LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL

A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

Chapter 1
Physical World
Science and its origin
Science is a systematic understanding of natural phenomena in detail so that it
can be predicted, controlled and modified. Science involves exploring,
experimenting and speculating phenomena happening around us.
1) The word Science is derived from a latin verb Scientia meaning ‘to know’.
2) Scientific method is a way to gain knowledge in a systematic and in-depth way. It
involves:
a) Systematic observations
b) Controlled experiments
c) Qualitative and Quantitative reasoning
d) Mathematical modeling
e) Prediction and verification (or falsification) of theories
f) Speculation or Prediction
3) Science does not have any final theory. The improved observations, accurate tools
keep improving the knowledge and perspective. Johannes Kepler used Tycho
Brahe’s research on planetary motion to improve Nicolas Copernicus theory.
4) Quantum mechanics was developed to deal with atomic and nuclear phenomena.
Work of Ernest Rutherford on nuclear model of atom became basis of quantum
theory given by Niels Bohr. Antiparticle theory of Paul Dirac led to the discovery
of antielectron (positron) by Carl Anderson.
Natural Sciences
Natural science is a branch of science concerned with the description,
prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena, based on observational
and empirical evidence. It consists of following disciplines:
a) Physics
b) Chemistry
c) Biology

Physics
Physics is a study of basic laws of nature and their manifestation in different
natural phenomena. Physics is the study of physical world and matter and its
motion through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and
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 LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL
A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

force.
A. Word Physics is derived from a Greek word phusikḗ meaning nature.
B. Two principal types of approaches in Physics are:
1. Unification: This approach considers all of the world’s phenomena as a
collection of universal laws in different domains and conditions. Example,
law of gravitation applies both to a falling apple from a tree as well as motion
of planets around the sun. Electromagnetism laws govern all electric and
magnetic phenomena.
2. Reduction: This approach is to derive properties of complex systems
from the properties and interaction of its constituent parts. Example,
temperature studied under thermodynamics is also related to average
kinetic energy of molecules in a system (kinetic theory).

Impact and uses of Physics:

a) It can explain a phenomenon happening over a large magnitude with a simple
theory.

b) Experiments and observations are used to develop new theories for unidentified
phenomena and improve old theories for existing phenomena.

c) Development of devices using laws of physics.

Scope of Physics
Scope of Physics is vast as it covers quantities with length magnitude as high as
1040m or more (astronomical studies of universe) and as low as 10-14m or less
(study of electrons, protons etc ). Similarly, the range of time scale goes from 10-
22s to 1018s and mass from 10-30kg to 1055kg.
Physics is broadly divided into two types based on its scope - Classical Physics and
Modern Physics. Classical physics deal with the macroscopic phenomena while
the modern physics deals with the microscopic phenomena.
Macroscopic Domain
Macroscopic domain includes phenomena at large scales like laboratory, terrestrial
and astronomical. It includes following subjects:

1. Mechanics – It is based on Newton’s laws on motion and the laws of

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 LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL
A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

gravitation. It is concerned with motion/equilibrium of particles, rigid and

deformable bodies and general system of particles. Examples,
a. Propulsion of rocket by ejecting gases
b. Water/Sound waves
c. Equilibrium of bent rod under a load
2. Electrodynamics – It deals with electric and magnetic phenomena
associated with charged and magnetic bodies. Examples,
a. motion of a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
b. the response of a circuit to an ac voltage (signal)
c. the propagation of radio waves in the ionosphere
3. Optics – It deals with phenomena involving light. Examples,
a. Reflection and refraction of light
b. Dispersion of light through a prism
c. Color exhibited by thin films
4. Thermodynamics – It deals with systems in macroscopic equilibrium and
changes in internal energy, temperature, entropy etc. of systems under
application of external force or heat. Examples,
a. Efficiency of heat engines
b. Direction of physical and chemical process

Microscopic Domain
Microscopic domain includes phenomena at minuscule scales like atomic, molecular
and nuclear. It also deals with interaction of probes like electrons, photons and other
elementary particles. Quantum theory has been developed to handle these
phenomena.

Factors responsible for progress of Physics

1) Quantitative analysis along with qualitative analysis.

2) Application of universal laws in different contexts.
3) Approximation approach (complex phenomena broken down into collection of basic
laws).

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 LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL
A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

4) Extracting and focusing on essential features of a phenomenon.

Hypothesis, Axiom and Models

a) Hypothesis is a supposition without assuming that it is true. It may not be
proved but can be verified through a series of experiments.
b) Axiom is a self-evident truth that it is accepted without controversy or
question.
c) Model is a theory proposed to explain observed phenomena.
d) Assumption is the basis of physics, where a number of phenomena
can be explained. These assumptions are made from experiments,
observation and a lot of statistical data.
Technological applications of Physics
Several examples where Physics and its concepts have led to discoveries/inventions
are listed below.

a) Steam engine was developed from the industrial revolution in eighteenth century.
b) Wireless communication was developed after discovery of laws of electricity and
magnetism.
c) Neuron-induced fission of uranium, done by Hahn and Meitner in 1938, led to
the formation of nuclear power reactors and nuclear weapons.
d) Conversion of solar, wind, geothermal etc. energy into electricity.

