2018 PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018

MAKTAB RENDAH SAINS MARA

SUNGAI BESAR, SELANGOR
Complimentary from,
SIR FAZLI SARIN

PHYSICS
HANDBOOK
Name : …………………………………………………………………

College No. : …………………………….. Class : ……..…………

[PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM]

The handbook with concise notes with precise facts. Comprehensive and effective contents. Constructive
and clear explanations. This handbook is compact but will be a great help to SPM candidates. It will
definitely boost the performance of students in achieving excellent results in the examination.
 PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018

CONTENTS

1. PHYSICAL QUANTITY, UNIT, FORMULA & CONCEPT ....................................... 3

2. THE PRINCIPLE OF PHYSICS ...................................................................................... 5

3. THE THEORY OF PHYSICS .......................................................................................... 6

4. THE LAW OF PHYSICS ................................................................................................... 7

5. CHARACTERISTICS, LEVEL AND EXPLANATION ............................................... 8

5.1 Forces and Motion .................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Forces and Pressure .................................................................................................. 8
5.3 Heat .......................................................................................................................... 9
5.4 Light ...................................................................................................................... 10
5.5 Waves .................................................................................................................... 11
5.6 Electricity ............................................................................................................... 12
5.7 Electromagnetism .................................................................................................. 13
5.8 Electronics .............................................................................................................. 14
5.9 Radioactivity .......................................................................................................... 15

6. GRAPHS AND EXPLANATION .................................................................................... 16

7. PRECAUTIONARY STEPS FOR INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIMENTS ................... 17

INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS ................................................................... 18

LIST OF FORMULAE GIVEN IN EXAM ..................................................................... 20

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1- PHYSICAL QUANTITY, UNIT, FORMULA & CONCEPT

Physical quantity S.I unit Formulae Definition / Concepts
Mass, m Kilogram (kg) m A quantity of matter in an object
Time, t Second (s) t The time taken
Temperature, T Kelvin (K) T(K) = T(oC) + 273 A measure of degree of hotness of an object
Electric current, I Ampere (A) I=Q/t Rate flow of charge
Area, A m2 A=l xl Length times width
Volume, V m3 V=l xl xl Length times width times height
Distance, d Metre (m) d=txv The total path travelled by the object from one
location to another
𝑢+𝑣
Displacement, s Metre (m) s=( )t The distance travelled (shortest path) in a
2
1 specific direction
s = ut + 2at2
Velocity, v ms-1 v=s/t Rate of displacement of an object in a specific
v = u + at direction
v 2 = u2 + 2as
Acceleration, a ms-2 a = (v - u) / t Rate of change of velocity
Momentum, p kgms-1 p = mv The product of the mass and the velocity of an
object
Resultant Force, Fnet Newton (N) Fnet = ma The product of mass and acceleration of an
kgms-2 object where acceleration is in the same
direction with the force applied
Resultant force, Fnet Newton (N) Fnet = F1 + F2 The force of adding of two or more forces which
involve its magnitude and direction
Work Done, Wd Joule (J) Wd = Fs The product of the force and the displacement
Nm in the direction of the force applied
kgm2s-2
Gravitational field strength, g Nkg-1 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡,𝑊 The force acting on unit mass in the field
g= = 10Nkg-1
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠,𝑚

Gravitational acceleration, g ms-2 The acceleration of an object due to the pull of

