EMINENT Admin Team
28 Dec

Physics & General Science Notes


1. Vehicles and Measurement Devices

DeviceFunction
Odometer / OdographMeasures distance traveled by the vehicle
Speedometer / Speed meterMeasures the speed of the vehicle
Vehicle HeadlightUses concave mirror to focus light

2. Stars, Sun, and Astronomy

TopicDetails
SiriusBrightest star in the night sky
Sunlight travel time8 minutes 20 seconds from Sun to Earth
Dwarf starsVery long lifespan (tens-hundreds of billions of years), slow nuclear reactions
Giant starsShort lifespan (millions-billions years), rapid nuclear reactions
Lifespan ComparisonDwarf Star >>> Giant Star
Nuclear Reaction RateGiant Star >>> Dwarf Star

3. Optics

PhenomenonExample / Note
RefractionTwinkling of stars, looming effect (ships appear inverted)
DispersionRainbow formation, splitting of sunlight
Total Internal Reflection (TIR)Overbrightness of diamond, optical fiber operation
ScatteringBlue sky, red sun at sunrise/sunset, sea appears blue
InterferenceSoap bubbles, kerosene films on water
BlindspotArea where optic nerve connects retina
RetinaContains rods and cones for photoreception
AstigmatismCorrected by cylindrical lens
Contact lensesMade of Hydrogel
LoomingShips appear inverted in cold countries due to refraction

4. Sound & Noise

TopicDetail
TimbreHelps distinguish sounds of same pitch and loudness
Noise Levels0-30 dB: Practically inaudible
31-45 dB: Silent sounds
46-65 dB: Standard conversation
66-90 dB: Electric beard trimmers
91-100 dB: Cars without mufflers
101-125 dB: Aircraft takeoff
125+ dB: Rocket/shipping takeoff
Constant speed particleCovers equal distance in equal interval of time

5. Lenses and Vision

Eye/ConditionLens Used
Myopia (nearsighted)Concave lens
Hypermetropia (farsighted)Convex lens
Vehicle headlightsConcave mirrors focus light
BlindspotOptic nerve connects to retina

6. Electricity & Magnetism

PhenomenonDetail
ElectroscopeTests if an object carries charge
Paramagnetic substancesFeeble magnetization in direction of magnetic field (χ>0). Examples: Mn, Al, Cr, Pt
Ferromagnetic substancesStrong magnetization (χ>1000). Examples: Fe, Co, Ni
Diamagnetic substancesFeeble magnetization opposite to field (χ<0). Examples: Bi, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn

7. Thermodynamics & Heat

TopicDetail
Hot waterLower surface tension
Radiation thermometerCalled pyrometer
Crookes glassCuts off UV rays

8. Mechanics & Friction

ConceptDetail
Static frictionGreater than sliding friction
Tightly stretched bandProduces sound by vibration
Potential energyEnergy stored due to shape or position

9. Liquids & Surface Phenomena

PhenomenonExample
RefractionTwinkling of stars
Surface phenomenaKerosene on water, soap bubbles (interference)
Sea waterSpeed of sound > distilled water

10. Gases & Atmosphere

ConceptDetail
ScatteringBlue sky, red sun at sunset/sunrise, humid days before rain (light blue)
Ringelmann scaleMeasures density/opacity of smoke

11. Stars & Planets

PlanetComposition
SaturnHydrogen 96%, Helium 3.25%, Methane, Ammonia

12. Human Biology

TopicDetail
Photoreceptor cellsPresent in retina (rods and cones)
BarometerReading decreases when elevator moves upward with increasing speed
Recombinant vector vaccinesGenetically engineered using harmless organism to mimic virus
Mitochondrial replacement therapyPrevents passing mitochondrial diseases from mother to child
Virus typesAdenovirus: dsDNA; Retrovirus (HIV): ssRNA, uses reverse transcriptase
X-rayUsed to see inside pearls
SulphitesPreserve food and beverages, slow browning/discoloration
HydrogelMaterial for contact lenses

13. Vehicles & Engine

ComponentFunction
CarburetorUsed in petrol engine

14. Radar & Weather

UsageExample
RadarDetects rain, snow, hail; tracks animal migration (birds)

15. Measurement Devices

DeviceFunction
OdometerMeasures distance traveled
SpeedometerMeasures vehicle speed

16. Miscellaneous

TopicDetail
GraphiteMost stable form of carbon
FullereneLightest form of carbon
Plucking bandProduces sound by vibration
Carbohydrates / EnergyPotential energy stored due to position/shape
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