AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Physics -B Exam Review Flashcards

This a collection of over 200 questions you should be able to answer for the AP Physics-B exam. These are a partially from a document that is a collection of over 100 questions you should know before taking the AP physics exam. I do not know the original author. I have broken up, re-worded and added many questions.
This is a vast amount of information, take the quizzes over and over. Knowing this information will help your speed and recognizing the concepts but it will not guarantee a "5. You need to know how to apply the concepts to solve problems and create a graph from any equation.

Terms : Hide Images
57770955What two entities comprise a vector?Magnitude and direction
57770956What do you do with any vector that is not on either the x or y axis?Break it up into x and y components using trig, add up the components.
57770957How are velocity and speed different?Velocity has a direction and speed does not have direction.
57770958What quantity is calculated from slope of the displacement versus time graph?velocity
57770959What does upward slope on a displacement versus time graph imply about the velocity.The velocity is positive
57770960What is acceleration?How quickly you change velocity.
57770961What is the area under the velocity time graph?Displacement
57770962What is the y intercept of the velocity time graph?The initial velocity, (Vo in the formulas)
57770963What is the area under the acceleration versus time graph?The CHANGE in velocity.
57770964What is the horizontal acceleration of projectiles?ZERO
57770965What direction controls time in falling body and projectile motion problems?Vertical direction
57770966What do you know about two objects that are launched at different horizontal velocities?They fall, vertically, the by the same amount in the same time.
57770967What equation describes the distance that a dropped object falls "t" seconds after it started moving?x=(1/2)at^2 Remember, the word "dropped" implies no initial velocity.
57770968What equation describes the distance that a horizontally launched projectile falls t seconds after it started moving?x=(1/2)at^2 ...Horizontal velocity does not affect the time of fall.
57770969What equation describes the speed of a dropped object "t" seconds after it started moving?V=Vo + at ...The word "dropped" means no initial velocity.
57770970What equation describes the speed in the x-direction of a projectile "t" seconds after it started moving?Vx=(Vxo)t ...Recall that there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction.
57770971What equation describes the speed in the y-direction of a projectile "t" seconds after it started moving?Vy=Vyo + gt ...Watch the signs.
57770972What is implied when an object is not accelerating in the x direction?The body is moving at a constant velocity
57770973What is implied when an object is not accelerating in the y direction?g=zero so h=(Vyo)t
57770974When is sum of force (net force) zero.When a body is moving at a constant velocity or not moving at all.
57770975When is sum of force (net force) NOT zero.When a body's speed is changing.
57770976What force is always present, and what is its equation?Weight ...w=mg
57770977How is sum of force (net force) depicted in a free body diagram?It is an arrow that DOES NOT touch the body. Recall that the net force is the answer when all the forces are added up.
57770978When is a normal force present, what is its direction?When the body rests on a surface.
57770979What is the component of "mg" parallel to a slope?(mg)sin(angle)
57770980What is the general equation for motion down a slope and how does it change if the object is going up the slope?x=Vo + ((1/2)g)sin(angle)t^2
57770981In uniform circular motion, how is tangential velocity calculated?2(pi)R/T ...Circumference/Period
57770982What is the direction of the centripetal force?The centripetal force points along the radius towards the center of the circle.
57770983What is the direction of the centripetal acceleration?The centripetal acceleration points along the radius towards the center of the circle. (Just like the centripetal force.)
57770984How is the centripetal force represented in a free body diagram?It is the net force pointing towards the center.
57770985A ball rolls inside a salad bowl. The ball is released along the top edge and rolls down before climbing to the same height on the opposite side of the bowl. What is the direction of the acceleration of the ball when it at the top edge of the bowl?It is towards the center and downwards a little. It is the sum of the normal force perpendicular to the bowl and the weight downwards.
57770986A ball rolls inside a salad bowl. The ball is released along the top edge and rolls down before climbing to the same height on the opposite side of the bowl. What is the direction of the acceleration of the ball when it at the bottom of the bowl?The acceleration is towards the center. It is supplied by the normal force and points towards the center.
