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MCAT Physics Equations MUST MEMORIZE > MCAT PHYSICS EQUATIONS > Flashcards

MCAT PHYSICS EQUATIONS Flashcards

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
Centripetal Force
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
26
Normal Force
is always perpendicular to the contact surface
27
Frictional Force
is always parallel to the contact surface
28
Static Friction
Force opposing motion when two contiguous surfaces are NOT moving relative to each other. Fn or N is equal to mass x gravity
29
Kinetic Friction
Force existing once the two surfaces are sliding relative to each other.
30
Tension
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.
31
Hooke's Law
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
32
Static Equilibrium
Constant Velocity at zero
33
Dynamic equilibrium
Constant velocity Not at zero
34
System in equilibrium
Fupward=Fdownward Fleft=Fright
35
Systems not in equilibrium
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
36
Torque=
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.
37
Kinetic Energy
Energy of Motion K.E.=1/2mv^2
38
Potential Energy
Energy of Position Gravitational P.E. =mgh Elastic Potential Energy=1/2kdeltax^2 k=spring constant
39
The universe is an isolated system so...
the energy of the universe remains constant
40
Work
Transfer of energy via a force (measured in Joules ) ## Footnote Work= F d cosø Work=(Force)(Displacement)
41
Heat
Transfer of energy by natural flow from a warmer body to a cooler body F=dcosø Work=
42
Frictional forces change
Internal energy and mechanical energy
43
If NO friction and NO heat then work equals?
W=change in K.E. + change in P.E.
44
If there is friction and heat then what is work?
W= change in K.E.+ change in P.E. + change in internal energy
45
Energy
Energy=Work +Internal
46
Power
P=Change in Energy/ time P=(Force) (Velocity)(cosø)
47
Rate of energy transfer
Watt=Joule/Sec
48
Momentum
Momentum is always conserved in an isolated system. Momentum= Mass x Velocity
49
Elastic Collisions
Mechanical energy is conserved. No energy is dissipated to internal energy P.E. initial + K.E. intial= P.E final + K.E. final
50
Inelastic Collisions
Colliding objects lose some of their energy mechanical energy to internal energy. Momentum intial= Momentum Final
51
Impulse
Impulse= Change in momentum Impulse=Favg x change in time
52
delta mv=
Favg x change in time
53
Machines
Work is constant Force is decreased Displacement is increased Work=Force x Displacement
54
Rest Mass energy
E=mc^2 c=300,000,000= 3x10^8 m/s
55
Half life
length of time necessary for 1/2 of a substance to decay
56
Alpha Decay
Creation of Helium nucleus from 2 protons and 2 neutrons Original Element: Mass-4 and Atomic Number-2
57
Beta Decay
Creation of an electron and a proton from a neutron. Original Element- same mass and PLUS one atomic number "Bumping it up"
58
Positron Emission
Creation of a positron and a neutron from a proton. Original element: Same mass and minus one atomic number
59
Electron Capture
Creation of a neutron from captured electron and proton Original element: same mass and minus one atomic number
60
Gamma Decay
ORIGINAL ATOM DOES NOT CHANGE Gamma rays are emitted from matter-antimatter/ electron-positron collisions Energy is released in gamma rays
61
Solids
Molecules bond strongly and vibrate in a fixed position.
62
Fluids
Liquids and gases- molecules bond weakly and rotate, spin and move past each other.
63
Density
Density= Mass/Volume kg/m^3
64
Specific Gravity
S.G.= Density of substance/ Density of Water
65
Density of Water
1000 kg/m^3 1g/cm^3
66
Pressure
Pressure= Force/Area SI Units is Pascals
67
Fluid at rest Pressure=
Pressure= Density x g x depth of fluid Atmospheric pressure=101,000 Pascals
68
Gauge Pressure
Measure of Pressure compared to local atmospheric pressure. (relative difference only)
69
Pascal's Principle
Pressure applied anywhere to an enclosed incompressible fluid will be distributed undiminished throughout the fluid.
