2nd Semester Review Flashcards

Flashcards for 2nd Semester Review (Units 5-8)

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of EM radiation.

Speed of Light (c)

Constant speed at which electromagnetic radiation propagates in a vacuum; c = 3.00 x 10^8 m/s

Law of Reflection

The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Index of Refraction (n)

Ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a medium; n = c/v

Refraction

The bending of a wave when it passes from one medium to another.

Snell's Law

Formula describing the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction; n1sin(θ1) = n2sin(θ2)

Total Internal Reflection

The complete reflection of a light ray back into its original medium when striking the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle.

Dispersion

The separation of white light into its constituent colors due to their different refractive indices.

Converging Lens/Mirror

Lens or mirror that causes parallel rays of light to converge at a focal point.

Diverging Lens/Mirror

Lens or mirror that causes parallel rays of light to spread out.

Real Image

An image formed by the actual intersection of light rays; can be projected onto a screen.

Virtual Image

An image formed by the apparent intersection of light rays; cannot be projected onto a screen.

Lens/Mirror Equation

1/f = 1/do + 1/di (relates focal length, object distance, and image distance)

Magnification (M)

Ratio of image height to object height; M = hi/ho = -di/do

Radius of Curvature (R)

The distance from the vertex of a curved mirror to its center of curvature; R = 2f

Polarization

The alignment of the electric fields of light waves in a specific direction.

Electric Charge

A fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field.

Fundamental Charge

The magnitude of the charge of a single electron or proton; approximately 1.6 x 10^-19 C

Conductors

Materials that allow electric charge to flow easily.

Insulators

Materials that resist the flow of electric charge.

Grounding

Providing a path for electric charge to flow safely to the Earth.

Charging by Conduction

Transferring electric charge through direct contact.

Charging by Friction

Transferring electric charge by rubbing two objects together.

Charging by Induction

Redistributing electric charge in an object without direct contact.

Polarization (Electrostatics)

The separation of positive and negative charges within an object.

Coulomb's Law

Describes the electric force between two charged objects; FE = kc(q1q2)/d^2

Inverse Square Law

The electric force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges.

Electric Field

A region around a charged object where other charged objects experience a force.

Electric Field Lines

Lines that represent the direction and strength of an electric field.

Electric Potential Energy (Ue)

The energy a charge has due to its location in an electric field; Ue = qEd

Potential Difference

The difference in electric potential between two points.

Equipotential Lines

Lines along which the electric potential is constant.

Electric Current (I)

The rate of flow of electric charge; I = Δq/Δt

DC Current

Direct current; electric charge flows in one direction.

AC Current

Alternating current; electric charge changes direction periodically.

Resistance (R)

Opposition to the flow of electric current.

Ohm's Law

Relationship between voltage, current, and resistance; V = IR

Electric Power (P)

The rate at which electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy; P = IV

Series Circuit

A circuit in which components are connected one after another along a single path.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit in which components are connected along multiple paths.

Short Circuit

A low-resistance connection between two points in a circuit, often resulting in excessive current flow.

Magnetic Field

A region around a magnet or current-carrying wire where magnetic forces are exerted.

Ferromagnetism

A property of certain materials that exhibit strong magnetic properties.

Paramagnetism

A property of certain materials that are weakly attracted to magnetic fields.

Right-Hand Rule

Used to determine the direction of magnetic fields and forces related to current-carrying wires and moving charges.

Solenoid

A coil of wire that creates a magnetic field when current flows through it.

Faraday's Law of Induction

The induced EMF in any closed circuit is equal to the time rate of change of the magnetic flux through the circuit.

Lenz's Law

The direction of the induced current is such that it opposes the change in magnetic flux that produces it.

Photoelectric Effect

The emission of electrons from a material when light shines on it.

Work Function (Φ)

The minimum energy required to remove an electron from a solid.

Threshold Frequency

The minimum frequency of light required to produce the photoelectric effect.