CSEC Physics Concise Revision Course

These flashcards cover key concepts from CSEC Physics, essential for exam preparation.

What is the principle of conservation of energy?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Define momentum.

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity.

What is a scalar quantity?

A quantity that has only magnitude and no direction.

What is a vector quantity?

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.

State Newton's first law of motion.

A body remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a resultant force.

What is the relationship between pressure and depth in a fluid?

Pressure in a fluid increases with increased depth.

What is significant about the critical angle in optics?

It is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.

Define specific latent heat of fusion.

The amount of heat required to change a unit mass of a substance from solid to liquid at constant temperature.

What is Ohm's law?

The current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points, provided the temperature remains constant.

What is the difference between a primary cell and a secondary cell?

A primary cell cannot be recharged, while a secondary cell can be recharged.

Describe the differences between boiling and evaporation.

Boiling occurs at a specific temperature and involves the entire liquid, while evaporation occurs at any temperature and only involves the liquid's surface.

What is the formula for calculating work done?

Work done = Force x Displacement.

How does temperature affect the rate of evaporation?

Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of molecules, leading to a higher rate of evaporation.

What is the significance of Hooke’s law?

It states that the force applied to a spring is directly proportional to its extension or compression.

What are the two types of electric charge?

Positive and negative.

Explain how an electromagnet functions.

An electromagnet is created by passing an electric current through a coil of wire, generating a magnetic field.

State the characteristics of a real image formed by a lens.

A real image is inverted, can be projected onto a screen, and is formed on the opposite side of the lens from the object.

What does a voltmeter measure?

Potential difference (voltage) across two points in a circuit.

Define the concept of electric field.

An electric field is the region around a charged object where a force would be exerted on other charges.

What is a thermocouple?

A device made of two different metals that generates a voltage when there is a temperature difference between the junctions.

Explain the principle behind a nuclear reactor.

A nuclear reactor uses controlled nuclear fission to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity.

What causes a mirage?

A mirage is caused by the refraction of light rays in layers of heated air, making distant objects appear displaced.

How is sound affected by temperature?

The speed of sound generally increases with an increase in temperature because warmer air has more energetic particles that transmit sound waves more efficiently.

What is the role of a fuse in an electrical circuit?

A fuse protects the circuit by melting and breaking the connection when excessive current flows.