57770987Mathematically what does centripetal force represent and how is centripetal force calculated?The centripetal force is the net force. It's magnitude is calculated from F=ma where "a" is the centripetal force.
57770988How is a force's direction oriented compared to a bodies direction of motion to get a circular (curved) path of motion?The force is perpendicular to the motion to get a circular path of motion. (Think about centripetal force.)
57770989How much work is the work done on an object moving in a circle? Why?Zero. Because the displacement is perpendicular to the force (centripetal force.)
57770990If you double the mass of one planet, triple the mass of another, and move them twice as far apart, what happens to the force of attraction between them?The new force is 2/4 or 1/2 times the old force. ...Because the force of gravity varies directly with the masses and inverse squared to the distance apart.
57770991What is the derived equation for the ACCELERATION of gravity in terms of m and "r" squared?G(M:earth)/r^2 ...force of gravity = G(M:earth)(M:body)/r^2
57770992How can total momentum be calculated?Adding the momentum of all the bodies.
57770993What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions? State the relevant equations for each.kinetic energy is conserved for an elastic collision and not for an inelastic collision. ELASTIC: m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1'+m1v2': INELASTIC: m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1+m1)v
57837672What is impulse?Impulse is the change in momentum
57837673How does impulse relate to force?Impulse is (force)(time)
57837674What is a key requirement in order for work to be done?A displacement must occur. ( W=Fd)
57837675Work is the area under which curve?The graph of force vs displacement
57837676What is work energy theorem and what is its significance?Work is the change in kinetic energy. Work transfers energy to and from a body
57837677What is conservation of energy and what is its significance?Sum of all the energy forms before a condition equals the sum of all the energy forms after the condition.
57837678What is the energy equation if you see a height difference between two points in the problem?Potential energy stored in gravity (PE = mgh)
57837679What is the energy equation if you see a particle accelerated perpendicular to two charged plates, or the problem states that the particle is accelerated through a potential difference?W=qV where "W" is the work, "q" is the charge and "V" is the potential difference measured in Volts.
57837680What is Kinetic Energy lost and how is it calculated?Lost kinetic energy is work. It is calculated from Fd or KE:final - KE:initial
57837681What is the energy equation for the change in temperature if it results from a loss in KE?KE=(3/2)kT where k is Boltzman's constant
57837682What is the energy equation if a force (friction) through a distance results in heat and thus a change in temperature?KE=Work
57837683What is the relationship that describes the rate that work is done, or that energy is used?Power ... Power equals the change in energy over time.
57837684In a pendulum or spring, what are the displacement, velocity, PE and KE at the equilibrium position?Displacement is zero because it is measured from equilibrium position. KE and velocity are at a maximum and it is the lowest point so PE due to gravity is at zero.
57837685In a pendulum or spring, what are the displacement, velocity, PES, and K at maximum displacement?This is the highest point of the swinging motion. PE is at a maximum. Displacement is the greatest from equilibrium. KE and Velocity are zero.
57837686What do the period of pendulums and springs each depend on?Pendulums depend on the length of the arm and the pull of gravity. springs depend on mass and the spring constant.
57837687What is temperature?The measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules.
57837688What is internal energy?The motion of the molecules in gas.
57837689What is an indication of a change in the internal energy?A change in the gas' temperature.
57837690What is heat?The transfer of thermal energy
57837691What is meant by the terms system and environment?system is the gas being studied. Environment is the surroundings outside the gas.
57837692What are the two forms of the ideal gas law?PV=nRT and PV=kT
57837693What is the 1st law of thermodynamics as applied to gases.dU = Q+W ...dU:of the environment = Q:from the environment + W:by the environment
57837694What is an isothermal process, and what is its impact on the first law of thermodynamics?The PVT conditions change for a gas without changing the temperature.
57837695What is the impact on the first law of thermodynamics for an isothermal process?dU = zero. The change in temperature of the gas is zero.
