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MCAT Physics Equations MUST MEMORIZE > MCAT PHYSICS EQUATIONS > Flashcards

MCAT PHYSICS EQUATIONS Flashcards

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1
Q

Scalar

A

Physical quantity with only magnitude and no direction

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2
Q

Vector

A

Physical quantity with magnitude and direction

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3
Q

Speed

A

Distance/Time (Scalar)

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4
Q

Velocity

A

Displacement/Time (Vector)

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5
Q

Acceleration

A

Change in velocity/Time (Vector)

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6
Q

Distance

A

Measured by number of steps a person takes (Scalar)

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7
Q

Displacement

A

The NET distance (vector)

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8
Q

Air resistance

A

factors affecting it include speed, surface area and shape

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9
Q

x=

A

x0+v0t+1/2at^2

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10
Q

v=

A

v0+at

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11
Q

v^2=

A

v0^2+2ax

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12
Q

vavg=

A

1/2(v+v0)

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13
Q

Inertia

A

the tendency of an object to remain in its present state of motion

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14
Q

Mass

A

Measure of an object’s inertia

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15
Q

Weight

A

gravitational force an object feels while near a much larger body. W=mg

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16
Q

Gravitational Force

A

mass x gravity

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17
Q

Newton’s First Law

A

An object in a state of rest or in a state of motion will remain in that state unless acted upon by a net force.

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18
Q

Newton’s Second Law

A

For an object with a constant mass m, the second law states that the force F is the product of an object’s mass and its acceleration F=ma

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19
Q

Newton’s Third Law

A

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

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20
Q

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

A

F=Gm1m2/r^2 r=distance between the centers of the two objects G=gravitational constant (6.7x10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2) Final answer should be in N

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21
Q

What is a Newton equal to?

A

N=1kg m/s^2

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22
Q

Net Force (Inclined Planes)

A

The sum of the gravitational and normal forces gsinø=a=usually less than g Fnet=mgsinø

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23
Q

Normal Force (Inclined Planes)

A

Always perpendicular to the surface that applies it. Fnormal=mgcosø

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24
Q

Centripetal Acceleration

A

For the velocity of an object, the magnitude it constant, the direction is continuously changing. Always points TOWARDS the center of the circle. a centripetal =v^2/ r

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25
Q

Centripetal Force

A

The NET force that accompanies centripetal acceleration. Always points TOWARDS the center of the circle. Whenever centripetal force exists there is some other force responsible for it. Fcentripetal=mv^2/r

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26
Q

Normal Force

A

is always perpendicular to the contact surface

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27
Q

Frictional Force

A

is always parallel to the contact surface

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28
Q

Static Friction

A

Force opposing motion when two contiguous surfaces are NOT moving relative to each other.

Fn or N is equal to mass x gravity

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29
Q

Kinetic Friction

A

Force existing once the two surfaces are sliding relative to each other.

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30
Q

Tension

A

A force acting through a flexible object with no mass such as a string or rope.

Tension requires and equal force on both ends of the rope but Tension is only equal to one of the forces.

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31
Q

Hooke’s Law

A

Describes the Force applied by most objects AGAINST A DEFORMING FORCE.

Applied to springs, F is the tension of the spring, and F can be mg

F=-kdeltax

k is a spring constant that must be given

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32
Q

Static Equilibrium

A

Constant Velocity at zero

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33
Q

Dynamic equilibrium

A

Constant velocity Not at zero

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34
Q

System in equilibrium

A

Fupward=Fdownward

Fleft=Fright

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35
Q

Systems not in equilibrium

A

Write equations as if systems were in equilibrium

Decide which side experiences less force and add ma to the side.

Example: Fupward +ma =F downward

and solve for acceleration

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36
Q

Torque=

A

Force x Lever Arm

Tclockwise= T counterclockwise

Hold system motionless at arbitrary point of rotation and determine direction of forces.

Set clockwise and counterclockwise torques equal to each other and solve.

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37
Q

Kinetic Energy

A

Energy of Motion

K.E.=1/2mv^2

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38
Q

Potential Energy

A

Energy of Position

Gravitational P.E. =mgh

Elastic Potential Energy=1/2kdeltax^2

k=spring constant

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39
Q

The universe is an isolated system so…

A

the energy of the universe remains constant

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40
Q

Work

A

Transfer of energy via a force (measured in Joules )

Work= F d cosø

Work=(Force)(Displacement)

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41
Q

Heat

A

Transfer of energy by natural flow from a warmer body to a cooler body

F=dcosø

Work=

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42
Q

Frictional forces change

A

Internal energy and mechanical energy

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43
Q

If NO friction and NO heat then work equals?

