PHYSICS - FOR MDCAT 2025

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According To PMDC Syllabus 2025
Content List for Physics

UNIT 1: VECTORS AND EQUILIBRIUM
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Addition of Vectors (Rectangular Components)
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 1.1 Determine the sum of vectors using perpendicular Components.
  
  
• Product of Vectors (Scalar Product)
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 1.2 Describe Scalar Product of two vectors in term of angle between them
  
  
• Product of Vectors (Vector Product)
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 1.3 Describe Vector product of two vectors in terms of angle between them.
  

UNIT 2: FORCE AND MOTION
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Displacement
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.1. Describe displacement.
  
  
• Velocity
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.2. Describe average velocity of objects.
  
  
• Displacement-time Graph
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.3. Interpret displacement-time graph of objects moving along the same straight line.
  
  
• Acceleration
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.4. Describe acceleration.
  
  
• Uniform and variable acceleration
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.5. Distinguish between uniform and variable acceleration.
  
  
• Projectile motion
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.6. Explain that projectile motion is two-dimensional motion in a vertical plane.
  
  
• Ideal Projectile
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.7. Communicate the ideas of a projectile in the absence of air resistance.
  
  
• Projectile motion (Velocity)
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.8. Explain Horizontal component (VH) of velocity is constant.
  ⇒ 2.9. Acceleration is in the vertical direction and is the same as that of a vertically free- falling object.
  ⇒ 2.10. Differentiate between the characteristics of horizontal motion and vertical motion.
  
  
• Projectile motion: Maximum Height, Range, Time of flight, Maximum angle
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.11. Evaluate, using equations of uniformly accelerated motion for a given initial velocity of frictionless projectile, the following issues:
  
  • a. How much higher does it go?
  • How far would it go along the level land?
  • c. Where would it be after a given time?
  • d. How long will it remain in air?
  • e. Determine the parameters for a projectile launched from ground height.
  • f. Launch angle that results in the maximum range.
  • g. Relation between the launch angles that result in the same range.
  
  
• Newton’s Laws of motion
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.12. Apply Newton’s laws to explain the motion of objects in a variety of context.
  
  
• Newton’s Second Law and Linear momentum
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.13. Describe the Newton’s second law of motion as rate of change of momentum.
  
  
• Newton’s third law of motion
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.14. Correlate Newton’s third law of motion and conservation of momentum.
  
  
• Collision
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.15. Solve different problems of elastic and inelastic collisions between two bodies in one dimension by using law of conservation of momentum.
  
  
• Momentum and Explosive forces
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.16. Describe that momentum is conservational situations.
  
  
• Perfectly elastic collision in one dimension
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 2.17. Identify that for a perfectly elastic collision, the relative speed of approach is equal to the relative speed of separation.
  
  

UNIT 3: WORK AND ENERGY
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Work
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.1. Describe the concept of work in terms of the product of force F and displacement d in the direction of force.
  
  
• Energy
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.2. Describe energy.
  
  
• Kinetic Energy
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.3. Explain kinetic energy.
  
  
• Potential energy
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.4. Explain the difference between potential energy and gravitational potential energy.
  
  
• Absolute potential energy
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.5. Describe that the gravitational potential energy is measured from a reference level and can be positive or negative, to denote the orientation from the reference levels.
  
  
• Power
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.6. Express power as scalar product of force and velocity.
  
  
• Work energy theorem in resistive medium
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.7. Explain that work done against friction is dissipated as heat in the environment.
  
  
• Implications of energy losses in practical devices and Efficiency
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 3.8. State the implications of energy losses in practical devices.
  

UNIT 4: ROTATIONAL AND CIRCULAR MOTION
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Angular displacement
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 4.1. Define angular displacement, express angular displacement in radians.
  ⇒ 4.2. Define revolution, degree and radian.
  
  
• Angular Velocity
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 4.3. Describe the term angular velocity.
  
  
• Relation between angular and linear quantities
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 4.4. Find out the relationship between the following:
  a. Relation between linear and angular variables.
  b. Relation between linear and angular displacements.
  c. Relation between linear and angular velocities.
  d. Relation between linear and angular accelerations.
  

