physics

What is the Particle Model of matter?

All matter is made up of tiny particles (atoms or molecules) that are in constant motion.

What is internal energy?

The total energy of the particles in a substance, including both kinetic and potential energy.

What does the formula Q = m × c × T represent?

It calculates heat energy, where Q is the heat energy, m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and T is the change in temperature.

What is Boyle's Law?

For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the pressure and volume are inversely proportional.

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is an isotope?

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

What is alpha radiation?

Emission of a Helium nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons), with low penetration and can be stopped by paper.

What does half-life mean?

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

What happens to the particles in a solid?

Particles vibrate in fixed positions.

What happens to the particles in a liquid?

Particles are close together but can move past each other.

What happens to the particles in a gas?

Particles are far apart and move freely at high speeds.

What occurs during melting?

Solid changes to liquid and energy is absorbed.

What occurs during condensation?

Gas changes to liquid and energy is released.

What occurs during freezing?

Liquid changes to solid and energy is released.

What occurs during boiling/evaporation?

Liquid changes to gas and energy is absorbed.

What occurs during sublimation?

Solid changes to gas and it is a direct change without going through liquid phase.

What is mechanical energy transfer?

Energy transferred by the action of a force moving an object.

What is electrical energy transfer?

Energy transferred when an electric current flows through a circuit

What is thermal energy transfer?

Energy transferred from hotter objects to cooler objects

What is radiation energy transfer?

Energy transferred in the form of electromagnetic waves

What is Charles’s law?

For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure, the volume of the gas is directly proportional to it’s temperature in Kelvin

What are the properties of protons?

Positive charge, found in the nucleus

What are the properties of neutrons?

No charge, found in the nucleus

What are the properties of electrons?

Negative charge, orbit the nucleus in energy levels

What is the atomic number?

The number of protons in the nucleus

What is the mass number of atoms?

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus

What is the formula of the mass number of atoms?

Protons + Neutrons = Mass Number

What is nuclear radiation?

Emission of particles or electromagnetic waves from the nucleus of an atom.

What is beta radiation?

High-energy electron, medium penetration (can be stopped by a sheet of metal).

What is gamma radiation?

High-frequency electromagnetic wave, very high penetration (can only be stopped by thick lead or concrete).

What is radioactive decay?

The process by which an unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.