Physics CP
Final Exam Concept Review
1-Dimensional Kinematics
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Experimentally determining average speed
o what to measure, how to calculate, major sources of error
o distinguish from instantaneous speed
Constant velocity vs. acceleration
o definitions / word descriptions
o pictures / diagrams
Graphical Analysis of Motion
o position vs. time graphs, velocity vs. time graphs, acceleration vs. time graphs
o representing rest, constant velocity, uniform acceleration, non-uniform acceleration on all
types of graphs
o meaning of slope, y-intercept, area under curve
o general graphical analysis: how to determine relationship between variables and determine
function of best-fit (directly proportional, linear, quadratic, inversely proportional)
Uniform acceleration (horizontal and free fall)
o what does this imply about change in velocity?
o what does this imply about distance covered in successive time intervals?
1-Dimensional Kinematics Problems
o Word problems & graphical analysis
o Be able to distinguish between constant velocity, average velocity problems (i.e. multi-part
trips) and uniform acceleration.
o Application of uniform acceleration equations for horizontal and vertical (free fall) motion
o Remember that displacement, velocity and acceleration are vectors: consider direction.
Forces / Newton’s Laws of Motion
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Definition of force. Units of force.
Common examples of forces and when they are exerted on an object
Distinguish between mass and weight
Free body diagrams (force diagrams) – interpreting and diagramming
Define net force (total sum of the forces).
Determine an algebraic expression for the total sum of the forces from a force diagram (net force
from FBD).
Newton’s 1st Law of Motion (Law of Inertia)
o Common misconceptions, real-world examples & phenomena
o How does this help you draw FDs & determine forces not given directly?
Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion (Fnet = ma)
o Effect of changing force and mass on acceleration
o Writing vector sum of force expressions and solving for missing forces or acceleration.
o Problems involving vector sum of force expression for both horizontal and vertical forces.
 Need separate equations for horizontal and vertical.
 Need to use substitution to solve.
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Newton’s 3 Law of Motion (action-reaction)
o What does this really mean?
o Distinguishing from 2nd Law of Motion (net force on a single object).
Projectile Motion
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Definition of a projectile. Forces exerted on a projectile.
Independence of horizontal and vertical components of a projectile’s motion.
Classification of horizontal and vertical components of a projectile’s motion as either constant
velocity or uniform acceleration.
What happens to velocity components and acceleration of projectile throughout its trajectory?
Solving projectile problems
o horizontally-launched, fired at an angle
Circular Motion
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How is an object accelerating if it is moving in a circular path at a constant speed?
Direction of tangential velocity, acceleration and force vectors
Types of forces causing centripetal acceleration
Effect of radius, velocity, mass on centripetal acceleration
Definitions of period & frequency
Solving circular motion problems
Gravitation & Satellite Motion
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What is gravity? What factors affect magnitude of gravitational force?
Calculating net gravitational force on an object for a group of masses (collinear, right-angle)
How is gravity responsible for satellite motion? Relate to circular motion.
Work & Energy
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Definitions of work, power, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy. Units.
o What conditions must be met for work to be done?
o Analysis of force vs. displacement graphs
Definitions and examples of non-mechanical forms of energy.
Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem
o Be able to solve problems
o Is direction important?
Conservation of Energy
o Be able to solve problems
o Conservative forces only – no external work done – TME conserved
o Non-conservative forces present – external work done – TME not conserved
Momentum
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Definitions of impulse & momentum. Basic calculations. Is direction important?
Impulse-Momentum Theorem
o Be able to apply to solve problems
o Is direction important?
o Common examples: bouncing, seat belts, falling eggs, following through
Conservation of Momentum
o Be able to solve problems – linear
o Is direction important?
o Perfectly inelastic, inelastic vs. elastic collisions: analyze conservation of momentum and
kinetic energy
Electrostatics
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Charge interactions, units of charge
Charging by friction, conduction, induction, polarization, grounding
Coulomb’s Law
o Factors affecting electrostatic force
o Net electrostatic force on a charge for a group of point charges
Electric Fields
o Diagrams – what can you determine from the field lines
Circuits
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Definitions of voltage (potential difference), current, resistance. Units. Water analogy.
Factors affecting resistance.
Ohm’s Law - effect of voltage and resistance and current through a wire. Ohmic vs. non-Ohmic.
Series & Parallel Circuits
o Determine equivalent resistance
o Compare current through each resistor and through source
o Compare potential difference across each resistor and across source
o Effect of adding more resistors in series vs. adding more resistors in parallel.
o Effect of removing a resistor for series vs. parallel.
o Applying circuit rules and Ohm’s Law to solve circuit problems: series, parallel.
Magnetism
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Source of magnetism
Poles & their interactions
Magnetism on an atomic & microscopic level: atomic dipoles, domains
Ferromagnetic materials: unmagnetized vs. magnetized
Earth’s magnetic field: shape, history, strength, implications for human life