g = 10 ms-2
the gravitational force
Weight, W Newton (N) W = mg The gravitational force that pulls an object
Gravitational Force, W down
Impulse, F.t Ns F.t = mv - mu = ∆p Change of momentum of an object
kgms-1
Impulsive force, F N F = (mv - mu) / t Rate of change of momentum of an object
= ∆p/t
𝑚
Density, ρ kgm-3 ρ=𝑉 The mass of a sample divided by its volume
Pressure, P Pascal (Pa) 𝐹 A force acting perpendicularly per unit area
P=𝐴
Nm-2
Pressure in liquid, Pliq Pa Pliq= hρg Depends on depth, density and gravitational
Nm-2 acceleration
Specific heat capacity, c Jkg-1oC-1 𝑄 𝑄 The amount of heat required to raise the
c = 𝑚Ѳ = 𝑚∆T
temperature of a 1 kg of mass of the substance
by 1oC.
Latent heat of fusion, l f Jkg-1 l f = 𝑚𝑄 The amount of heat required to change 1 kg
mass substance from solid to liquid at a constant
temperature.
Latent heat of vaporization, l v Jkg-1 l v = 𝑚𝑄 The quantity of heat required to change 1 kg
mass substance from liquid to vapour at a
constant temperature.

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Physical quantity S.I unit Formulae Concepts
Speed of light ms-1 𝑑 The distance travelled by light divided by the
v= 𝑡
time elapsed
(vlight = 3x108 ms-1)
Critical angle, c Degree ( o) 1 The angle of incidence where the angle of
n=
sin 𝑐
refraction is equal to 90o
Refractive index, n No Unit sin 𝑖 Ratio of the sin of the angle of incidence, i
n = sin 𝑟
(in air/vacuum) to the sin of the angle of
(air medium)
sin 𝑟 refraction, r (in the medium).
n = sin 𝑖 Refractive index of any transparent object is
(medium air) always greater than 1.
Power of lens, P Diopters, D P = 1/f The reciprocal of the focal length in metres
(f in meter)
Linear Magnification, M No Unit M=v/u Ratio of image distance and object distance.
M = hi / ho Ratio of image height and object height
Focal length, f m 1 1 1 The distance between the principal focus ,F
=𝑣+𝑢
𝑓
and the pole of the spherical mirror/lens
Object distance, u m u = v (for plane mirror) The distance of object from the pole of
mirror/lens
Image distance, v m The distance of image from the pole of
mirror/lens
Period, T s T=1/f The time taken to complete one complete
oscillation
Frequency, f Hertz (Hz) f=1/T The number of complete oscillations or
s-1 (T in second) vibrations in 1 second
𝑣
Wavelength, λ m λ= 𝑓 The distance between two successive same
phase (crests or troughs)
Kinetic energy, Ek Joule (J) 1 The energy possessed by an object due to its
Ek = 2 mv2
motion
Gravitational Potential Joule (J) Egp = mgh The energy stored in the object due to its
energy, Egp position (height)
Elastic Potential energy, Joule (J) 1 The energy stored in the spring due to its
Eep = 2Fx
Eep compression or extension
Heat energy, Q Joule (J) Q = Pt The energy that transfers from one object to
Energy

Heat transfer, Q Q = mcѲ = mc∆T another object because of a temperature

Q=ml difference between them.
Electrical energy, E Joule (J) E = VQ Energy supplied by a source of electricity such
E = VIt as a cell when current flows in a closed circuit.
E = I2Rt
𝑉 2𝑡 Energy converted by an electrical appliance into
E= 𝑅 another form of energy when current flows in it
Electrical Energy loss, Eloss Joule (J) Eloss = I2R t The energy dissipated to the surrounding
Electric charge, Q Coulomb (C) Q=Ne The number of electron, N times charge in an
(e = -1.6 x 10-19) electron
Electric power, P Watt (W) P = E/t The rate of electrical energy transfer
Js-1 P = IV
P = V2/R
Ploss = I2R
Potential difference, V Volt (V) 𝑊 𝐸 The work done when a unit charge moves from
V= 𝑄 = 𝑄
one point to another in closed circuit.
V = IR
Electromotive Force, e.m.f Volt (V) e.m.f = V + Ir The work done when a unit charge moves
or E e.m.f = I(R + r) around a complete circuit (external circuit and
internal circuit)

