Mechanical Systems and Light Optics Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering mechanical systems, simple machines, force, motion, work, efficiency, and light optics based on the provided guide.

Mechanical System

A group of parts working together to transfer force and motion.

Simple Machine

A device that makes work easier by changing the size or direction of a force.

Force

A push or a pull.

Motion

A change in position.

Lever

A rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum.

Fulcrum

The pivot point of a lever.

Effort

The force applied to move a load.

Load

The object being moved.

First-Class Lever

A lever where the fulcrum is located between the effort and the load, such as a seesaw or scissors.

Second-Class Lever

A lever where the load is located between the fulcrum and the effort, such as a wheelbarrow or nutcracker.

Third-Class Lever

A lever where the effort is between the fulcrum and the load, such as a baseball bat or fishing rod.

Inclined Plane

A sloped surface used to move objects upward with less force.

Wedge

Two inclined planes joined together, such as an axe or knife.

Screw

An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.

Pulley

A wheel with a rope or chain used to lift objects.

Fixed Pulley

A pulley that stays in one place and changes the direction of force.

Movable Pulley

A pulley that moves with the load and reduces the effort needed.

Wheel and Axle

A large wheel connected to a smaller axle.

Gear

A wheel with teeth around its edge.

Gear Train

Two or more gears working together.

Driving Gear

The gear that receives the input force.

Driven Gear

The gear that is turned by the driving gear.

Mechanical Advantage ($MA$)

A measure of how much a machine multiplies force, calculated as $MA = \frac{\text{Output Force}}{\text{Input Force}}$.

Speed Ratio ($SR$)

A comparison of input distance to output distance, calculated as $SR = \frac{\text{Input Distance}}{\text{Output Distance}}$.

Work

Occurs when a force causes an object to move, calculated using the formula $\text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance}$.

Joules ($J$)

The unit used to measure work.

Efficiency

A measure of how effectively a machine converts input work into output work, expressed as $(\frac{MA}{SR}) \times 100\%$.

Linkage

A system that transfers motion from one part of a machine to another, such as bicycle pedals or windshield wipers.

Complex Machine

A machine made of two or more simple machines working together, such as a bulldozer or hydraulic arm.

Hydraulic System

A system that uses liquid pressure to move objects.

Pascal's Law

States that pressure applied to a liquid spreads equally in all directions.

Photons

Tiny particles or packets of light energy.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation arranged from lowest energy to highest energy.

Reflection

The bouncing of light off a surface.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, such as when a straw appears bent in water.

Absorption

When light is taken in by a material and converted into energy, often felt as heat.

Law of Reflection

The scientific law stating that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Normal Line

An imaginary line perpendicular to a reflecting or refracting surface used to measure angles.

Transparent

A material that allows light to pass through clearly.

Translucent

A material that allows some light to pass through but scatters it, making objects appear blurry.

Opaque

A material that does not allow any light to pass through.

Spectrum

The range of colours that make up visible light ($ROYGBIV$).

Convex Lens

A lens that causes light rays to converge (bring them together) and is used to correct far-sightedness.

Concave Lens

A lens that causes light rays to diverge (spread them apart) and is used to correct near-sightedness.

Cornea

The clear outer layer of the eye that helps focus incoming light.

Iris

The colored part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil.

Pupil

The opening in the center of the iris that allows light to enter the eye.

Retina

The back of the eye where images are formed and converted into signals.

Optic Nerve

The nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain.

Rods

Cells in the retina that are important for night vision and detecting movement.

Cones

Cells in the retina that are necessary for colour vision.

Kaleidoscope

An optical device that uses mirrors and reflection to create repeating symmetrical patterns.