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AS Physics > All formulas and definitions for end of year > Flashcards

All formulas and definitions for end of year Flashcards

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1
Q

SI Base; Quantities, Units, Symbol

A

Time, s, t
Mass, kg, m
Distance, m, (s) d
Amount of atoms, mol, n
Current, A, I
Temperature, K, T

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2
Q

Prefix; names, symbols, powers

A

pico (p) 10^-12
nano (n) 10^-9
micro (μ) 10^-6
mili (m) 10^-3
kilo (K) 10^3
mega (M) 10^6
giga (G) 10^9
tera (T) 10^12
peta (P) 10^15
exa (E) 10^18

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3
Q

Precision-Uncertainty of measuring equipment

A

Ruler: 1mm ± 0.5mm
Vernier caliper: 0.01mm ± 0.1mm
Micrometer: 0.001mm ± 0.01mm
Digital scale: 0.01g ± 1g
Stopwatch: 0.1s ± 0.2s *
*or range divided by 2

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4
Q

Evaluating measurements, (the types of errors)

A

Systematic error: results in all values shifting from true value by the same amount
(high precision and low accuracy)
Random error: results in scattering of data about true value
(high accuracy and low precision)

Accuracy: How close data points are to theoretical value
Precision: How consistent data points are

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5
Q

Uncertainties (calculations for each)

A

Absolute uncertainty (addition and subtraction):
∆c = ∆a + ∆b

Percentage uncertainty (division and multiplication):
c = a x b
%c = %a + %b
c ± ∆c = ∆c / c x 100 = %c

Powers:
c = a x bˣ
%c = %a + x%b

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6
Q

Data presentation, (rules for sf and dp in answers)

A

Values:
addition and subtraction; results must have same d.p as values used

multiplication and division; results must have number of s.f as value with least s.f

Absolute uncertainty in 1 s.f
Percentage uncertainty in either 2 or 3 s.f

Precision:
compare precisions and reduce precision of more precise value to match less precise value

final value and uncertainty must have same precision

the last s.f in value must be in the same place as the uncertainty

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7
Q

Speed formula

A

average speed = distance / time
v = d / t

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8
Q

Average speed definition

A

the total distance travelled by an object divided by the total time taken

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9
Q

Displacement definition

A

the distance travelled in a particular direction

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10
Q

Vector quantities

A

has both a magnitude (size) and direction

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11
Q

Scalar quantities

A

has only a magnitude (size)

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12
Q

Velocity definition

A

rate of change of displacement

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13
Q

Velocity formula

A

change in displacement / time taken

v = s / t

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14
Q

Displacement-time graphs

A

velocity = gradient of displacement-time graph

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15
Q

Resultant vector

A

the single vector formed by adding 2 or more vectors

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16
Q

Acceleration definition

A

the rate of change of velocity of an object

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17
Q

Acceleration formula

A

a = ∆v / ∆t

a = (v - u) / t
d = 1/2at²

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18
Q

Velocity-time graphs

A

acceleration = gradient of a velocity-time graph
displacement = area under a velocity-time graph

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19
Q

Equations of motion (Kinematic equations)

A

v = u + at
s = ( [v + u] / 2 ) x t

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20
Q

Acceleration caused by gravity

A

9.81ms⁻¹

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21
Q

Free fall definition

A

when an object accelerates due to gravity in the absence of any other forces such as air resistance

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22
Q

Sinusoidal functions from angle θ

A

vector component through θ is cosine
vector component away from θ is sine

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23
Q

Resultant force formula

A

resultant force = mass x acceleration

F = ma

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24
Q

Newton’s second law

A

resultant force is proportional to rate change of momentum

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25
Q

Inertia definition

A

a measure of how difficult it is to change the velocity, speed or direction of an object

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26
Q

Weight definition

A

the force on an object caused by a gravitational field acting on its mass

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27
Q

Centre of gravity definition

A

the point on a body where the entire weight of the body is considered to act

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28
Q

Weight formula

A

weight = mass x acceleration of free fall

W = mg

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29
Q

Newton’s first law of motion

A

an object will remain at rest or in a state of uniform motion unless it is acted upon by a resultant force

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30
Q

Terminal velocity definition

A

the maximum velocity reached by an object falling under gravity or accelerated by a constant force due to; the net force being zero as the upward force is equal to the weight of the object

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31
Q

Newton’s third law of motion

A

when 2 bodies interact, the forces they exert on each other are equal in size and opposite in direction

