Physics Exam Comprehensive Study Flashcards

General physics study guide covering electrostatics, circuits, magnetism, induction, optics, and quantum mechanics vocabulary and fundamental concepts.

Ideal Ammeter

A device meant to be placed in series that has $0\,\Omega$ resistance so it does not change the current flow.

Ideal Voltmeter

A device meant to be placed in parallel that has infinite resistance so it does not steal current from the rest of the circuit.

Gauss's Law (Electric Flux)

States that if the net electric flux ($\Phi_E$) through a closed surface is zero, the net enclosed charge ($Q_{enclosed}$) is zero.

Time Constant ($\tau$)

For an RC circuit, it is the product of resistance and capacitance ($\tau = RC$), representing the time it takes for voltage or charge to change by a specific fraction.

Resistance-Temperature Relationship

In metal conductors, resistance increases as temperature rises because atoms vibrate more and electrons collide more frequently.

Kirchhoff's Node Rule

States that the current entering a junction must equal the current leaving it, based on the conservation of charge.

Kirchhoff's Loop Rule

States that the sum of potential differences ($\Delta V$) around any closed loop must be zero, based on the conservation of energy.

Dielectric Strength

The maximum electric field an insulator can withstand before experiencing dielectric breakdown and failing.

Dielectric Constant ($K$)

A factor that indicates how much a material increases capacitance compared to a vacuum; for a vacuum $K = 1$, and for materials $K \geq 1$.

Capacitor Energy Storage

In a capacitor, energy is stored within the electric field established between the plates.

Anode

The negative terminal of a discharging battery that injects electrons into the external circuit.

Triboelectrification

The process of creating an electric charge through rubbing, peeling, or friction/contact.

Electric Dipole Moment ($p$)

A measure of the separation of positive and negative electrical charges; calculated as charge times distance ($p = qL$) with SI units of $C\,m$ (coulomb-meter).

Permittivity of Free Space ($\epsilon_0$)

A physical constant that represents the capability of a vacuum to permit electric fields; used in Gauss's law and capacitance formulas.

Magnetic Flux through Closed Surface

Because magnetic monopoles do not exist and field lines form loops, the net magnetic flux through any closed surface is always zero.

Magnetic Dipole Moment ($m$)

Product of current, number of turns, and area ($m = NIA$), with SI units of $A\,m^2$ (ampere-square meter).

Mutual Inductance

The phenomenon where a changing current in one coil induces an electromotive force (emf) and voltage in a nearby second coil.

Thomas Young

The scientist who performed the double-slit experiment, providing evidence that light behaves as a wave.

Index of Refraction ($n$)

A value calculated as $n = \sqrt{K \mu_r}$, where $K$ is the dielectric constant and $\mu_r$ is the relative permeability.

Faraday's Law

The physical law explaining how an inductor works; states that a changing magnetic flux induces a voltage.

Lenz's Law

States that an induced current creates a magnetic field that opposes the change in magnetic flux that caused it.

Wien's Law

Relates the temperature of a blackbody to its peak wavelength: $\lambda_{max} T = 2.90 \times 10^{-3}\,m\,K$.

Planck's Law

Proposed that energy is quantized and calculated as $E = hf$, solving the theoretical problem of blackbody radiation.

Photoelectric Effect

The process where light (such as UV hitting gold) ejects electrons from a metal surface if the frequency is high enough, showing light behaves like a particle (photons).

Pauli Exclusion Principle

States that an orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, and they must have opposite spins.

Rutherford Gold Foil Experiment

An experiment where alpha particles were shot at gold foil, leading to the discovery that atoms have a tiny, dense, positive nucleus.

Continuous Spectrum

Produced by a hot, dense object, showing all wavelengths of light without interruption.

Absorption Spectrum

Produced when a cool, low-density gas is placed in front of a hot continuous source, resulting in dark lines.

Emission Spectrum

Produced by a hot, low-density gas, characterized by bright, specific lines of light.

Near Point

The closest distance at which an eye can focus; the physics standard for an average eye is $25\,cm$ ($250\,mm$).