UNIT 5: FLUID DYNAMICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Terminal Velocity
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 5.1. Describe the terminal velocity of an object.
  
  
• Fluid Drag
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 5.2. Define and explain the term fluid drag.
  
  
• Fluid Flow
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 5.3. Define the terms: Steady (Streamline or laminar) flow, Incompressible flow and non-viscous flow as applied to the motion of an ideal fluid.
  ⇒ 5.4. Explain that at the sufficiently high velocity, the flow of viscous fluid undergoes a transition from laminar to turbulence conditions.
  ⇒ 5.5. Describe that majority of practical examples of fluid flow and resistance to motion in fluid involve turbulent rather than laminar conditions.
  
  
• Equation of Continuity
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 5.6. Describe equation of continuity Av= constant for the flow of an ideal and incompressible fluid and solve problems using it.
  ⇒ 5.7. Identify that the equation of continuity is the form of principle of conservation of mass.
  
  
• Bernoulli’s Equation
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 5.8. Interpret and apply Bernoulli’s effect in Blood physics.
  ⇒ 5.9. Derive Bernoulli’s equation for the case of horizontal tube of flow.
  ⇒ 5.10. Describe the pressure difference can arise from different rates of flow of fluid (Bernoulli’s effect).
  

UNIT 6: WAVES
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Motion of wave
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.1. Describe the meaning of wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs.
  
  
• Progressive waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.2. Demonstrate that mechanical waves require a medium for their propagation while electromagnetic waves do not.
  
  
• Characteristics of wave
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.3. Define and apply the following terms to the wave model; medium, displacement, amplitude, period, compression, rarefaction, crest, trough, wavelength, velocity.
  
  
• Wave Speed
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.4. Solve problems using the equation: 𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆.
  
  
• Progressive waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.5. Describe that energy is transferred due to a progressive wave.
  
  
• Classification of progressive waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.6. Compare transverse and longitudinal waves.
  
  
• Speed of sound Newton’s Formula for speed of sound in air
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.7. Explain that speed of sound depends on the properties of medium in which it propagates and describe Newton’s formula of speed of waves.
  
  
• Laplace’s Correction
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.8. Describe the Laplace correction in Newton’s formula for speed of sound in air.
  
  
• Effect of various factors on speed of sound
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.9. Identify the factors on which speed of sound in air depends.
  
  
• Superposition of waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.10. Describe the principle of super position of two waves from coherent sources.
  
  
• Interference of sound waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.11. Describe the phenomenon of interference of sound waves.
  
  
• Stationary waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.12. Explain the formation of stationary waves using graphical method.
  ⇒ 6.13. Define the terms, node and antinodes.
  
  
• Stationary waves in a stretched string
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.14. Describe modes of vibration of strings.
  
  
• Organ pipes
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.15. Describe formation of stationary waves in vibrating air columns.
  
  
• Superposition of waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.16. Explain the principle of Superposition.
  
  
• Simple Harmonic Motion, Terminologies of SHM, Circular motion and SHM, Energy
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.17. Explain Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M) and explain the characteristics of S.H.M. (Chapter: Oscillation).
  
  
• Circular Motion and SHM (Acceleration and Velocity of Projection)
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 6.18 Describe that when an object moves in a circle, the motion of its projection on the diameter of a circle is SHM.
  

UNIT 7: THERMODYNAMICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Thermal equilibrium, Heat
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.1. Describe that thermal energies transferred from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature.
  
  
• Molar specific heat of gas
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.2. Differentiate between specific heat and molar specific heat.
  
  
• Work
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.3. Calculate work done by a thermodynamic system during a volume change.
  
  
• First law of thermodynamics
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.4. Describe the first law of thermodynamics expressed in terms of the change in internal energy, the heating of the system and work done on the system.
  ⇒ 7.5. Explain that first law of thermodynamics expresses the conservation of energy.
  
  
• Molar specific heat of gas
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.6. Define the terms, specific heat and molar specific heats of a gas.
  
  
• Relation between molar specific heat at constant volume and constant pressure
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 7.7. Apply the first law of thermodynamics to derive the relation C_p − C_v = RC for an ideal gas
  

UNIT 8: ELECTROSTATICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Coulomb’s Law
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.1. State Coulomb’s law and explain that force between two-point charges is reduced in a medium other than free space using Coulomb’s law
  
  
• Electric Field
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.2. Describe the concept of an electric field as an example of a field of force.
  