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32
Q

Newton definition

A

one newton is the force that will give a 1kg mass an acceleration of 1ms⁻² in the direction of the force

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33
Q

Equilibrium definition

A

an object in equilibrium is either at rest or travelling with constant velocity because its resultant force is zero

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34
Q

Moment of a force

A

the moment of a force about a point is the product of the force and perpendicular distance from the line of action of the force to the point, the turning effect of a force

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35
Q

Principle of moments

A

the sum of the clockwise moments about a point is equal to the sum of the anticlockwise moments about the point provided the body is in equilibrium

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36
Q

Torque definition

A

the product of one of the forces and the perpendicular distance between the forces

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37
Q

Work done formula

A

work done = force x distance

W = F x s
W = Fs {cos or sin} θ

work done = energy transferred

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38
Q

Joule definition

A

the work done when a force of one newton moves a distance of 1m in the direction of the force

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39
Q

Gravitational potential energy definition

A

the energy a body has gained/lost due to its position in a gravitational field

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40
Q

Gravitational potential energy formula

A

change in gpe = weight x change in height

∆Ep = mg∆h

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41
Q

Kinetic energy formula

A

kinetic energy = half mass x speed squared

Ek = 1/2mv²

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42
Q

Efficiency formula

A

efficiency =
(useful output energy / total input energy) x 100

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43
Q

Principle of conservation of energy

A

energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another

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44
Q

Power definition

A

the power of a device is the rate at which it does work, or work done per unit time

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45
Q

Power formula

A

power = work done / time taken
power = force x velocity
power = change in energy / time

P = W / t
P = F x v
P = ∆E / t

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46
Q

Watt definition

A

one watt is one joule per second

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47
Q

Linear momentum formula

A

momentum = mass x velocity

p = mv

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48
Q

Conservation of momentum

A

the sum or total momentum of the bodies in a closed system is constant

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49
Q

Perfectly elastic collision

A

in a perfectly elastic collision, the total kinetic energy of all the bodies remains constant

relative speed of approach equals relative speed of separation

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50
Q

Inelastic collision

A

in an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved some is transferred to other forms such as heat

total kinetic energy reduces

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51
Q

Resultant force equation (definition and formula)

A

resultant force is proportional to rate of change of momentum

F = ∆p / ∆t

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52
Q

Density formula

A

density = mass / volume

ρ = m / V

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53
Q

Pressure formula

A

pressure = normal force / cross-sectional area

p = F / A

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54
Q

Pressure beneath a liquid formula

A

change in pressure =
density x acceleration due to gravity x depth

∆p = ρgh

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55
Q

Archimedes’ principle (def)

A

the upthrust acting on a body is equal to the weight of the liquid or gas that it displaces

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56
Q

Upthrust formula

A

upthrust = weight of liquid displaced

upthrust = ρgV

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57
Q

Spring constant formula

A

spring constant = force / extension

k = F / x

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58
Q

Hooke’s law definition

A

provided the elastic limit is not exceeded, the extension of an object is proportional to the applied force (load)

59
Q

Elastic deformation

A

an object that returns to its initial length when the force is removed has deformed elastically

60
Q

Plastic deformation

A

an object that does not return to its initial length when force is removed is deformed permanently, it has deformed plastically

61
Q

Limit of proportionality

A

the point beyond which the extension (of a spring) is no longer proportional to the force

62
Q

Elastic limit

A

the value of stress beyond which an object (such as a spring) will not return to its original dimensions

63
Q

Strain formula

A

strain = extension / original length

ε = x / L

64
Q

Stress formula

A

stress = normal force / cross-sectional area

ε = F / A

65
Q

Young’s modulus formula

A

young modulus = stress / strain

E = σ / ε

66
Q

Energy stored in a body due to a change in its shape

A

elastic potential or strain energy

67
Q

Force-extension graphs

A

work done/strain energy = area under force-extension graph

spring constant = gradient

68
Q

Elastic potential energy formula

A

E = 1/2Fx

E = 1/2kx²

69
Q

Quantised meaning

A

a quantity is said to be quantised when it has a definite minimum magnitude and always comes in multiples of that magnitude

70
Q

Current meaning

A

the rate of flow of electric charge past a point

71
Q

Ampere meaning

A

one coulomb of electric charge moving past a point in a second

72
Q

Coulomb meaning

A

one coulomb is the
charge that flows
past a point in a circuit
in a time of 1 second
when the current is 1 A abbreviated to C

