Physics S2 Flashcards
linear momentium
The product of an object’s mass and its velocity, often denoted as “p” and expressed as p = mv.
Newton’s second law
The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass, described by F = ma.
law of conservation of momentum
In a closed system with no external forces acting, the total momentum before a collision equals the total momentum after the collision.
collisions
Interactions between objects where they exert forces on each other for a short period of time.
impulse
The change in momentum of an object resulting from the application of a force over time.
elastic collision
A type of collision in which both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved.
inelastic collision
A type of collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved but momentum is.
completely inelastic collision
A type of collision in which the objects stick together after colliding, conserving neither kinetic energy nor momentum.
center of mass
The point at which the mass of an object or system can be considered to be concentrated, often simplifying the analysis of motion.
radians
A unit of angular measure used in physics, representing the angle subtended when the radius of a circle is wrapped around its circumference.
Angular velocity
The rate of change of angular displacement with respect to time, often denoted as ω (omega).
angular acceleration
The rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time, often denoted as α (alpha).
torque
A measure of the tendency of a force to rotate an object around an axis, calculated as the force applied multiplied by the lever arm.
lever arm
The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the line of action of a force.
moment of inertia
A measure of an object’s resistance to rotational motion, depending on its mass distribution and shape.
rotational kinetic energy
The energy associated with the rotational motion of an object, calculated as 1/2 times the moment of inertia times the square of the angular velocity.
angular momentum
The rotational analog of linear momentum, equal to the moment of inertia times angular velocity, often denoted as L.
law of conservation of angular momentum
In the absence of external torques, the total angular momentum of a closed system remains constant.
equilibrium
A state in which an object experiences no net force or net torque, resulting in a stable, unchanging condition.
statics
The branch of mechanics that deals with objects at rest or in a state of constant motion.
stable
A condition in which a small disturbance from equilibrium leads the system to return to its original state
unstable
A condition in which a small disturbance from equilibrium leads the system to move away from its original state.
neutral equilibrium
A condition in which a small disturbance from equilibrium does not result in a change in the system’s state.
Hooke’s law
A law describing the linear relationship between the force applied to a spring and the resulting deformation, typically expressed as F = -kx.
ultimate strength
The maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking.
fracture
The process of breaking or cracking, often due to excessive stress.
stress
The internal resistance or force per unit area within a material, often measured in pascals (Pa).
strain
The relative deformation or change in shape of a material in response to stress, typically expressed as a dimensionless ratio.
compression
A type of stress that results in a decrease in the length or volume of a material.
tension
A type of stress that results in an increase in the length of a material.
shear
A type of stress that results in deformation of a material by parallel forces applied in opposite directions.
elastic modulus
A measure of a material’s stiffness and ability to deform under stress.
Young’s modulus
A measure of a material’s resistance to deformation under tension or compression.
shear modulus
A measure of a material’s resistance to deformation by shear stress.
Bulk modulus
A measure of a material’s resistance to changes in volume under pressure.
solid
A state of matter characterized by a fixed shape and volume, with particles arranged in a regular pattern.
liquid
A state of matter characterized by a fixed volume but no fixed shape, with particles that can move past one another.
gas
A state of matter characterized by no fixed shape or volume, with particles that move freely and independently.
fluids
Substances that flow and can take the shape of their container, including both liquids and gases.
density
The mass of a substance per unit volume, often expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
Specific gravity (SG)
The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance (usually water), often used to determine the buoyancy of objects in fluids.
Pressure
The force per unit area applied to a surface, typically measured in pascals (Pa) or atmospheres (atm).
Pascal’s principle
A principle stating that a change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all portions of the fluid.
manometer
A device used to measure the pressure of gases or liquids in a container by comparing it to atmospheric pressure.
barometer
An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
atmospheric pressure
The pressure exerted by the weight of the Earth’s atmosphere on a given area at sea level, approximately 101.3 kPa.
gauge pressure
The pressure above atmospheric pressure, often used in pressure measurements.
Archimedes’ principle
A principle stating that the buoyant force acting on an object submerged in a fluid is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.
Bernoulli’s principle
A principle describing the relationship between the pressure, velocity, and elevation of a fluid in motion, often used to explain lift in aerodynamics.
laminar
The type of fluid flow characterized by smooth, parallel layers of fluid, where adjacent layers move at different speeds.
turbulent
The type of fluid flow characterized by chaotic, irregular motion and mixing.
streamlines
Imaginary lines that represent the paths of fluid particles in a flow, used to visualize fluid motion.
Bernoulli’s equation
A fundamental equation describing the conservation of energy in fluid flow, relating pressure, velocity, and elevation.
Viscosity
The measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow, often described as its thickness or stickiness.
surface tension
The force that acts to minimize the surface area of a liquid, creating a “skin” on the surface.
equation of continuity
A principle stating that the mass flow rate of an incompressible fluid is constant along a streamline, ensuring that mass is conserved in fluid flow.
simple harmonic motion
A type of periodic motion in which an object oscillates back and forth around a central point, with a restoring force proportional to the displacement from equilibrium
amplitude
The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position in simple harmonic motion.
period
The time it takes for one complete cycle of a periodic motion.
sinusoidal
Describing a motion, wave, or function that follows a sinusoidal (sine or cosine) pattern.
frequency
The number of cycles or oscillations of a wave that occur per unit of time, typically measured in hertz (Hz).
simple pendulum
A mass (pendulum bob) attached to a string or rod that swings back and forth under the influence of gravity, exhibiting simple harmonic motion.
damped
A term used to describe a system or oscillation where energy gradually decreases over time due to the presence of damping forces.
natural frequency
The frequency at which an object or system oscillates with the greatest amplitude when disturbed from equilibrium.
waves
Disturbances that propagate through a medium, carrying energy and information without transporting matter.
pulse
A single disturbance or wave packet that travels through a medium.
wavelength
The distance between two successive points in a wave that are in phase, such as two consecutive crests or troughs.
amplitude
The maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its equilibrium position.
pitch
The perception of the frequency of sound waves, determining whether a sound is high or low in tone.
audible range
The range of frequencies that can be heard by the human ear, typically from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
loudness
The subjective perception of the intensity or amplitude of sound, often measured in decibels (dB).
intensity
The power per unit area carried by a sound wave, related to its amplitude and distance from the source.
fundamental
The lowest frequency and primary mode of vibration of an oscillating object or musical instrument.
overtones
Higher-frequency harmonics that accompany the fundamental frequency in complex vibrations.
harmonics
Multiples of the fundamental frequency in complex waveforms or vibrations.
open tube
A tube, such as a musical wind instrument, open at both ends, allowing for the production of specific harmonics.
closed tube
A tube, such as an organ pipe, closed at one end, which produces a different set of harmonics compared to an open tube.
beats
The interference pattern produced by the superposition of two sound waves with slightly different frequencies.
Doppler effect
The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave, often observed in sound and light.
supersonic
Describing an object or wave that travels at a speed greater than the speed of sound in a medium.
Ultrasonic
Sound waves with frequencies above the upper limit of human hearing, typically used in applications like medical imaging and cleaning.
