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Physics Final Exam Review Flashcards

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  • Period (T)

    The amount of time it takes to complete one repetition of a vibration or wave. Measured in seconds (s).

  • Frequency (f)

    The number of repetitions per unit time, measured in hertz (Hz).
    \(f=\frac{1}{T}\)

  • Wavelength (λ)

    The distance between successive repeating points on a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough. Measured in meters (m).

  • Amplitude (A)

    The maximum displacement from the equilibrium (midpoint) position in a wave. Measured in meters (m).

  • Wave speed (v)

    The speed at which a wave travels through a medium. Calculated by \(v=f\lambda\). Measured in meters per second (m/s).

  • Constructive Interference

    When two or more waves combine to reinforce each other, increasing the amplitude.

  • Destructive Interference

    When two or more waves combine to cancel some or all of the amplitude.

  • Standing Wave

    A wave formed by the interference of a wave and its reflection, resulting in nodes and antinodes where parts of the wave appear stationary.

  • Node

    A point on a standing wave with minimum or zero displacement.

  • Antinode

    A point on a standing wave with maximum displacement.

  • Doppler Effect

    The change in observed frequency of a wave due to the relative motion of the source or observer.

  • Nature of Sound

    Sound is a longitudinal wave that travels through a material medium.

  • Pitch

    The perceived frequency of a sound wave; higher frequency corresponds to higher pitch.

  • Infrasonic and Ultrasonic

    Infrasonic: sounds below 20 Hz (below human hearing).
    Ultrasonic: sounds above 20,000 Hz (above human hearing).

  • Speed of Sound

    Depends on the material through which sound travels; generally faster in solids than in gases.

  • Resonance

    Large increase in amplitude when forced vibrations match an object's natural frequency.

  • Coulomb's Law

    The force between two charged bodies: \(F=\frac{kq_1q_2}{d^2}\), where \(k=9\times10^9\,N\cdot m^2/C^2\).

  • Electric Field (E)

    The force per unit charge at a point in space: \(E=\frac{F}{q}\).

  • Ohm's Law

    Relationship between voltage, current, and resistance: \(V=IR\).

  • Power in Electric Circuits

    Power is the product of current and voltage: \(P=IV\).

  • Resistors in Series

    Total resistance is the sum: \(R_{tot}=R_1+R_2+R_3+\cdots\).

  • Resistors in Parallel

    Reciprocal of total resistance is the sum of reciprocals: \(\frac{1}{R_{tot}}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}+\frac{1}{R_3}+\cdots\).

  • Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge

    Force magnitude: \(F_B=qvB\), strongest when velocity is perpendicular to magnetic field.

  • Right Hand Rule for Magnetic Force

    Point fingers in velocity direction, palm faces magnetic field, thumb points in force direction.

  • Magnetic Poles

    Always come in north and south pairs; like poles repel, opposite poles attract; no magnetic monopoles exist.

  • Faraday's Law of Induction

    Induced voltage is proportional to number of loops times rate of change of magnetic field: \(V_{induced} \sim N \frac{\Delta B}{\Delta t}\).

  • Transformer Voltage and Turns Ratio

    Voltage and number of turns relate as: \(\frac{V_1}{N_1}=\frac{V_2}{N_2}\).