INTRODUCTION TO

MATH-BASED PHYSICS
CHAPTER 0 GRADE 12
Prepared by: BARAKAT NASSER
TOPICS TO COVER:

1. Physics vs Math-based-Physics
2. Units and Dimensional Analysis
3. Solving Equations
4. Derivatives
5. Primitives (Anti-derivatives)
6. Studying Graphs: Primary and Dependent Variables
7. Studying Graphs: Interpreting Tangents
8. Studying Graphs: Interpreting Areas
9. Vectors
1- PHYSICS vs
MATH-BASED-PHYSICS
1- PHYSICS vs MATH-BASED PHYSICS ®
B.N.
It can transform into interesting
problemsbirds
Angry is a simple game
of math-based physics….
▪ First, let us distinguish between Physics, and a perfect time killer.
and the Math of Physics.

▪ Physics studies the why and how…

▪ Math-based Physics is concerned with

deriving rules and equations and use
them to develop and calculate results. Again… the game.
And then… The math of the game…
How can we apply Math for
Physics in Basketball?
We all know
Steph Curry…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiH1eVCggw
 Where do we apply
Physics in our daily life?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0QHdrLzMfw
How can we apply Math for
Physics in Basketball?
We all know
Steph Curry…
 Where do we apply
Physics in our daily life?
2- UNITS
(SI UNITS AND CONVERSIONS)

®
B.N.
 2- SI UNITS
SI Unit SI Unit
Quantity
▪ In physics, there are 7 base units corresponding (Name) (Symbol)
to 7 fundamental physical quantities. Length meter (m)
Time Second (s)
Mass Kilogram (kg)
▪ All other units (compound units) can be
Electric Current Ampere (A)
produced using these units.
Temperature Kelvin (oK)
Amount of
Mole (mol)
substance
▪ Examples: Luminous
Candela (cd)
Intensity
Volume is [length]3; then, SI unit of volume is m3
Speed is distance per time; then, SI unit of speed is m/s.
 2- DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

▪ To convert units, use the unit-factor method.

▪ The unit-factor is a ratio of two values that are equal in value but
different in expression.
1𝑘𝑚
Example: is a unit factor because 1 km = 1000 m
1000𝑚

▪ APPLICATION:
Convert the following to SI units:

1) 36 km/h: 3) 7.8 g/cm3: 5) 45 N/cm:

2) 2 km/s: 4) 300 km/s: 6) 2 km/min:

▪ APPLICATION: 4) 300 km/s:
Convert the following to SI units:

1) 36 km/h:

5) 45 N/cm:

2) 2 km/s:

3) 7.8 g/cm3: 6) 2 km/min:

 2- DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
▪ Expressing units in terms of base units helps reveal a certain physical quantity.
▪ An example on using base units is the newton which is the SI unit of force.
We know that F = m × 𝑎
unit of F is N, m is kg and a is m/s2
Thus, 1N = 1 kg.m.s-2
▪ APPLICATION:
Given some equation used in electricity:
U 𝑄
Resistance: R = ; capacitance: 𝐶 = and charge 𝑄 = 𝐼 × ∆𝑡
I 𝑈

Prove that the quantity defined by 𝜏 = 𝑅 × 𝐶 is a time quantity.

3- SOLVING
EQUATIONS
3- SOLVING EQUATIONS

Quadratic Equations Quadratic Equation

(sum and product)
▪ Solve the following equations: ▪ 𝑋 2 − 𝑠𝑋 + 𝑝 = 0
A) 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 1 = 0 ▪ Note: when the sum of two numbers is
constant, then the product is maximum
B) 𝑡 4 + 4𝑡 2 − 5 = 0 when these numbers are equal
4- DERIVATIVES
(GEOMETRICALLY AND ANALYTICALY)
4- DERIVATIVES
Consider a variable (y) which is defined as a function of another variable (x)
such that y = f(x).
DEFINITON:
The derivative of a function is the variation of this function relative to the
variation of another variable over a small interval.

