CSEC Physics Review Flashcards

This set of 30 flashcards covers key concepts from the CSEC Physics lecture notes, including scientific methodology, mechanics, thermal physics, waves, and nuclear physics.

Who is often referred to as the 'father of modern scientific methodology'?

Galileo Galilei

What is the definition of a dependent variable in an experiment?

The variable that may be affected by a change in the independent variable.

What is the formula to find the gradient ($m$) of a straight-line graph?

$$m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$$

What type of error describes a situation where there is an equal chance of the result being greater or lesser than the true value?

Random errors

Which measuring instrument is most suitable for measuring lengths less than $1\,cm$ with high precision?

Micrometer screw gauge

What is the SI base unit for 'amount of substance'?

mole ($mol$)

How is the SI derived unit 'newton' ($N$) expressed in SI base units?

$$kg\,m\,s^{-2}$$

What is the definition of a vector quantity?

A quantity that has magnitude and direction.

What formula is used to calculate weight ($W$) based on mass ($m$) and gravitational field strength ($g$)?

$$W = mg$$

What is the SI unit of a moment of a force?

newton metre ($N\,m$)

State the Principle of Moments for a system in rotational equilibrium.

The sum of the clockwise moments about any point is equal to the sum of the anticlockwise moments about that same point.

According to Hooke's law, what is the relationship between applied force ($F$) and extension ($e$)?

$F = ke$ (where $k$ is the force constant)

In kinematics, what does the gradient of a displacement-time ($s-t$) graph represent?

Velocity ($v = \frac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}$)

What physical quantity is represented by the area under a velocity-time graph?

Displacement

State Newton's first law of motion.

A body continues in its state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless acted on by a resultant force.

What is the formula for linear momentum ($p$)?

$$p = mv$$

State the law of conservation of linear momentum.

In the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system of bodies is constant.

What is the formula for the change in gravitational potential energy ($\Delta E_p$)?

$$\Delta E_p = mg\Delta h$$

What is the formula for kinetic energy ($E_K$)?

$$E_K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$$

State Archimedes' principle.

When a body is completely or partially immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upthrust equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.

What is the 18th-century obsolete theory that defined heat as an invisible fluid?

Caloric theory

Define Specific Heat Capacity ($c$).

The heat needed to change unit mass of a substance by unit temperature ($E = mc\Delta T$).

What is the specific latent heat of fusion ($l_f$)?

The heat energy needed to change unit mass of a substance from solid to liquid without a change of temperature ($E = ml_f$).

What type of wave has vibrations perpendicular to its direction of propagation?

Transverse wave

What is the general wave equation relating speed ($v$), wavelength ($\lambda$), and frequency ($f$)?

$$v = \lambda f$$

What is the speed of all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

$$3.0 \times 10^8\,m/s$$

Define electrical current ($I$) in terms of charge ($Q$) and time ($t$).

$$I = \frac{Q}{t}$$

State Ohm's law.

Provided the temperature and other physical conditions remain constant, the current ($I$) through a conductor is proportional to the potential difference ($V$) between its ends ($V = IR$).

Define the half-life of a radioisotope.

The time taken for the mass (or activity) of a given sample of it to decay to half of its value.

State Einstein's mass-energy equivalence equation.

$$\Delta E = \Delta m c^2$$

What is the role of a control group in an experiment?

The control group is used as a benchmark to compare the effects of the independent variable, ensuring that any changes observed are due to the treatment.