Excel Review Center Review Course Physics Reviewer

• Newton’s first law (Law of Inertia): An object • Kinetic energy refers to the energy an object • Kepler’s second law: A planet moves faster
at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion
stays in motion. No net force means no
change in velocity.
• Newton’s second law (Law of Acceleration):
Acceleration (a) is directly proportional to
the net applied force (Fnet) and inversely
proportional to the object s mass (m): Fnet =
ma. Excel Review Center
• Newton’s third law (Law of Reaction): For • The work energy theorem states that the
every action (or force) there is an equal and
opposite reaction (force). The forces are
equal in magnitude, opposite in direction,
and act on different bodies
• The weight W = mg of an object is the
gravitational pull exerted on it by the planet
on which the object exists. Mass,
conversely, does not change with location; it
is a measure of an object’s inertia.
• The normal force is the component of the
contact force that s perpendicular to the
surface when an object is in contact with the
surface. • Power is the measure of work over time P =
possesses by virtue of its motion and equals when it is closer to the sun than when it is
1 further away.
2
mv .
2
• Kepler’s third law: The ratio T2/a3 is the
same for all the planets, where T is the time
• Potential energy is the energy an object has
it takes the planet to make one orbit (the
by virtue of its position. Work done on an period) and a is the length of the semimajor
object to put it in a given position is stored in axis of a planet s orbit.
the object that can be retrieved. PE = mgh
• When a spring is stretched or compressed
horizontally, a force is created as the spring
total work done on an object is equal to the tries to return to its equilibrium position. The
object’s change in kinetic energy. force it exerts in response is given by
Hooke’s law: Fs = kx.
W = ±ΔKE = ±ΔPE
1 2
• Conservation of mechanical energy is the Fs = kx PEelastic = kx
2
sum of an object’s kinetic and potential
energies. Nonconservative forces, such as
• During oscillation, the force on the block
friction, are disregarded, so the initial
when it is at equilibrium is zero, while the
mechanical energy is equal to the final
speed is at a maximum.
mechanical energy.
• At amplitude, when displacement from
PE1 + KE1 = PE2 + KE2 + loss equilibrium is largest, the force and
magnitude of acceleration are both at their
maximum

• Friction is the component of the contact

force that is parallel to the surface when an
object is in contact with the surface.
• Kinetic (sliding) friction occurs when there is
relative motion (the object is actually
sliding across the floor).
• Static friction occurs when there is no
relative motion (the object is still or is rolling • Linear momentum is the product of mass
without slipping).
fs(max ) = µ sN fk = µkN fs(max ) > fk
• Pulleys change the direction of the tension
force in the cords that slide over them.
• An inclined plane is a ramp. When an object
is on the inclined plane, then the force of
gravity W = mg has two components: one
parallel to the ramp (mg sin θ) and one that • Conservation of linear momentum states
s normal (perpendicular) to the ramp (mg
cos θ), whereθ is the inclined plane.
• Newton’s law of gravitation states that any
two objects in the universe exert on each
other a gravitational force whose strength is
proportional to the product of the objects
• Collisions of objects are classified as elastic
masses and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.
Gm1m2 GMbody
FG = g=
r2 (
r +h )
2
W
. It is the rate at which work is done.
t
• Gravitational potential energy comes into
play when the height is large compared with
the earth’s radius. In this case, gravitation is
GMm
a variable force. PE =
r cycle is called a period and is expressed
and velocity, and is symbolized by p. Use
the formula p = mv.
• Impulse is the product of the average force
and the time during which it acts. This force
occurs only briefly and equals the object s
change in momentum.
Ft = Δp = Δmv
that when two objects interact in an isolated
system, the total linear momentum of the
system will remain constant.
total pbefore collision = total pafter collision
or inelastic. Elastic collisions conserve
kinetic energy. After an inelastic collision,
the total kinetic energy is different from what
it was before the collision.
• The trading off of energy between potential
and kinetic causes oscillations.
• Each cycle of oscillation occurs in the same
amount of time.
1. The amount of time it takes to complete a
in seconds per cycle.
2. The number of cycles that can be
completed in a unit of time is called the
frequency of the oscillations and is
expressed in cycles per second.
1 2π m
T= ω = 2πf = T = 2π
f T k
• The forces at play in the vertical motion of a
spring are very similar to those in horizontal
motion. The only difference is that, due to
gravity, the vertical motion of a
spring equilibrium is not at the spring s
natural length. Excel Review Center
• For an object moving with simple harmonic
motion, the period and frequency are
independent of the amplitude.
x = A sinωt v = Aω cosωt v max = Aω
• Displacement of a simple pendulum is