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Physical quantity S.I unit Formulae Concepts
Efficiency, Eff No Unit 𝐸𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 The ratio of the Energy output to the Energy
Eff = 𝐸𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 x 100%
supplied/input by the source in %
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 or
Eff = x 100% The ratio of the Power output to the Power
𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡
supplied/input by the source in %
Resistance, R Ohm (Ω) R= 𝐼
𝑉 The ratio of potential difference to current
Peak voltage, Vmax V Vmax The maximum voltage of an alternating
current
Voltage r.m.s V 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 The relation between peak voltage and effective
Vr.m.s =
(r.m.s = root mean square ) √2 value
Nuclear energy J E = mc2 Mass defect times speed of light squared
Mass defect kg m = mbefore - mafter Mass of parent particle minus total mass of
(1 u = 1 amu = 1.66 x 10-27kg ) daughter particle
Nuclear fusion - - The combining of two lighter nuclei to form a
heavier nucleus
Nuclear fission - - The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter
nuclei.
Chain reaction - - A self-sustaining reaction in which the products
of a reaction can initiate another similar reaction

2- THE PRINCIPLE OF PHYSICS

No Principle Statements
1 Principle of conservation of States that in any collision or interaction between two or more
momentum object in an isolated system, the total momentum of the
system will remain constant

2 Principle of conservation of States that energy can be transferred from one form to
energy another, but it cannot be created nor destroyed

3 Pascal’s Principle States that pressure exerted on an enclosed fluid is

transmitted equally to all directions (P1 = P2)
4 Bernoulli’s principle States that when the speed of a fluid increases, the pressure
in the fluid decreases and vice versa
5 Archimedes’ principle States that when an object is wholly or partially immersed in
a fluid, it experiences a buoyant force equal to the weight of
the fluid displaced
6 Principle of Thermal States that :
Equilibrium 1- there is ZERO net flow of heat between two objects
2- two objects have a same temperature.

7 Principle of superposition States that when two waves overlap, the resultant
(interference) displacement is equal to the sum of the displacement of the
individual wave.

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3- THE THEORY OF PHYSICS

No Theory Statements
1 Kinetic Theory of gases The kinetic theory of gases is based on the following
assumptions:
(i) The molecules in a gas move freely in random
motion and possess kinetic energy.
(ii) The forces of attraction between the
molecules are negligible.
(iii) The collisions of the molecules with each
other and with the walls of the container are
elastic collisions.

Property of Explanation based on the kinetic theory

gas
Pressure  The molecules are in continuous random motion.
 When a molecule collides with the wall of the container
and bounces back, there is a change in momentum and
force is exerted on the wall.
 The force per unit area is the pressure of the gas.

Volume  The molecules move freely in random motion and fill up

the whole space in the container.
 The volume of the gas is equal to the volume of the
container.

Temperature  The molecules are in continuous random motion and

have an average kinetic energy which is proportional to
the temperature.

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4- THE LAW OF PHYSICS

No Law Statements
1 Newton’s first law States that an object will either remain at rest or continue with
(inertia) constant velocity unless it is acted on by an unbalanced force.
2 Newton’s second law States that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to
the net force applied and inversely proportional to the mass of the
aα f/m object.

3 Newton’s third law States that to every action there is an equal but opposite reaction.
F=-F
4 Hooke’s law States that the extension of a spring is directly proportional to the
Fα x applied force provided that the elastic limit is not exceeded.

5 Boyle’s Law States that for a fixed mass of gas, the pressure of the gas is
inversely proportional to its volume when the temperature is kept
P α 1/V constant.

6 Charles’ Law States that for a fixed mass of gas, the volume of the gas is directly
VαT proportional to its absolute temperature when its pressure is kept
constant.
7 Pressure Law States that for a fixed mass of gas, the pressure of the gas is directly
proportional to its absolute temperature when its volume is kept
PαT constant.

