exam2 physics pt. 1

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Analysis, Conclusion.

State Newton's First Law of Motion

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Define inertia

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion.

State Newton's Second Law of Motion

Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma)

What is the unit of force?

Newton (N), where 1 N = 1 kg·m/s²

State Newton's Third Law of Motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Differentiate between mass and weight

Mass is the amount of matter in an object (kg), while weight is the gravitational force acting on it (N).

What is free-fall acceleration?

The acceleration of an object due to gravity, approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth

What is the equation to calculate weight?

Weight = Mass × Gravitational Acceleration (W = mg)

Define net force

The overall force acting on an object when all individual forces are combined

What is friction?

A force that opposes the motion of objects in contact

Differentiate between static and kinetic friction

Static friction prevents motion; kinetic friction opposes moving objects.

Explain the concept of normal force

A force exerted by a surface perpendicular to the object resting on it.

What is the centripetal force?

A force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center.

Define kinetic energy.

The energy of motion, calculated as KE=12mv2KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2KE=21​mv2

What is potential energy?

Stored energy due to an object's position, PE=mghPE = mghPE=mgh

State the Work-Energy Theorem

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

How is work calculated?

Work = Force × Distance × cos(θ)

Define power

The rate at which work is done, calculated as P=W/t

What are the units of power?

Watt (W), where 1 W = 1 J/s

Explain the concept of mechanical advantage

The ratio of output force to input force in a machine.

Define density

Mass per unit volume, ρ=M/V

What are the units of density?

kg/m³

Define pressure

Force per unit area, P=F/A

What is Pascal's Principle?

A change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted uniformly in all directions.

How does a hydraulic jack work?

By applying a small force on a small piston, the force is multiplied on a larger piston using fluid pressure.

What is atmospheric pressure at sea level?

101,325 Pa or 1 atm

Describe the concept of gauge pressure

Pressure measured above atmospheric pressure.

Explain how air pressure affects weather patterns

Low pressure generally brings clouds and storms, while high pressure leads to clear skies.

What is the square-cube law?

When an object's dimensions double, its volume increases by 8x, and its surface area increases by 4x