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MCAT PHYSICS > Lect. 1: Translational Motion, Lect 2. Force, Lect. 3-Torque, Equilibrium, & Lect. 4-Momentum, Machines, Radioactive Decay > Flashcards

Lect. 1: Translational Motion, Lect 2. Force, Lect. 3-Torque, Equilibrium, & Lect. 4-Momentum, Machines, Radioactive Decay Flashcards

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1
Q

Equation: Speed

A

speed = distance / time

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2
Q

Eequation: Velocity

A

velocity = displacement / time

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3
Q

Equation: Acceleration

A

acceleration = change in v / time

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4
Q

Equation: Side opposite angle in triangle

A

O = H * sin(ø)

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5
Q

Equation: Side adjacent to angle in triangle

A

A = H * sin(ø)

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6
Q

Equation: Displacement in linear motion

A

x = x(initial) + v(initial) * t + (1/2) * a * t^2

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7
Q

Equation: Linear motion, Final Velocity w/ a & t

A

V(final) = V(initial) + a * t

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8
Q

Equation: Linear motion, final V w/ a & x

A

V(final)^2 = V(initial)^2 + 2 * a * x

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9
Q

Equation: Average V w/ uniform Accel

A

V(avg) = 1/2 (V final + V initial)

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10
Q

Slope on Displacement vs Time Graph

A

instantaneous velocity, + or – indicated direction from starting point

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11
Q

Area under curve in Displacement vs Time graph

A

N/A

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12
Q

Slope in Velocity vs. Time graph

A

Instantaneous Acceleration; + or – indicates direction from starting point

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13
Q

Area under curve in Velocity vs Time graph

A

Distance or Displacement

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14
Q

Equation: Displacement w/ constant acceleration

A

X = V(avg) * time

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15
Q

Equation: Time in V vs. time graph

A

t = change in V / Acceleration (constant)

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16
Q

Equation: Peak height of a projectile

A

V(initial) * sin(ø) = √(2gh)

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17
Q

Equation: Initial vertical velocity (in projectile motion)

A

V(intial) * sin(ø)

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18
Q

Horizontal Acceleration during projectile motion?

A

Always = 0

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19
Q

Path of a projectile is INDEPENDENT of the object’s _______.

A

mass

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20
Q

What dictates the time in flight of an object in projectile motion?

A

Vertical velocity (Acceleration is constant at -10 m/s^2)

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21
Q

_________ is constant through the course of an object’s flight in projectile motion

A

Acceleration; = g = 10 m/s^2

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22
Q

In the absence of ________ , mass does not affect projectile motion.

A

Air Resistance

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23
Q

3 factors that change air resistance

A

speed
surface area
shape

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24
Q

Lg surface area __________ air resistance

A

increases; allows more collisions w/ air molecules

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25
Q

The higher the velocity, the ______ the air resistance.

A

greater.

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26
Q

Mass doesn’t change the ____ of air resistance. It does change the ______ of the object experiencing the air resistance.

A

Force; Path

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27
Q

Mass and acceleration are _____ related in air resistance.

A

Inversely; Acceleration must decrease as mass increases; (*Doesn’t apply to gravitational constant. Only to deceleration due to air resistance)

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28
Q

Larger masses experience _____ deceleration due to air resistance bc they are _____ affected by the same force

A

Less; Less; Air resistance has less effect on a more massive object!

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29
Q

3 Forces on the MCAT

A

Gravitational: m*g
Electromagnetic: charged object
Contact: acts parallel or perpendicular to object

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30
Q

Equation: Newton’s second law of motion

A

F = ma (Force applied to center of mass)

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31
Q

Equation: Law of Gravitation

A

F = G * (m1 * m2)/r^2 (G = universal constant)

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32
Q

The Force of Gravity is ______ to the mass of each body and __________ to the square of the distance between their centers of gravity.

A

Proportional

Inversely proportional

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33
Q

Equation: Sum of Normal Force and Gravitational Force

A

F = m * g * sin(ø)

*Acts directly along the inclined plane

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34
Q

Equation: Normal Force on an object on an inclined plane

A

F(normal) = m * g * cos(ø)

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35
Q

sin(90) = ?

A

1

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36
Q

sin(0) = ?

A

0

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37
Q

In CIRCULAR motion, _____ is constant but ____ is not. Why?

A

Speed = constant
Acceleration = changing
Because the direction is always changing in circular motion

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38
Q

Equation: Centrepital acceleration

A

a (c) = v^2 / r
Note: An object moving in a circle at CONSTANT SPEED experiences a centripetal accel that is proprotional to the square of its speed and INVERSELY proportional to the radius of the circle; Always points to CENTER of circle

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39
Q

Equation: Centripetal Force

A

F(c) = m * (v^2 / r)
Note: Some force F(c) must be applied to an object in order to give that object a(c); Always points toward center of circle
**Equate w/ the Force causing centripetal motion (i.e. Gravity)

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40
Q

____ is a contact force that always acts parallel to the surface; Contiguous surfaces may exert equal and opposite forces against each other parallel to their surfaces.

