Physics and Astronomy Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering electricity, thermal energy, wave properties, sound, optics, and astronomy based on lecture transcripts.

Insulator

Material that electrons can't move easily bc they r tightly connected 2 the atom, stops the flow of electricity

Electric field

Region surrounding every electric charge which is a force of attraction or electric repulsion is exerted on on other charges

Electroscope

Device that detects electric charge

Conductor

Material that electrons move easily, metal is a very good conductor, electricity can flow easily

Series circuit

Are all on one path, either all are turned on or all are turned off

Direct current

Only one direction, things that r battery run r direct, like a phone

Electric circuit

Closed path thro which an electron current flows

Resistance

Tendency 4 a material 2 resist the flow of electrons and to convert electrical energy into other forms of energy

Static electricity

Accumulation of extra charge on an object

Grounding

Connecting an object 2 earth w a conductor, so if lightning strikes there is a path 4 electric energy 2 go thro

Electric current

Total net movement of electric charges in a single direction. Unit- Ampares, $1\,C=1\,A$ flowing past a point every sec

Alternating current

Current changes directions back and forth, like an outlet, $current = \frac{v}{r}$

Parallel circuit

Each has its own circuit, could have some on and some off but same battery, in our homes

Electrical power

Rate at which electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy, electrical power=current x voltage dif, $p = iv$

Temperature

Measure of average kinetic energy of the particles that make up an object, more movement in particles= hotter

Heat

Energy being transferred b/w objects due 2 a temp dif b/w objects

Thermal energy

Sum of kinetic energy+potential energy of all of the particles the make up an object

Specific heat

Amt of heat needed 2 raise the temp of $1\,kg$ of material to $1^{\circ}C$

Conduction

Transfer of thermal energy by collisions b/w particles that make up matter

Convection

Transfer of thermal energy in a fluid by movements of warmer and cooler fluid

Radiation

Transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves, like light

Solar collector

A device that absorbs sunlight and uses it to heat water, air or another fluid

Thermodynamics

Study of relationships b/w thermal energy, heat and work

Heat engine

Device that converts thermal energy into mechanical, like car engine

Period

Amt of time it takes for $1$ w/l 2 pass $1$ point

Medium

Matter thro which a wave travels

Transverse wave

The particles in a medium move back and forth at right angles 2 the direction the wave travels

Mechanical wave

Waves that travel only thro matter

Amplitude

Measure of the size of a disturbance of a wave

Frequency

Num of w/l that pass a fixed point each sec

Longitudinal wave

Matter in which medium moves back and forth in same direction as the waves travel

Wavelength

Distance b/w one point in a wave 2 the nearest identical point

Node

Points where waves cancel each other out

Reflection

When a wave hits an object it will bounce back

Diffraction

Bending of a wave around an object

Refraction

Bending of a wave caused by a change in speed as it travels from one medium to another

Interference

Process of $2$ or more waves combining 2 form a new wave

Standing wave

Wave pattern that forms when when waves r equal in w/l and amp but go in opp directions continuously interfere w each other

Intensity

Amt of energy that passes thro a certain area in a specific amt of time

Decibel

Unit of sound intensity, every increase in $10\,db$ is $10\times$ louder

Pitch

How high or low the sound is, unit-hertz

Doppler Effect

Change in wave frequency due 2 a wave source moving relative 2 an observer or an observer moving relative 2 a source

Opaque

Absorbs or reflects

Transparent

Transmits

Translucent

Transmits, but not smooth surface so scatters

Solstice

Earths rotational axis is tilted directly towards or away from the sun, longest or shortest day of the yr

Equinox

Earths rotational axis is perpendicular 2 align draw from center of the earth to center of the sun

Tide

Rise or fall of the ocean caused by the moon's pull on the earth

Law of conservation of charge

Electric charge cant be created or destroyed, only transferred from one object 2 another

Coulomb

Unit for electric charge

Constructive interference

When crest+crest (or trough) meets and combines 2 form a bigger wave

Destructive interference

When crest and trough meet and makes smaller wave

Law of reflection

Angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection

Spring tides

When sun moon and earth r in line (full and no moon) makes highest+lowest tides

Neap tides

When sun and moon r at right angles, (quarter moons) smallest dif b/w high+low tides

Waxing

Beginning to the middle of the month, moon is getting larger

Waning

Middle to end of the month, moon is getting smaller