Physics Second Secondary — Term 2 Complete Chapter Summaries 2025 – 2026

These flashcards cover key definitions, fundamental equations, laws, and important concepts from the lecture notes on physics, specifically focusing on work and energy, wave motion, light, circular motion, and universal gravity.

Work

The scalar product of force and displacement; requires a force acting on an object and displacement in the direction of that force.

Joule

The work done by a force of 1 Newton to move an object 1 meter in the direction of the force.

Energy

The ability to do work; measured in Joules (J).

Kinetic Energy (KE)

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Potential Energy (PE)

The energy an object possesses due to its position, stored within the object.

Mechanical Energy (E)

The sum of kinetic energy and potential energy at any point.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another.

Fundamental Equation for KE

KE = rac{1}{2} mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity.

Fundamental Equation for PE

$PE = mgh$, where m is mass, g is acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.

Wave

A disturbance that propagates and transfers energy from one place to another.

Amplitude (A)

Maximum displacement of a vibrating object from its equilibrium position.

Frequency (𝝂)

Number of complete oscillations per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Period (T)

Time for one complete oscillation, measured in seconds (s).

Transverse Wave

A wave in which particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which particles vibrate along the same line as the direction of wave propagation.

Snell's Law

$n_1 \sin(\phi) = n_2 \sin(\theta)$; relates the angles and refractive indices of two media.

Critical Angle (𝜟𝐜)

The angle of incidence in a denser medium that results in a refraction angle of exactly 90° in the less dense medium.

Law of Universal Gravitation

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

Gravitational Field Intensity (g)

The gravitational force exerted by Earth on a mass of 1 kg at a given point.

Orbital Speed (v)

The speed a satellite must have to remain in its orbit at a given radius.

Centripetal Force (𝑭𝒄)

The force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of that path.

Total Internal Reflection

Occurs when light travels from a denser to a less dense medium and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.