A

friction

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41
Q

This contact force resists motion when an object is not moving

A

Static Friction: F(s)

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42
Q

This contact force resists motion when objects slide past each other

A

Kinetic Friction: F(k)

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43
Q

Equation: static friction & F(n)

A

F(s) ≤ coefficient of F(s) * F(n)

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44
Q

Equation: kinetic friction & F(n)

A

F(k) = coefficient of F(k) * F(n)

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45
Q

This is a contact force that acts through a massless object (i.e. rope) the force is equal throughout; Requires equal forces on both sides of the object but the Force is = to the force on only ONE side

A

Tension

46
Q

Equation: Hooke’s Law

A

F = -k * ∆x
*Force due to a stretched or compressed object
-k : spring constant (can ignore - for MCAT)
∆x: change in position from rest when stretched / compressed

47
Q

Equation: Spring Constant (k)

A

k = (m * g) / ∆x

∆x : change in position from rest when stretched / compressed

48
Q

Describes a system in which there is no angular or translational acceleration, or if the translational velocity of its center of mass and angular velocities of all its parts are CONSTANT

A

Equilibrium

49
Q

System in which all velocities = 0.

Example?

A

static equilibrium

Ex: F(n) and F (g)

50
Q

System in which all velocities are nonzero but constant.

Example?

A

dynamic equilibrium

Ex: F(air resistance) = F (gravity) in a parachute

51
Q

Equation: System in translational equilibrium

A

F(up) = F (down)
F (left) = F (right)
*Sum forces on each side and set equal to each other

52
Q

How do you solve a problem for a system that is not in equilibrium? (Assume system MUST have translational acceleration)

A
  1. Write equations as though system is in equilibrium
  2. Add (m*a) to side with less Force acting on it
  3. Solve for acceleration
53
Q

A twisting force; Usually describes as clockwise or counterclockwise; Product of a Force and a position vector; Vector quantity

A

Torque (T)

54
Q

Equation: Torque (magnitude)

A

T = F * r * sin(ø)
ø: angle b/w F and position vectors
r : position vector; distance from point of rotation to point of application of the F
*Pt of rotation is arbitrary point of your choosing

55
Q

Equation: Torque (used w/ lever arm)

A 
T = F * L
L = lever arm; distance between point of rotation and where F acts at 90°
56
Q

3 steps to solving a Torque equation (Note: ALWAYS a statics problem)

A
  1. Set F(up) = F(down)
  2. Set F(right) = F(left)
  3. Set T(clockwise) = T(counterclockwise)
    * If there are no horizontal forces, throw out second equation)
    * Assume this is a statics problem and that you want to prevent the object from turning/twisting
57
Q

The mechanic Energy of a moving mass?

Equation?

A

Kinetic Energy

K.E. = 1/2 * m * v^2

58
Q

Energy of position due to gravity

Equation?

A

Gravitational potential energy: U(g)

U(g) - m * g * h

59
Q

Energy of position due to resistive Force by a deformed object
Equation?

A

Elastic potential energy: U(e)

U(e) = 1/2 * k * ∆x^2

60
Q

A system in which both energy and mass are exchanged

A

open system

61
Q

a system in which energy is exchanged but mass is not

A

closed system

62
Q

a system in which neither energy nor mass is exchanged (i.e. Universe)

A

isolated system

63
Q

The transfer of energy due to Force; Scalar quantity; Measured in Joules

A

Work

64
Q

Equation: Work done by any Force EXCEPT when Friction is present

A

W = F * d * cos(ø)
ø: angle b/w F and displacement
SI Unit: Joules (J)

65
Q

Equation: Energy transfer due to Forces and NO HEAT

A

W = ∆K + ∆U + ∆E

66
Q

Equation: Energy transfer due to Forces with NO heat or friction

A

W = ∆K + ∆U

67
Q

Equation: Conservation of Energy

A

∆E = W + q

68
Q

______ and ______ are the only two ways energy leaves a system

A

work and energy

69
Q

A Force in which the strength depends only on position (i.e. Potential Energy) No work is done

A

Conservative Force

70
Q

Equation: Conservative Force

A

K1 + U1 = K2 + U2

71
Q

Equation: Conservative force w/ no hear

A

∆K + ∆U = 0

72
Q

A force causes a change in mechanical energy through work, Work equals the change in mechanical energy of this system

A

Nonconservative Force

73
Q

Equation: Nonconservative force (except kinetic friction)

A

W = ∆K + ∆U

74
Q

Mechanic Energy due to Kinetic Friction:

A

F(k) * d * cos(ø) = ∆K + ∆U

75
Q

Work applied at a smaller horizontal angle creates a greater horizontal component and does _______ work.

