Physics Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental physics concepts including electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and radioactivity based on the provided notes.

Electric field

A region around a charged object where another charge experiance a force.

Focal point (lens)

The point where Parellel rays of light converge (appear to come from) after passing through a lens.

Process of Expansion in Solids

When a solid is heated, its particles vibrate more & more slightly further apart, causing the solid to expand in size.

Heat

Energy transfereed due to temperature difference with the SI unit Joule ($J$).

Temperature

The measure of how hoor Cold Something is with the SI unit Kelvin ($K$).

Half-time

The time taken for the activity to fall to half its original value.

Refraction of light

The change in direction of light when it passes from one medium to another due to change in speed.

Snell's law of refraction

$n_1 \text{sin}(i) = n_2 \text{sin}(r)$, where the incident ray, refracted ray, and normal lie in the same place.

Current flow

Occurs when there is a potential difference between 2 points; the battery provides energy that pushes electrons through the wire.

Real Image

An image formed infront of the mirrior that is Inverted in Nature and can be Seen on Screen.

Virtual image

Not real image but its Symetrical; it Cant be faccused on a Screen because light only comes from the Image.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of $1\,kg$ of a substance by $1^{\circ}C$.

Coefficient of linear expansion

Concept that materials expand when heated and contract when Cold, where the change in a material depends on the temperature.

Conduction through a metal

Heat is transferred through a metal by vibrations passing energy to neighboring ions, and by free electrons moving + Carrying energy through the structure.

Boyle's law

Derived from the Ideal gas equation $\frac{PV}{T} = \text{constant}$; if temperature and amount of gas are constant, then $PV = \text{constant}$.

Ohm's law

The Current through a Conducter is directly proportional to the voltage accross it, provided the temperature remains constant.

Radiation

Heat transferred by electromagnetic waves (mainly infrared) which does not require a medium and can occur through a vacuum.

Critical angle

The angle at which light is refracted at $90^{\circ}$.

Total Internal reflection

Occurs when light reflects when it hits a boundary at an angle where refraction would exceed the critical angle.

Alpha ($\alpha$)

A Helium Nucleus that is Heavey, has a positive charge, and Low penetrating power.

Beta ($\beta$)

A high-energy electron (very light) with a Negative charge and Moderate penetrating power.

Gamma ($\gamma$)

Electromagnetic radiation with No mass and Neutral charge, possessing High penetrating power.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of wave length or frequency of electromagnetic waves arranged in order.

Specific latent heat of fusion

The energy required to change $1\,kg$ of a substance from Solid to liquid without changing temperature.