Physics Matters - Textbook

Physics Matters for GCE 'O' Level is the revised edition of the highly acclaimed Physics: A Course for 'O' Level (2nd Edition). Covering the latest GCE 'O' Level Physics syllabus set by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, this textbook facilitates the effective learning of Physics and makes the subject inspiring and riveting for students through the following features.

Lively and engaging

Colorful and stunning visuals, real life examples and simple language are used to make the subject come alive to enhance students' learning. Thought provoking facts and activities, and inquiry questions are found throughout the textbook to stimulate students' interest and enable conceptual understanding.

Simplifies learning

Ample hands-on activities and unique sidebar features are used to simplify concept development, as well as enrich students' understanding of the topic. Fundamental ideas are reinforced through regular summaries and end-of-section tests.

Builds exam confidence

Challenging worked examples are included to showcase application of concepts. Ample questions are provided at frequent junctures for students' practice, preparing them for assessment.

This textbook is supplemented by two volumes of Workbooks and a Practical Book. The Workbooks are designed for self-study and assessment, while the Practical Book contains activities and experiments that prepare students for the new Science Practical Assessment (SPA). The publishers do not recommend the Practical Book for home use due to safety issues and the expense and difficulty in obtaining some of the materials.

Answers to most of the textbook problems (those with short answers) are in the back.

Physics Matters Textbook

Section A: General Physics

Unit 1 Measurement
1.1 What is Physics?
1.2 Physical Quantities and SI Units
1.3 Measurement of Length
1.4 Measurement of Time
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 2 Kinematics
2.1 Distance, Time and Speed
2.2 Speed, Velocity and Acceleration
2.3 Speed-Time Graph
2.4 Acceleration of Free Fall
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 3 Forces
3.1 Forces
3.2 Scalars and Vectors
3.3 Forces and Motion
3.4 Friction and Its Effects
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 4 Mass, Weight and Density
4.1 Mass and Weight
4.2 Inertia
4.3 Density
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 5 Turning Effect of Forces
5.1 Moments
5.2 Principle of Moments
5.3 Center of Gravity
5.4 Stability
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 6 Energy, Work and Power
6.1 Energy
6.2 Work
6.3 Power
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 7 Pressure
7.1 Pressure
7.2 Pressure in Liquids
7.3 Gas Pressure
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today

Section B: Thermal Physics

Unit 8 Temperature
8.1 Temperature and Its Measurement
8.2 Common Temperature Scales
8.4 Thermocouple Thermometer
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 9 Kinetic Model of Matter
9.1 The States of Matter
9.2 Pressure in Gases
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 10 Transfer of Thermal Energy
10.1 Transfer of Thermal Energy
10.2 Conduction
10.3 Convention
10.4 Radiation
10.5 Application of Thermal Energy Transfer
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 11 Thermal Properties of Matter
11.1 Heat Capacity
11.2 Melting and Solidification
11.3 Boiling and Condensation
11.4 Latent Heat
11.5 Evaporation
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Section C: Light, Waves and Sounds
Unit 12 Light
12.1 What is Light?
12.2 Reflection of Light
12.3 Constructing Ray Diagrams
12.4 Refraction at Plane Surfaces
12.5 Total Internal Reflection
12.6 Thin Converging Lens
12.7 Ray Diagrams for Lenses
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 13 Waves
13.1 Describing Waves
13.2 Properties of Wave Motions
13.3 Wave Production and the Ripple Tank
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 14 Electromagnetic Waves
14.1 Electromagnetic Waves
14.2 Uses of Electromagnetic Waves
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 15 Sound
15.1 What is Sound?
15.2 Transmission of Sound
15.3 Reflection of Sound
15.4 Ultrasound
15.5 Pitch and Loudness
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today

Section D: Electricity and Magnetism

Unit 16 Static Electricity
16.1 Electrostatics
16.2 Insulators and Conductors
16.3 Electric Field
16.4 Hazards and Applications of Electrostatics
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 17 Current Electricity
17.1 Electric Current
17.2 Electromotive Force and Potential Difference
17.3 Resistance
17.4 Resistivity
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Unit 18 D.C. Circuits
18.1 Series Circuits
18.2 Parallel Circuits
18.3 Resistors in Series and Parallel
18.4 Potential Divider
18.5 Transducers
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 19 Practical Electricity
19.1 Uses of Electricity
19.2 Measuring Electrical Energy
19.3 Dangers of Electricity
19.4 Safe Use of Electricity at Home
Concept Map
Practice Questions
Physics Today
Unit 20