  
• Electric field intensity due to a point charge Representation of electric field by lines
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.3. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field at a point due to two charges with the same or opposite signs.
  ⇒ 8.4. Sketch the electric field lines for two-point charges of equal magnitude with same or opposite signs.
  
  
• Electric field intensity due to an infinite sheet of charges
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.5. Describe and draw the electric field due to an infinite size conducting plate of positive or negative charge.
  
  
• Electric potential energy and potential due to a point charge
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.6 Define electric potential at a point in terms of the work done in bringing unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
  
  
• Electric potential
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.7. Define the unit of potential.
  
  
• Electric potential energy and potential due to a point charge
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.8. Derive an expression for electric potential at a point due to a point charge.
  
  
• Charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistance
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 8.9. Demonstrate charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistance.
  

UNIT 9: CURRENT ELECTRICITY
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Steady current
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 9.1. Describe the concept of steady current.
  
  
• Ohm’s Law
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 9.2. State Ohm’s law.
  
  
• Factors on which resistance depends Temperature coefficient of resistivity
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 9.3. Define resistivity and explain its dependence upon temperature.
  
  
• Internal resistance of sources
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 9.4. Explain the internal resistance of sources and its consequences for external circuits.
  
  
• Maximum power Output
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 9.5. Describe the conditions for maximum power transfer.
  

UNIT 10: ELECTROMAGNETISM
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Magnetic flux density/Magnetic field
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 10.1. Define magnetic flux density and its units.
  
  
• Magnetic flux
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 10.2. Describe the concept of magnetic flux Φ (Phi) as scalar product of magnetic field (B) and area (A)using the relation ØB = B ┴ A = B.A.
  
  
• Motion of charged particle in magnetic field
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 10.3. Describe quantitatively the path followed by a charged particle hot into a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the field.
  ⇒ 10.4. Explain that a force may act on a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.
  

UNIT 11: ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 11.1. State Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.
  
  
• Lenz’s Law
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 11.2. Account for Lenz’s law to predict the direction of an induced current and relate to the principle of conservation of energy.
  
  
• Transformer
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 11.3. Describe the construction of a transformer and explain how it works.
  ⇒ 11.4. Describe how set-up and step-down transformers can be used to ensure efficient transfer of electricity along cables.
  
  

UNIT 12: ALTERNATING CURRENT
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Phase of Alternating Current
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 12.1. Describe the phase of Alternating Current and explain how phase lag and phase lead occur in AC circuits.
  
  
• AC through
  a. Resistor
  b. Capacitor.
  c. Inductor
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 12.2. Explain the flow of AC through resistors, Capacitors and Inductor
  
  
• Electromagnetic waves
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 12.3 Become familiar with EM spectrum (ranging from radio waves to Gamma rays).
  

UNIT 13: ELECTRONICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Rectification
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 13.1. Define rectification and describe the use of diodes for half and full wave rectifications.
  
  
• PN Junction
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 13.2 Describe the PN Junction and discuss its forward and reverse biasing.
  
  

UNIT 14: DAWN OF MODERN PHYSICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Quantum Theory and Radiation
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 14.1. Explain the particle model of light in terms of photons with energy.
  
  

UNIT 15: ATOMIC SPECTRA
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Atomic Spectra
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 15.1. Describe and explain atomic spectra/ line spectrum
  
  

UNIT 16: NUCLEAR PHYSICS
TOPICS / SUBTOPICS

• Composition of atomic nuclei
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 16.1. Describe a simple model for the atom to include protons, neutrons and electrons.
  
  
• Spontaneous and random nuclear decay
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 16.2. Identify the spontaneous and random nature of nuclear decay.
  
  
• Half-life and rate of decay
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 16.3. Describe the term half-life and solve problems using the equation 𝜆 = 0.693 / 𝑇 _¹/2
  
  
• Biological and Medical uses of radiation
  * Learning Outcomes:
  ⇒ 16.4. Describe biological effects of radiation state and explain the different medical uses of radiation.