Physics Unit Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts, definitions, and formulas from the Physics Unit notes.

When is the slope of a line on a velocity-time graph equal to zero?

When the velocity is constant.

What is the formula for calculating acceleration?

Acceleration =
A Speed
/
ATIME
.

What characterizes uniform motion?

Consistent or constant acceleration.

What two components do vector quantities include?

Magnitude and direction.

Give two examples of vector quantities mentioned in the notes.

Displacement and velocity.

What characteristic does a scalar measurement possess?

Magnitude only.

Give two examples of scalar quantities mentioned in the notes.

Distance and speed.

How is displacement defined?

The direction or the change in position of an object from a reference point.

What is the unit for force, and what is its equivalent in base units?

Newton (N), which equals kg m/s
²
.

What is the formula that relates force, mass, and acceleration?

F = ma.

What is another term for force due to gravity, and what is the formula for it?

Weight; Fg = mg.

What is the approximate value for the acceleration due to gravity (g) near Earth's surface?

9.81 m/s
²
.

What does work represent in terms of energy?

The amount of energy transferred from and to another object.

What conditions must be met for work to take place?

There must be movement, a force must be applied, and the force and the distance must be parallel.

How many millimeters (mm) are in one meter (m)?

1000 mm.

How do you convert a measurement from meters (m) to millimeters (mm)?

Multiply the measurement by 1000.

In the number 0.0072, how many significant digits are there?

Two.

What does energy describe?

The ability to do work or cause an object to move.

What type of energy is stored in the bonds of chemicals between atoms and released during chemical reactions like combustion?

Chemical Potential Energy.

What is the term used to describe the energy of motion?

Kinetic energy.

What is gravitational potential energy (GPE)?

Energy possessed due to an object's position and its ability to do work.

What is mechanical energy?

The sum of energy of motion (kinetic energy) and position (potential energy).

How is thermal energy defined?

Energy related to the motion of atoms of a substance.

What is the primary function of the slope on a distance-time graph?

It tells you the speed of the object.

On a distance-time graph, what does a horizontal line indicate?

The object has stopped.

What is the formula for calculating gravitational potential energy?

EP = mgh.

What is the formula for calculating kinetic energy?

EK = ½mv
²
.

What is the unit for both potential and kinetic energy?

Joules (J).

What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?

The total amount of energy in a given situation remains constant; energy can be converted from one form to another, but the total amount of energy remains constant, assuming no energy is lost due to the outside of its system.

Who conducted experiments to show the relationship between potential energy and heat, and how heat flows from hot to cold objects?

Joule.