8 Laws of Reflection (i) the incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of
incidence are all on the same plane.
(ii) the angle of incidence, i is equal to the angle of reflection, r
(i = r)
9 Laws of refraction (i) the incident ray, the refraction ray and the normal at the point of
(Snell’s law) incidence are all on the same plane.
(ii) the ratio of sin i to sin r is a constant, n = sin i / sin r

10 Ohm’s Law States that the current flowing through an ohmic conductor is
directly proportional to the potential difference across its ends
IαV provided that its temperature and other physical conditions remain
constant.
11 Lenz’s Laws States that the direction of the induced current is such that change
producing it will be opposed.

12 Faraday’s laws States that the magnitude of the induced current is

directly proportional to the rate of change or the rate of cutting of
the magnetic flux.

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5- CHARACTERISTICS, LEVEL AND EXPLANATION

5.1 Force and Motion

No Characteristic Level Reason/ explanation
1 Impulsive force, F Large The change in momentum is large or the time
F = ∆p / t interval of interaction is small
Small The change in momentum is smaller or the time
interval of interaction is longer
2 Elastic limit of spring High Larger force can be applied provided the elastic
limit has not been exceeded
Low If the elastic limit exceeded, spring will not
return to its original shape and size or might
snap easily
3 Diameter of coil of spring Small Stronger and stiffer and able to sustain heavier
weight (high spring constant, k )
Big Soft Spring and not able to sustain heavier
weight
4 Diameter of wire of spring Small Soft Spring and not able to sustain heavier
weight
Big Stronger and stiffer and able to sustain heavier
weight (high spring constant, k )
5 The spring/force constant, k High Does not change its shape easily when force is
or Stiffness of spring exerted (Stronger spring and less elastic)
(a larger gradient indicates a Low Change its shape easily when force is exerted
stiffer spring) (Soft spring and more elastic)
6 Strength of spring Strong Does not break easily/snap when force is given
Weak Break easily/snap when force is given
7 Rate of rusting High Rust quickly
Low Hard to/does not/slow to rust//making a durable
material not easily corroded
8 Rate of expansion High Expand more to certain increase in temperature
9 Position of the centre of gravity Low Very stable
from the ground High Not stable
10 Force Suitable Can change the shape//can change the original
state of motion//change the direction of motion

5.2 Force and Pressure

No Characteristic Level Reason/ explanation
1 Pressure High Force acting over a smaller area
(P=F/A) Low Force acting over a bigger area
2 Density of liquid High Will have a larger weight
Low To reduce the weight of the liquid//lighter
3 Mercury (in simple barometer) Suitable It is higher density//

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Mercury (in thermometer) Suitable It is a good conductor of heat//
It has a high boiling point//
It is opaque/do not allow light to pass through//
It expands uniformly when heated
4 Liquid//fluid Suitable Cannot be compressed // incompressible
5 Compressibility Low Little force is used in compressing the fluid
6 Corrosion effect Low To prevent the metal from getting corroded and
spoilt easily

5.3 Heat
No Characteristic Level Reason/ explanation
1 Pressure of Gases High The collisions between the particles and the
walls of the container per unit area increase
Low The collisions between the particles and the
walls of the container per unit area decreases
2 Volume of Gases Large When gas expands, the volume of the gas is
allowed to increase freely
Small When gas not expands, the volume of the gas is
allowed to decreases freely
3 Temperature of gases High The average kinetic energy of the gas molecules
increase
Low The average kinetic energy of the gas molecules
decreases
4 Freezing point High Freeze easily // freeze at higher temperature
Low Does not freeze in cold weather easily //
freeze at lower temperature
5 Boiling point High Does not evaporate// does not boil easily
Low Evaporate easily /boiling easily
6 Melting point High Does not melt easily // melting at higher
temperature
Low Melt easily // melting at lower temperature
7 Density of material High Material is more heavy
Low Material is lighter/ not too heavy
8 Specific latent heat of High Large amount of heat for boiling//
vaporization Takes longer time to boil
Low Small amount of heat for boiling//
Takes shorter time to boil
9 Specific latent heat of fusion High Large amount of heat for melting//
Takes longer time to melt
Low Small amount of heat for melting//
Takes shorter time to melt
10 Specific heat capacity High More amount of heat is absorbed to increase
the temperature // Not easily heated //
Making it a good insulator

