters aimed at introducing conservation of linear momentum, conservation of mass, conservation of energy, conservation of angular momentum and gravitational force law. Combined treatment of conservation of mass-energy is purposely avoided till Part-IV. This Part contains theoretical concepts and questions under following chapters-
1.Physical Quantities                                                 2.Rectilinear Motion
3.Vectors                                                                      4.Motion in a Plane
5.Newton's law of Motion                                          6.Friction
7.Centre of Mass                                                        8.Work, Energy and Power
9.Energy and Momentum                                        10.Rotation- Part I
11.Rotation- Part II                                                    12.Universal Gravitation
13.Applied Mechanics

Part II: Properties of Matter- Contains fourteen chapters dealing with properties of matter in solid, liquid and gaseous states and transfer of energy. This part does not introduce any new conservation or force law rather aims at developing concepts of different forms of energy associated with matter and takes an integral view of different modes of transfer of energy in material medium as conduction, convection and wave propagation. Black body radiation and electromagnetic waves (light), are purposely avoided till Part-IV. This part contains theory and questions on-
14.Matter and Elasticity                                                 15.Fluid Statics
16.Fluid Dynamics                                                         17.Temperature
18.Heat                                                                             19.Gaseous State
20.Thermodynamics                                                     21.Carnot Theorem
22.Kinetic Theory of Gases                                          23.Oscillations
24.Examples of SHO                                                    25.Mechanical Waves
26.Transverse Waves                                                   27.Longitudinal Waves

 

Volume Two

 

Part III: Electricity and Magnetism- Contains twelve chapters to introduce conservation of charge and electric and magnetic force laws separately. Discussion on simultaneously changing electric and magnetic fields are avoided. This part contains theory and questions on-
28.Electric Charge                                                         29.Electric Field
30.Electric Potential                                                      31.Capacitance
32.Dielectrics                                                                33.Electric Conduction                          

34.Electric Circuits                                                       35.Magnetic Field- Part I                              

36.Magnetic Field- Part II                                             37.Faraday's Law
38.AC Circuits                                                               39.Magnetic Properties

 

Part IV: Optics and Modern Physics-Contains twelve chapters which introduce the remaining fundamental laws. Conservation of Lepton, conservation of Baryon and Nuclear Forces are introduced in this part. Conservation of mass-energy is taken as the key to nuclear reactions. This part is focused on ideas concerning duality of light and mass-energy. Introductory concepts of digital electronics and communication are incorporated in this part. Final chapter of this book is devoted to a brief description of the Universe.
40.Electromagnetic Waves                                          41.Wave Optics
42.Geometrical Optics                                                  43.Lens and Instruments
44.Particle Optics                                                          45.Atomic Spectrum
46.X-rays                                                                         47.Atomic Nucleus
48.Radioactivity                                                             49.Semiconductors
50.Electronics and Communication                         51.The Universe

Each Chapter in this book begins with short description of the concepts discussed earlier and then fresh ideas and concepts are introduced and developed. The questions in this book constitute the most crucial part of understanding physics. The section on questions in each chapter begins with theoretical questions and very simple numerical question follow them. The subsequent questions introduce fundamental laws step by step in a symmetrical fashion to build a solid conceptual foundation. More difficult questions are gradually introduced. Questions based on more than one concept are incorporated at the end of each chapter. Students are advised to solve the questions strictly in a sequence. Even if a question appears stupid, absurd and silly to you, please don't skip it. The silly questions in this book have their own role, relevance and function. Such questions are stepping stones to problem solving techniques. They give you the right frame of mind and approach to subsequent harder questions. Gradually you will understand the importance of simple questions. Hard questions have been divided in sequential parts to give an all around understanding.

 

            Beauty of Nature and Science lies in the simplicity, symmetry and sometimes even in disregard for symmetry. Simplicity, symmetry and asymmetry are the criterion for order of theory and questions in this book. Some theoretical purity of the subject has been compromised for the sake of simplicity and symmetry in this book. This weighs heavily on my mind and I hope to be forgiven. Another purpose of this book from the very beginning has been to reduce the unnecessary bulk of matter, size and cost of the book in the same order without compromising on quality and function of the book. Keeping this in mind, everything else except values of some constants, conceptual discussions, simple solved examples, objective questions and their answers have been avoided.

 

            The theory text, questions and answers to the questions in this book are prepared and verified with highest care. But since error is inevitable, it can be only minimized, not eliminated. Few errors are expected in this book. Your feedback will be always welcome and appreciated. Writing this book has given me immense pleasure. I hope you will equally enjoy reading text material, solving the questions and have the fun of exploring new possible questions on your own. My greatest reward will be mine when you frame your own questions, solve and enjoy them. So, my dear friends, I wish you an enjoyable study of physics as core to science and understanding nature.