Physics Formative Assessment #8 Review

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering energy transfers, thermal properties, thermodynamics, waves, and the law of reflection based on the physics formative assessment.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion; in a toy car slowing down, this is the main energy being transferred into thermal energy.

Thermal Energy

The heat energy produced by friction between surfaces, such as between a car's wheels and the floor.

Black and Dull Surfaces

Surfaces that are good absorbers and emitters of infrared radiation, causing them to lose heat faster than shiny surfaces.

Shiny Surfaces

Surfaces that are poor emitters of heat and reflect infrared radiation, causing objects to cool more slowly.

Vacuum

A space containing no particles, which reduces heat transfer by conduction and convection.

Conduction in Metals

A process of thermal energy transfer where free electrons gain energy and move from the hotter end to the cooler end of a rod.

Work Done

The total energy transferred by a force; it is equal to the sum of the gain in kinetic energy and the energy lost to friction (e.g., $30\,J + 10\,J = 40\,J$).

Gravitational Potential Energy ($GPE$)

The energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, calculated as $E_p = F \times h$.

Refraction

The effect observed when waves move from deep water to shallow water, causing a change in property such as wavelength.

Frequency ($f$)

The number of complete waves produced per unit of time, calculated as $f = \frac{\text{number of waves}}{\text{time}}$ and measured in Hertz ($Hz$).

Transverse Wave

A wave where the vibration of particles is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel, such as an electromagnetic wave.

Law of Reflection

The principle stating that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Silvered Walls

Components of a vacuum flask used to reduce heat loss by radiation by reflecting infrared heat.

Angle of Incidence

The angle formed between the incident ray and the normal line on a reflecting surface.