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Low Less amount of heat is absorbed to increase the
temperature // Hot quickly
11 Thermal conductivity High More heat lost to the surrounding// Can transfer
heat easily.
Low To avoid heat lost to the surrounding// Can not
transfer heat easily

5.4 Light
No Characteristic Level Reason /explanation
1 Refractive index, n High Has a greater bending effect on light because it slows
down the light more and it bends the ray of light more
n (glass,1.5) > n (water,1.33) towards the normal. (larger angle of deviation of ray of
n(air or vacuum) = 1.00 light)
Low Lower refracting effect // Less ability to bend light
2 Critical angle, c i=c The reflected ray travels along the length of the glass-air
boundary
( c for glass is 420) i <c Part of the light beam will be refracted on crossing the
glass-air boundary and part of it will be reflected within
𝟏 the glass block.
n = 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒄
i>c No refraction occurs // all the light energy is reflected
within the glass at the glass-air boundary //
total internal reflection occurs.
3 Speed of light High Faster speed of light in material with lower refractive
Vglass, n=1.5 < Vwater, n= 1.33 index.
Low Slower speed of light in material with high refractive index
4 Optical density High It is higher refractive index, have a larger weight
(water is optically denser than air) Low Material is lighter
5 Power of a lens The measurement of its ability to converge or diverge the incident ray
High A thick lens with a shorter focal length // Light bends
more
Low A thin lens with a longer focal length// Light bends less
6 Fibre-optic cable An optical fiber is a very thin, flexible rod, glass transparent, consists
of many fine optical fibres bundled together,
Application the brilliance Experience total internal reflection, have small critical angle, a bent
of a diamond fiber , optical fibers are light, easily handled, cheap and free from
electrical interference signals.
7 Microscope The length between two convex lenses, L > fo + fe
(used to view very small object) The objective lens has a higher power as it has a shorter focal length.
(uses two convex lenses) (image formed by the objective lens is real, inverted and magnified)
The eyepiece whose power is low has a long focal length.
The eyepiece function as a magnifying lens.
(image is virtual, upright, magnified )
8 Telescope The length between two convex lenses, L = fo + fe
(used to view object at a great The objective lens has a low power as it has a long focal length, fo.
distance, (eg. stars) (image formed is real, inverted and diminished.)
(uses two convex lenses) The eyepiece whose power is high has a short focal length, fe.
The eyepiece final image formed at infinity.
(image is virtual, upright, magnified )
9 Total internal reflection Occurs when

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(i) The light ray travels from more dense medium to less dense
medium
(ii) The incident angle is greater than the critical angle (i > c)
10 Refraction of light The bending of light due to change of light velocity when travels from
one medium to another.
(i)Light travels from a less dense to more dense medium,
It bends towards the normal line as the light velocity decreases.
(ii) Light travels from a more dense to less dense medium,
It bends away from the normal line as the light velocity increases.

11 Virtual image For mirror: Image cannot be formed on a screen / Image

formed behind the screen.
For lens: Image formed on the same side of object
Real image For mirror: Image can be formed on a screen
For lens: Image formed on the opposite side of object
Upright image Image formed in the same direction with the object (upward)
Inverted image Image formed in the opposite direction with the object
(downward)
Diminished / Smaller Size of image is less than size of object
Magnified / Bigger Size of image is larger than the size of object