• A perfectly inelastic collision is where the

• Work done by a constant force is the
product of force and distance and the
resulting change of energy.
W = F ⋅ d = F d cosθ
• Forward forces do positive work, backward
forces do negative work, perpendicular
forces do no work.
• Work done by a variable force is measured
by graphing F versus the horizontal, and
then finding the area bounded by the graph
of F, the x-axis, and vertical lines indicating • Kepler’s first law: Every planet moves in an
the beginning and end of the period of force.
objects stick and move together.
• Coefficient of restitution:
relative velocity after collision
e=−
relative velocity before collision
hfinal
e= for bouncing objects
hinitial
If e = 1 ; elastic collision
If e = 0 ; perfectly inelastic collision
If 0 < e < 1 ; partially inelastic collision
elliptical orbit with the sun at one focus of
both of them in an ellipse.
measured by the angle that it makes with
the vertical. A pendulum s restoring force is
provided by gravity and is proportional to
the displacement.
• For small angles, a simple pendulum
exhibits simple harmonic motion.
L 1 g
T = 2π f=
g 2π L
• The period and frequency of a pendulum do
not depend on the mass.
• For traveling waves, in which the peaks and
valleys visibly move along the length of a
rope, the displacement y of each point
depends also on x and t.

Prepared by: Engr. JJ Tiong

Excel Review Center
• In the point of view in which x varies, and t
does not, we freeze time and see thepoint
at which the wave crosses the horizontal,
the maximum vertical displacement above
the horizontal (crests), and the maximum
vertical displacement below the horizontal
(the troughs).
• In the point of view in which t varies, and x
does not, you designate one position x
along the rope to watch as time varies. The
point on the rope will oscillate vertically and
the wave propagates, or travels,
horizontally.
• The five most important characteristics of a
traveling wave are its wavelength,
amplitude, period, frequency, and speed.
1 v
T= λ= Excel Review Center
f f
• The equation to determine wave speed on a
Fr
stretched string is v = . image by refracting light.
µ toward the source corresponds to a
• Superposition of waves is the concept that
when two or more waves meet, the
displacement at any point of the medium is
equal to the sum of the displacements due
to the individual waves. When waves meet
and overlap (interfere) the displacement of
the string is equal to the sum of the
individual displacements.
• Constructive interference creates a
combined wave of greater magnitude than
either individual wave. Destructive
interference results in a combined waveform
that has a displacement of a smaller
magnitude that either individual wave.
• Standing waves are seen when two
oppositely traveling waves that have the
same frequency, amplitude, and wavelength
oscillate vertically and remain fixed. The
crestt and troughs do not appear to travel
down the length of the string.
The harmonic or resonant frequencies:
fn =
nv
2L
• Sound waves are produced by the vibration
of an object. The vibrations cause pressure
variations in the conducting medium:
Compressions are where the molecules are
bunched together (the pressure is above
normal). Rarefactions are the positions
where the pressure is below normal.
• Sound waves differ from waves on strings in
that the molecules of a medium
transmitting a sound wave move parallel to
the direction of wave propagation rather
B embodies speed and direction and
than perpendicular to it. v =
ρ If n < n
• Intensity and decibel level measure the
loudness of a sound. Decibel level is
measured on a logarithmic scale.
P P I I
I= =
A 4πr 2
( )I dB = 10log = 10log −12
Io 10
fbeat = f1 − f2
Review Course Physics Reviewer
• The Doppler effect occurs when there is • A mirror is an optical device that forms an
relative motion between the source of the image by reflecting light. We’ve all looked
sound waves and the detector. When the into a mirror and seen images of nearby
detector moves toward the source (or vice objects. Flat mirrors are called plane
versa), he or she intercepts the waves at a mirrors. Excel Review Center
rate higher than the one at which they were
emitted and hears a higher frequency than • An image is said to be real if light rays
the source emitted. If the detector is moving actually focus at the image. A real image
away from the source or if the source is can be projected onto a screen. For a flat
moving away from the detector, the mirror, light rays bounce off the front of the
detected waves have a lower frequency mirror; so, of course, no light focuses
than originally emitted by the source. behind it. Therefore, the images produced
by a flat mirror are not real; they are virtual.
If the source and the observer are moving
v + vo • A spherical mirror is a mirror that s curved in
towards each other: f ' = f such a way that its surface forms part of a