57837696What is an adiabatic process?An adiabatic process is where no thermal energy is transfered between the system and its surroundings.
57837697What is its impact on the first law of thermodynamics of an adiabatic process?Q=0 because thermal energy is not transfered between the system and its surroundings
57837698What is the area under any PV curve?Work done "BY" the gas.
57837699Under what conditions is mechanical work positive?Work is positive when the force and displacement point in the same direction.
57837700Under what conditions is mechanical work negative?Work is positive when the force and displacement point in the same direction.
57837701Under what conditions is work by a system ( gas) positive?Work by a system is positive when the gas expands. (The volume increases.)
57837702Under what conditions is work by a system ( gas) negative?Work by a system is negative when the gas contracts. (The volume decreases.)
57837703Under what conditions is heat positive?Heat, (the "Q" variable), is POSITIVE when thermal energy is being ADDED to a system.
57837704Under what conditions is heat negative?Heat, (the "Q" variable), is NEGATIVE when thermal energy is being REMOVED from a system.
57838484How is the net work of a system (gas) measured?The NET work BY a system is the area enclosed in a cycle on a PV diagram.
57838485What is the second law of thermodynamics?Statistically speaking, energy flows from hot to cold.
57839555Describe the relationship between Qh, Qc, and W in a heat engine?Work of a system is equal to 1-Qc/Qh
57839556How can you tell when an engine is a Carnot Engine?The engine's efficiency is 1-Tc/Th. It is defined by the temperature's in the reservoirs and not the thermal energy flowing from them.
57839557Under what conditions does entropy increase?Entropy always increases.
57839648What are 2 key differences between electric force and gravitational force?The electric force (Coulomb's Law) can attract and repel and it depends on charge. Universal Gravity depends on mass and always attracts.
57852169In electrostatics, what takes the place of m and g in the formulae?"m" is replaced by "q," and "g" is replaced by "E." W=mg is replaced by F=qE. The second formula describes the force on a charged particle in uniform electric field.
57852170If you have two charges, and you double one charge and triple the other, and move them twice as far apart, what happens to the force of attraction / repulsion between them?According to Coulomb's Law, the new force is 6/4 times the old charge.
57852171What is the derived equation for the electric field in terms of q and r^2 ?E=kq/r^2 This is the electric field's magnitude at a point in space.
57852172What is the difference between the variable "q" and "Q?""q" is a single particle's charge and "Q" is the sum of all the charges. Q=q1+q2+q3+q4...
57852173What is the electric field's magnitude inside of a container made from an electrical CONDUCTOR?Zero.
57852174What is the electric field's magnitude inside of a container made from an electrical INSULATOR?Something other than zero.
57852175What does the term potential difference mean?Potential difference is the change in energy of a charged particle divided by its charge.
57852176What is the potential energy of a charge in an electric field?V=kq/R
57852177What does the term electric potential energy mean?Electric potential is the potential energy associated with the electric force F=qE
57852178What are three ways to increase the capacitance of a capacitor?C=kEA/d: Increase the area of the plates, decrease the distance between the plates,and increase the dielectric constant between the plates.
57852179What forces charges to move?The electric field forces charges to move.
57852180What do batteries and generators produce?A potential difference and a flow and energized charges.
57852181What is the actual movement of charges, and how is it measured?The movement of charges is the current and it is measures by the number of charges per second at a point.
57852182What causes resistance?Obstacles in the path of the flow of charges.
57852183How does a wires composition effect resistance?But placing more obstacles in the path of the charge's flow.
57852184How length effect resistance?The longer the length of wire, the higher the resistance.
57852185How does thickness effect resistance?The thicker the wire, the lower the resistance.
57852186How does temperature effect resistance?The higher the temperature the higher the resistance. They are proportional to each other.
57852187What is the relationship between voltage, current and resistance?Ohm's Law: V=IR
57888836What is the relationship between power, voltage and current?P=IV
57888837What quantity stays the same for resistors in series?Current stays the same for resistors in series.
