Physics Study MYP 4-5

Forces

Can be categorized into contact (e.g., friction, tension) and non-contact (e.g., gravity, magnetism).

Newton’s 1st Law

States that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a net external force.

Newton’s 2nd Law

The principle stating that Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Newton’s 3rd Law

States that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Resultant Force

The net force that determines the motion of an object; if balanced, there is no acceleration; if unbalanced, there is acceleration.

Moments

The turning effect of a force around a pivot; calculated as Moment = Force × Distance.

Equilibrium

Occurs when the sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise moments.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Gravitational Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object as it is raised against gravity.

Renewable Energy

Energy sources that are sustainable and can be replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydro.

Non-Renewable Energy

Energy sources that cannot be replenished in a short time frame, such as coal, oil, and nuclear.

Alpha Radiation

Radiation consisting of helium nuclei; can be stopped by paper.

Beta Radiation

Radiation consisting of high-speed electrons; can be stopped by aluminum.

Gamma Radiation

High-energy electromagnetic radiation; can be stopped by lead.

Half-Life

The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Nuclear Fission

The process of splitting uranium nuclei to release energy, commonly used in nuclear power plants.

Wave Properties

Characteristics of waves including wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and speed (v = fλ).

Transverse Waves

Waves where vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, such as light.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves where vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel, such as sound.

Reflection

The bouncing back of waves when they hit a barrier.

Refraction

The bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another due to a change in speed.