Physics Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on physics topics including one and two-dimensional motion, Newton's Laws, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.

What is displacement?

Change in position of an object.

What is distance?

Total length of the path traveled.

What is velocity?

Rate of change of displacement.

What is speed?

Rate of change of distance.

What is acceleration?

Rate of change of velocity over time.

What are the kinetic formulas for constant acceleration?

v = u + at, s = ut + (1/2)at^2, v^2 = u^2 + 2as, s = (u+v)t/2

What is uniform circular motion?

The motion of an object in a circle at a constant speed.

What is centripetal force?

Force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, always pointing toward the center.

What is the law of conservation of momentum?

The total momentum of a system remains constant if no external forces act on it.

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

What is Newton's Law of Gravitation?

Every object attracts every other object with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

What is two-dimensional motion?

Motion in x and y directions analyzed independently using kinematics and vectors.

What is Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia)?

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion, unless acted upon by an external force.

What is Newton's Second Law?

Force causes acceleration (F = ma).

What is Newton's Third Law?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What is normal force?

Perpendicular force from a surface.

What is tension?

Force transmitted through a string, rope, or wire when pulled tight.

What is static friction?

Prevents motion.

What is kinetic friction?

Opposes motion when sliding.

What is kinetic energy (KE)?

Energy of motion.

What is potential energy (PE)?

Stored energy an object has because of its position.

What creates an orbit?

Orbits are a balance between gravitational pull and forward motion.

What is work?

Force x distance x cosine of the angle between force and displacement.

What is power?

Rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

What is impulse?

Product of force and the time over which it acts; equal to the change in momentum.

What is Kepler's First Law (Law of Ellipses)?

Planets move in elliptical orbits with the sun at one focus.

What is Kepler's Second Law (Law of Equal Areas)?

A line joining a planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times.

What is Kepler's Third Law (Law of Periods)?

The square of a planet's orbital period is proportional to the cube of its average distance from the sun.

What is thermodynamics?

Study of heat, temperature, and how they affect energy and work in physical systems.

What is the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics?

If A=B and B=C in temperature, then A=C.

What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?

Energy is conserved (ΔU = Q - W).

What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Heat flows naturally from hot to cold; total entropy of a system either increases or remains constant.

What is the Third Law of Thermodynamics?

As temperature approaches absolute zero, entropy approaches zero.

What is temperature?

Measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

What is the Kinetic Theory of Gases?

Gas particles are in constant, random motion, and their kinetic energy depends on temperature.

What is reflection?

When light bounces back from a surface.

What is refraction?

When light bends as it passes from one medium to another.

What is the Ideal Gas Law?

Relates pressure, volume, temperature, & the amount of gas (PV=nRT).

What is a plane mirror?

Flat surface, virtual image, upright, same size.

What is a concave mirror?

Curved inward, real or virtual images; used in flashlights and makeup mirrors.

What is a convex mirror?

Curved outward, virtual, upright, and smaller images; used in rear-view mirrors.

What is a convex lens (converging)?

Thicker in the middle. Light rays converge and forms real or virtual images. Used in magnifying glasses or eyes.

What is a concave lens (diverging)?

Thinner in the middle. Light rays spread out and always forms virtual, upright, reduced images. Used in glasses for nearsightedness.

What is current?

The flow of electric charge.

What is voltage?

The push that makes current flow.

What is resistance?

Opposition to the flow of current, measured in ohms.

What is electrical power?

The rate electrical energy is being used.

What are magnetic fields?

A region where magnetic forces are felt.

What is the relationship between current and magnetic fields?

Current creates a magnetic field and changing magnetic fields can produce electric current.

What is Heat Transfer?

Movement of thermal energy from something hotter to something colder.

What is Conduction?

Heat transfer by direct contact mainly in solids.

What is Convection?

Heat transfer by the movement of fluids (liquids and gases).

What is Radiation?

Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, without needing matter.