73
Q

Charge equation

A

∆Q = I∆t

charge = current x time

74
Q

Elementary charge

A

e = 1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹C

75
Q

Current equation

A

I = Anqv

76
Q

Potential difference definition

A

the potential difference (V), between 2 points is the energy transferred per unit charge
as it moves from one point to the other

77
Q

Voltage equation

A

V = ∆W/∆Q

78
Q

Emf definition

A

the energy transferred per unit charge in driving charge around a complete circuit

79
Q

Electrical resistance definition

A

the ratio of potential difference to current (ohm)

80
Q

Resistance equation

A

R = V/I

resistance = potential difference / current

81
Q

Ohm meaning

A

the ohm is the resistance of a component when a pd of 1V drives a current of 1A through it

82
Q

Power equations

A

P = VI
P = I²R
P = V²/R

83
Q

Kirchhoff’s first law

A

the sum of the currents entering any point in a circuit is equal to the sum of the currents leaving that same point

84
Q

Conservation of charge meaning

A

electric charge can neither be created nor destroyed

85
Q

Kirchhoff’s first law equation

A

∑Iᵢₙ = ∑Iₒᵤₜ

86
Q

Kirchhoff’s second law definition

A

the sum of the emfs around any loop in a circuit is equal to the sum of the p.d.s around the loop

87
Q

Kirchhoff’s second law equation

A

∑E = ∑V

88
Q

Total resistance of resistors in series

A

Rₜ = R₁ + R₂ + R₃ + …

89
Q

Total resistance of resistors in parallel

A

1/Rₜ = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + 1/R₃ + …

90
Q

Ohm’s Law definition

A

A conductor obeys Ohm’s law if the current in it is directly proportional to the potential difference across its ends

91
Q

NTC thermistor

A

A device whose resistance decreases rapidly when the temperature increases

92
Q

Threshold voltage

A

The minimum forward potential difference across a diode at which it starts to conduct

93
Q

Light-dependant-resistor

A

A component whose resistance decreases when the light intensity increases

94
Q

Resistivity meaning

A

A property of a material; it is a measure of its electrical resistance, defined by ρ = RA/L, unit Ω

95
Q

Resistance equation

A

R = ρL/A

resistance = (resistivity x length) / cross sectional area

96
Q

Internal resistance meaning

A

The internal resistance of a source of emf is the resistance inherent in the source itself; some energy is transferred into other forms as work is done in driving charge through the source itself

97
Q

Terminal pd

A

the potential difference across the terminals of a source and is dependant on the current that is taken from the source

98
Q

Potential difference across a power source equation

A

V = E - Ir

99
Q

Potential divider equation

A

Vₒᵤₜ = ( R₂ / [R₁ + R₂] ) x Vᵢₙ

where R₂ is the resistance across the component where Vₒᵤₜ is

100
Q

Emf comparison equation

A

To compare 2 emfs Eₓ and Eₒ

Eₓ = (AY/AB) x Eₒ

101
Q

Progressive wave meaning

A

a wave that carries energy from one place to another

102
Q

Wave meaning

A

a periodic disturbance travelling through space, characterised by a vibrating medium

103
Q

Displacement meaning (waves)

A

the distance of a point on the wave from its undisturbed or equilibrium position

104
Q

Amplitude meaning

A

the maximum displacement of a wave

105
Q

Wavelength meaning

A

the distance between 2 adjacent points on a wave oscillating in step with each other

106
Q

Period meaning

A

the time taken for one complete oscillation of a point in a wave

107
Q

Frequency meaning

A

the number of oscillations per unit time of a point in a wave

108
Q

Longitudinal wave meaning

A

a wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate along in the direction in which the wave travels

109
Q

Transverse wave meaning

A

a wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate at right angles to the direction in which the wave travels

110
Q

Compression meaning

A

the point in a sound wave at which the air pressure is at maximum

111
Q

Rarefaction meaning

A

a region in a sound wave where the air pressure is less than its mean value

112
Q

Phase difference meaning

A

the fraction of a cycle between 2 oscillating particles, expressed in either degrees or radians

113
Q

Phase difference calculation

A

∆Φ = [x / λ] * 180º or 2π

114
Q

Intensity formula

A

intensity = power / area

115
Q

Intensity equation

A

Intensity ∝ amplitude²

116
Q

Intensity meaning

A

intensity is the rate of energy transmitted (power) per unit area at right angles to the wave velocity

117
Q

Wave speed formula

A

v = λf

118
Q

Doppler effect

A

the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave observed
when the source of the wave is moving towards or away from the observer
(or the observer is moving relative to the source)

