Arihant Physics Handbook - Comprehensive Review

Flashcards covering fundamental terms, physical constants, laws, and definitions from the Handbook of Physics revision resource.

Measurement

The comparison of any physical quantity with its standard unit.

Fundamental Quantities

Those physical quantities which are independent of each other (e.g., length, mass, time).

Dimensions

The powers to which fundamental quantities are raised to express a physical quantity.

Homogeneity Principle

States that if the dimensions of LHS of an equation are equal to the dimensions of RHS, the equation is dimensionally correct ($[LHS] = [RHS]$).

Scalars

Physical quantities that require only magnitude but no direction for complete representation (e.g., speed, work).

Vectors

Physical quantities that require both magnitude and direction and follow vector laws (e.g., force, velocity).

Null Vector

A vector whose magnitude is zero ($0$) and its direction is not defined.

Distance

The length of the actual path covered by an object; a scalar quantity that can never be zero or negative during motion.

Displacement

The shortest distance between initial and final positions; a vector quantity calculated as $\Delta x = x_2 - x_1$.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity with time ($a = \frac{dv}{dt}$).

Projectile Motion

The motion of an object thrown into the air at an angle (except $90^{\circ}$), following a parabolic trajectory.

Uniform Circular Motion

Motion along a circular path where the magnitude of velocity remains constant.

Inertia

The property of an object by virtue of which it cannot change its state of rest or uniform motion on its own.

Newton's First Law

Also called the Law of Inertia; a body continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless an external force is applied.

Linear Momentum

The total amount of motion in a body, equal to the product of mass and velocity ($p = mv$).

Impulse

The product of impulsive force and the time for which it acts, equal to the change in momentum ($F \times t = \Delta p$).

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by an object by virtue of its motion ($K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$).

Power

The rate at which work is done ($P = \frac{W}{t} = \mathbf{F} \cdot \mathbf{v}$).

Coefficient of Restitution ($e$)

The ratio of relative velocity of separation after collision to relative velocity of approach before collision ($e = 1$ for elastic, $e = 0$ for perfectly inelastic).

Moment of Inertia ($I$)

The property of a body to oppose change in its state of rotation; calculated as $I = \sum m_i r_i^2$.

Centripetal Force

A force directed toward the center of a circular path required to maintain circular motion ($F = \frac{mv^2}{r}$).

Newton's Law of Gravitation

The force of attraction between two masses is $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$.

Escape Velocity

The minimum velocity required for a body to cross a planet's gravitational field ($v_e = \sqrt{2gR}$).

Hooke's Law

Within the limit of elasticity, stress is proportional to strain ($\text{Stress} \propto \text{Strain}$).

Surface Tension

The property of a liquid to minimize its surface area, measured as force per unit length ($S = \frac{F}{l}$).

Bernoulli's Theorem

For an ideal fluid in streamline flow, the sum of pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy per unit volume is constant ($p + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho gh = \text{constant}$).

Viscosity

The internal frictional force between fluid layers that opposes relative motion.

Triple Point

The specific temperature and pressure at which ice, water, and vapor coexist in equilibrium.

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

States that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.

Entropy

A measure of the randomness or disorder of molecular motion in a system ($dS = \frac{dQ}{T}$).

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)

Periodic motion where restoring force is proportional to displacement ($F = -kx$).

Coulomb's Law

The force between two point charges ($F = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$).

Ohm's Law

Voltage is directly proportional to current at constant temperature ($V = IR$).

Self-Induction

The production of induced emf in a circuit due to change in current in the same circuit ($e = -L \frac{dI}{dt}$).

Root Mean Square (RMS) Current

The effective value of alternating current ($I_{rms} = \frac{I_0}{\sqrt{2}} \approx 0.707 I_0$).

Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

Phenomenon where light travelling from denser to rarer medium is reflected back if angle of incidence exceeds critical angle (i > C).

Work Function ($\phi$)

The minimum energy required to eject an electron from a metal surface.

Mass Defect

The difference between the sum of masses of nucleons and the actual mass of the nucleus.

Semiconductors

Materials whose conductivity lies between conductors and insulators (e.g., Silicon, Germanium).

Logic Gate

A digital circuit that follows specific logical relationships between input and output signals.