General Physics Review: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards detailing core principles, laws, definitions, and equations across mechanics, thermodynamics, electrostatics, and magnetism based on the general physics syllabus.

Material Point (Point Mass)

An idealized physical body whose dimensions and spatial extent are negligible compared to the characteristic distances or geometric scale of its motion.

Inertial Reference Frame

A coordinate reference system in which Newton's first law of motion is valid, meaning an isolated object remains at rest or moves with constant velocity without experiencing fictitious inertial forces.

Non-Inertial Reference Frame

A reference frame that accelerates or rotates with respect to an inertial frame, requiring the introduction of fictitious inertial forces to satisfy Newton's dynamical laws.

Tangential Acceleration

The component of linear acceleration directed tangent to the trajectory, defined as $a_t = \frac{dv}{dt}$, which characterizes the time rate of change of the speed of a particle.

Normal Acceleration

The component of linear acceleration perpendicular to the trajectory and directed toward the instantaneous center of curvature, defined as $a_n = \frac{v^2}{R}$, characterizing the time rate of change of the direction of the velocity vector.

Total Acceleration

The vector sum of the tangential and normal accelerations, given by $\mathbf{a} = \mathbf{a}_t + \mathbf{a}_n$, with magnitude $a = \sqrt{a_t^2 + a_n^2}$.

Angular Velocity Vector

A pseudovector $\boldsymbol{\omega}$ aligned along the axis of rotation following the right-hand rule, with magnitude $\omega = \frac{d\varphi}{dt}$, related to linear velocity by $\mathbf{v} = \boldsymbol{\omega} \times \mathbf{r}$.

Angular Acceleration Vector

The time rate of change of the angular velocity vector, $\boldsymbol{\beta} = \frac{d\boldsymbol{\omega}}{dt}$, whose magnitude is related to tangential acceleration in circular motion by $a_t = \beta R$.

Momentum Theorem

The principle stating that the time derivative of linear momentum equals the net external force acting on a particle: $\frac{d\mathbf{p}}{dt} = \mathbf{F}$, or in differential form $d\mathbf{p} = \mathbf{F}\,dt$.

Impulse of a Force

The integral of an applied force over a specified time duration, defined as $\mathbf{J} = \int_{t_1}^{t_2} \mathbf{F}\,dt$, which equals the resulting change in linear momentum $\Delta \mathbf{p}$.

Work-Energy Theorem for Kinetic Energy

The theorem stating that the net work $W$ performed on a particle by all external forces equals the variation in its kinetic energy: $W = \Delta K = \frac{1}{2}m v_2^2 - \frac{1}{2}m v_1^2$.

Basic Equation of the Kinetic Theory of Gases

The fundamental relation expressing macroscopic gas pressure in terms of microscopic molecular motion: $p = \frac{1}{3} n m_0 \overline{v^2} = \frac{2}{3} n \overline{E_k}$, where $n$ is molecular number density, $m_0$ is molecular mass, and $\overline{E_k}$ is average translational kinetic energy.

Degrees of Freedom of a Molecule

The total number of independent coordinates required to uniquely identify the spatial location and spatial configuration of a molecule ($i = 3$ for monatomic, $i = 5$ for rigid diatomic, and $i = 6$ for non-linear polyatomic molecules).

Law of Equipartition of Energy

The thermodynamic principle stating that the mean kinetic energy of a molecule in thermal equilibrium is distributed equally among all its active degrees of freedom, each contributing an average energy of $\frac{1}{2} k_B T$.

Internal Energy of an Ideal Gas

The cumulative thermal kinetic energy of all constituent gas molecules, defined by $U = \frac{i}{2} \frac{m}{M} R T$, where $i$ is degrees of freedom, $m$ is mass, $M$ is molar mass, and $R$ is the universal gas constant.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The statement of energy conservation for thermodynamic systems, given by $Q = \Delta U + A'$, stating that heat $Q$ supplied to a system equals the increase in its internal energy $\Delta U$ plus the work $A'$ performed by the system on its surroundings.

