Grade 11 General Science Physics Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering introductory physics principles, translational motion, momentum, impulse, kinematic equations, and free fall.

Physics

The science that explains the fundamental principles of matter, energy, and their interactions, impacting everyday technologies.

Mechanics

The branch of physics governing how humans walk, drive, or build safe structures.

Thermodynamics

The branch of physics that explains heat interactions and how appliances like refrigerators work.

Electromagnetism

The branch of physics enabling the function of devices like smartphones and radios.

Liter of Light

A local physics-based innovation that applies principles of light to provide sustainable lighting in off-grid communities.

Medical Physics

The application of physics principles to healthcare technologies, such as MRI, X-ray, and CT scans, to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A medical diagnostic tool that uses nuclear magnetic resonance, aligning body nuclei with magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Advanced particle physics research equipment operated by CERN that uses electromagnetism and quantum mechanics to explore fundamental forces and particles like the Higgs boson.

Translational Motion

Movement along a straight or curved path where all parts of an object move the same distance and direction.

Rotational Motion

Circular motion where an object spins around a fixed axis.

Distance ($d$)

A scalar quantity representing the total length of the path traveled without regard to direction.

Displacement ($\Delta x$)

A vector quantity defined as the straight-line change in position from a starting point to an ending point.

Speed ($v$)

A scalar quantity that measures how fast an object is moving without specifying direction.

Velocity ($v$)

A vector quantity defined as the rate at which an object changes position, calculated as displacement divided by time interval ($v = \frac{\Delta x}{t}$).

Acceleration ($a$)

A vector quantity describing the rate of change of velocity over time ($a = \frac{v_f - v_i}{t}$), including speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

Momentum ($p$)

A vector measure of an object's motion and resistance to stopping, calculated as the product of mass and velocity ($p = mv$).

Impulse ($J$)

The product of a force applied to an object and the time interval over which it acts ($J = F\Delta t$), which equals the change in momentum.

Impulse-Momentum Theorem

The physical principle linking force and time to momentum change, demonstrating that force and impact time are inversely related for a fixed change in momentum.

Crumple Zones

Vehicle safety features engineered to deform during a collision, absorbing energy and lengthening impact time to reduce peak force.

Uniformly Accelerated Motion (UAM)

Motion in a straight line with constant acceleration.

First Kinematic Equation

The velocity-time relationship equation given by $v_f = v_i + at$, used to find final velocity when displacement is not given or needed.

Second Kinematic Equation

The average velocity approach equation given by $\Delta x = \left(\frac{v_i + v_f}{2}\right)t$, used to find displacement when initial and final velocities are known.

Third Kinematic Equation

The displacement-time relationship equation given by $\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$, used to find displacement when final velocity is unknown.

Fourth Kinematic Equation

The substitution method equation given by $v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2a\Delta x$, used to solve motion problems when time is not provided.

Free Fall

The motion of an object moving under the influence of only the gravitational force, neglecting air resistance.

Acceleration Due to Gravity ($g$)

The constant downward acceleration near Earth's surface, having a standard value of $-9.81\,m/s^2$.

Case 1 Dropped Free Fall

Vertical free fall where an object is released from rest ($v_i = 0\,m/s$), resulting in negative values for displacement and final velocity.

Case 2 Thrown Downward Free Fall

Vertical free fall where an object is launched downward with an initial negative velocity ($-v_i$), causing it to reach the ground faster.

Case 3 Thrown Upward Free Fall

Vertical motion where an object is launched upward with a positive initial velocity ($+v_i$), decelerating due to gravity until its velocity becomes $0\,m/s$ at the peak.