A

W=change in K.E. + change in P.E.

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44
Q

If there is friction and heat then what is work?

A

W= change in K.E.+ change in P.E. + change in internal energy

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45
Q

Energy

A

Energy=Work +Internal

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46
Q

Power

A

P=Change in Energy/ time

P=(Force) (Velocity)(cosø)

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47
Q

Rate of energy transfer

A

Watt=Joule/Sec

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48
Q

Momentum

A

Momentum is always conserved in an isolated system.

Momentum= Mass x Velocity

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49
Q

Elastic Collisions

A

Mechanical energy is conserved. No energy is dissipated to internal energy

P.E. initial + K.E. intial= P.E final + K.E. final

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50
Q

Inelastic Collisions

A

Colliding objects lose some of their energy mechanical energy to internal energy.

Momentum intial= Momentum Final

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51
Q

Impulse

A

Impulse= Change in momentum

Impulse=Favg x change in time

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52
Q

delta mv=

A

Favg x change in time

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53
Q

Machines

A

Work is constant

Force is decreased

Displacement is increased

Work=Force x Displacement

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54
Q

Rest Mass energy

A

E=mc^2

c=300,000,000= 3x10^8 m/s

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55
Q

Half life

A

length of time necessary for 1/2 of a substance to decay

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56
Q

Alpha Decay

A

Creation of Helium nucleus from 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Original Element: Mass-4 and Atomic Number-2

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57
Q

Beta Decay

A

Creation of an electron and a proton from a neutron.

Original Element- same mass and PLUS one atomic number

“Bumping it up”

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58
Q

Positron Emission

A

Creation of a positron and a neutron from a proton.

Original element: Same mass and minus one atomic number

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59
Q

Electron Capture

A

Creation of a neutron from captured electron and proton

Original element: same mass and minus one atomic number

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60
Q

Gamma Decay

A

ORIGINAL ATOM DOES NOT CHANGE

Gamma rays are emitted from matter-antimatter/ electron-positron collisions

Energy is released in gamma rays

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61
Q

Solids

A

Molecules bond strongly and vibrate in a fixed position.

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62
Q

Fluids

A

Liquids and gases- molecules bond weakly and rotate, spin and move past each other.

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63
Q

Density

A

Density= Mass/Volume

kg/m^3

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64
Q

Specific Gravity

A

S.G.= Density of substance/ Density of Water

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65
Q

Density of Water

A

1000 kg/m^3

1g/cm^3

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66
Q

Pressure

A

Pressure= Force/Area

SI Units is Pascals

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67
Q

Fluid at rest Pressure=

A

Pressure= Density x g x depth of fluid

Atmospheric pressure=101,000 Pascals

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68
Q

Gauge Pressure

A

Measure of Pressure compared to local atmospheric pressure.

(relative difference only)

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69
Q

Pascal’s Principle

A

Pressure applied anywhere to an enclosed incompressible fluid will be distributed undiminished throughout the fluid.

70
Q

Hydraulic Lift

A

Work Stays the same

Pressure is constant

Force applied changes as area changes

71
Q

Archimede’s Principle

A

Buoyant force is an upward force, acting on a submerged object and is equal to the weight of the fluid that is displaced by the submerged object.

72
Q

Buoyant force equation

A

F buoyancy= (Density of the fluid)(Volume)(g)

volume is volume of water that was displaced

73
Q

Submerged Object

A

displaces an amount of fluid equal to its OWN volume

74
Q

Floating object

A

Displaces an amount of water equal to its own weight.

75
Q

% Submerged=

A

Density of floating object/ Density of Fluid

76
Q

Random Translational Motion

A

Contributes to fluid pressure

77
Q

Uniform Translational Motion

A

Contributes to overall fluid motion

78
Q

Ideal Fluid

A

No viscosity

Uniform density (incompressible)

Experiences steady flow (constant flow rate)

79
Q

Volume Flow Rate=

A

=(area x velocity)

80
Q

Bernoulli’s Equation

A

K= Pressure + Density(gh) + 1/2 (density)(v^2)

81
Q

Surface Tension

A

Intensity of the intermolecular forces per unit length

82
Q

Intermolecular forces

A

Pull inward to minimize surface area by creating a more spherical shape.

