Physics 100 Final Exam Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering high-yield physics formulas, circuit properties, sound waves, and optics concepts.

Wave Speed Formula

$v = f Λ$, where $v$ is wave speed in $\text{m/s}$, $f$ is frequency in $\text{Hz}$, and $\lambda$ is wavelength in $\text{m}$.

Period Formula

$T = \frac{1}{f}$, where $T$ is period in seconds and $f$ is frequency in $\text{Hz}$; it represents the time for one complete wave.

Ohm's Law

$V = IR$, where $V$ is voltage in volts, $I$ is current in amps, and $R$ is resistance in ohms.

Power Formula (Standard)

$P = IV$, where $P$ is power in watts, $I$ is current, and $V$ is voltage.

Power Alternative ($I$ and $R$)

$P = I^2 R$, used to calculate electrical power when current and resistance are known.

Power Alternative ($V$ and $R$)

$P = \frac{V^2}{R}$, used to calculate electrical power when voltage and resistance are known.

Index of Refraction Formula

$n = \frac{c}{v}$, where $n$ is the index, $c$ is the speed of light in a vacuum, and $v$ is the speed in the material.

Pitch

The quality of sound determined by frequency.

Loudness

The quality of sound determined by amplitude.

Sound Speed

Sound travels fastest in solids, then liquids, and then gases; it cannot travel in a vacuum.

Standing Waves (Open Pipe)

Produces all harmonics.

Standing Waves (Closed Pipe)

Produces odd harmonics only.

Coulomb's Law

States that electric force follows an inverse-square law; doubling the distance makes the force $\frac{1}{4}$.

Series Circuits

A circuit where current is the same everywhere, voltage is shared, and total resistance equals the sum of individual resistances ($R_{\text{total}} = R_1 + R_2 + \dots$).

Parallel Circuits

A circuit where voltage is the same across every branch and current splits between branches.

Plane Mirror

Produces an image that is virtual, upright, and the same size.

Convex Mirror

Produces an image that is virtual, upright, and smaller; often used as car mirrors.

Concave Mirror

A mirror that can produce images that are either real or virtual.

Diverging Lens

A lens that always produces a virtual, upright, and reduced image.

Converging Lens

A lens where the image produced depends on the object distance.

Refraction

The phenomenon where light entering a slower medium bends toward the normal; a larger index of refraction ($n$) means slower light.