119
Q

Doppler effect formula

A

f’ = f(V𝓌 / V𝓌 ± Vₛ)

120
Q

Magnetic field meaning

A

a force field in which a magnet, a wire carrying current or a moving charge experiences a force

121
Q

Electromagnetic wave meaning

A

a transverse wave travelling through space as vibrations of electric and magnetic fields

122
Q

Wavelength ranges of em waves

Frequency ranges of em waves

Frequency, em wave, Wavelength

A

3 x 10¹¹ • radio • 10⁴

10¹² • micro • 10⁻²

10¹³ • infrared • 10⁻⁶

visible**

10¹⁵ • ultraviolet • 4 x 10⁻⁸

10¹⁷ • x-ray • 10⁻¹²

10²² • gamma-ray • 10⁻¹⁶

** 4 x 10¹⁴ • red • 7 x 10⁻⁷
** 7 x 10¹⁴ • violet • 4 x 10⁻⁷

123
Q

Electric field meaning

A

a force a field in which an electric charged particle experiences a force

124
Q

Plane polarised meaning

A

describes a transverse wave with oscillation in just one plane, only transverse waves can be polarised

125
Q

Malus’ Law formula and conditions for application

A

I = I₀cos²θ

Only applies to polarised light and if the light is not polarised the it always has half the intensity. With the new intensity value that is half the original you can use the formula

126
Q

Mass

A

measure of a body’s resistance to changes in motion

127
Q

Principle of superposition

A

when 2 or more waves meet at a point, the resultant displacement is the sum of the displacements of the individual waves

128
Q

Path difference equation

A

pd = nλ

whole number n values: constructive interference
half number n values: destructive interference

129
Q

Double-slit equation

A

λ = ax/D

Sn = λD/d

a: slit separation*
x: fringe separation
D: slit to screen distance
* can have notation d as well

130
Q

Wavelength with a diffraction grating equation

A

d sinθ = nλ

131
Q

Wavelength formula

A

λ = c / f

where c is the speed of light for any em wave

132
Q

Coherence meaning

A

When 2 or more waves have a constant phase difference

133
Q

Interference meaning

A

when 2 or more waves meet at a point, the resultant displacement is the sum of the displacements of the individual waves

134
Q

Formula for wave minima

A

θ = nλ / a

a can be written as d

135
Q

How to solve CRO questions

A

Given the time-based setting:
1. Count how many full wavelengths they are if the positioning of the waves makes it hard to see
2. Count how many divisions or boxes are in this
3. Place the number of complete waves as the coefficient for T and equate it to the number of divisions multiplied by the time-based setting
4. Solve the equation and hence calculate the speed.

Given the frequency:
1. Calculate the period (T = 1/f)
2. Convert the period into the preferred units
3. Divide the period by the number of divisions per wavelength
4. Calculate and solve

136
Q

Young’s Modulus for common materials

A

Copper: 130 Gpa
Steel: 215 Gpa
Iron: 213 Gpa

137
Q

Stationary wave with both ends fixed/open

A

λₙ = [2/n] x L
fₙ = Vₙ / 2L

Both ends fixed, node at both ends
Both ends open, antinode at both ends

138
Q

Stationary wave with one end fixed and one end open

A

λₙ = [4/n] x L
fₙ = Vₙ / 4L

Node at fixed end and antinode at open end

139
Q

Solving Barometer and Manometer Questions

A

Equate the pressures at each boundary
Find the pressure difference at each boundary using the difference in height
Equate these pressures to the original equations
Rearrange then solve the equation

140
Q

Baryon

A

Hadron made up from 3 quarks or 3 antiquarks

141
Q

Meson

A

a hadron made up of a quark and an antiquark

142
Q

Down quark to up quark in β⁺ decay

A

d –> u + ⁰₋₁e + v⁻ *

143
Q

Force interactions

A

between proton and electron is EM
electron coming out of nucleus is weak
quark to quark is strong force

144
Q

Derivation of resistance

A

Series:
V = IR
Vₜₒₜₐₗ = 1R₁ + IR₂ + IR₃
Rₜₒₜₐₗ = R₁ + R₂ + R₃

Parallel:
I = V / R
Iₜₒₜₐₗ = V / R₁ + V / R₂ + V / R₃
Rₜₒₜₐₗ = (1 / R₁ + 1 / R₂ + 1 / R₃)⁻¹

AS Physics (20 decks)

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