Between molecules

83
Q

Capillary Action

A

Stronger forces between liquid and medium molecules-(liquid rises) capillary action

Stronger forces between liquid molecules-liquid doesn’t rise

84
Q

Solids

Stress=

A

F/A

N/m^2 to distinguish from pressure

85
Q

Strain=

A

Change of dimension/ original dimension

86
Q

Modulus of elasticity

A

Stress/strain

87
Q

Young’s Modulus

A

Stretching and Compressing tensile strength

88
Q

Shear’s modulus

A

Shear stress

89
Q

Bulk Modulus

A

Compression and expansion of whole volume

90
Q

Waves

A

Transfer of energy and momentum from one point to another

91
Q

Mechanical waves

A

Require some sort of medium to travel through.

Transverse: medium is displaced perpendicular to the wave

Longitudinal: medium is displaced parallel to the wave’s direction

92
Q

wave velocity

A

Velocity=frequency x wavelength

93
Q

Period of a wave

A

Period=1/frequency

94
Q

Frequency of a wave

A

Wave frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time. The SI unit for wave frequency is the hertz (Hz), where 1 hertz equals 1 wave passing a fixed point in 1 second. A higher-frequency wave has more energy than a lower-frequency wave with the same amplitude

95
Q

Amplitude

A

Maximum displacement from zero

96
Q

Wave velocity is dictated by the medium

A
  1. Medium’s resistance to change in shape
  2. Medium’s resistance to change in motion
97
Q

For Gas the velocity increases with

A

temperature

98
Q

Wave Power is the

A

rate at which a wave transfers energy

99
Q

Intensity of a wave increases with

A

Square of amplitude and square of all frequencies

100
Q

For decibels

10x intensity is

100x intensity is

1000x intensity is

A

+10 decibels

+20 decibels

+30 decibels

101
Q

Phase

A

Relates to its wavelength, frequency, and place and time of origin.

One wavelength is 360 degrees / 1/2 wavelength is 180 degrees

102
Q

Constructive Interference

A

When the sum of the displacements results in a greater displacement. Add amplitudes.

103
Q

Destructive Interference

A

When the sum of displacements results in a small displacement. Subtract amplitudes

104
Q

Beat Frequency

A

fbeat= |f1-f2|

105
Q

When a wave transfers from one medium to the next:

A

Frequency remains the same

wavelength changes

106
Q

First Harmonic

A

Only two nodes.

Wall to wall is 1/2 wavelengths

107
Q

Second Harmonic

A

Wall to wall is 1 wavelength

3 nodes

108
Q

The period of a pendulum is

A

independent of its mass

The pendulum period formula, T, is fairly simple: T = (L / g)1/2, where g is the acceleration due to gravity and L is the length of the string attached to the bob

109
Q

Doppler Effect

A

Change of f/ f source =v/c

Change of wavelength/ wavelength source=v/c

c=3×10^8 ms-¹

110
Q

If source and Observer are getting closer…

A

Wavelength decreases

frequency increases

pitch increases

111
Q

If source and observer are getting farther apart…

A

Wavelength increases

frequency decreases

pitch decreases

112
Q

Charge is measured in

A

Coulombs (C)

113
Q

Universal Law of Conservation of Charge

A

The universe has no net charge

Opposite charges attract

Like charges repel

114
Q

Coulomb’s Law

A

F=kq1q2/r^2

Newtons

k=9x10^9 Nm^2/C^2

r= distance between two charges

115
Q

An electric field points from

A

Positive to negative

Electric field is E

N/C or V/m

116
Q

Force on a charge in an electric field (E)

A

F=Eq

117
Q

Potential energy of a charge in an electric field

A

P.E.=Eqd

d=displacement (net distance moved)

P.E.=kq1q2/r Joules (J)

118
Q

Voltage

A

Potential for work by an electric field in moving any charge

V=Energy x Displacement Volts or J/C

119
Q

Current is measured in

A

AMPS (A) or C/s or (I)

120
Q

Resistance is measured in

A

Ohms

121
Q

Ohms Law

A

V=IR

Voltage=Electric current/ Resistance

122
Q

Kirchoff’s First Rule

A

The amount of current flowing into any node must be the same amount that flows out

123
Q

Kirchoff’s second rule

A

The voltage around any path in a circuit must SUM to ZERO

124
Q

EMF (Electromotive force) is

A

Not a force, just another word for voltage

125
Q

Capacitor

A

Used to temporarily store energy in a circuit

Capacitance=Charge/Volt

C=Q/V

126
Q

Dielectric Constant (K)

