Physics Revision Flashcards

These flashcards cover important concepts in physics related to motion, forces, energy, and nuclear physics, helping students revise for their exams.

Speed

The distance moved per unit time, calculated using the formula: speed = distance/time (s = d/t).

Acceleration

The change in velocity (or speed) per unit time, given by the equation: a = Δv/t.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of a moving object, calculated using the formula: KE = ½ mv².

Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object due to its position, defined by the formula: PE = mgh.

Newton's First Law

A body will remain at rest or continue to move at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.

Resultant Force

The vector sum of all the forces acting on an object, determining the object's motion.

Momentum

The quantity of motion an object has, calculated using the formula: p = mv.

Half-life

The time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thereby creating ions.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)

The remnant radiation from the Big Bang, now observed as microwaves uniformly distributed across the universe.

Fission

A nuclear reaction where a heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.

Fusion

A nuclear reaction in which two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Absorption Lines

Dark lines appearing in a spectrum due to specific wavelengths of light being absorbed by elements in a star's atmosphere.

Red Shift

The phenomenon where light from distant galaxies is shifted towards longer (redder) wavelengths, indicating the universe's expansion.

Work Done

The energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance, calculated using the formula: W = Fd.

Newton's Second Law

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Work-Energy Principle

The principle stating that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.

Terminal Velocity

The constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the drag force acting on it.