General Science Comprehensive Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering physics definitions, motion, simple and compound machines, fluids and hydraulics, light and sound waves, Louis Pasteur's contributions, and household chemical compounds.

Physics

The branch of science that studies matter, energy, motion, forces, and how they interact in the universe.

Motion

The change in position of an object over time relative to a reference point.

Translational Motion

The motion of a body in which all parts move the same distance, in the same direction, and in the same amount of time without rotation.

Rectilinear Motion

A category of translational motion where the path of motion is a straight line.

Curvilinear Motion

A category of translational motion where the path of motion is curved.

Linear Displacement

A vector quantity that represents the straight line distance from the initial position to the final position of an object in linear motion.

Linear Velocity

Vector quantity describing how fast an object changes its position along a straight path and in what direction.

Linear Acceleration

Vector quantity describing how quickly an object's velocity changes while moving along a straight path.

Rotational Motion

The movement of an object around a fixed axis or point, where every part of the object rotates through the same angle in the same amount of time.

Angular Displacement

The angle through which an object rotates around a fixed axis, measured from its starting position to its final position in radian or angle $\theta$.

Angular Velocity

Describes how fast an object rotates or revolves around a fixed axis, measured in $\text{rad/s}$.

Angular Acceleration

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

Machine

Anything that reduces human effort or makes work easier or faster.

Simple Machine

A mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force using a single, basic mechanism.

Lever

A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoting on a fulcrum.

Wheel and Axle

A simple machine consisting of a circular frame turning on a central shaft.

Pulley

A simple machine consisting of a wheel with a grooved rim for a rope or chain.

Inclined Plane

A simple machine consisting of a flat and sloped surface.

Wedge

A simple machine made of two inclined planes joined back-to-back, used to split or lift.

Screw

A simple machine consisting of an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.

Compound Machine

A complex device made up of two or more simple machines working together.

Weight (Machine Force)

The gravitational pull or push-back feeling of an object, usually acting as the load.

Tension

The pulling force that travels through strings, ropes, cables, or chains.

Torque

The twisting force that is considered as a force with a handle.

Friction

The force that resists motion, acting in the opposite direction of movement.

Efficiency

A measure of how much energy put into a machine goes toward doing useful work, calculated as \text{Efficiency} = \n\left(\frac{\text{Work output}}{\text{Work input}}\right) \times 100\%.

Mechanical Advantage

A strength multiplier metric that measures how much a machine multiplies force.

Fluids

Substances that can flow and take the shape of their container, consisting of liquids and gases.

Pressure

The amount of force applied over an area, given by the formula $P = \frac{F}{A}$ where $P$ is in Pascals ($\text{Pa}$), $F$ is in Newtons ($\text{N}$), and $A$ is in square meters ($\text{m}^2$).

Pascal's Principle

Scientific principle stating that when pressure is applied to a confined, incompressible fluid, it is transmitted equally and undiminished in all directions.

Hydraulic System

A machine that uses pressurized liquid to multiply force based on Pascal's Principle.

Archimedes' Principle

Principle stating that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.

Light Waves

Electromagnetic radiation waves that require no medium to travel and move fastest in a vacuum or air.

Sound Waves

Mechanical vibrations that require a physical medium to travel and move fastest through solids.

Reflection

The property of light bouncing off a surface at equal angles.

Refraction

The bending of light when passing between mediums of different densities.

Diffraction

The spreading of light around barriers or narrow openings.

Interference

The overlapping of two or more light waves, reinforcing or canceling each other out.

SONAR

A sound technology that uses sound wave reflections to detect objects underwater.

Ultrasound

A medical technology that uses high-frequency sound waves for non-invasive body imaging.

Germ Theory of Disease

Discovery by Louis Pasteur proving that diseases are caused by microscopic organisms rather than bad air or miasma.

Swan-Neck Flask Experiment

Louis Pasteur's experiment that disproved spontaneous generation by proving sterilized broth remains sterile unless exposed to airborne dust.

Pasteurization

A brief heat treatment applied to liquids to destroy pathogenic microbes without spoiling the liquid.

Bleach

Household chemical product containing sodium hypochlorite ($\text{NaOCl}$) used to disinfect, whiten, and break down stains.

Detergent

Household product containing surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate ($\text{C}_{12}\text{H}_{25}\text{SO}_4\text{Na}$) that lifts dirt and oil and dissolves in water.

Baking Powder

Household compound made of sodium bicarbonate and acidic salts ($\text{NaHCO}_3 + \text{KHC}_4\text{H}_4\text{O}_6$) used as a leavening agent.

Soap

Household product containing Sodium Potassium ($\text{C}_{17}\text{H}_{35}\text{COONa}$) that cleans skin by surrounding oil and germs.

Surfactants

Molecules with a dual-ended structure containing a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail that bind dirt and grease to water molecules.