Physics Flashcards
Energy
Ability to perform any task
System
The object and environment in which an energy reaction starts
Surrounding
Everything else other than the system
Open system
Energy and matter can be exchanged between system and surrounding
Closed system
Only energy can be exchanged between system and surrounding
Isolated system
Energy and matter cannot be exchanged
Kinetic molecular theory
Particles are always in motion
Kinetic energy
The energy of an object that is in motion
Potential energy
Stored energy that has the potential to be transformed into another form of energy.
Mechanical kinetic energy
The energy when an object is moving
Radiant energy
energy sent out in the form of electromagnetic waves Heat, light, and radio waves are forms of radiant energy
Sound energy
Energy as a wave of vibration moving through matter
Electrical kinetic energy
Energy of charged particles moving through a conductor
Thermal energy
Energy of moving particles transferred by heat
How to measure thermal kinetic energy?
Temperature, thermal energy, heat
How can heat be transferred?
Conduction, convection, radiation
The equation of calculating mechanical kinetic energy
Ek=1/2 * M * v^2, Ek=kinetic energy, m=mass, v=velocity (m/s)
Chemical potential energy
energy stored in chemical bonds
Elastic potential energy
Energy stored in bent, compressed or stretched objects
Gravitational potential energy
Energy stored in objects becasue of it’s position from a reference point
Nuclear energy
Energy stored in the nucleus of atom
Electrical potential energy
energy stored when charged particles are seperated
Magnetic potential energy
Energy stored when magnetic poles are forced together or forced apart
Equation of gravitational potential energy
Eg=mg*H, m=mass, g=9.8, h=height
What is the law of conservation of energy?
Energy can be transformed but it is never created or destroyed
Endothermic energy
When you need more energy to break the bond than the energy released when bonds are formed
Exothermic energy
Reactant require less energy to break bonds then what they produce when they form.
Photosynthesis
When CO2 and H2O combine with energy and light energy to produce glucose and oxygen
Cellular Respiration
Glucose+oxygen=Co2+H2O, mechanical, chemical, electrical energy.
What type of reaction is Fossil Fuels
A Combustion reaction
Fuel Cells
chemical potential energy transfers into electrical energy. Turn water when it react with oxygen.
Nuclear decay
Unstable Isotope emits particles from their nuclei to get rid of the extra energy, Uses radiant energy during this process
Alpha decay
atomic number decrease by 2. mass is decrease by 4. Creates a helium with atomic number as 2 and mass as 4.
Beta-decay
creates a proton and electron. Proton stay in the atom so the original atom’s atomic number increase by 1
Gamma decay
Excited state into stable state. No change to atom but adds gamma rays. (00Y)
Nuclear fusion
Two small nuclei combine to form one nuclei. High temperature and energy for it to happen.
Atmosphere
Layer of gases that extend above a planets surface
What are the order of gases starting from the one nearest to earth?
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
Troposphere characteristics
Almost all water vapor and dust is found in this layer. Contain 99% of N2 and O2. Temperature, -55 Celsius
Stratosphere characteristics
Dry air, contains ozone.
What does a ozone do
It absorbs the ultraviolet radiation from the sun
mesosphere characteristics
Constantly bombarded by meteors and dust. Temperature, as low as -100 Celsius every day
thermosphere characteristics
The northern light is the result of charged particles colliding with this sphere. Temperature. 1500-3000 Celsius
Exosphere characterisitcs
Merge with space
What is an insolation?
The amount of solar radiation that reaches a certain area.
What is Angle of Insidence
Angle of a ray reaching the surface and a line perpendicular to the surface. Greater the angle, less solar radiation.
What is radiation budget
Keeps ongoing and ingoing energy in balance
Albedo
Amount of radiation reflected by the earth’s surface
What places have low albedo and why?
Dark places such as forest, ocean, etc. Because the dark places absorb more radiation
What places have more albedo and why?
Bright places such as snow. Because it will reflect radiation.
What is atmospheric pressure?
The pressure given by the mass of air above any point of earth’s surface
What do Barometers measure and in what unit?
Atmospheric pressure in Kilopascals.
What will happen to atmospheric pressure when altitude increase?
atmospheric pressure will decrease
What will happen to atmospheric pressure when temperature increase?
Warm air less dense than cold air, resulting in lower atmospheric pressure
What will happen to atmospheric pressure when humidity increase?
atmospheric pressure decreases
What is humidity?
Measures the amount of water vapor in air
What is air mass
A parcel of air with similar temperature and humidity throughout
How does a high pressure system form?
When cool air forms over a cold region
What is a front?
A boundary between two air masses
What is weather?
a condition of the atmosphere in a specific place and a specific time
What is wind?
movement of air from areas with high pressure to low pressure
What is prevailing wind?
Wind that is typical for a certain region
What is Coriolis effect
Change of direction of moving air, water or object due to the earths rotation
Definition of climate
The average condition of the atmoshpere of a certain area for at least 30 years.
Biogeoclimatic zones
A region with a certain type of climate, animal, soil, geography
Paleoclimatologists
Study fossile fuel of glacier to understand climate change
icecores
Sample of ice to determine what type and amount of gases existed in the atmosphere
What are 4 factors that affect climate change?
Greenhouse gases, earths tilt, axis of rotation, orbit around sun
What is the use of carbon cycle
It maintains the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What is carbon sinks
anything that will hold carbon dioxide
what are 3 examples of carbon sink
deep ocean, shelled organisms, forest
What is catastrophic events
Events that adds dust, debris and gas in the atmosphere
What is water cycle
it describes the circulation of water on and above the surface.
Enhanced greenhouse effect
increase of greenhouse gas which lead to increase of capacity of atmosphere to absorb and emit thermal energy
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
The ability for substances to increase the temperature of the atmosphere by absorbing and emitting thermal energy
What is the most common greenhouse gas?
Water vapor (65%)
What greenhouse gas has the most GWP?
Chlorofluorocarbon
what is infrared radiation
heat radiation
Definition of endothermic
The reactants has less chemical potential energy than the product.
Definition of exothermic
The reactant has more chemical potential energy than the product.