57888838What quantity ADDS for resistors in seriesResistance: R=R1+R2+R3+...
57888839What stays the same for resistors or capacitors in parallel?Change in voltage across the resistor or capacitor.
57888840What stays the same for capacitors in series?The charge on each capacitor.
57888841What kind of capacitor circuit adds to find the total capacitance?Parallel. Because the plates are shared.
57888842What is the path of a charged particle in a magnetic field?The particle travels in a circle. Radius=momentum/qB
57888843How is the force on a charged particle in a magnetic field creating the path calculated?The force is perpendicular to the motion. This always results in a curved path. (Open right hand rule)
57888844What is the work done on a charged particle by the magnetic field? Why?ZERO. Because the force is perpendicular to the displacement . (Open right hand rule.)
57888845How is the magnitude of the force on a current carrying wire calculated?F=Bilsin(theta) ...F=Force (N), B:=magnetic field (T), i=current (A), l=length of wire in the field (m), theta is the acute angle between the field and current's directions.
57888846How is the direction of the force on a current carrying wire calculated?Open right hand rule
57888847What is electromagnetic induction?Electromagnetic induction is the generation of an Emf by moving a conductor through a magnetic field. emf=change in flux/dt
57888848What is needed for electromagnetic induction to occur?Electromagnetic induction occurs when a conductor is moved through a magnetic field such that a component of the fields is perpendicular to the current;s direction.
57888849What is the difference between emf and voltage?Emf is the maximum available energy per charge at the terminal of a power source. Voltage is the actual available energy per charge at the terminals of a power source. Some energy is lost due to the source internal resistance.
57888850What is the formula relating emf and voltage?V=E - IR V=terminal voltage (Volts), E = emf: electromotiveforce (Volts), IR = Internal drop in energy per charge (Volts)
57888851How does the closed right hand rule work in electromagnetic induction?It is used in Lenz's Law to determine the change in flux of a conductor.
57888852What is the difference between a motor and a generator?A motor uses energy to spin the coils in a magnetic field. A generator spins the coils to create an potential difference.
57888853What are the differences and similarities between transverse and longitudinal waves?Transverse waves: The displacement is perpendicular to the wave's motion. Longitudinal waves: The displacement is in the direction of the wave's motion.
57890339Give an example of a transverse and a longitudinal wave.Longitudinal Wave: Sound wave, Transverse Wave: Light wave, "The Wave" in a a crowd at a porting event.
57890340What is the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength?wave speed = (wavelength)(frequency)
57890341What is the relationship between energy, frequency, and wavelength in any wave?E=hf=hc/(wavelength)
57890342How is tube length and wavelength related for a tube that is opened on both ends?Only 1/2 a wavelength fits in the tube. L=wavelength/2
57890343How is tube length and wavelength related for a tube that is closed on ONE end?Only 1/4 wavelength fits in the tube. L=wavelength/4
57890344What cause an electromagnetic wave, and what makes the wave propagate indefinitely even in a vacuum?The interaction between an oscillating electric magnetic fields that are oriented 90° to each other. It propagates indefinitely because the wave takes its own medium.
57890345What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?Radio, Infrared, Visible, UltraViolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays.
57890346What is the order of the visible range electromagnetic spectrum?ROY-G-BIV: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
57890347What is the difference between reflection, refraction, and diffraction?Reflection is the bouncing of waves. Refraction is the bending of waves. Diffraction bends waves around small objects and causes interference from a coherent sources.
57890348Define reflectionThe bouncing of light
57890349Define RefractionThe bending of light
57890350Define diffractionBends waves around small objects and the interference of waves from a coherent sources.
57890351What is the law of reflection?The Law of reflection states that the incident angle of a wave is equal to the reflected angle.
57890352Define Snell's law.(n1)sin(theta1) = (n2)sin(theta2)
57903947What happens at the critical angle?The refracted light ray is bent 90°. (Parallel to the interface surface.)
