General Science Mechanics, Fluids, and Electricity Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering linear and rotational dynamics, simple and compound machines, fluid dynamics, static electricity, and circuit principles.

Linear Velocity

The rate at which an object changes position over time, measured in meters per second ($m/s$).

Angular Velocity

The rate at which an object changes its angular position while rotating, measured in radians per second ($rad/s$).

Force

A push or pull that causes translational motion or changes an object's motion, defined by Newton's Second Law as $F = ma$.

Torque

The force that causes rotational motion around an axis, given by $\tau = rF\sin(\theta)$.

Work

Performed when force is applied to an object and the object moves, expressed by $W = Fd$.

Linear Displacement

The change in position of an object moving in a straight path, measured in meters and calculated as $x = x_f - x_i$.

Angular Displacement

The angle through which an object rotates around an axis, measured in radians ($rad$).

Compound Machine

A machine made up of two or more simple machines working together to perform complex tasks.

Machine Efficiency

A measure of how well a machine converts input work into useful output work, calculated as $\text{Efficiency} = (\text{Output Work} \div \text{Input Work}) \times 100\%$.

Mechanical Advantage (MA)

A measure of how much a machine multiplies the applied force, calculated as $\text{MA} = \text{Load Force} \div \text{Effort Force}$.

Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA)

The mechanical advantage of a theoretical perfect machine operating without friction.

Actual Mechanical Advantage (AMA)

The mechanical advantage of a real machine, which accounts for real-world energy losses due to friction.

Golden Rule of Machines

The core principle stating that "What you gain in force, you lose in distance."

Fluid

A substance that can flow and take the shape of its container, such as liquids and gases.

Pressure

The force applied over a given surface area, given by $P = \frac{F}{A}$.

Pascal’s Principle

States that when pressure is applied to a confined fluid, it is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions.

Archimedes’ Principle

States that an object immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

Buoyancy

The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object partially or completely immersed in it.

Density

The amount of mass contained within a given volume, given by $\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}$.

Electrocution

Death caused by electric shock.

Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)

The unit of measurement for electrical energy consumption equivalent to using $1,000\,\text{watts}$ for $1\,\text{hour}$.

Law of Conservation of Charge

States that electric charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred between objects.

Coulomb's Law

Formula describing the electrostatic force between two charges: $F = \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r^2}$.

Conductors

Materials, such as copper and silver, that allow electrical charge to move freely through them.

Insulators

Materials, such as rubber and glass, that do not allow electrical charge to move easily through them.

Voltage

The electrical potential difference that pushes charge through a circuit, given by $V = \frac{W}{Q}$.

Electric Current

The rate of electric charge flow over time, measured in amperes ($A$) and defined as $I = \frac{Q}{t}$.

Resistance

The opposition to electric current flow, measured in Ohms ($\Omega$).

Ohm's Law

The foundational circuit formula stating the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance: $V = IR$.

Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)

States that the total electric current entering a node equals the total current leaving it, based on conservation of charge ($\Sigma I_{\text{in}} = \Sigma I_{\text{out}}$).

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)

States that the sum of all electrical potential differences around any closed loop in a circuit equals zero ($\Sigma V = 0$).