Physical Science Final Exam Study Guide Notes

Motion

• Distance: how far something has moved.
• Displacement: distance & direction.
• Speed: s = d/t
• Avg speed: avg = total \, d/total \, t
• Velocity: speed & direction.
• Momentum: p=mv
• Acceleration: a = (vf-vi)/t
• Centripetal acceleration: toward center.

Forces & Newton's Laws

• Force: push or pull.
• Net force: combined forces.
• Friction: opposes sliding.
• Gravity: attracts objects.
• Weight: gravitational force.

Thermal Energy

• Temperature: avg KE of particles.
• Heat: thermal energy flow.
• Thermal energy: KE + PE of particles.
• Specific heat: heat to raise 1 kg by 1°C.
• Conduction: KE transfer by collisions.
• Convection: thermal energy transfer in fluid.
• Radiation: energy transfer by EM waves.
• Thermodynamics: thermal energy, heat, & work.

Work & Energy

• Work: W = Fd
• Machine: changes force/motion.
• Energy: ability to cause change.
• Kinetic energy: energy of motion.
• Potential energy: stored energy.
• Law of conservation of energy: energy transforms.
• Mechanical energy: Mech. \, E = Pot. \, E + Kin.
• Power: P= E/t

Electricity

• Charging by contact/induction.
• Conductor: allows electron flow.
• Insulator: hinders electron flow.
• Ohm's Law: current = voltage / resistance
• Series circuit: one loop.
• Parallel circuit: multiple paths.

Magnetism

• Magnetic field: force lines around magnet.
• Electromagnet: wire + current + iron core.
• Electric motor: electrical to mechanical energy.

Nature of Waves

• Longitudinal wave: parallel motion.
• Transverse wave: right angle motion.
• Amplitude: wave energy.
• Frequency: wavelengths per second.