v − vs
sphere. For a spherical mirror with radius R,
R
If the source and the observer are moving f=
2
v − vo
away each other: f ' = f
v + vs Convex Mirror – Diverging ( - f )
Concave Mirror – Convering ( + f )
• Light, or electromagnetic waves, also
• A lens is an optical device that forms an
experiences the Doppler effect. Motion
frequency shift upward (and a wavelength
Concave Lens – Diverging ( - f )
shift downward). Motion away from the
Convex Lens – Convering ( + f )
source corresponds to a frequency shift
downward (and a wavelength shift upward).
• For mirrors and lenses:
• Optics is the study of light and its interaction
1 1 1 i h
with devices such as mirrors, lenses, and = + m=− = i
prisms. Light (or visible light) makes up only f i o o ho
a small part of the entire spectrum of
electromagnetic waves, which ranges from Sign convention:
radio waves to gamma rays. Real image ( + i )
Virtual image ( - i )
The light spectrum in terms of wavelength: Upright image ( + m )
Inverted image ( - m )
Ultraviolet: < 390nm
Violet: 390nm − 455nm If m > 1, image is magnified
Blue: 455nm − 492nm If m < 1, image is smaller
Green: 492nm − 577nm If m = 1, no magnificiation
Yellow: 577nm − 597nm
Orange: 597nm − 622nm • For a combination of 2 thin lenses:
Red: 622nm − 770nm
Infrared: > 770nm 1 1 1
= +
f f1 f2
• Imagine a beam of light directed toward a
medium. When it hits this surface, some of
1 ⎛ 1 1⎞
its energy will be reflected off the surface • Lensmaker Equation: = n − 1 ⎜
f
( ) R
⎝ 1
+
R ⎟
and some will be transmitted into the new 2⎠
medium in a phenomena called reflection
and refraction, respectively. If lens is convex ( + R )
If lens is concave ( - R )
Law of reflection: θi = θr If lens is planar/flat ( R = ∞ )
• Displacement is the vector that connects an
c
Law of refraction: n1 sinθi = n2 sinθr ; n = object’s initial position with its final position.
v It is the net distance traveled. Distance is
the length of the particular path chosen (a
For refraction: scalar).
If n1 = n2 , light will move in a straight path • Speed is a scalar quantity and is always
(no refraction occurs) taken as a positive. Velocity is a vector that
measures the rate of change of an object’s
, light will bend towards the
1 2 position.
normal line (LHT – low to high, towards)
total distance
If n1 > n2 , light will bend away from the average speed =
time
normal line, (HLA – high to low, away)
displacement
average velocity =
time
If n1 > n2 and θi > θc , light will bend away
from the normal line and goes back to • Acceleration measures the rate of change of
medium 1 (total internal reflection)
Δv
an object s velocity. acceleration =
time
n
Critical Angle: θc = sin−1 2
n1 Excel Review Center
Prepared by: Engr. JJ Tiong
Excel Review Center Review Course Physics Reviewer
If acceleration has same direction as motion • Equilibrium refers to the state of an object • Superposition refers to the fact that the total
– object will move faster and faster when the sum of the forces and torque electric force acting on a charge can be
acting on it is zero. To solve problems in determined by summing up the individual
If acceleration has opposite direction as equilibrium (a=0): contributions to the force of each of the
motion – object will slow down other charges. Electric force is a vector
∑F = 0 ∑M = 0 quantity.
• The two most popular graphs in kinematics
are the position-versus-time graph and the Alternately, you can use the Lami’s F = ∑Fi E = ∑Ei
velocity-versus-time graph. The slope of a Theorem:
position-versus-time graph gives the
Note that F and E are vectors.
velocity, while the slope of a velocity-
versus-time graph gives the acceleration. F1 F2 F
= = 3
sinθ1 sinθ2 sinθ3 • The presence of a charge creates an
electric field in the space that surrounds it.
• On a velocity-versus-time graph, the area
The electric field vectors farther from the
between the graph and the t-axis is equal to • Angular momentum is the rotational analog
source charge are shorter than those that
the object’s displacement. for linear momentum. It is the product of are closer because the strength decreases
mass and velocity and the distance from the as we get further away from the charge.
• Since gravitational acceleration is constant, axis of rotation. It is symbolized by L. Use
it can be replaced by either +g or g with a + the formula L = rmv. • The electric field points away from positive
sign if down is the positive direction and a
charges and toward negative charges.
sign if down is the negative direction. • Conservation of angular momentum states
that if the torques on a body balance so that • Positive charge feel a force in the direction
• The 3 kinematic equations are: the net torque is zero, then the body s of the electric field and negative charges
angular momentum cannot change. feel a force opposite to the electric field.
1 2 2 2
s = v o t ± at v f = v o ± at v f = v o ± 2as • Rotational kinematics has symbols and
2 Q