A

Substance between the two capacitor plates

Must be an insulator

127
Q

Resistors in a series

A

Requiv=R1+R2+R3…

128
Q

Resistors in parallel

A

1/Requiv=(1/R1)+(1/R2)+(1/R3)…

129
Q

Capacitors in a series

A

1/Cequiv=(1/C1)+(1/C2)+(1/C3)…

130
Q

Capacitors in Parallel

A

Cequiv= C1+C2+C3…

131
Q

Power=

A

P=IV

P=I^2R

P=V^2/R

132
Q

Alternating Current

A

Typical rms in US homes is 120 V corresponding to a 170 volt max

Vmax=Squareroot (2Vrms)

Imax=Squareroot (2Irms)

133
Q

Magnetic fields (B) are measured in

A

Teslas (T)

134
Q

Lines of force in a magnetic field point from

A

North Pole to South Pole

135
Q

Changing electric field creates

A

a magnetic field

136
Q

Stationary charge does nothing but a moving charge creates

A

a magnetic field

137
Q

Current is moving charge ergo current creates

A

a magnetic field

138
Q

Force on a charge moving through a magnetic field

A

F=qvBsinø

Force is perpendicular to both velocity and magnetic field

139
Q

For a long straight wire magnetic field varies with

A

r (radius)

140
Q

Right Hand Rule (long straight wire)

A

Thumb in direction of the current

Grab the wire

Direction of the fingers wrapping around wire is direction of magnetic field.

141
Q

Right hand rule charge moving through a magnetic field

A

Thumb in direction of Moving charge

Fingers in direction of the Magnetic field

Palm points in the direction of the Force

142
Q

An electromagnetic wave is the traveling oscillation of

A

an electric and magnetic field

143
Q

Visible Light

A
144
Q

Visible Light Equations

A

c=f(wavelength)

f=c/wavelength

wavelength=c/f

c=3x10^8 m/s

145
Q

Index of Refraction

A

n=c/v

ø incidence=ø reflection

146
Q

Snells law

A

n1sinø1=n2sinø2

147
Q

The path that light travels is the

A

shortest path possible in terms of time

148
Q

Remember, mediums

A

slow down light

149
Q

When light crosses into a new medium,

A

frequency remains the same, wavelength changes

150
Q

Energy of a single photon

A

E=hf

h=plancks constant=6.63x10^-34 j=Js

f=frequency of photon

151
Q

Total internal reflection at critical angle of

A

90 degrees

152
Q

Diffraction

A

another wave bending phenomenon.

When a wave moves through a small opening it bends around corners of the small opening

153
Q

Small hole and long wavelengths means

A

MORE bending

154
Q

Mirrors reflect and lenses

A

refract

155
Q

Virtual image

A

Does not actually exist outside mind of observer.

156
Q

Real Images

A

Exist separately from the observer

157
Q

Concave mirror/ diverging lense

A

Observer ) )(

158
Q

Convex mirror/ converging lense

A

Observer ( ()

ThiCker

Center

Converges

Light

159
Q

Focal Point

A

Light is reflected by concave mirrors/ refracted by converging lenses to focus on a single point

160
Q

Focal Length

A

fmirror=1/2 r

161
Q

Power measured in Diopters

A

P=1/f

162
Q

Magnification

A

m= -di/do= hi/ho

163
Q

Thin lense equation

A

P=1/f= 1/do+1/di

164
Q

System for Mirrors and Lenses

A
  1. Draw the mirror/ lense and an eye on the side of the observer
  2. On the eye side write positive/ Real/ Inverted
    a. EYE am Positive that Real is Inverted
    b. Images and focal points on this side will always be positive, real and inverted
  3. front and back

For mirrors the eye is in front of the mirror

For lenses the eye is behind the lense

Objects are POSITIVE when they are IN FRONT of a mirror or lens

165
Q

Front -Eye- Object -Focal Point -Concave Mirror=

A

+real inverted image

166
Q

Front- Eye-Object-Convex Mirror-Focal Point =

A

-virtual upright image

167
Q

Back-Eye-Focal Point-Converging Lens-Object=

A

+real inverted

168
Q

Back- Eye- Diverging Lens-Focal Point- Object =

A

-virtual upright image

169
Q
A
170
Q
A

MCAT Physics Equations MUST MEMORIZE (6 decks)

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