A

More

76
Q

the rate of energy transfer; SI unit = Watt = J/s; scalar quantity

A

Power

77
Q

Equation: Power

A

P = ∆E / t

78
Q

Equation: Instant power due to a Force

A

P = F * v * cos(ø)

79
Q

an object’s tendency to continue on its path; Always conserved in isolated system; Vector quantity; SI unit = kg*m/sec

A

Momentum (p)

80
Q

Equation: Momentum

A

p = m*v

81
Q

A collision in which mechanical energy is conserved; only conservative (Ex: atoms)

A

Elastic collision

82
Q

Equation: Elastic Collisions

A

U(o) + K(o) = U(f) + K(f)

mgh(o) + 1/2 * mv^2(o) = mgh(f) + 1/2 * mv^2(f)

83
Q

collision in which some mechanical energy is lost to internal energy; Uses conservation of Momentum (p); Vector quantity
In some cases, objects may stick together

A

Inelastic collisions

84
Q

Equation: Conservation of Momentum (inelastic collision)

A 
p(o) = p(f) 
p(o)x = p(f)x / p(o)y = p(f)y
85
Q

T/F: An unbalanced for on an object will always impact the object’s speed.

A

False. An unbalanced force will always impact an object’s VELOCITY, but it may just change the direction or just the speed of the object without changing the speed.
Ex: satellite orbiting the Earth w/ constant speed but changing direction

86
Q

T/F: If the net force on a body is zero, the velocity will not change.

A

True

87
Q

Moving objects tend to come to rest in “everyday life” because they are being acted on by an ____________.

A

Unbalanced (net) outside force

88
Q

a change in momentum

A

Impulse (J)

89
Q

Equation: Impulse

A

J = ∆p = ∆m * v

90
Q

Equation: Impulse w/ avg force on either colliding body

A

J = F(avg) * ∆t

91
Q

Equation: Impulse w/ avg force from ∆ in momentum

A

∆p = ∆m * v = F(avg) * ∆t

92
Q

objects that reduce Force required when doing work

Ex: Ramp, lever, pulley

A

Machine

93
Q

a machine that is an incline plane; the fraction by which work is reduced = the fraction by when the distance over which the force acts is increased

A

Ramp

94
Q

Equation: Work done when using a ramp

A

W = m * g * h

NOTE: Same as without using a machine

95
Q

machine based on Torque

A

Lever

96
Q

If the length of the lever arm is doubled when using a lever, the force is reduced by a factor of _______

A

2

*Place the fulcrum 2x as far from the Force as from the mass

97
Q

a machine that reduces Force to do work by increasing the distance; Constant tension through a massless rope in frictionless, massless machine, Force and distance are inversely proprotional

A

Pulley

98
Q

length of time for 1/2 of an amount of substance to decay

A

half-life

99
Q

how to solve a 1/2 life equation

A

Divide in initial amount of substance by 2 until the final amount is reached. The number of times you divide by 2 = the half life

100
Q

a process in which atoms spontaneously break apart

A

radioactive decay

Types: Alpha, Beta, Positron emission, Gamma

101
Q

radioactive decay in which a He nucleus (2 protons and 2 neutrons) are emitted; (an alpha particle is lost)
atomic number: decreased by 2
mass #: decreased by 4

A

alpha particle decay

102
Q

radioactive decay w/ the expulsion of an electron; A neutron creates an electron and a proton and that electron is lost
atomic #: increased by 1
mass #: unchanged

A

beta decay

103
Q

radioactive decay w/ the emission of an electron with a + charge; a proton is transformed in a neutron; a positron is emitted
Atomic #: decreased by 1
mass #: Unchanged

A

Positron emission

104
Q

radioactive decay where an electron is captured and merged w a proton to form a neutron; Proton is destroyed; Neutron is created
Atomic #: decreased by 1
mass #: Unchanged

A

electron capture

105
Q

radioactive decay with a high frequency photon; no charge; does not change the ID of the atom; often accompanies other types of decay
Ex: When an electron and a positron collide

A

Gamme ray

106
Q

Equation: Rest Mass Energy

*also shows binding energy holding nucleons together

A 
E = m * c^2
m = amount of mass created or destroyed
c = speed of light (3*10^8 m/s)
107
Q

the latent energy w/in the mass of an object; will only appear on MCAT if mass is created or destroyed

A

rest mass energy

108
Q

difference in masses when measuring particles separately then measuring them once they are joined (i.e. protons and neutrons in a nucleon)
The joined particles will have less mass than the sum of the masses of the individual parts

A

mass defect

109
Q

process by which two nuclei combine to form one heavier nucleus; exothermic process - releases Energy

A

Fusion

110
Q

process by which one nucleus splits to form 2 lighter nuclei; exothermic process-releases Energy
*Energy comes from the mass defect; new bonds in the smaller nuclei are stronger and more stable and release more Energy than it took to break the bond

A

Fission

MCAT PHYSICS (5 decks)

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