5.5 Waves
No Characteristic Meaning / explanation
1 Amplitude The maximum displacement from the mean position
2 Wavelength, λ The distance between two successive crests or troughs
3 Period, T The time taken to complete one oscillation
4 Frequency The number of complete oscillations made in one second.
5 Reflection The return of all or part of the waves when they encounter an
obstacle.
6 Refraction There is a change of direction in the propagation of waves when
they move from one medium to another due to a change of speed.
Further out the sea: wavelength longer, speed faster, low
amplitude
Near the beach: wavelength shorter, speed slower, high
amplitude.
7 Diffraction The spreading out of waves when they move through a gap or
round an obstacle. Diffraction occurred more obvious on :
1. narrow gap or through smaller obstacles or
2. with longer wavelength
8 Interference When two wave fronts superimpose (meet), the waves either
( λ = ax/D ) interfere constructively or destructively
9 Sound waves Types of waves is Longitudinal waves.
Loudness of sound increases if its amplitude increases.
Pitch of sound increases if its frequency increases.
Below 20 Hz – infrasound
20 Hz – 20 000 Hz – can be heard by the normal human.
Above 20 000 Hz - Ultrasound

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10 Water waves, light waves Types of waves is Transverse waves. Polarization phenomenon
Electromagnetic waves can be occurred for light wave.
11 Electromagnetic waves (1)Radio ,(2) microwave, (3)infrared rays,(4) visible light,
(em) (5)ultraviolet rays,(6) X-ray,(7) Gamma ray. RMIVUXG
Increasing frequency will decrease the wavelength ( from 1 to 7).
All em waves do not carry any charges and is equal to speed of
light = 3 x 108 ms-1.

5.6 Electricity
No Characteristic Level Reason/ explanation
1 emf cell More Supply bigger current through the same resistor
Less Supply smaller current through the same resistor
2 Resistance High Less current flows through the circuit
Low More current flows through the circuit
3 Resistivity of the wire High More heat is produced // higher resistance for the filament
in order to generate light and heat.
Low A large current flow // less energy dissipated as heat
4 Electric devices power High Use more electric energy in one second
Low Use less electric energy in one second
5 Electric devices voltage High Require smaller current to generate power
Low Require bigger current to generate power
6 Voltmeter range Big Have lower sensitivity level //
can measure bigger potential difference (voltage)
Small Have lower sensitivity level //
can measure bigger voltage
7 Ammeter range Big Have lower sensitivity level // can measure bigger current
Small Have higher sensitivity level // can measure smaller current
8 Melting point of wire High Wire can withstand the greater heat when current flows
through it
9 Density of cable/wire High Wire is more heavy
Low Wire is lighter // to reduce the weight of the wire//easier to
be carried around
10 Ammeter is connected in series Has a low resistance so that its existence has little
with bulb or devices because Effect on the magnitude of current flowing
11 Voltmeter is connected in parallel Has a high resistance, current flowing through it is
with bulb or devices because negligible
12 Copper wire Good conductor of electricity.//It has low resistance and
less energy is lost as heat//lower specific heat capacity
13 Bulb/device s connected in parallel Voltage across each bulb or devices is the same//
because If one of the branches is defective, the flow of electricity
will not be broken in the other branches // Can be switch on
individually
14 Bulb connected in series One of the bulb is broken, the current flows in entire circuit
ceases (stop flowing) //All voltage of bulb are not equal

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15 Length of wire, l Resistance also increases (ohmic)
increases

affecting R
16 Cross-sectional area, A Resistance decreases

for metal
Factor (ohmic)
increases
17 Type of substance R silver<R copper < R constantan < R nichrome < R tungsten (ohmic)
18 Temperature increases Resistance also increases

5.7 Electromagnetism
No Characteristic Meaning // explanation
1 Catapult field The magnetic field from the current in the conductor and the
magnetic field from magnetic combine to produce resultant field.
2 An electromotive force Is induced in a conductor when there is a relative motion that
produced / Induced EMF causes the conductor to cut the magnetic field lines.