57903948When light travels from LESS dense to a MORE dense mediums, how does the refracted ray bend in relation to the normal line.LESS to MORE dense, the refracted ray bends TOWARDS the normal line.
57903949When light travels from MORE dense to LESS dense mediums, how does the refracted ray bend in relation to the normal line.MORE to LESS dense, the refracted ray bends AWAY from the normal line.
57903950How must the mediums light is traveling through be arranged so that the condition for the critical angle can exist?Light must travel from more to less dense so the refracted ray can bend away from the normal.
57903951What doesn't change (speed, frequency, or wavelength), when light moves from one medium to another?frequency (Think of the color as not changing.)
57903952What conservation law dictates that the frequency of light cannot change as it travels between mediums?Conservation of Energy ... because E=hf
57903953What conditions are necessary to change the reflected ray's phase by 180°?A reflected ray's phase is changes by 180° when the ray is bounced as it tries to travel from a lower to higher index of refraction. It is also changed y 180° when it bounces off of shiny surfaces.
57903954What shapes are converging lenses?Lenses that are fatter in the middle than on the edges.
57903955What shape is a diverging lenses?Lenses that are thinner in the middle than on the edges.
57903956What shape is a converging mirrors?Concave mirrors are converging mirrors.
57903957What shape is a diverging mirror?convex mirrors are diverging mirrors.
57903958Which type of lenses have a POSITIVE focal length?Converging lenses have a positive focal length.
57903959Which type of lenses have a NEGATIVE focal length?Diverging lenses have a negative focal length.
57933423What are the two rules for ray tracing in lenses that work all the time?(1) Straight through the vertex. (2) Parallel then through the primary focus.
57933424What are the three rules needed for mirrors, since not all three work every time?(1) Bounced off the vertex. (2) Parallel the through the focus. (3) Through the focus and parallel.
57933425Which kind of lens always has a virtual image?Diverging
57933426Which kind of mirror always has a virtual image.Convex
57933427Which kind of mirror can show a real image?Concave
57933428Which kind of mirror cannot magnify an image?Convex
57933429What makes an image "real?"The light travels through the image.
57933430When are f, p, q, ho, hi, and M positive for mirrors?When the object is beyond the focus for a concave mirror.
57933431What kind of image do you get when the object is placed at the focus?No image.
57933432What kind of mirror has a positive focus?Concave
57933433What is an object placed when the distance between it and the mirror is positive?In front of the mirror, in the light.
57933434What two things must be true for a positive magnification?(1) The image is larger than the object: ho>hi. (2) image is upright.
57933435When is the image negative for mirrors?When it is on the "dark" side of the mirror. Opposite the light.
57933436When is the image negative for a lens?When it is on the same side as the image?
57933437What is Huygen's Principle?Every point on a wave front is a secondary source.
57933438State the significance of Young's Experiment.Provided experimental proof of the wave property of light.
57933439What does the pattern look like in a Young's Double Slit diffraction pattern?Dark in the middle and alternating light and dark spots after that.
57933440What does the pattern look like in a Young's Single Slit diffraction pattern?Broad bright spot in the middle and alternating dark and light spots to the sides.
57933441What did Thompson discover?The electron
57933442What did Rutherford discover?The nucleus
57933443What is the Bohr Model of the atom?That the orbits of the electrons are like planets around the Sun.
57933444What is the energy of a photon?E=hf ...E=energy of a single photon (J), h = Plank's constant, f=frequency (Hz)
57933445What is mass energy equivalence?Energy and mass are equated by E=mc^2.
57933446What does light absorption involve?The incoming light (electromagnetic wave) has the same frequency as some of the electrons.
57933447What does light emission involve?Electromagnetic wave exits the electrons to a higher orbital. When the electron relaxes, a wavelength of light is given off.
57933448What is ionization energy and how does it compare to the work function?The work function is a minimum amount of energy needed to release a photon from a collection in the surface of a material. The ionization energy is the energy needed to release an electron from a single, free-floating, molecule. the ionization energy is higher than the wave function.
