CAS Physics Test #1 Study Guide

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from physics related to matter, energy, thermodynamics, wave behavior, and sound.

Matter

Any substance that has both mass and volume.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Work

To cause change.

1st Law of Thermodynamics

The Law of Conservation of Energy - Energy can be neither created nor destroyed, it can only change forms.

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

The Law of Entropy - As energy changes from one form to another, the energy becomes less useful (more disordered).

Entropy

The tendency for systems to become more disordered over time.

E=mc²

Einstein’s equation showing that mass and energy are interchangeable, leading to the development of nuclear bombs.

Energy Waves

Energy traveling in the form of repeated patterns of oscillation.

Sinusoidal Waves

The shape of individual energy waves analyzed mathematically as sine/cosine curves.

Longitudinal Waves

Energy waves that oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave motion.

Compressions

The locations where the particles of a medium get compressed together by a pressure wave.

Rarefactions

The locations where the particles of a medium get stretched apart by a pressure wave.

Transverse Waves

Energy waves that oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.

Wavelength (E)

The length of one complete sinusoidal wave measured in meters.

Crest

The highest part of a wave.

Trough

The lowest part of a wave.

Nodes

The center points of the wave that are stationary in standing waves.

Antinodes

The highest (crest) and lowest (trough) parts of the wave.

Amplitude

The vertical distance between a node and an antinode, which determines the intensity of a wave.

Frequency (Q)

The number of waves passing a given point per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

Period (T)

The time it takes for one complete wave to pass a given point, measured in seconds.

Wave Speed (v)

The velocity of the wave measured in meters per second.

Constructive Interference

When two identical waves in phase combine to form a new wave with twice the original amplitude.

Destructive Interference

When two identical waves out of phase cancel each other out.

Resonance

When waves are reflected back upon themselves exhibiting constructive interference.

Standing Waves

Transverse waves that occur when an energy wave reflects back and forth upon itself.

Harmonic Series

When standing waves produce multiple harmonic frequencies that are integer divisions of the original wavelength.

Sound Intensity

Measures the power transmitted by a sound wave at various distances from the sound source, measured in Watts/Meter².

Loudness

The perceived quality of a sound that is made up of electrical signals in the brain, measured in decibels.

Doppler Effect

The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.