70
Hydraulic Lift
Work Stays the same Pressure is constant Force applied changes as area changes
71
Archimede's Principle
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
Buoyant force equation
F buoyancy= (Density of the fluid)(Volume)(g) volume is volume of water that was displaced
73
Submerged Object
displaces an amount of fluid equal to its OWN volume
74
Floating object
Displaces an amount of water equal to its own weight.
75
% Submerged=
Density of floating object/ Density of Fluid
76
Random Translational Motion
Contributes to fluid pressure
77
Uniform Translational Motion
Contributes to overall fluid motion
78
Ideal Fluid
No viscosity Uniform density (incompressible) Experiences steady flow (constant flow rate)
79
Volume Flow Rate=
=(area x velocity)
80
Bernoulli's Equation
K= Pressure + Density(gh) + 1/2 (density)(v^2)
81
Surface Tension
Intensity of the intermolecular forces per unit length
82
Intermolecular forces
Pull inward to minimize surface area by creating a more spherical shape. Between molecules
83
Capillary Action
Stronger forces between liquid and medium molecules-(liquid rises) capillary action Stronger forces between liquid molecules-liquid doesn't rise
84
Solids Stress=
F/A N/m^2 to distinguish from pressure
85
Strain=
Change of dimension/ original dimension
86
Modulus of elasticity
Stress/strain
87
Young's Modulus
Stretching and Compressing tensile strength
88
Shear's modulus
Shear stress
89
Bulk Modulus
Compression and expansion of whole volume
90
Waves
Transfer of energy and momentum from one point to another
91
Mechanical waves
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
wave velocity
Velocity=frequency x wavelength
93
Period of a wave
Period=1/frequency
94
Frequency of a wave
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
Amplitude
Maximum displacement from zero
96
Wave velocity is dictated by the medium
1. Medium's resistance to change in shape 2. Medium's resistance to change in motion
97
For Gas the velocity increases with
temperature
98
Wave Power is the
rate at which a wave transfers energy
99
Intensity of a wave increases with
Square of amplitude and square of all frequencies
100
For decibels 10x intensity is 100x intensity is 1000x intensity is
+10 decibels +20 decibels +30 decibels
101
Phase
Relates to its wavelength, frequency, and place and time of origin. One wavelength is 360 degrees / 1/2 wavelength is 180 degrees
102
Constructive Interference
When the sum of the displacements results in a greater displacement. Add amplitudes.
103
Destructive Interference
When the sum of displacements results in a small displacement. Subtract amplitudes
104
Beat Frequency
fbeat= |f1-f2|
105
When a wave transfers from one medium to the next:
Frequency remains the same wavelength changes
106
First Harmonic
Only two nodes. Wall to wall is 1/2 wavelengths
107
Second Harmonic
Wall to wall is 1 wavelength 3 nodes
108
The period of a pendulum is
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
Doppler Effect
Change of f/ f source =v/c Change of wavelength/ wavelength source=v/c c=3×10^8 ms-¹
110
If source and Observer are getting closer...
Wavelength decreases frequency increases pitch increases
111
If source and observer are getting farther apart...
Wavelength increases frequency decreases pitch decreases
112
Charge is measured in
Coulombs (C)
113
Universal Law of Conservation of Charge
The universe has no net charge Opposite charges attract Like charges repel
114
Coulomb's Law
F=kq1q2/r^2 Newtons k=9x10^9 Nm^2/C^2 r= distance between two charges
115
An electric field points from
Positive to negative Electric field is E N/C or V/m
116
Force on a charge in an electric field (E)
F=Eq
117
Potential energy of a charge in an electric field
P.E.=Eqd d=displacement (net distance moved) P.E.=kq1q2/r Joules (J)
118
Voltage
Potential for work by an electric field in moving any charge V=Energy x Displacement Volts or J/C
119
Current is measured in
AMPS (A) or C/s or (I)
120
Resistance is measured in
Ohms
121
Ohms Law
V=IR Voltage=Electric current/ Resistance
122
Kirchoff's First Rule
The amount of current flowing into any node must be the same amount that flows out
123
Kirchoff's second rule
The voltage around any path in a circuit must SUM to ZERO
124
EMF (Electromotive force) is
Not a force, just another word for voltage
125
Capacitor
Used to temporarily store energy in a circuit Capacitance=Charge/Volt C=Q/V
126
Dielectric Constant (K)
Substance between the two capacitor plates Must be an insulator
127
Resistors in a series
Requiv=R1+R2+R3...
