Zambia Grade 10 Physics Syllabus

This syllabus covers the following topics:

1. Scientific Measurements:

• Base and Derived Quantities: Covers the seven base quantities (length, time, mass, temperature, current, luminous intensity, amount of substance) and derived quantities (e.g., velocity, acceleration, force, energy).
• SI Units: Introduces the International System of Units (SI) and their symbols.
• Scalars and Vectors: Defines scalar and vector quantities, vector representation, and methods for vector addition (simple addition and parallelogram method).
• Length: Covers measuring length using a meter rule, Vernier calipers, and micrometer screw gauge.
• Measuring Time Intervals: Defines the period of a simple pendulum and methods for calculating it. Includes a practical experiment on factors affecting the period of a simple pendulum.
• Volume: Defines volume and methods for measuring the volume of liquids and regular/irregular solids (including the displacement method).
• Mass, Weight, and Density: Defines mass, weight, and density. Covers measurement of mass using a beam balance, determining the mass of a liquid and air, and calculating density and relative density. Includes practical experiments on finding the center of mass of an irregular lamina and determining the density of floating wood. Also covers the concept of inertia.

2. Linear Motion:

• Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration: Defines speed, velocity, and acceleration, including uniform and non-uniform motion.
• Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs: Interpretation of distance-time and velocity-time graphs for different types of motion.
• Equations of Uniformly Accelerated Linear Motion: Introduction to the equations of motion.
• Acceleration Due to Gravity: Covers free fall, acceleration due to gravity, and equations of motion under gravity. Discusses the effect of air resistance and terminal velocity. Includes a practical experiment on the motion of a body falling in a fluid.

3. Forces:

• What are Forces?: Defines force as a push or pull, its effects, and the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces.
• Newton's Laws of Motion: Covers Newton's three laws of motion, including inertia, and practical experiments demonstrating inertia and the relationship between acceleration and force.
• Friction: Discusses frictional force and its effects.

4. Force and Elasticity:

• Hooke's Law: Introduces Hooke's Law and the concept of elastic and plastic deformation. Includes a practical experiment on the relationship between extension and force applied to a spring.

5. Force and Circular Motion:

• Circular Motion: Defines uniform circular motion, centripetal acceleration, and centripetal force. Includes a practical experiment on the relationship between force and the speed of revolution.
• Applications of Uniform Circular Motion: Discusses real-world applications like a car going around a curve, centrifuges, conical pendulums, and aircraft turning.

6. Turning Effect of Forces:

• Moment of a Force: Defines moment (torque) and its calculation.
• Principle of Moments: States the principle of moments and its application in equilibrium situations. Includes a practical experiment on finding mass using the principle of moments.

7. Energy, Work, and Power:

• Work: Defines work, its calculation, and work done by frictional force.
• Energy: Defines energy, its forms (chemical, electrical, mechanical, nuclear), and the law of conservation of energy. Covers kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and internal energy.
• Power: Defines power and its calculation.
• Simple Machines: Discusses simple machines, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, and efficiency. Covers levers, inclined planes, screws, bolts, screw jacks, and gears. Includes practical experiments on work done in stretching a spring and the relationship between length and mechanical advantage of an inclined plane. Also covers hydraulic machines.

8. Pressure:

• What is Pressure?: Defines pressure and its calculation.
• Atmospheric Pressure: Defines atmospheric pressure and its units.
• Pressure in Liquids: Discusses pressure variation with depth and its properties.
• Hydraulic Press: Explains the principle of transmission of pressure in a hydraulic press.
• Barometer and Manometer: Describes the construction and use of barometers and manometers for measuring pressure.
• Archimedes' Principle: States Archimedes' principle and its applications.