Physics Review: Motion, Forces, Energy, Waves, Electricity

Metric Conversion

Changing units within the metric system (e.g., km to m, m to cm).

Scientific Notation

A method of writing very large or small numbers using powers of 10.

Significant Digit

The digits in a number that carry meaningful information about its precision.

Uniform Motion

Constant speed in a straight line.

Non-uniform Motion

Changing speed or direction.

Vector

Has magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity).

Scalar

Has only magnitude (e.g., speed).

Displacement

Change in position.

Velocity

Rate of displacement.

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity.

d-t Graph

Slope = velocity.

v-t Graph

Slope = acceleration; area = displacement.

a-t Graph

Area = change in velocity.

Kinematics Equation 1

d = v_i t + 1/2 a t^2

Kinematics Equation 2

v_f = v_i + a t

Kinematics Equation 3

d = (v_i + v_f)/2 * t

Kinematics Equation 4

v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 a d

Kinematics Equation 5

d = v t (if velocity is constant)

Bodies of Free Falling

Objects falling under gravity only (acceleration = 9.8 m/s²).

Relative Velocity

The velocity of one object as observed from another.

Projectile Motion

The curved path an object follows under gravity with horizontal and vertical components.

Forces

A push or pull acting on an object.

Free Body Diagram

A diagram showing all forces acting on a single object.

Addition of Forces

Combining forces using vector addition.

Newton's First Law

Object stays in motion or at rest unless acted on.

Newton's Second Law

Net force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Newton's Third Law

For every action, equal and opposite reaction.

Friction

A force resisting motion between surfaces in contact.

Law of Universal Gravitation

Every mass attracts every other mass with a force F = G (m1 m2) / r².

Work

W = F d cos θ

Energy

Capacity to do work.

Kinetic Energy

KE = 1/2 m v²

Gravitational Potential Energy

PE = mgh

Conservation of Energy

Total energy in a system remains constant (ignoring losses).

Thermal Energy

Energy from the motion of particles (heat).

Specific Heat Capacity

Energy required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C.

Latent Heat

Energy absorbed/released during a phase change (no temperature change).

Power

P = W/t, rate of doing work.

Bohr-Rutherford Model

Electrons orbit the nucleus in fixed levels.

Radioactive Decay

Unstable nuclei release particles/energy to become stable.

Half-Life

Time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting of a nucleus into smaller parts, releasing energy.

CANDU Reactors

Canadian nuclear reactors using heavy water as a moderator.

Nuclear Fusion

Combining nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing more energy than fission.

Waves and Sound

Vibrations that transfer energy through a medium.

Periodic Motion

Motion that repeats at regular intervals.

Types of Vibration

Transverse (perpendicular), longitudinal (parallel).

Frequency

How many cycles per second (Hz).

Period

Time for one cycle (s).

Universal Wave Equation

v = fλ

Standing Wave

Wave pattern with nodes and antinodes (from interference).

Sound

Longitudinal wave caused by vibrating particles.

Speed of Sound

Depends on medium (faster in solids).

Beat Frequency

f_beat = |f_1 - f_2|

Doppler Effect

Frequency shift due to motion.

Mach Number

Object's speed ÷ speed of sound.

Reflection

Bounce.

Refraction

Bending.

Diffraction

Spreading.

Vibrating Strings

Fixed ends produce standing waves (nodes at ends).

Vibrating Air Columns

Closed/open tubes create different harmonic patterns.

Conductor

Electrons move easily.

Insulator

Electrons don't move freely.

Charge by Contact

Touching transfers charge.

Charge by Induction

Nearby charge rearranges electrons without touching.

Electric Fields

Region around charged object with electric force.

Millikan Oil Drop

Measured charge of an electron.

Potential Difference

Voltage.

Current

Flow of charge (A).

Charge

Measured in coulombs (C).

Series Circuit

One path, current same everywhere.

Parallel Circuit

Multiple paths, voltage same across branches.

Schematic Diagram

Circuit drawing with symbols.

Kirchhoff's Current Law

Total current in = current out.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law

Sum of voltage drops = total voltage.

Circuit Analysis

Solving for current, voltage, resistance.

Ohm's Law

V = IR

Resistance

Opposition to current (Ω).

Electrical Energy

E = Pt

Magnetism

Properties of materials that attract iron or produce magnetic fields.

Electromagnetism

Electric currents create magnetic fields.

Right-Hand Rule

Determines direction of magnetic field (conductor, coil).

Electromagnetic Induction

Moving a conductor through a magnetic field induces current (Lenz's Law).

Transformer

Changes voltage using coils and electromagnetic induction.