Science Exam Reviewer: Physics and Earth Science

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards reviewing the 3 laws of motion, series and parallel circuits, the electromagnetic spectrum, continental drift theory, and plate boundaries.

First Law of Motion

A fundamental principle stating that an object will remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force.

Second Law of Motion

A fundamental principle stating that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to mass, represented as $F = m \times a$.

Third Law of Motion

A fundamental principle stating that when one body exerts a force on a second body, the second body simultaneously exerts a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on the first body.

Inertia

The natural resistance of any physical object to any change in its velocity or state of motion.

Force

An interaction that, when unopposed, changes the motion of an object, represented mathematically as $F$.

Mass

A quantitative measure of an object's resistance to acceleration when a net force is applied.

Acceleration

The rate at which an object changes its velocity over time, measured in $\text{m/s}^2$.

Series Circuit

An electrical circuit configured so that current flows through a single continuous path across all connected components.

Parallel Circuit

An electrical circuit configured with multiple branching paths, allowing current to flow independently across multiple components.

Electric Current

The rate of flow of electric charge through a conductive medium in a circuit.

Voltage

The electric potential difference between two points in a circuit that drives current flow.

Electrical Resistance

A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current in a circuit element.

Single Path Circuit

A defining structural characteristic of a series circuit where breaking the circuit stops all current flow.

Multiple Paths Circuit

A defining structural characteristic of a parallel circuit where individual branches operate independently.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The complete range of all frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

Radio Waves

The region of the electromagnetic spectrum characterized by the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies.

Microwaves

Electromagnetic waves situated between radio waves and infrared radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Infrared Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves, commonly associated with thermal energy.

Visible Light

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays.

X-rays

High-frequency electromagnetic radiation situated between ultraviolet radiation and gamma rays.

Gamma Rays

The region of the electromagnetic spectrum with the highest frequencies and shortest wavelengths.

Continental Drift Theory

The hypothesis proposing that Earth's continents were once connected and have drifted apart across ocean basins over geologic time.

Pangaea

The ancient supercontinent that incorporated almost all the landmasses on Earth before drifting apart.

Alfred Wegener

The geophysicist and meteorologist who formally proposed the continental drift theory in 1912.

Fossil Evidence

Identical fossilized remains of plants and animals found on separated continents, supporting the continental drift theory.

Plate Boundaries

The locations where tectonic plates meet and interact, driving geological activity.

Convergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move toward each other, causing subduction or mountain building.

Divergent Boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other, creating new crust.

Transform Boundary

A plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide horizontally past one another.