Physics Kenya Form 3 Syllabus

Linear Motion
1. Linear Motion
  1. Distance, displacement, speed, velocity an acceleration
  2. Acceleration due to gravity: Free fall
  3. Acceleration due to gravity: Simple pendulum method
  4. Motion - time graphs: Displacement - time graphs
  5. Motion - time graphs: Velocity - time graphs
  6. Equations of uniformly accelerated motion
  7. Problems on uniformly accelerated motion
Refraction of Light
1. Refraction of Light
  1. Refraction of light - laws of refraction
  2. Determination of refractive index: Snell's law
  3. Determination of refractive index: Real/apparent depth
  4. Determination of refractive index: Critical angle
  5. Dispersion of white light
  6. Total internal reflection and its effects: Critical angle
  7. Applications of total internal reflection: Prism periscope
  8. Applications of total internal reflection: Optical fibre
  9. Problems on refractive index and critical angle
Newton's Laws of Motion
1. Newton's Laws of Motion
  1. Newton's laws of motion
  2. Conversion of linear momentum: elastic collisions
  3. Conversion of linear momentum: inelastic collisions
  4. Conversion of linear momentum: recoil velocity
  5. Conversion of linear momentum: impulse
  6. F = ma
  7. Frictional forces: Static and dynamic friction: Advantages and disadvantages
  8. Frictional forces: Static and dynamic friction: Viscosity
  9. Frictional forces: Static and dynamic friction: Terminal velocity
  10. Problems on Newton's Laws and law of conservation of linear momentum (exclude problems on elastic collisions)
Work, Energy, Power and Machines
1. Work, Energy, Power and Machines
  1. Forms of energy and energy transformations
  2. Sources of energy: Renewable
  3. Sources of energy: non renewable
  4. Law of conservation of energy
  5. Work, energy and power
  6. Kinetics and potential energy
  7. Simple machines
  8. Problems on work, energy, power and machines
Current Electricity
1. Current Electricity
  1. Scale reading: Ammeter, Voltmeter
  2. Electric circuits: current, potential difference
  3. Ohm's law
  4. Resistance: Types of resistors, measurements of resistance and units
  5. Electromotive force (emf) and internal resistance of a cell (E = V + Ir)
  6. Resistance in series and parallel
  7. Galvanometers: Conversion to ammeters and voltmeters
  8. Problems on Ohm's law, resistors in series and parallel
Waves II
1. Waves II
  1. Properties of waves including sound waves: Reflection
  2. Properties of waves including sound waves: Refraction
  3. Properties of waves including sound waves: Diffraction
  4. Properties of waves including sound waves: Interference
  5. Constructive interference and destructive interference
  6. Stationary waves
Electrostatics II
1. Electrostatics II
  1. Electric field patterns
  2. Charge distribution on conductors: Spherical and pear shaped conductors
  3. Action at points: Lightning arrestors
  4. Capacitance, unit of capacitance (farad, microfarad) Factors affecting capacitance
  5. Applications of capacitors
  6. Problems on capacitors { using Q=CV, CT=C1 + C2, 1/CT=1/C1 + 1/C2}
Heating Effect of an Electric Current
1. Heating Effect of an Electric Current
  1. Simple experiments on heating effect
  2. Factors affecting electrical energy, W=Vit, P=VI
  3. Heating devices: Electric kettle, electric iron, bulb filament, electric heater
  4. Problems on electrical energy and electrical power
Quantity of Heat
1. Quantity of Heat
  1. Heat capacity, specific heat capacity, units
  2. Latent heat of fusion, latent heat of vaporization, units
  3. Boiling and melting
  4. Pressure cooker, refrigerator
  5. Problem on quantity of heat ( Q = MCΔ), Q = Mi)
Gas Laws
1. Gas Laws
  1. Boyle's laws, Charles' law, Pressure law, absolute zero
  2. Kelvin scale of temperature
  3. Gas laws and kinetic theory of gases
  4. Problems on gas laws { including PV/T = constant}