• Projectile motion is the parabolic path

concepts that are analogous to those of
linear kinematics.
• Gauss’ Law: φe =
!∫ E × dA = ε o

caused by the pull of gravity on an object

moving near the surface of the earth. For Δθ Δω Note that the electric flux depends on the
ω= α= Excel Review Center total charge in the closed region of
proectile motion, the horizontal acceleration time time
is always 0 while the vertical acceleration is interest.
due to gravity, g. 1 q1q2
s = rθ v = rω aT = rα • Electric Potential Energy: PE =
4πεo r

ymax =
(v o
sinθ ) 2

R=
v o 2 sin2θ
T=
2v o sinθ
2g g g Δv v2 PE 1 q1
aT = rα = ac = aN = = ω 2r • Electric Potential: V = =
t r q2 4πεo r
• In uniform circular motion, velocity is
directed tangent to the circle and Note that the potential is scalar, depending
acceleration is directed toward the center. atotal = aN2 + aT 2 on r

v2 v2 1 2 • For Continuous Charge Distributions:

ac = aN = FC = m θ = ω ot ± αt ω f = ω o ± αt ω f 2 = ω o 2 ± 2αθ
r r 2
1 dq
• Center of mass is the point where all of the • Other important formulas for rotation:
V=
4πεo ∫r Excel Review Center

mass of an object can be considered to

reside. For a homogeneous body, the Conducting sphere with radius R:
1
center of mass is at the geometric center of KE = Iω 2 L = Iω T = Iα
the object. For a group of objects, establish 2
an x/y coordinate system, multiply the 1 Q
V= r ≤R
position value of each object by its mass • Moment of inerta is an object’s tendency to 4πεo R if
and get the sum for all the particles. Divide resistant rotational/angular acceleration:
this sum by the total mass. The resulting
1 Q
value is the center of mass in terms of x- 2 V= r >R
and ycoordinates. I = mr 2 for a solid sphere 4πεo r if
5
(Treat the x-value and y-value separately.)
• Conductors are materials, such as metals,
2 2
m x + m2 x 2 + m3 x 3 + ... + +mn x n I= mr for a hollow sphere that permit the flow of charge. Electrons are
x CM = 1 1 3 free to flow through metal and redistribute
m1 + m2 + m3 + ... + mn
themselves.
1 2
I= mr for a solid cylinder (disk) • Insulators are materials, such as wood,
m y + m2y2 + m3 y3 + ... + +mnyn 2
yCM = 1 1 glass, rubber and plastic, which inhibit the
m1 + m2 + m3 + ... + mn
flow of electrons. Electrons cannot travel
I = mr 2 for a hollow cylinder (hoop) through an insulator, so the charge stays
• In an isolated system the center of mass will put in the material in which it originated.
not accelerate. • Electric charge is a quality of protons and
electrons that gives them an attractive force. • Capacitance and Dielectrics
• Rotational dynamics involves describing the Protons are positive, while electrons are
acceleration of an object in terms of its negative. Neutrons have no electrical
charge. Q A A
mass (inertia) and the forces that act on it: C= C = εo = kεo
V d d
Fnet = ma. Excel Review Center
• Use Coulomb;s law to determine the 1 1
magnitude electric force between two =∑ Cseries = ∑ Ci
• Torque is the quantity that measures how Cseries Ci
effectively a force causes rotation. The charged particles with charges of q1 and q2
greater the distance from the axis of rotation separated by a distance of r2.
• Magnetic Field
(the pivot) where force is applied, the
greater the torque will be. T = Fr sinθ q q 1 q q F
Fe = k 12 2 =
!∫
1 2
E= e φm = BdA
r 4πεo r 2 q

