Physics Concepts and Constants/variables

Period

Time it takes to complete a full cycle

Cycle

A complete sequence of motion or change that repeats itself, returning to its initial state

Frequency

Amount of crests/troughs that pass through a certain point in 1 second

Amplitude

Maximum dislocation from equilibrium

Medium

A substance waves can travel through

Restoring Force

Force that returns a system to equilibrium

Transverse

Disturbance moves in a direction perpendicular to the wave motion

Equilibrium

The state in which an elastic or oscillating system most wants to be in if undisturbed by outside forces.

Crest

Highest part of wave cycle

Longitudinal

Disturbance moves parallel to motion

Trough

Lowest part of wave cycle

Wavelength

Distance between crests/troughs

Reflection

The change in direction of a wavefront when it bounces off a surface

Refraction

The bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another

Absorption

Boundary can take energy from colliding wave

Diffraction

When a wave meets a hole or another obstacle, it can be bent around it or through it

Constructive Interference

Combined waves line up with each other, increases amplitude

Destructive Interference

Combined waves do not line up, decreases amplitude

Node

Points of equilibrium on a wave

Antinode

Points of greatest displacement within wave

Resonance

Frequency of the disturbing force equals the natural frequency of the system, the amplitude will increase

Damping

Frequency of the periodic force does NOT equal the natural frequency of the system, the amplitude will decrease

Pitch

Human ear's response to frequency

Reverberation

Persistence of sound within an enclosed space after the sound source stops. It results from multiple sound reflections bouncing off the walls, floor, and ceiling, creating a sustained sound

Timbre

Quality or character of a sound, specifically how it is perceived

Harmony

Combination of frequencies which produce a new musical tone.

Induction

Process where an electric field induces a charge onto an object without making contact

Conduction

Process where an electric field induces a charge onto an object while making contact

Polarization (Electricity)

Realignment of charge on the surface of an insulator

Insulator

Material in which electric charge cannot move freely

Semiconductor

Properties between insulator and conductor

Conductor

Material in which an electric charge can move freely in response to an electric force

Ammeter

Measures current of an electric system; must be placed within system

Voltmeter

Measures voltage of an electric system

Paramagnetic

Materials that are weakly affected by magnetic fields

Ferromagnetic

Material in which atoms or ions have permanent magnetic moments and those moments align with each other, forming magnetic domains

Diamagnetic

Material is repelled by a magnetic field

Flux

The amount of magnetic field lines in a given area of space

Lenz's Law

An induced current will always flow in a direction that will set up an opposing magnetic field.

Domain

Small, microscopic region within a magnetic material where all the atomic or molecular magnetic moments are aligned in the same direction

Right Hand Rule #1

Thumb goes in direction of current, curvature of hands points to south

Right Hand Rule #2

Index finger points in the direction of the particle (V), middle finger in the direction of the magnetic field (B), thumb goes in direction of force (F)

Generator

Device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

Root Mean Square (RMS) Values

Provide a way to measure the effective or 'average' strength of a fluctuating quantity, like AC voltage or current, over time

Motor

Machine that converts energy from one form into mechanical energy to produce motion

EM Spectrum Trends (Increasing)

Frequency and energy increases

EM Spectrum Trends (Decreasing)

Wavelength decreases

Additive Coloration

Process where colors are created by adding together different wavelengths of light

Subtractive Coloration

Process of creating colors by removing certain wavelengths of light from the full spectrum

Primary Colors (Additive)

Red, Green, Blue

Primary Colors (Subtractive)

Magenta, Cyan, Yellow

Continuous Spectrum

Spectrum where all wavelengths or frequencies within a given range are present, without any gaps or discontinuities

Polarization (Light)

The property of light waves where their oscillating electric and magnetic fields are aligned in a specific direction, rather than oscillating randomly in all directions perpendicular to the direction of travel

Absorption Spectrum

Inverse of an emission spectrum, where only the specific frequencies aren't shown

Emission Spectrum

Unique pattern of frequencies of light emitted by a substance, typically an atom, molecule, or celestial object

Continuous Spectrum and Absorption Spectrum

If light comprising a continuous spectrum passes through a cool, low-density gas, the result will be an absorption spectrum

Emission Spectrum and Low-Density Gas

A low-density gas excited to emit light will do so at specific wavelengths and thus produce an emission spectrum

Specular Reflection

Reflection from a smooth surface

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection from a rough surface

Internal Reflection

Reflection caused by light going from more to less dense medium

External Reflection

Reflection caused by light going from less to more dense medium

Optic Plane

A plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis of an optical system

Optic Axis

Horizontal line running through the center of the mirror/lens

Convex

Rounded 'outward'

Concave

'Caves in'

Real Image

A real image is one in which light actually passes through the image point

Virtual Image

A virtual image is one in which the light does not pass through the image point

Focal Point

Lies on the optic axis for mirrors; the point at which light rays will converge TO or diverge FROM as they pass through a lens

Index of Refraction

A measure of how much light slows down when it travels through a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum

Dispersion

The spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths

Critical Angle

A particular angle of incidence which will result in an angle of refraction of 90°

Aberration

The deviation of light rays from the idealized behavior predicted by geometric optics

Converging Lens

Bends ray towards the focal point

Diverging Lens

Bends rays outwards from the focal point

Negative Mirror

A mirror with a negative focus

Positive Mirror

A mirror with a positive focus

Chromatic Aberration

Lenses all tend to deflect/refract red light waves more than violet.

Mass

Variable: m, Units: Grams (g)

Distance

Variable: d, Units: meters (m)

Length

Variable: L, Units: meters (m)

Height

Variable: h, Units: meters (m)

Velocity (Linear)

Variable: v, Units: meters per second (m/s)

Velocity (Angular)

Variable: ⍵, Units: radians per second (rad/s)

Acceleration (Linear)

Variable: a, Units: meters per second squared (m/s²)

Acceleration (Angular)

Variable: ɑ (alpha), Units: radians per second squared (rad/s²)

Angles

Variable: Θ (theta), Units: Radians or Degrees

Radius

Variable: r, Units: Meters (m)

Diameter

Variable: D, Units: Meters (m)

Time

Variable: t, Units: Seconds (s)

Force

Variable: F, Units: Newtons (N)

Energy

Variable: E, Units: Joules (J)

Temperature

Variable: T, Units: Degrees Celsius (℃) or Kelvin (K)

Amount of Things

Variable: N, Units: Depends

Charge

Variable: q0 / Q, Units: Coulombs (C)

Voltage

Variable: V, Units: Volts (V)

Current

Variable: I, Units: Amperes (A)

Power

Variable: P, Units: Watts (W)

Resistance

Variable: R, Units: Ohm (Ω)

Capacitance

Variable: C, Units: Farad (F)

Magnetic Field

Variable: B, Units: Tesla (T)