3 The direction of the Can be determined by Fleming ’s LEFT-hand rule.

magnetic force (used in electric motor)
4 The direction of the Can be determined by Fleming ’s RIGHT-hand rule.
induced current (used in electric generator/ dynamo)
5 Electromagnet Is made by winding a coil of insulated wire round a soft iron core
where it become temporary magnetized when the current flows.
6 The speed of rotation of a (i) The size of the current
direct current (DC) motor (ii) The strength of the magnetic field from permanent
depends on : magnet
(iii) The number of turn of the coil
(iv) The resistance of wire
7 The magnitude of magnetic (i) The size of the current
force on a current-carrying (i) The strength of the magnetic field from permanent
conductor depends on magnet
(ii) The resistance of wire
8 Step-down transformer The secondary voltage produced is less than primary voltage//
(i) To reduce voltage
(ii) To increase current flow
9 Step-up transformer The secondary voltage produced is more than primary voltage //
(ii) To increase voltage
(iii) To reduce current flow
10 Energy losses in a (i) Eddy’s currents in the core (produce by changing
transformer because magnetic field)
– Can be reduced by using a laminated iron core
(ii) Magnetism and demagnetization of the core
– Can be made easy by using soft iron core
(iii) Leakage of magnetic flux
– Can be reduced by winding the secondary and
primary coils on top of each other
(iv) Heating effect in the coils
– Can be reduced using thicker wire made of good
conductor like copper (by reducing the wire resistance).

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5.8 Electronics
No Characteristic Meaning // explanation
1 Doping of semionductor A process of adding a certain amount of specific impurities to
semiconductor to increase their conductivity
2 n-type semiconductor Is produced by replacing some of the silicon atoms in silicon with
pentavalent atoms such as Phosphorus, Arsenic or Antimony
(to create extra free electrons)
3 p-type semiconductor Is produced by replacing some of the silicon atoms in silicon with
trivalent atoms such as Boron, Aluminum or Gallium
(to create extra free holes)
4 Rectification A process to convert an alternating current (ac) into
a direct current (dc) by using diode.
5 Capacitor smoothing The discharge current from a capacitor helps to maintain a steady
output voltage across a resistor by supplying current at all time.
The capacitor used for smoothing purpose only works with
alternating current (ac)
6 Diode Allows the current to flow easily in only one direction
7 Alternating current Current flows in two directions consecutively

8 Forward bias When a p-type semiconductor is connected to the positive terminal

and a n-type semiconductor is connected to the negative terminal
of a cell, electrons from the n-type are pulled across the p-n
junction,
this will cause the current to flow.
9 Reverse bias When a n-type material is connected to the positive terminal and
a p-type material is connected to the negative terminal of a cell,
electrons from the n-type are pulled toward the positive terminal
of cell, the junction becomes wider and the current stop to flow.
10 Function of transistor (i) As a currents amplifier
(ii) As an automatic switch
(eg. an automatic light controlled switch
or an automatic heat controlled switch)

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5.9 Radioactivity
No Characteristic Level Reason/ explanation
1 Half life Long Activation decrease slowly//
decompose slowly//
Long lasting radioactivity/ radioactive source
Short Activation decrease faster//
decompose quickly//
Short radioactivity
2 Penetrating power High Can penetrate the body to be detected externally
(alpha, α -stopped by a sheet of (gamma rays-can penetrate deep into the skin
paper or a few cm of air) and
(beta, β-stopped by a few mm of Inflict damage onto the cells)
aluminum) Low Cannot penetrate the body to be detected
(gamma, ɣ -stopped by a few cm externally (alpha particles)
of lead)
3 Radioisotope in solid Suitable It is easy to handle //
easily to use/stored// safer
4 Ionizing power High Alpha particles have the strong ionizing effect.
(ions per mm in air) Low Gamma ray have weaker ionizing effect on air
molecules
5 Effect of electric field High Beta particles have the deflection is greater due
to the small mass of electron //
deflected towards the positive plate.
Low Gamma ray not deflected because has no charge.
6 Effect of magnetic field High Beta particles Greater deflection because beta
particle has a very small mass.
Low Gamma ray no deflection because gamma has no
charge.
7 Alpha particle Suitable High ionization power//
able to ionize the air easily
8 Beta particle Suitable Fast moving electrons//
very small mass // are light
9 Gamma rays Suitable Its high penetrating power //
less dangerous inside body //
do not ionize the cells//
it is less likely to be absorbed//
can kill bacteria/fungi
10 Isotope Suitable Isotopes of the same element have similar
chemical properties//
Have the same proton number but different
nucleon number (different neutron number)