57933449What is the photoelectric effect?It is the release of photoelectrons released by photons with an energy (E=hf) above the work function.
57933450What is the difference between atomic number and atomic mass number?Atomic number is the number of protons. Atomic mass number is the number of nucleons, (protons and neutrons.)
57933451How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom?Atomic mass number minus atomic number.
57933452What is an isotope?Same number of protons by a different number of neutrons. e.g. Carbon-12 versus Carbon-14
57933453What is the binding energy?The energy required to remove an electron or nucleon from a molecule.
57933454What is the strong force?THe force that holds the nucleus together.
57933455What causes radioactivity?The release of a particle or photon from an UNSTABLE nucleus.
57933456What is transmutation?It is when a nucleon changes properties. Like a neutron changing into a proton.
57933457What are the three types of radiation?Alpha, Beta, and Gamma
57933458What comprises alpha radiation?The release of a Helium nuclei, 4,2 He2+
57933459What comprises beta radiation?The release of an electron and antineutrino or the release of a positron and a neutrino.
57933460What comprises gamma decay?The release of an energetic photon from an overly excited molecule.
57933461Which type of radiation has the lowest energy?Alpha
57933462Which type of radiation has the highest energy?Gamma
57933836What is half life?It is the time for 1/2 a substance to decay by radioactive processes.
57973405What is force times the perpendicular distance?Torque
57973406What is force times the parallel diplacement?Work
57973407What is force times time?Impulse
57973408What is the name given to the distance between the pivot point and applied perpendicular force?Moment arm
57973409Define mass in terms of density.m=(rho)V
57973410S.I. unit of pressurePascal
57973411This is the gauge pressure when under water.(rho)gh
57973412Continuity equationa1v1=a2v2
57973413How does the speed change when the pressure is decreased?Speed ups
57973414Pressure of an open container at the opening.atmospheric pressure
57973415This is used to determine the speed of a fluid when the pipe slopes up or down.Bernoulli's equation
57973416Flow RateVolume/time
57973417Flow Rate(Cross-sectional Area)(Velocity)
57973418BuoyancyForce lifting a body when it is in a fluid.
57973419The "V" is (rho)VgThe volume under water
57973420Force in terms of pressureForce= Pressure/Area
57973421Condition for no rotationSum of the torques equal zero.
57973422The speed of a ball when it lands at the same height it was thrown from.initial velocity
57975528S.I. unit of torqueN•m
57975529S.I. unit of fluxWeber
57975530S.I. unit of Flow ratem^3/s
57975531S.I. unit of workJoule
57975532S.I. unit of every kind of energyJoule
57975533S.I. unit of powerWatt
57975534S.I. unit of momentumkg•m/s
57975535Unit that means the same thing as NmJoule
57975536S.I. unit of centripetal forceNewton
57975537S.I. unit of frictional forceNewton
57975538S.I. unit of gravitational forceNewton
57975539S.I. Unit of electric forceNewton
57975540S.I. unit of magnetismTesla
58974305Formula for work by a car that changes speed on a horizontal road.W = KE:final - KE:initial
58974306Formula for work as a charged particle travels across two charged platesW=qV
58974307Formula for the electric force felt by a charged particle in an electric field.F=qE
58974308Formula for the electric field between a pari of charged plates.E=V/d
58974309Unit of electric fieldN/C
58974310Unit of energy for electricity.V ... Volt is a Joule/Coulomb
58974311Energy of a SINGLE photonE=hf
58974312Average kinetic energy of an ideal gas's SINGLE molecule.KE = (3/2)kT
58974313Gauge Pressurepgh ..thats ("rho")(gravity's acceleration)(height)
58974314Formula for the potential difference of a point charge as compared to infinity.V=kq/R
58974315Formula for the electric field at point in space for a single point charge.E=kq/R^2
58974316Electric force felt by a charge due to another charge.F=kq1q2/R^2

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!