NOTATION:
• Derivative of y relative to x is denoted by
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
y’ or = (𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ ∆𝑥 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 0)
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦
• Using the notion of limits: y’ = = lim
𝑑𝑥 (∆𝑥՜0) ∆𝑥
4- DERIVATIVES y

𝒚𝟐
GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
𝒚𝟏
• In the graph showing y=f(x) in terms of x, the 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 ∆𝒚
∆𝑦 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 = =
ratio is the slope of the secant cutting the 𝒓𝒖𝒏 ∆𝒙
∆𝑥
curve at any two points.
𝒙𝟏 𝒙𝟐 x

• When ∆𝑥 0, the secant almost becomes 𝒚𝟏

tangent to the curve.
𝑑𝑦
• The derivative =
y′ gives the slope of the
𝑑𝑥 𝒅𝒚
tangent to the curve at a particular point. 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 =
𝒅𝒙 𝒙𝟏

𝒙𝟏 x
4- DERIVATIVES 𝒙

EXAMPLE
▪ Speed is defined as the rate of change in distance
𝑑𝑥
(position) relative to change in time. Thus, 𝑣 =
𝑑𝑡

▪ In a graph x(t), the speed at an instant is the slope of

𝒕
the tangent drawn to the curve at that point.
t1

𝒚𝟐

∆𝒚 𝒅𝒚
If the variation is linear, then the derivative 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆 =
∆𝒙
=
𝒅𝒙
𝑑𝑦 ∆𝑦 𝒚𝟏
is the slope of the line graph: 𝑦 ′ = =
𝑑𝑥 ∆𝑥

𝒙𝟏 𝒙𝟐 x
4- DERIVATIVES
BASIC DERIVATIVES
• Some basic functions and their derivatives:

𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒖) and the derivative is

𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) and the derivative is also in x relative to x, with u = u(x)
𝒅𝒚
Function 𝒚 = 𝒇 𝒙 𝐲 ′ 𝐨𝐫
𝒅𝒚
𝒚=𝒇 𝒖 𝐲 ′ 𝐨𝐫
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

𝑦 = 𝑐𝑠𝑡 𝑦′ = 0 𝑦 = 𝑐𝑠𝑡 𝑦′ = 0
𝑑𝑢
𝑦=𝑥 𝑦′ = 1 𝑦=𝑢 𝑦 ′ = 𝑢′ = 𝑑𝑥
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 𝑦′ = 𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑢 𝑦 ′ = 𝑎𝑢′
𝑦 = 𝑥2 𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 𝑦 = 𝑢2 𝑦 ′ = 2𝑢. 𝑢′
𝑦 = 𝑥𝑚 𝑦 ′ = 𝑚𝑥 𝑚−1 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑚 𝑦 ′ = 𝑚𝑢𝑚−1 . 𝑢′
1
𝑦= 𝑥 𝑦′ = 2 𝑦′ = 2
𝑢′
𝑥 𝑦= 𝑢 𝑢

𝒅𝒚 𝒅𝒙
• Note that in physics, the primary variable is time t. So, 𝒚′ = and 𝒙′ =
𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕
APPLICATION:
Function Derivative
Determine the derivatives with
1. 𝑦=5
respect to t, of the following functions.
2. 𝑥 = −1

3. 𝑦 = 2𝑡 + 1

4. 𝑥 =𝑡−4

5. 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 + 4𝑡 + 2

6. 𝑥 = 𝑡 3 + 4𝑡 2 + 5

7. 𝑥 = 𝑡+2
5- PRIMITIVES:
 4- PRIMITIVE (ANTI-DERIVATIVES)

ANALYTICAL GRAPHICAL
▪ The primitive of a function y=f(x) is ▪ In the graph showing y=f(x) in terms
another function F(x), such that . of x, the primitive (anti-derivative)
𝐹 𝑥 = ‫𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑓 ׬‬ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐹′(𝑥)
𝐹 𝑥 = ‫ 𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑓 ׬‬gives the area of the
▪ Anti-derivative or integral of a function region bounded between the curve
f(x) is the infinite sum of areas of (C) and the x-axis.
rectangles of length f(x) and width dx.
▪ ‫ 𝑥 𝑓 ׬‬+ 𝑔 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ‫ 𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑓 ׬‬+ ‫𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑔 ׬‬
1
▪ ‫= 𝑥𝑑 𝑚 𝑥 ׬‬ 𝑥 𝑚+1 + 𝑐𝑠𝑡
𝑚+1
𝑏
▪ ‫ 𝑏 𝐹 = 𝑥𝑑 𝑥 𝑓 𝑎׬‬− 𝐹(𝑎)
 4- PRIMITIVES (ANTI-DERIVATIVES) ®
B.N.