Work in an Isobaric Process

The mechanical work delivered by an ideal gas during a process occurring at constant pressure: $A' = p\,(V_2 - V_1) = \frac{m}{M} R\,(T_2 - T_1)$.

Work in an Isothermal Process

The mechanical work delivered by an ideal gas during a process occurring at constant temperature: $A' = \frac{m}{M} R T \ln\left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right) = \frac{m}{M} R T \ln\left(\frac{p_1}{p_2}\right)$.

Second Law of Thermodynamics (Kelvin-Planck Statement)

The assertion that it is impossible to construct a thermodynamic engine operating in a continuous cycle whose sole result is the absorption of heat from a single thermal reservoir and the complete conversion of that heat into work.

Carnot Efficiency

The upper bound on thermal efficiency for any heat engine operating reversibly between a hot heat reservoir at temperature $T_H$ and a cold heat reservoir at temperature $T_C$, given by $\eta = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H}$.

Electric Field Intensity Vector

A vector field quantity defined as the electrostatic force experienced per unit positive stationary test charge: $\mathbf{E} = \frac{\mathbf{F}}{q_0}$, with SI unit $\text{V/m}$.

Electric Potential

A scalar field quantity defined as the potential energy per unit positive test charge at a given location in an electrostatic field: $V = \frac{W}{q_0}$, measured in volts ($\text{V}$).

Conservative Nature of Electrostatic Fields

The characteristic whereby electrostatic work done on a moving charge depends only on its initial and final locations, resulting in zero circulation along any closed path: $\oint \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{r} = 0$.

Electrostatic Energy of a Charged Capacitor

The stored electric potential energy residing within the dielectric medium of a charged capacitor: $W_e = \frac{1}{2} C V^2 = \frac{Q^2}{2 C} = \frac{1}{2} Q V$.

Electrostatic Equilibrium of a Conductor

The physical state in which mobile charges in a conductor are stationary, causing the internal field to vanish ($\mathbf{E} = \mathbf{0}$), the entire body to be equipotential, and net charges to reside exclusively on the exterior boundary.

Electric Energy Density

The electrostatic energy stored per unit volume of an electric field in a medium of dielectric constant $\varepsilon$: $w_e = \frac{1}{2} \varepsilon_0 \varepsilon E^2$, expressed in $\text{J/m}^3$.

Magnetic Induction of an Infinite Straight Wire

The magnitude of the magnetic field generated at a perpendicular separation distance $r$ from an infinitely long straight wire carrying current $I$: $B = \frac{\mu_0 \mu I}{2 \pi r}$.

Ampère's Magnetic Force Law

The magnetic force acting on an infinitesimal straight current-carrying segment $I d\mathbf{l}$ immersed in an external magnetic field $\mathbf{B}$, expressed by $d\mathbf{F} = I\,(d\mathbf{l} \times \mathbf{B})$, with magnitude $F = I B l \sin(\alpha)$.

Self-Induction

The electromagnetic induction process wherein a time-varying electric current within a conducting circuit induces an electromotive force (EMF) inside that same circuit via its own changing magnetic flux.

Self-Induced Electromotive Force

The induced EMF produced in an inductive circuit directly proportional to the negative time rate of change of electric current: $\mathcal{E}_{\text{tc}} = -L \frac{dI}{dt}$, where $L$ is the inductance.

Self-Inductance of a Solenoid

The self-induction coefficient of a solenoid of length $l$, core area $S$, and turn count $N$: $L = \mu_0 \mu \frac{N^2}{l} S = \mu_0 \mu n^2 V$, where $n$ is turns per unit length.

Magnetic Energy Density

The magnetic potential energy contained per unit volume of space occupied by a magnetic field: $w_m = \frac{1}{2} B H = \frac{B^2}{2 \mu_0 \mu} = \frac{1}{2} \mu_0 \mu H^2$, measured in $\text{J/m}^3$.