Fundamental Forces in nature

The forces which we see in our day to day life like muscular, friction, forces due to
compression and elongation of springs and strings, fluid and gas pressure, electric,
magnetic, interatomic and intermolecular forces are derived forces as their
originations are due to a few fundamental forces in nature.

A few fundamental forces are:

1. Gravitational Force: It is the force of mutual

attraction between any two objects by virtue of
their masses. It is a universal force as every
object experiences this force due to every other
object in the universe.

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A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

2. Electromagnetic Force: It is the force

between charged particles. Charges at rest
have electric attraction (between unlike
charges) and repulsion (between like
charges). Charges in motion produce
magnetic force. Together they are called
Electromagnetic Force.

3. Strong Nuclear Force: It is the attractive

force between protons and neutrons
In a nucleus. It is charge- independent and
acts equally between a proton and a
proton, a neutron and a neutron, and a
proton and a neutron. Recent discoveries
show that protons and neutrons are built of
elementary particles, quarks.

4. Weak Nuclear Force: This force appears

only in certain nuclear processes such as the
β-decay of a nucleus. In β-decay, the nucleus
emits an electron and an uncharged particle called
neutrino. This particle was first predicted by
Wolfgang Pauli in 1931.

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 LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL
A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

Below table shows difference between the above forces.

S.No. Name Relative Range Operates among

Strength
1. Gravitational force 10–39 Infinite All objects in the
universe
2. Weak nuclear force 10–13 Very short, Sub- Some elementary
nuclear size particles, particularly
(-10-16m) electron and neutrino
3. Electromagnetic force 10–2 Infinite Charged particles
4. Strong nuclear force 1 Short, nuclear Nucleons, heavier
size elementary particles
(-10-15m)

4. Unification of Forces: There have been physicists who have tried to combine
a few of the above fundamental forces. These are listed in table below.
Name of Year Achievement in Unification
Physicist
Isaac Newton 1687 Unified celestial and terrestrial
mechanics.
Hans Christian 1820 and Unified electric and magnetic
Oersted and 1830 phenomena to give rise to
Michael Faraday respectivel electromagnetism
y
James Clerk 1873 Unified electricity, magnetism and
Maxwell optics to show that light is an
electromagnetic wave.
Sheldon Glashow, 1979 Gave the idea of electro-weak force
Abdus Salam, which is a combination of
Steven Weinberg electromagnetic and weak nuclear
force.

Carlo Rubia, 1984 Verified the theory of electro-weak

Simon Vander force.
Meer

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 LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL
A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

Conserved Quantities
Physics gives laws to summarize the investigations and observations of the
phenomena occurring in the universe.
1) Physical quantities that remain constant with time are called conserved
quantities. Example, for a body under external
force, the kinetic and potential energy change
over time but the total mechanical energy
(kinetic + potential) remains constant.

2) Conserved quantities can be scalar (Energy) or

vector (Total linear momentum and total
angular momentum).

Conservation Laws
A conservation law is a hypothesis based on observation and experiments which
cannot be proved. These can be verified via experiments.

Law of conservation of Energy

1) According to the general Law of conservation of energy, the energies
remain constant over time and convert from one form to another.

2) The law of conservation of energy applies to the

whole universe and it is believed that the total
energy of the universe remains unchanged.
3) Under identical conditions, the nature produces
symmetric results at different time.

Law of conservation of Mass

This is a principle used in analysis of chemical reactions.

1) A chemical reaction is basically a rearrangement of atoms among different

molecules.
2) If the total binding energy of the reacting molecules is less than the total
binding energy of the product molecules, the difference appears as heat and
the reaction is exothermic.
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A C.P. SINGH FOUNDATION

CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS XI ACADEMIC WING

PHYSICAL WORLD GYANENDRA BAJPAI

3) The opposite is true for energy absorbing (endothermic) reactions.

4) Since the atoms are merely rearranged but not destroyed, the total mass of
the reactants is the same as the total mass of the products in a chemical
reaction.
5) Mass is related to energy through Einstein theory,
6) E = mc2, where c is the speed of light in vacuum

Law of conservation of linear momentum

1) Symmetry of laws of nature with respect to translation in space is termed as law
of conservation of linear momentum.
2) Example law of gravitation is same on earth and moon even if the acceleration
due to gravity at moon is 1/6th than that at earth.

Law of conservation of angular momentum

5) Isotropy of space (no intrinsically preferred direction in space) underlies the law
of conservation of angular momentum.

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