Physical Science Knowledge

Law of Universal Gravitation

Every mass attracts every other mass with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them

Coulomb’s Law

Describes the force between two charged particles, F = k(q₁q₂) / r²

Heat Transfer

Conduction (through solids), Convection (through liquids/gases), Radiation (through space)

Pressure Formula

Pressure = Force / Area

Boyle’s Law

The pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at a constant temperature (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂)

Charles’ Law

The volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at a constant pressure (V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂)

Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT, relates pressure, volume, temperature, and the number of moles of a gas

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves

Simple Machines

Lever, pulley, inclined plane, wedge, screw, and wheel and axle, which make work easier

Capacitors

Devices that store electrical energy in an electric field

Magnetic Fields

Created by moving charges, affecting other moving charges or magnetic materials

Electromagnetic Induction

The process by which a changing magnetic field induces an electric current

Acid-Base Reactions

Reactions between acids and bases to form water and salts

Reaction Rates

Factors that affect how quickly a chemical reaction occurs, such as temperature, concentration, and catalysts

Avogadro’s Number

6.022 x 10²³, the number of particles in one mole of a substance

Molar Mass

The mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol)

Radioactive Decay

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation

Half-life

The time it takes for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to decay

Work-Energy Theorem

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

Conservation of Mass

In a chemical reaction, mass is neither created nor destroyed

Periodic Table Trends

Atomic size, electronegativity, ionization energy, and electron affinity trends across periods and down groups

Law of Conservation of Momentum

The total momentum of a closed system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force

Elastic vs. Inelastic Collisions

Elastic collisions conserve both momentum and kinetic energy; inelastic collisions conserve momentum but not kinetic energy

Sound Waves

Longitudinal waves that travel through a medium; speed of sound depends on the medium’s temperature and density

Photoelectric Effect

The emission of electrons from a material when exposed to light

Magnetism

The force exerted by magnets when they attract or repel each other; based on moving charged particles

Light Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another

Friction

A force that resists the motion of objects in contact

Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required to change the temperature of an object by one degree Celsius

Specific Heat

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius