ap physics 2 equations flashcards part 2

λ = wavelength

v = speed

f = frequency

Used for waves to find the wavelength when you know the wave’s speed and frequency (like sound, light, or water waves).

n = index of refraction

c = speed of light

v = speed

Used to find the refractive index of a material when light travels slower than in a vacuum.

n = index of refraction

θ = angle

Used for refraction problems—like light bending when entering glass or water

s = position

f = frequency

Used in lens/mirror problems to relate image and object distances with the focal length.

M = magnification

h = height

s = position

Used to find image magnification in optical systems—how much bigger/smaller the image is

D = path length

m = order or mass

λ = wavelength

Used in double-slit interference and diffraction grating problems to find bright fringe positions.

D = path length

a = width

θ = angle

Used in diffraction grating problems to find the angle for constructive interference.

a = width

y = position

L = distance

m = order or mass

λ = wavelength

Used in single-slit diffraction to find the position of dark fringes on the screen.

D = path length

d = separation

θ = angle

Used in double-slit interference to calculate where bright fringes appear.

d = separation

y = position

L = distance

m = mass

m = order or mass

λ = wavelength

Used for bright fringe locations in a double-slit or diffraction pattern.

v = speed

F = force

m = order or mass

ℓ = length

Used to find the speed of a wave on a string under tension, like in guitar strings or lab setups

T = period

f = frequency

Used in all wave motion problems to relate period and frequency.

x = position

t = time

A = amplitude

w = angular frequency

f = frequency

Used in a simple harmonic motion (e.g., springs or pendulums) to describe motion over time.

f = frequency

Used in sound wave problems where two close frequencies interfere to create beats (wah-wah-wah sound).

E = energy

h = Planck’s constant

f = frequency

Used to find the energy of a photon using its frequency. Common in quantum and photoelectric problems.

λ = wavelength

h = Planck’s constant

p = momentum

Used in de Broglie wavelength problems to relate a particle’s momentum (p) to its wavelength (λ).

λ = wavelength

c = speed of light

f = frequency

Used for electromagnetic waves (like light) to relate wavelength and frequenc

λ = wavelength

b = Wien’s constant

T = absolute temperature

Used in blackbody radiation (Wien’s Law) to find the wavelength of peak emission based on temperature.

P = power

A = area

σ = Stefan-Boltzmann constant

T = absolute temperature

Used in thermal radiation (Stefan-Boltzmann Law) to find power radiated by a blackbody surface of area A.

K = kinetic energy

h = Planck’s constant

f = frequency

Φ = work function

Used in the photoelectric effect to find the maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons.

λ = wavelength

h = Planck’s constant

m = mass

c = speed of light

θ = angle

Used in Compton scattering problems to find the wavelength shift of X-rays after collision with electrons.

E = energy

m = mass

c = speed of light

Used to convert mass into energy, especially in nuclear reactions.

N = number of particles

λ = wavelength

t = time

Used for radioactive decay to find the remaining number of nuclei (N) at time t.

λ = wavelength

t = time

Used to find the decay constant (λ) from the half-life (t₁/₂) of a radioactive substance.