MRSM SUNGAI BESAR SELANGOR Page 15

 PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018
6- GRAPHS
6- GraphsAND EXPLANATION
and explanation
FORMULA
Graph GIVEN Statement
IN EXAM Graph Statement
R/Ω R is directly proportional P/Pa P is directly
to l proportional to Ѳ
(R = Resistance) (P = pressure)
(l = length) ( Ѳ = Temp. in Kelvin)
l /cm Ѳ /K
(obeying ohm’s law)
R/Ω R is directly proportional
P/Pa
to 1/A P increases linearly with
(R = Resistance) Ѳ
(A = area of wire)
1 (P = Pressure)
/cm-2 (obeying ohm’s law) Ѳ/oC
𝐴 (Ѳ = temperature)
R/Ω -273
R increases linearly with Ѳ V/cm3
V is directly
proportional to T
(V = Volume)
Ѳ/ o (T = kelvin)
(temperature) T/K
P/Pa
P is inversely proportional V/V
to V V is directly
nichrome
(P = Pressure) proportional to I
(V = Volume) constantan
copper
R silver < R copper < R
V/ cm-3 silver
constantan < R nichrome
I/A
PV / Pa cm-3
PV is constant when V V/V
varies V decreases linearly wt I
From the formulae:
E = V + Ir
So, V = -rI + E in the form of
V/ cm-3 I/A Y = mX + c
1 -1 (-r = gradient)
/ cm 1/V decreases linearly
𝑣 (electromotive force, E =
with1/u intercept on the V-axis)

The equation of the line is given T/s

as 1/V + 1/u = 1/f T is inversely
proportional to f
1
cm-1
𝑢
v is inversely proportional T = 1/f
v/ cm f/Hz
v=u to u
v/ms-1
Focal length ,f can be Velocity ,v is directly
determined by using v=u and the proportional to
formula : wavelength, λ
2f u/cm 1/v + 1/u = 1/f and since v = u
1/(u) + 1/u = 1/f
f = u/2 V=fλ
(u = 2f) λ/m

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7. PRECAUTIONARY STEPS FOR INVESTIGATIVE EXPERIMENTS

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PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018

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 PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018

STAY POSITIVE.

STAY FIGHTING.

STAY BRAVE.

STAY AMBITIOUS.

STAY FOCUSED.

STAY STRONG.

..MENTALITY IS EVERYTHING.

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 PHYSICS HANDBOOK FOR SPM 2018

LIST OF FORMULAE GIVEN IN EXAM

1. a = v-u 17. n = __1___

t sin c

2. v2 = u2 + 2as
18. 1 = 1 + 1
3. s = ut + ½ at2 f u v

4. Momentum = mv 19. Linear magnification, M = v

u
5. F = ma
20. v=fλ
6. Kinetic energy = ½ mv2
21. λ = ax
7. Gravitational potential energy = mgh D

8. Elastic potential energy = ½ Fx 22. Q = It

9. Power, P = energy 23. E=VQ

time
24. V = IR
10. ρ = m
V 25. Power, P = IV

11. P = F/A 26. g = 10ms-2

12. P = hρg 27. Ns = Vs

Np Vp
13. Heat, Q = mcθ
28. Efficiency = IsVs ×100%
14. Heat, Q = ml IpVp

15. PV = constant 29. E = mc2

T
30. c = 3.0 x 108 ms-1
16. n = sin i
sin r

VISIT http://fazlisarin.blogspot.com/
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“STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE”