Honors Physics - First Semester Final Exam Review

Chapters 1 and 2

1. Factor-Label Method

   • Be able to use the "factor-label" method to convert from one unit to another.
   • Example: converting from cm/s to m/year.

2. Displacement Calculation

   • Given the velocity of an object and the time that the object is in motion, know how to find the displacement of the object using the formula:
     ext{displacement} = ext{velocity} imes ext{time}

3. Unit Analysis

   • Be able to use unit analysis to determine the appropriate unit for the solution to an equation.

4. Graphs Understanding:

   • Be able to identify the following graphs for a given situation:
     • x vs. t (position vs. time)
     • v vs. t (velocity vs. time)
     • a vs. t (acceleration vs. time)

5. Acceleration Definition

   • Know the definition of acceleration:
     • Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time, represented mathematically as:
       a = rac{ ext{Δ}v}{ ext{Δ}t}

6. Displacement vs. Time Graphs

   • Be able to recognize position, velocity, and acceleration on a displacement vs. time graph.

7. Velocity vs. Time Graphs

   • Be able to recognize position, velocity, and acceleration on a velocity vs. time graph.

Chapter 3

8. Vectors vs. Scalars

   • Know the difference between vectors and scalars:
     • Vectors have both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).
     • Scalars have only magnitude (e.g., speed, mass).
   • Examples of vectors: velocity (20 m/s North), force (5 N downwards).
   • Examples of scalars: temperature (30 °C), distance (10 m).

9. Resultant Vector Magnitudes

   • Given the magnitude of two vectors, know the range of possible magnitudes for the resultant vector, which is between:
     • The sum of the two vectors (if they are in the same direction).
     • The absolute value of the difference of the two vectors (if they are in opposite directions).

10. Vector Components Calculation

    • Be able to compute the components of a vector when given the magnitude of the vector and the angle with respect to the horizontal:
    • v_x = v imes ext{cos}( heta)
    • v_y = v imes ext{sin}( heta)

11. One-Dimensional Vector Addition

    • Be able to complete a simple one-dimensional vector addition problem.

12. Two-Dimensional Motion Understanding

    • Know how time, position, velocity (both initial and final), and acceleration are related for an object traveling in two dimensions.

13. Constant Motion Review

    • Review the points in a two-dimensional motion problem when velocity and acceleration are constant or at zero.

Chapter 4

14. Weight, Mass, and Gravity Relationship

    • Know the relationship between weight, mass, and gravity:
    • Weight is defined as:
      W = m imes g
      where $W$ is weight, $m$ is mass, and $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 ext{ m/s}^2 on Earth).

15. Newton's Laws of Motion

    • Know Newton's 3 Laws of Motion:
    1. An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net external force (Inertia).
    2. The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass:
       F = m imes a
    3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
    • Think of examples for each law:
      • 1st Law: A book on a table remains at rest until someone pushes it.
      • 2nd Law: Pushing a car requires more force than pushing a bicycle because the car has more mass.
      • 3rd Law: When you jump off a small boat, the boat moves in the opposite direction.

16. Net Force Identification

    • Be able to identify when the net force on a system is zero (equilibrium) and non-zero (resulting in acceleration).

17. Net Force and Normal Force Changes

    • Be able to explain how the net force and normal force change when a force is applied at an angle:
    • The normal force will change due to the vertical component of the applied force altering the balance of forces acting perpendicular to the surface.

18. Static vs. Kinetic Friction Definitions

    • Know the definitions of and the difference between static and kinetic friction:
      • Static friction: The frictional force that must be overcome to start moving an object at rest.
      • Kinetic friction: The frictional force acting on an object in motion.

19. Inclined Plane Diagrams

    • Be familiar with the diagram used in incline plane problems.
      • Understand how to find the parallel and perpendicular forces acting on an object on an inclined plane.

Chapter 5

20. Definition of Work

    • Know the definition of work:
    • Work is defined as the product of the force applied to an object and the distance moved in the direction of that force:
      W = F imes d imes ext{cos}( heta)
      where $ heta$ is the angle between the force vector and the direction of motion.
    • Be able to calculate the work done when given the force applied and the distance:
    • Recognize when work is being done (force causing displacement) and when it is not (force perpendicular to displacement).

21. Power and Work Computation

    • Know how to compute the power and work for any given situation:
    • Power is the rate of doing work, calculated as:
      P = rac{W}{t}

22. Force vs. Position Graphs

    • Be able to use a force vs. position graph to find the work done by a varying force, calculating the area under the curve.

23. Potential and Kinetic Energy Definitions

    • Know the definition of potential and kinetic energy:
      • Potential energy (PE) is the stored energy due to an object's position, commonly gravitational potential energy:
        PE = m imes g imes h
      • Kinetic energy (KE) is the energy of an object in motion:
        KE = rac{1}{2} m v^2
    • Be able to calculate these energies given the appropriate variables.

24. Energy Conversion

    • Understand the conversion of energy for a swinging pendulum and oscillating spring, demonstrating the interconversion between potential and kinetic energy.

25. Net Work Calculation

    • Know how to compute the net work done on a system when multiple forces are acting on an object:
    • This involves summing the work done by all individual forces acting on the object.