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Physics > introduction to physics > Flashcards

introduction to physics Flashcards

1
Q

What is physics?

A

Physics is the branch of science that studies matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature.

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2
Q

True or False: Physics only deals with motion.

A

False

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: The basic unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) is the _____

A

kilogram

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4
Q

What is the formula for calculating force?

A

Force = mass × acceleration (F = ma)

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5
Q

What is the law of conservation of energy?

A

The law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

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6
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a fundamental force of nature? A) Gravity B) Electromagnetism C) Friction D) Strong nuclear force

A

C) Friction

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7
Q

What is kinetic energy?

A

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

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8
Q

What is the formula for kinetic energy?

A

Kinetic Energy = 1/2 × mass × velocity² (KE = 1/2 mv²)

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9
Q

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

A

Speed is a scalar quantity representing how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes direction.

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10
Q

True or False: An object in free fall experiences a constant acceleration.

A

True

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: The force of gravity on an object is directly proportional to its _____

A

mass

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12
Q

What is potential energy?

A

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state.

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13
Q

What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

A

Gravitational Potential Energy = mass × gravity × height (PE = mgh)

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14
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following units is used to measure energy? A) Newton B) Joule C) Watt D) Pascal

A

B) Joule

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15
Q

What is Newton’s first law of motion?

A

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

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16
Q

What is momentum?

A

Momentum is the product of an object’s mass and its velocity.

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17
Q

What is the formula for momentum?

A

Momentum = mass × velocity (p = mv)

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18
Q

True or False: Work is done when a force causes displacement.

A

True

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19
Q

What is the formula for work?

A

Work = force × distance × cos(θ)

20
Q

Fill in the blank: The unit of power is the _____

A

Watt

21
Q

What is the principle of superposition in physics?

A

The principle states that the total effect of multiple influences is the sum of their individual effects.

22
Q

What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

A

Scalar quantities have only magnitude, while vector quantities have both magnitude and direction.

23
Q

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) A disturbance that travels through a medium

24
Q

What is frequency?

A

Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time.

25
Q

What is the unit of frequency?

A

Hertz (Hz)

26
Q

True or False: Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

A

True

27
Q

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

A

Approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s)

28
Q

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

29
Q

Fill in the blank: The measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance is called _____

A

temperature

30
Q

What is a closed system in thermodynamics?

A

A closed system is one where matter cannot enter or leave, but energy can be exchanged.

31
Q

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

A

C) Gay-Lussac’s Law

32
Q

What is the formula for pressure?

A

Pressure = force / area (P = F/A)

33
Q

True or False: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature.

A

True

34
Q

What is an atom?

A

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

35
Q

What are protons, neutrons, and electrons?

A

Protons are positively charged particles, neutrons are neutral particles, and electrons are negatively charged particles.

36
Q

Fill in the blank: The center of an atom is called the _____

A

nucleus

37
Q

What is the periodic table?

A

The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.

38
Q

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

A

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.

39
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is a noble gas? A) Oxygen B) Hydrogen C) Neon D) Carbon

A

C) Neon

40
Q

What is the significance of Einstein’s theory of relativity?

A

Einstein’s theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and gravity.

41
Q

True or False: The speed of light is constant in all reference frames.

A

True

42
Q

What is quantum mechanics?

A

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.

43
Q

Fill in the blank: The uncertainty principle states that certain pairs of physical properties cannot be simultaneously known with arbitrary precision, such as _____ and _____

A

position; momentum

44
Q

What is a photon?

A

A photon is a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, which can be thought of as a particle of light.

45
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is an example of a non-contact force? A) Friction B) Gravity C) Tension D) Normal force

A

B) Gravity

Physics (12 decks)

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