EXAMPLE
▪ To calculate the integral:
8
8 8 𝑥2 82 22
‫׬‬2 𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ‫׬‬2 (𝑥 + 4)𝑑𝑥 =
2
+ 4𝑥 =
2
+ 4(8) −
2
+4 2 = 64 − 10 = 54
2

▪ Another method is to use area:

𝒚
8 8
‫׬‬2 𝑓 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ‫׬‬2 (𝑥 + 4)𝑑𝑥 = Area under line (y=x+4)
ℎ 𝐵+𝑏
Area of trapezoid: 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝 =
2

For x = 2, y = 6; for x = 8, y = 12
𝒙
6 12+6
Hence, 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = = 54 2 8
2
6- STUDYING
GRAPHS:
(PRIMARY AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES)
 STUDYING GRAPHS: PRIMARY AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES

MATHEMATICS PHYSICS
▪ A function y=f(x) relates a variable ▪ Almost in all applications, the primary
which is x and another variable y that variable is time t while the dependent
is related to x. variable can be any other physical
quantity.
▪ The primary variable is x. The
dependent variable is y. ▪ In experimental studies, the primary
variable can be any quantity such as
▪ A value of y (ordinate) corresponding
electric current, volume, position,
to a value of x is called its image.
etc…
▪ A value of x (abscissa) corresponding
to a value of y is referred to as its
antecedent.
7- STUDYING
GRAPHS:
(INTERPRETING DERIVATIVES)
 STUDYING GRAPHS: INTERPRETING DERIVATIVES

MATHEMATICS PHYSICS
▪ Derivative of a function is ▪ Depending on the definition of the
(1) the slope of the tangent to the curve variation, the slope of the tangent
can represent an instantaneous
(2) the variation of the dependent physical quantity (when time is the
variable relative to the primary one. primary variable.
▪ Using unit analysis, the slope can be
easily interpreted.
 STUDYING GRAPHS: INTERPRETING DERIVATIVES ®
B.N.

EXAMPLE Linear function

▪ The graphs shown in figure 1 show the  constant slope
variations of speed v in terms of time t.
 Acceleration is constant
▪ The slope of a tangent at a point of
abscissa t1 is the acceleration at that  Uniform motion
𝑑𝑣
instant 𝑎 = .
𝑑𝑡

▪ Using units, 𝑎 =
𝑣
=
𝑚 Τ𝑠
= 𝑚Τ𝑠 2 which is Slope of tangent
𝑡 𝑠
changes (it increases)
the unit of acceleration
 variable acceleration
 accelerated motion
STUDYING GRAPHS: INTERPRETING DERIVATIVES ®
B.N.

EXAMPLE
▪ The lines shown in figure 2 show the variations

Energy
of mechanical energy of a system with
respect to time and with respect to position x.
𝑀𝐸
▪ The slope of the ME(t) line represents the Slope: = 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
mechanical power because the quantity Time

corresponding to Energy/time is power.

▪ The slope of the ME(x) line represents a force

Energy
𝐽 𝑁.𝑚
because the unit = = 𝑁 (1 joule is N.m Slope:
𝑀𝐸
𝑚 𝑚 𝑑
using the equation of work of a force W = F.d) 𝐽
Its unit is: =𝑁
𝑚
Distance
8- STUDYING
GRAPHS:
(INTERPRETING AREAS)
 STUDYING GRAPHS: INTERPRETING AREAS

MATHEMATICS EXAMPLE
▪ Area under curve is the integral of the
represented function relative to the
primary variable.
▪ Area under curve is the sum of small
areas produced by multiplying the
function and the primary variable.
PHYSICS
The area under the v(t) curve
▪ Basically, rely on units to determine represents the distance covered during
the quantity (if any) corresponding to some time t. Using units: 𝑚Τ𝑠 × 𝑠 = 𝑚
the area under the curve.
9- VECTORS
(MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS G 12)
9- VECTORS ®
B.N.

