introduction to physics Flashcards
What is physics?
Physics is the branch of science that studies matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature.
True or False: Physics only deals with motion.
False
Fill in the blank: The basic unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) is the _____
kilogram
What is the formula for calculating force?
Force = mass × acceleration (F = ma)
What is the law of conservation of energy?
The law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a fundamental force of nature? A) Gravity B) Electromagnetism C) Friction D) Strong nuclear force
C) Friction
What is kinetic energy?
Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion.
What is the formula for kinetic energy?
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 × mass × velocity² (KE = 1/2 mv²)
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes direction.
True or False: An object in free fall experiences a constant acceleration.
True
Fill in the blank: The force of gravity on an object is directly proportional to its _____
mass
What is potential energy?
Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state.
What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?
Gravitational Potential Energy = mass × gravity × height (PE = mgh)
Multiple choice: Which of the following units is used to measure energy? A) Newton B) Joule C) Watt D) Pascal
B) Joule
What is Newton’s first law of motion?
An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.
What is momentum?
Momentum is the product of an object’s mass and its velocity.
What is the formula for momentum?
Momentum = mass × velocity (p = mv)
True or False: Work is done when a force causes displacement.
True
What is the formula for work?
Work = force × distance × cos(θ)
Fill in the blank: The unit of power is the _____
Watt
What is the principle of superposition in physics?
The principle states that the total effect of multiple influences is the sum of their individual effects.
What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?
Scalar quantities have only magnitude, while vector quantities have both magnitude and direction.
Multiple choice: Which of the following describes a wave? A) A disturbance that travels through a medium B) A stationary object C) A fixed point in space D) None of the above
A) A disturbance that travels through a medium
What is frequency?
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time.
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
True or False: Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.
True
What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
Approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s)
What is the first law of thermodynamics?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Fill in the blank: The measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is called _____
temperature
What is a closed system in thermodynamics?
A closed system is one where matter cannot enter or leave, but energy can be exchanged.
Multiple choice: Which law states that the pressure of a gas increases with temperature at constant volume? A) Charles’s Law B) Boyle’s Law C) Gay-Lussac’s Law D) Avogadro’s Law
C) Gay-Lussac’s Law
What is the formula for pressure?
Pressure = force / area (P = F/A)
True or False: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature.
True
What is an atom?
An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
What are protons, neutrons, and electrons?
Protons are positively charged particles, neutrons are neutral particles, and electrons are negatively charged particles.
Fill in the blank: The center of an atom is called the _____
nucleus
What is the periodic table?
The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.
What is the difference between an element and a compound?
An element is a pure substance made of one type of atom, while a compound is a substance formed from two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a noble gas? A) Oxygen B) Hydrogen C) Neon D) Carbon
C) Neon
What is the significance of Einstein’s theory of relativity?
Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity.
True or False: The speed of light is constant in all reference frames.
True
What is quantum mechanics?
Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles.
Fill in the blank: The uncertainty principle states that certain pairs of physical properties cannot be simultaneously known with arbitrary precision, such as _____ and _____
position; momentum
What is a photon?
A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, which can be thought of as a particle of light.
Multiple choice: Which of the following is an example of a non-contact force? A) Friction B) Gravity C) Tension D) Normal force
B) Gravity