128
Resistors in parallel
1/Requiv=(1/R1)+(1/R2)+(1/R3)...
129
Capacitors in a series
1/Cequiv=(1/C1)+(1/C2)+(1/C3)...
130
Capacitors in Parallel
Cequiv= C1+C2+C3...
131
Power=
P=IV P=I^2R P=V^2/R
132
Alternating Current
Typical rms in US homes is 120 V corresponding to a 170 volt max Vmax=Squareroot (2Vrms) Imax=Squareroot (2Irms)
133
Magnetic fields (B) are measured in
Teslas (T)
134
Lines of force in a magnetic field point from
North Pole to South Pole
135
Changing electric field creates
a magnetic field
136
Stationary charge does nothing but a moving charge creates
a magnetic field
137
Current is moving charge ergo current creates
a magnetic field
138
Force on a charge moving through a magnetic field
F=qvBsinø Force is perpendicular to both velocity and magnetic field
139
For a long straight wire magnetic field varies with
r (radius)
140
Right Hand Rule (long straight wire)
Thumb in direction of the current Grab the wire Direction of the fingers wrapping around wire is direction of magnetic field.
141
Right hand rule charge moving through a magnetic field
Thumb in direction of Moving charge Fingers in direction of the Magnetic field Palm points in the direction of the Force
142
An electromagnetic wave is the traveling oscillation of
an electric and magnetic field
143
Visible Light
144
Visible Light Equations
c=f(wavelength) f=c/wavelength wavelength=c/f c=3x10^8 m/s
145
Index of Refraction
n=c/v ø incidence=ø reflection
146
Snells law
n1sinø1=n2sinø2
147
The path that light travels is the
shortest path possible in terms of time
148
Remember, mediums
slow down light
149
When light crosses into a new medium,
frequency remains the same, wavelength changes
150
Energy of a single photon
E=hf h=plancks constant=6.63x10^-34 j=Js f=frequency of photon
151
Total internal reflection at critical angle of
90 degrees
152
Diffraction
another wave bending phenomenon. When a wave moves through a small opening it bends around corners of the small opening
153
Small hole and long wavelengths means
MORE bending
154
Mirrors reflect and lenses
refract
155
Virtual image
Does not actually exist outside mind of observer.
156
Real Images
Exist separately from the observer
157
Concave mirror/ diverging lense
Observer ) )(
158
Convex mirror/ converging lense
Observer ( () ThiCker Center Converges Light
159
Focal Point
Light is reflected by concave mirrors/ refracted by converging lenses to focus on a single point
160
Focal Length
fmirror=1/2 r
161
Power measured in Diopters
P=1/f
162
Magnification
m= -di/do= hi/ho
163
Thin lense equation
P=1/f= 1/do+1/di
164
System for Mirrors and Lenses
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
Front -Eye- Object -Focal Point -Concave Mirror=
+real inverted image
166
Front- Eye-Object-Convex Mirror-Focal Point =
-virtual upright image
167
Back-Eye-Focal Point-Converging Lens-Object=
+real inverted
168
Back- Eye- Diverging Lens-Focal Point- Object =
-virtual upright image
169
170

MCAT Physics Equations MUST MEMORIZE (6 decks)

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