Physical Science Review - Forces, Energy, and Electromagnetism

Flashcards covering key definitions and concepts for physics, focusing on forces, electricity, magnetism, and energy based on lecture notes.

Contact force

The friction between an object and air.

Net force of objects in the same direction

Calculated by adding the forces together.

Net force of objects in opposite directions

Calculated by subtracting the forces.

Factors determining electric field strength

The distance between the objects and the strength of the charge on the objects.

Gravitational force on a $10.0\,kg$ mass

$$9.8\,m/s$$

Moon's effect on ocean tides

The moon has a greater effect than the sun because it is closer to Earth, resulting in a stronger gravitational force.

Gravity

The force that pulls all objects towards one another.

Factors affecting gravitational force

The mass of the objects and the distance between them.

Orbit

The motion of an object around another object, such as a satellite moving around Earth.

Electric charge

A fundamental property that causes electric and magnetic interactions.

Conductor

Something that allows electric charges (electrons) to move freely through it.

Insulator

Something that does not allow electric charges to move freely through it.

Law of conservation of charge

Charges are not lost between objects; electrons are transferred from one object to another and the total charge remains the same.

Semiconductor

A material that controls the flow of electrons/electric charge.

Interaction of two positive charges

They repel each other.

Interaction of a positive and a negative charge

They attract each other.

Charging by conduction

Charges move between touching objects.

Charging by induction

Charges are redistributed within an object that is near another object.

Aurora

A light display created when solar particles are pulled towards the poles by Earth's magnetic field and interact with particles in Earth's atmosphere.

Magnetic field

A region around a magnet in which magnetic forces can be measured.

Domain

Tiny areas in materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt where the north and south poles of atoms line up.

Earth's Magnetic North Pole

It is actually the south pole of a magnet.

Permanent magnet

A ferromagnetic material that is turned into a magnet after being placed in a strong magnetic field.

Ferromagnetic material example

Iron

Action-at-a-distance force

A force where objects, such as magnets, do not have to touch each other to experience a force.

Generator

A system in which a magnet moves in a coil of wire to produce electricity.

Electromagnetism

The interaction between electricity and magnetism.

Solenoid

A coiled wire that is attached to a battery.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion.

Potential energy

Stored energy.

Gravitational potential energy

Stored energy that an object has due to its height above ground.

Factors affecting kinetic energy

The object's speed and mass.

Mechanical energy formula

$$\text{Kinetic energy} + \text{Potential energy}$$

Free fall

A condition where no forces are acting on an object.

Elastic potential energy

The kind of energy involved in any kind of spring.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

A measure of gravitational force.

Electromagnet

A solenoid that includes an iron core.

Ways to increase electromagnet strength

Add more loops, pack loops closer together, use a stronger current, or use a stronger magnetic material.

Types of potential energy

Gravitational, elastic, and chemical.