▪ In physics quantities can either be scalars which are values only, or vectors which are
values and directions.
▪ To represent vector quantities, we use vectors which can either be defined as magnitude
and direction; or as abscissa and ordinate components.

𝑉 [𝑟, 𝜃] which is a vector of measure 𝒓 and directed along an angle 𝜽 with the horizontal.
y
𝑉 𝑥, 𝑦 = 𝑋𝑖 + 𝑦𝑗 in an orthonormal system.
𝑽
▪ The magnitude of a vector is given by: 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑥2 + 𝑉𝑦2 𝒓 𝑽𝒚
𝜽
𝑽𝒙
x
9- VECTORS

▪ To add vectors we can use the parallelogram method or Chasles method.

▪ In case a frame is given, add vectors analytically once along x and once along y

PARALLELOGRAM PROJECTION
CHASLES RULE
METHOD
y 𝑉12 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2
𝑉12 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2
𝑉1 𝑋 + 𝑋2
𝑉12 ቤ 1
𝑌1 + 𝑌2
𝑉2
𝑉1 𝑉1
x
𝑉2
𝑉2
APPLICATIONS
(MATHEMATICS FOR PHYSICS G 12)
 APPLICATIONS ®
B.N.

1- Which of the following groups contains three 3- The SI unit for voltage is the volt. The
vector quantities? expression of volt in base units is:
a. Displacement, velocity, energy. a. 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚. 𝐴−1 . 𝑠 −3 .
b. Displacement, velocity, acceleration. b. 𝑚2 . 𝐴−1 . 𝑠 −2 .
c. Force, work, energy. c. 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2 . 𝑠 −2 .
d. Velocity, acceleration, power. d. 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2 . 𝐴−1 . 𝑠 −3 .

2- The product of pressure and volume has 4- Decimal multiples and

the same SI unit as: sub-multiples of units are
a. Energy. indicated using a prefix
b. Force. to the unit itself. Which
c.
𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 row represents the pico
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
(p) and giga (G)?
𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
d. 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
 APPLICATIONS

5- What is the equivalent to the unit of

the electric field strength (E)? 6- Which diagram shows
two vectors X and Y
Equations involving electric fields
and their resultant?
𝑈
are: 𝐹𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 = 𝑞. 𝐸 or 𝐸 = with: F
𝑑
being force, q is charge, U is voltage,
and d is distance.
a. 𝐽. 𝐶. 𝑚−1.
b. 𝑁. 𝑠. 𝐴−1 . 7- Which graph represents the
c. 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚. 𝑠 −3 . 𝐴−1 . motion of a car moving on a
straight path with a speed
d. 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚3 . 𝑠 −3 . 𝐴−1 .
that increases uniformly with
time?
 APPLICATIONS ®
B.N.

8- The adjacent graph

shows the acceleration
of a particle moving in
For questions 9 and 10,
a straight path.
use the adjacent graph
Which of the following graphs best
shows the variation of velocity, of this
particle, with respect to time
9- The acceleration at t = 3s is:
a. 0.67 𝑚. 𝑠 −2 . 𝑏. 1.0 𝑚. 𝑠 −2
c. 1.3 𝑚. 𝑠 −2 𝑑. 2.0 𝑚. 𝑠 −2

10- The approximate distance covered by the

vehicle during the first 4 seconds?
a- 30 m b- 16 m.
c- 24 m d- 21 m.
 APPLICATIONS

11- The given speed-time graph represents 12- A small ball falls freely under the influence of
the motion of a car traveling along a
gravity. Which graph best represents the
straight and horizontal path.
Which statement best describes the variation of the ball’s heights with respect to
motion of this car? time, knowing that the ball starts from rest?

a. It accelerates to reach a terminal speed.

b. It accelerates and then stops.
c. It decelerates to reach a terminal speed.
d. It decelerates and stops.
 THANK
YOU

WELCOME TO
GRADE 12
PHYSICS CLASS