Physics Semester 1 Review

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration. It is greatest at the highest point in a gravitational field.

Front

What is the process of nuclear fusion in the Sun?

Back

Nuclear fusion in the Sun is the process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy.

Front

What is the acceleration due to gravity on Earth?

Back

The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.81 m/s².

Front

What happens to an object's acceleration as it falls through the atmosphere?

Back

As an object falls, it experiences decreasing acceleration due to air resistance until it reaches terminal velocity, where it falls at a constant speed.

Front

What is terminal velocity?

Back

Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity acting on it.

Front

Define kinetic energy.

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its motion, calculated as KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Back

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Back

Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction.

Front

What is Newton's first law of motion?

Back

Newton's first law states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force.

Front

What is the formula for gravitational potential energy?

Back

The formula for gravitational potential energy is PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.