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Physics > Physics > Flashcards

Physics Flashcards

1
Q

Law of conservation of energy

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred from one store to another

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2
Q

Examples of energy conservation

A

A bat hitting a ball

Electric heater

Rollercoasters

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3
Q

What is energy measured in

A

Joules

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4
Q

Gravitational potential energy

A

Amount of energy an object has because of its position above the ground

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5
Q

Spring constant

A

Numerical value of the stiffness of the spring

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6
Q

Hooke’s law

A

The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied, provided that the limit of proportionality is not exceeded

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7
Q

Efficiency limits

A

No device can be more than 100% efficient because you cannot create energy

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8
Q

Thermal conductivity

A

The rate which an object transfers heat energy

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9
Q

Heat

A

Amount of energy stored in an object or substance

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10
Q

Infared radiation

A

A type of electromagnetic wave which transfers heat energy

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11
Q

A black body

A

Object that absorbs all of the radiation that hits it

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12
Q

Black body radiation

A

Radiation emitted by a perfect black body

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13
Q

Specific heat capacity

A

The energy needed to raise 1kg of material by 1 degree celsius °C

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14
Q

Which substance temperature increases quicker, oil or water

A

Oil

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15
Q

Factors of insulators

A

Poor conductors of heat (heat isn’t easily transferred away)

An insulator doesn’t transfer heat very well which means it stays where it is for longer

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16
Q

Where is natural gas found

A

In rock formations deep below the surface of the Earth

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17
Q

Advantages hydroelectric power

A

No pollution

Reliable

Dams are designed to last for many decades

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18
Q

Disadvantages hydroelectric power

A

Very expensive to build

Natural habitats destroyed

Must operate for decades before profitable

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19
Q

Wave power

A

A wave generator uses wave motion to make a generator move up and down

This turns the generator to generate electricity which is transferred to the shore via a cable

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20
Q

Tidal power advantages

A

No pollution

Infinite resource

Free energy resource

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21
Q

Disadvantages of tidal power

A

Cost of setup

Can disrupt sea life

Generation is for a short periods at tide peaks

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22
Q

Wave power advantages and disadvantages

A

Same as tidal wave

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23
Q

Similarities solar cells and solar heating panels

A

Both use solar energy from sun

Both can be used domestically

Unreliable depending on weather conditions

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24
Q

Differences solar cells and solar heating panels

A

Solar cells produce a current, solar heating panels heat water

Solar heating panels more efficient when using energy to heat water

Solar cells can connect to national grid solar heating panels can’t

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25
Q

Renewable resources

A

Tidal

Hydroelectric

Solar

Goethermal

Wind

Wave

Biofuel

26
Q

Non-renewable resources

A

Coal

Oil

Natural gas

Nuclear

27
Q

Order of what causes greenhouse gas emissions

A

Gas

Oil

Coal

28
Q

Advantages nuclear power

A

No greenhouse gases

Much more energy transferred from each kg uranium

29
Q

Disadvantages nuclear power

A

Used fuel rods contain radioactive waste

An explosion in a reactor could release radioactive material

30
Q

Advantages renewable energy

A

Will never run out

Don’t produce greenhouse gases

Don’t create radioactive waste products

31
Q

Disadvantages renewable energy

A

Some renewable resources are not available all time

Some resources can be unreliable

Wind turbines create noise that upset people nearby

32
Q

Displacement

A

Distance without change in direction

33
Q

Vector

A

Physical quantities with size and direction

34
Q

Scalar

A

Physical quantities with size but no direction

35
Q

Force

A

A push or a pull acting on an object due to interaction with another object

36
Q

3 examples of contact forces

A

Friction

Air resistance

Tension

37
Q

3 examples of non-contact forces

A

Gravitational

Electrostatic

Magnetic

38
Q

3 examples of vector quantities

A

Velocity

Displacement

Force

Acceleration

Momentum

39
Q

3 examples of scalar quantites

A

Temperature

Time

Mass

Speed

Distance

Energy

40
Q

Resultant force

A

A single force equivalent to all other forces acting on a given object

41
Q

The conservation of momentum

A

Within some problem domain, the amount of momentum remains constant

42
Q

Inertia

A

The tendency of an object to continue in its state of rest, or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force

43
Q

Why the egg is less likely to break when dropped onto soft foam rather than onto a concrete floor

A

Soft foam absorbs impact better than concrete because it compresses upon impact

Soft foam dissipates the kinetic energy of the falling egg over a longer period of time as it compresses

Concrete does not dissipate the kinetic energy as effectively, leading to a more abrupt stop upon impact and a higher force exerted on the egg

Soft foam provides a cushioning effect due to its flexibility, which helps to decelerate the egg gradually upon impact

Soft foam made of materials which help mitigate force of impact

44
Q

Explain the changing motion of the skydiver in terms of the forces acting on the skydiver

A

Gravity pulls the skydiver downwards

As skydiver falls they accelerate due to the force of gravity

As the skydiver’s speed increases they encounter air resistance

Force of air resistance becomes equal to force of gravity acting on skydiver leads to terminal velocity

When skydiver deploys parachute air resistance increased

45
Q

Explain why atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude

A

Most atmosphere’s molecules held close to earth’s surface by gravity

46
Q

Lever

A

A rigid body capable of lifting a heavy load with a small effort

47
Q

Acceleration

A

Its change of velocity per second

48
Q

Weight

A

The force of gravity acting on an object

49
Q

Terminal velocity

A

The maximum velocity that an object can travel in a fluid

50
Q

Thinking distance

A

Distance travelled in between the driver realising he needs to brake and actually braking

51
Q

Braking distance

A

The distance taken to stop once the brakes are applied

52
Q

Momentum

A

A property of a moving object which depends on how much mass the object has and how fast it is moving

53
Q

Compression

A

Caused by pushing forces

This can be done by pushing the two ends of the spring together

54
Q

Tension

A

An object that is being stretched experiences a tension force

55
Q

Proportional

A

Where 2 quantities affect each other

56
Q

What happens if spring pass its limit of proportionality

A

The spring extension will no longer be proportional to the load

57
Q

Pressure

A

Force per unit area

58
Q

Why a water dam has a thicker base than top

A

So water pressure is very large at the bottom due to its large depth

59
Q

Upthrust

A

The upward force that a liquid or gas exerts on an object floating in it

60
Q

Archimede’s principle

A

An object totally or partially immersed in a fluid is subject to an upward force equal in magnitude to the weight of fluid it displaces

61
Q

How does an object float

A

When its weight is equal to the upthrust provided by the fluid

62
Q

When does an object sink

A

When its weight is greater than the upthrust provided by the fluid

Physics (5 decks)

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