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NSSCAS Physics Mathematical Requirements - 30 September 2020

The document discusses the mathematical requirements for the NSSCAS Physics exam. It covers topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, and graphs. Some key points include how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, solve equations, use trigonometric functions, find areas and volumes, use vectors, plot graphs, and determine gradients and intercepts from linear graphs.

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Peter Kudumo
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72 views54 pages

NSSCAS Physics Mathematical Requirements - 30 September 2020

The document discusses the mathematical requirements for the NSSCAS Physics exam. It covers topics like arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, and graphs. Some key points include how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, solve equations, use trigonometric functions, find areas and volumes, use vectors, plot graphs, and determine gradients and intercepts from linear graphs.

Uploaded by

Peter Kudumo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NSSCAS Physics

Theme 1

Mathematical requirements
NSSCH Physical Science
Mathematical requirements

• add, subtract, multiply and divide


• use averages, decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios and reciprocals
• use a calculator to calculate pH (log) and refractive index (sin)
• use direct and inverse proportion
• use positive, whole number indices and exponents in calculations
• make approximate evaluations of numerical expressions
• use usual mathematical instruments (ruler, compasses, protractor, set square)
• explain the meaning of angle, curve, circle, radius, diameter, square,
parallelogram, rectangle, diagonal
• solve equations of the form x = yz for any one term when the other two are
known
• recognise and use points of the compass (N, S, E, W), take bearing and apply
the rules for bearing taking
NSSCAS Physics
Mathematical requirements
• Arithmetic

• Algebra

• Geometry and trigonometry

• Vectors

• Graphs
Arithmetic

• recognise and use expressions in decimal and standard


form (scientific) notation
• use an electronic calculator for addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division
• find arithmetic means, powers (including reciprocals and
square roots), sines, cosines, tangents (and the inverse
functions)
• take account of accuracy in numerical work and handle
calculations so that significant figures are neither lost
unnecessarily nor carried beyond what is justified
• make approximate evaluations of numerical expressions
(e.g. π2 ≈ 10) and use such approximations to check the
magnitude of calculated results
Algebra
•• change the subject of an equation to the required variable. Most
 
relevant equations involve only the simpler operations but may
include positive and negative indices and square roots.
• solve simple algebraic equations. Most relevant equations are linear
(e.g. y = mx, y = mx + c) but some may involve inverse and inverse
square relationships. Linear simultaneous equations and the use of
the formula ( + bx + c or x = ) to obtain the solutions of quadratic
equations are required
• substitute physical quantities into physical equations using
consistent units and check the dimensional consistency
(homogeneity) of such equations
• set up simple algebraic equations as mathematical models of
physical situations, and identify inadequacies of such models
• express small changes or uncertainties as percentages and vice versa
• understand and use the symbols <, >, ≤; ≥; ; /, ∝, , (= , Δx, δx, √
understand and use the symbols
<•  - strict inequality, less than
> - strict inequality, greater than
≤ - inequality, less than or equal to
≥ - inequality, greater than or equal to
- much less than
- much greater than
- approximately equal, approximation
/ - division slash
∝ - proportional to
- average over all values in the set X 
(= - Average of the value
•- sigma,
  summation – sum of all values in range of series
Δx - Δx is about a secant line, a line between two points
representing the rate of change between those two points.
That's a "differential" (between the two points).
δx - δx is about a tangent line to a partial derivative. That's a
rate of change or derivative in one direction, holding a number
of other directions constant.
√ - surd, A number that can't be simplified to remove a square
root (or cube root etc), e.g. √2
mathematical models of physical
situations

e.g. linearisation
Shape for y = mx graph
y is directly proportional to x
•  
Examples
V = IR
F = ke
= mgh
Shape for y = mx graph
y is directly proportional to x …
Shape for y = mx + c graph
y is linearly proportional to x
Shape for y = mx + c graph
y is linearly proportional to x ….
Consider the equation
V = E – Ir in line with
this graph:
y = V and x = I
this can be rearranged
to give V = – Ir + E,
since x = I, so in – Ir,
m = – r so in the form
of y = mx + c, this
gives V = – rI + E
x graph
 
• side opening parabola
 

• as x increases, y also
increases
• y increases at a smaller
proportion relative to x.
• To change this into a y = mx
or y = mx + c relationship,
square the values of y and
plot a graph of versus x
x graph
  …
• Consider the motion of a
skydiver who jumps
from an airplane and
falls vertically through
the air. The graph shows
the variation of the
skydiver’s vertical
velocity v and time t.
Shape for
  graph
• top opening parabola
 

