Physical Science Final Study Guide

Radioactivity

Process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and /or energy to become stable.

Wavelength

The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave (like high point to high point)

Equilibrium

Halfway between the highest and lowest points of the wave.

Inertia

an object will continue its current motion until some force causes its speed or direction to change.

Velocity

the rate and direction of an object's movement.

Radioisotope

Any atom containing an unstable isotope (unstable amount of neutrons)

Alpha Decay

A way to create a stable nucleus is to emit 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the nucleus.

chain reactions

Controlled ________ can be used as nuclear power.

nuclear fission

During ________, neutrons are released.

age of an object

The ________ is determined by comparing the objects carbon14 levels with the carbon 14 levels in the atmosphere.

Energy

________ can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another.

Double Replacement

atoms from each pair trade places; everyone has a partner.

Gamma Decay

The emission of electromagnetic radiation of an extremely high frequency i.e.

longitudinal wave

A wave that consists of compressions and rarefactions and travels through a medium and is detectable by the human ear.

Limiting reactant

starting compound that limits the amount of product that can be made

Excess reactant

the reactant that could keep reacting if the other had not been consumed

Radioactivity

Process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and/or energy to become stable

Radioisotope

Any atom containing an unstable isotope (unstable amount of neutrons)

Alpha Decay

A way to create a stable nucleus is to emit 2 protons and 2 neutrons from the nucleus

Beta Decay

In order to create a stable number of neutrons in the nucleus, a neutron can split into a proton (+) and an electron (-)

Gamma Decay

The emission of electromagnetic radiation of an extremely high frequency

Gamma Ray

a penetrating ray of energy emitted by an unstable nucleus

HalfLife

time required for one-half of a radioactive sample to decay

Distance

the measure of "how much ground an object has covered during its motion"

Displacement

refers to the measure of "how far out of place is an object."

Speed

the time rate at which an object is moving along a path

Velocity

the rate and direction of an object's movement

Law One

objects at rest remain at rest, and objects in motion remain in motion with the same velocity, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force

Inertia

an object will continue its current motion until some force causes its speed or direction to change

Law Two

Force causes acceleration while mass resists acceleration

Law Three

every time one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force that is equal in size and opposite in direction back on the first object

Compression

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are close together

Rarefaction

The part of a longitudinal wave where the particles of the medium are far apart

Wavelength

The distance between two corresponding parts of a wave (like high point to high point)

Crest

The highest point of a wave

Trough

The lowest point of a wave

Equilibrium

Halfway between the highest and lowest points of the wave

Amplitude

The height of a wave

Work

When a force acts on an object in the direction the object moves

Power

the rate of doing work

Energy

The ability to do work

Potential Energy

Energy of position, relates to the relative position of objects in the system

Kinetic Energy

Energy that an object has when it is in motion

Elastic Energy

PE stored in stretching or compressing shape of object and ability to regain original form (springs)

Nuclear Energy

PE stored in the nucleus of an atom.

Chemical Energy

PE stored in bonds (gasoline)

Electrical Energy

KE, the movement of electrons. (Lightning)

Thermal Energy

KE in the form of heat

Light Energy

KE that travels through space through waves that is visible to the human eye

Elastic Deformation

An object's ability to be stretched or compressed, then regain its original position or shape as force is applied

Plastic Deformation

As a force is applied to an object, that object is unable to regain its shape; it remains stretched or compressed

Transverse Wave

A wave that moves the medium in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels

Primary Colors of Light

Red, blue, green

Secondary Colors of Light

Magenta, cyan, yellow

Series Circuit

A circuit that connects the components one after the other

A break in any part of a this circuit stops the flow of current in the whole circuit

Parallel Circuit

A circuit that divides into two or more branches.

If a component breaks or is removed, the other components remain on

Synthesis

compounds add together

Decomposition

compound breaks down

Single Replacement

single atom switches with an atom in the pair

Double Replacement

atoms from each pair trade places; everyone has a partner

Acids

Substances with H+ ions

Bases

Substances with OH- ions

Endothermic

A chemical reaction that requires excess energy (heat) to be absorbed before a reaction can occur

Exothermic

A chemical reaction that releases excess energy after new chemical bonds are formed

Gravitational

The force of attraction of objects due to their masses. The weakest of the forces in the atom

Electromagnetic

The force that results from the repulsion of like forces and the attraction of opposites. The force that holds electrons around the nucleus

Strong

The force that holds the atomic nucleus(like charges) together. The force that counteracts the electromagnetic force

Weak

This force plays a key role in the possible change of subatomic particles

Alpha Particle

Positively charged, the same as a helium particle

Beta Particle

The product isotope has one more proton and one less neutron than the reactant isotope

Net Force

the sum of all the forces acting on an object

Elastic Collision

They bounce off of each other and go opposite directions

Inelastic Collision

They stop and stick together