Prepared by: Engr. JJ Tiong

Excel Review Center Review Course Physics Reviewer
Force on charge, q, and v, moving in B: present. Use the equation Qsensible = mcΔT Isochoric – constant volume
where c is the specific heat capacity
F = qv × B = qvBsinθ ΔV = 0 W =0 ΔEint = ±Q
• Special cases: Excel Review Center
If v is parallel to B: F = 0 • The different heat transfer mechanisms:
If v is perpendicular to B: F = qvB
c p - constant pressure
Q ΔT
• Faraday’s Law: Induced EMF is, c V - constant volume Conduction: P = = kA
t L
dφm
E=
!∫ Eds = − dt
For an ideal gas:
Convection: P =
Q
= hAΔT
t
5 5 cp 5
• Biot-Savart’s Law: For a conductor that cp = R cv = R γ= =
2 2 cv 3
induces B, current I and length dL, Q
Radiation: P = = σeAT4
t
µo r • The temperature of a substance remains
dB = IdL × 3 Excel Review Center constant during the substance s phase
4π r • The second law of thermodynamics states
transition. Use the formula Qlatent = mL
that the total amount of disorder the total
where L is the latent heat constant. entropy of a system plus its surroundings
• Electromagnetic Waves
will never decrease.
Qtotal = ∑ Qsensible + ∑ Qlatent
1
c= c = fλ dQ
µ oεo • Heat transfer and thermal expansion are dS = Excel Review Center
T
related in that when a substance undergoes
a temperature change, it changes in size.
E ΔSuniverse > 0 for all real processes
c=
B for transverse B and E fields • Because the atoms or molecules that make
up a gas move freely and rapidly in a ΔSuniverse = 0 for a reversible processes
• Maxwell’s Equations chaotic swarm, a confined gas exerts a
force in the walls of its container. To find
Gauss’ Law for Electrostatics • A heat engine is a device that uses heat to
F produce useful work. To determine the
this pressure, use the equation P = .
A efficiency of a heat engine, use the formula
Q
!∫ E ⋅ dA = ε o • The ideal gas law, PV = nRT, covers ideal
W Q
e = eng = 1− C . Unless QC = 0, the
QH QH
gases, which have the following properties:
Gauss’ Law for Magnetism 1. The volume of the gas molecules is engine’s efficiency is always less than 1.
negligible compared to that of the container
which holds them. T
!∫ B ⋅ dA = 0 2. They experience no electrical forces.
3. They undergo elastic collisions.
• For a Carnot engine, e = 1− C
TH

Ampere-Maxwell Law • For a perfect engine, e = 1 and QC = 0

PV = nRT
dφe
!∫ B ⋅ ds = µ I + µ ε
• “There is no engine that is 100% efficient” –
o o o
dt 1 2 3 3kT Kelvin-Planck Statement
KE = mv = kT v rms =
2 2 m
Faraday’s Law • Heat pumps and Refrigerators:
• The zeroth law of thermodynamics states
dφm that when two objects are brought into QH QH
!∫ E ⋅ ds = − dt contact, heat flows from the warmer object
to the cooler one.
COPHP = =
Win QH − QC
TH
• Objects have energy because of their COPHP =
temperatures, and heat is this energy in • The first law of thermodynamics states that carnot TH − TC
transit from one object to another. energy (in the form of heat) is neither
Temperature is a measure of the created nor destroyed in any
concentration of an object’s internal thermal thermodynamic system. QC QC
COPref = =
energy. Win QH − QC
−Qhot = +Qcold ΔEint = ±Q ± W
TH
TK = T°C + 273.15 COPREF =
• The different thermodynamic processes:
carnot TH − TC

ΔTK = ΔT°C ΔTR = ΔT°F Isothermal – constant temperature • “You cannot create a heat pump or a
refrigerator that does not require input work”
5 5 ΔT = 0 ΔEint = 0 ±Q = ∓W – Clausius Statement
ΔT = ΔT ΔT = ΔT
°C 9 °F K 9 R
• The change of internal energy is zero for a
V2 closed path on a PV diagram.
• For thermal expansion: PV = constant W = nRTln
V1
1 kg = 2.205 lbm
ΔL = αLΔT ΔV = βVΔT β = 3α
Adiabatic – no heat transfer 1 lbm = 0.4536 kg

• When a substance absorbs or gives off 1 kN = 224.8 lbf

heat, either the temperature of the ΔQ = 0 ΔEint = ±W PV γ = constant 1 lbf = 4.448 N
substance can change, or the substance 1 dyne = 10-5 N
can undergo a phase change, but not both. Isobaric – constant pressure
1 erg = 10-7 J
• The change of a substance s temperature ΔP = 0 ΔEint = ±Q = ±ΔH
depends upon the specific heat of the 1 atm = 1.013 bar = 101.3 kPa
substance and the amount of the substance 1 atm = 14.7 psi = 760 torr = 760 mmHg
Excel Review Center
Prepared by: Engr. JJ Tiong