• as x increases, y also
increases; y increases at
a larger proportion
compared to x
• To change this into a y =
mx or y = mx + c
relationship, square the
values of x and plot a
graph of versus
Shape for graph
 
y=k
 
Consider the
equation for elastic
potential energy as
= k

y=
x=
Shape for  y = graph

 •
y is inversely
proportional to x
• To change this into a y
= mx or y = mx + c
relationship, find the
reciprocal of all the
values of x and plot a
graph of y versus
Shape for y  = graph …
•  
Consider the equation
E = IR + Ir so E = I (R + r)
Since y = I, making I the
subject of the formula gives

I=
Since r is on the x = axis, if E
and R are fixed, this means if
r increases, I decreases and
so I =
example of linearisation of position versus
time for a rolling ball
raw data
Time / s length / cm
0 0.0
1 3.1
2 12.2
3 27.0
4 47.9
5 75.2
6 108.3
7 146.8
8 192.1
graph of position vs time from raw
data
linearisation of the data from
 
to y = mx
Time / s / length / cm
0 0 0.0
1 1 3.1
2 4 12.2
3 9 27.0
4 16 47.9
5 25 75.2
6 36 108.3
7 49 146.8
9 64 192.1
graph of position
  vs
using the graph to determine gradient and
y-intercept
•gradient
  = = = =3
unit for gradient = = cm

y – intercept = 0
unit for y-intercept = unit on y axis = cm
Geometry and trigonometry
• calculate areas of right-angled and
isosceles triangles, circumference and area
of circles, areas and volumes of cuboids,
cylinders and spheres
• use Pythagoras’ theorem, similarity of
triangles, the angle sum of a triangle
• use sines, cosines and tangents of angles
(especially for 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°)
area of right-angled triangle
area of isosceles triangle
circumference of circle
area of circle
area of cuboid
volume of cuboid
area of cylinder
volume of cylinder
area and volume of sphere
Pythagoras theorem
similarity of triangles
angles sum of a triangle
sines, cosines and tangents
0° 30° 45° 60° 90°

sine 0 0.5 0.707 0.866 1

cosine 1 0.866 0.707 0.5 0

tangent 0 0.577 1 0.732 undefined


Vectors
• find the resultant of two coplanar vectors,
recognising situations where vector addition is
appropriate
• obtain expressions for components of a vector
in perpendicular directions, recognising
situations where vector resolution is
appropriate
Pythagoras theorem
resolution of vectors into components
Graphs
• translate information between graphical, numerical,
algebraic and verbal forms
• select appropriate variables and scales for graph plotting
• determine the gradient, intercept and intersection of linear
graphs
• choose, by inspection, a straight line which will serve as the
line of best fit through a set of data points presented
graphically
• draw a curved trend line through a set of data points
presented graphically, when the arrangement of these data
points is clearly indicative of a non-linear relationship
• recall standard linear form y = mx + c and rearrange
relationships into linear form where appropriate
Graphs…
• sketch
  and recognise the forms of plots of
common simple expressions like ; x2; ; sin x; cos x;
• draw a tangent to a curve, and understand and
use the gradient of the tangent as a means to
obtain the gradient of the curve at a point
• understand and use the area below a curve
where the area has physical significance
• apply the conventions for labelling graph axes
and table columns (see Annexe A, A2, graph
layout, plotting of points, trend)
Graph  of y =
Graph of y = x 2
Graph of y =
graph of y = sin x and y = cos x
x / y = sin x / unit y = cos x / unit
0 0 1
90
90 1
1 0
0
180
180 0
0 1
270 1 0
270 0
360 0 1
360 0 1
graph of y = sin x and y = cos x
x / y = sin x / unit y = cos x / unit
0 0 1
90
90 1
1 0
0
180
180 0
0 1
270 1 0
270 0
360 0 1
360 0 1
Graph of y =
x y= y=
3 = = 0.0498 = = 20.0855
= = 0.1353 = = 7.3891

= = 0.3679 = e = 2.7183

0 = 1.0000 = 1.0000

0
1 e = 2.7183 = = 0.3679

2
1 e==7.3891
2.7183 = = 0.1353

3
2 = 20.0855 = = 0.0498

3
END

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