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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.

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1197615982What two entities comprise a vector?Magnitude and direction
1197615983What 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.
1197615984How are velocity and speed different?Velocity has a direction and speed does not have direction.
1197615985What quantity is calculated from slope of the displacement versus time graph?velocity
1197615986What does upward slope on a displacement versus time graph imply about the velocity.The velocity is positive
1197615987What is acceleration?How quickly you change velocity.
1197615988What is the area under the velocity time graph?Displacement
1197615989What is the y intercept of the velocity time graph?The initial velocity, (Vo in the formulas)
1197615990What is the area under the acceleration versus time graph?The CHANGE in velocity.
1197615991What is the horizontal acceleration of projectiles?ZERO
1197615992What direction controls time in falling body and projectile motion problems?Vertical direction
1197615993What 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.
1197615994What 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.
1197615995What 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.
1197615996What equation describes the speed of a dropped object "t" seconds after it started moving?V=Vo + at ...The word "dropped" means no initial velocity.
1197615997What 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.
1197615998What equation describes the speed in the y-direction of a projectile "t" seconds after it started moving?Vy=Vyo + gt ...Watch the signs.
1197615999What is implied when an object is not accelerating in the x direction?The body is moving at a constant velocity
1197616000What is implied when an object is not accelerating in the y direction?g=zero so h=(Vyo)t
1197616001When is sum of force (net force) zero.When a body is moving at a constant velocity or not moving at all.
1197616002When is sum of force (net force) NOT zero.When a body's speed is changing.
1197616003What force is always present, and what is its equation?Weight ...w=mg
1197616004How 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.
1197616005When is a normal force present, what is its direction?When the body rests on a surface.
1197616006What is the component of "mg" parallel to a slope?(mg)sin(angle)
1197616007What 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
1197616008In uniform circular motion, how is tangential velocity calculated?2(pi)R/T ...Circumference/Period
1197616009What is the direction of the centripetal force?The centripetal force points along the radius towards the center of the circle.
1197616010What 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.)
1197616011How is the centripetal force represented in a free body diagram?It is the net force pointing towards the center.
1197616012A 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.
1197616013A 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.
1197616014Mathematically 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.
1197616015How 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.)
1197616016How 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.)
1197616017If 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.
1197616018What 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
1197616019How can total momentum be calculated?Adding the momentum of all the bodies.
1197616020What 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
1197616021What is impulse?Impulse is the change in momentum
1197616022How does impulse relate to force?Impulse is (force)(time)
1197616023What is a key requirement in order for work to be done?A displacement must occur. ( W=Fd)
1197616024Work is the area under which curve?The graph of force vs displacement
1197616025What is work energy theorem and what is its significance?Work is the change in kinetic energy. Work transfers energy to and from a body
1197616026What 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.
1197616027What is the energy equation if you see a height difference between two points in the problem?Potential energy stored in gravity (PE = mgh)
1197616028What 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.
1197616029What is Kinetic Energy lost and how is it calculated?Lost kinetic energy is work. It is calculated from Fd or KE:final - KE:initial
1197616030What 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
1197616031What is the energy equation if a force (friction) through a distance results in heat and thus a change in temperature?KE=Work
1197616032What 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.
1197616033In 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.
1197616034In 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.
1197616035What 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.
1197616036What is temperature?The measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules.
1197616037What is internal energy?The motion of the molecules in gas.
1197616038What is an indication of a change in the internal energy?A change in the gas' temperature.
1197616039What is heat?The transfer of thermal energy
1197616040What is meant by the terms system and environment?system is the gas being studied. Environment is the surroundings outside the gas.
1197616041What are the two forms of the ideal gas law?PV=nRT and PV=kT
1197616042What 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
1197616043What 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.
1197616044What is the impact on the first law of thermodynamics for an isothermal process?dU = zero. The change in temperature of the gas is zero.
1197616045What is an adiabatic process?An adiabatic process is where no thermal energy is transfered between the system and its surroundings.
1197616046What 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
1197616047What is the area under any PV curve?Work done "BY" the gas.
1197616048Under what conditions is mechanical work positive?Work is positive when the force and displacement point in the same direction.
1197616049Under what conditions is mechanical work negative?Work is positive when the force and displacement point in the same direction.
1197616050Under what conditions is work by a system ( gas) positive?Work by a system is positive when the gas expands. (The volume increases.)
1197616051Under what conditions is work by a system ( gas) negative?Work by a system is negative when the gas contracts. (The volume decreases.)
1197616052Under what conditions is heat positive?Heat, (the "Q" variable), is POSITIVE when thermal energy is being ADDED to a system.
1197616053Under what conditions is heat negative?Heat, (the "Q" variable), is NEGATIVE when thermal energy is being REMOVED from a system.
1197616054How 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.
1197616055What is the second law of thermodynamics?Statistically speaking, energy flows from hot to cold.
1197616056Describe the relationship between Qh, Qc, and W in a heat engine?Work of a system is equal to 1-Qc/Qh
1197616057How 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.
1197616058Under what conditions does entropy increase?Entropy always increases.
1197616059What 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.
1197616060In 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.
1197616061If 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.
1197616062What 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.
1197616063What 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...
1197616064What is the electric field's magnitude inside of a container made from an electrical CONDUCTOR?Zero.
1197616065What is the electric field's magnitude inside of a container made from an electrical INSULATOR?Something other than zero.
1197616066What does the term potential difference mean?Potential difference is the change in energy of a charged particle divided by its charge.
1197616067What is the potential energy of a charge in an electric field?V=kq/R
1197616068What does the term electric potential energy mean?Electric potential is the potential energy associated with the electric force F=qE
1197616069What 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.
1197616070What forces charges to move?The electric field forces charges to move.
1197616071What do batteries and generators produce?A potential difference and a flow and energized charges.
1197616072What 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.
1197616073What causes resistance?Obstacles in the path of the flow of charges.
1197616074How does a wires composition effect resistance?But placing more obstacles in the path of the charge's flow.
1197616075How length effect resistance?The longer the length of wire, the higher the resistance.
1197616076How does thickness effect resistance?The thicker the wire, the lower the resistance.
1197616077How does temperature effect resistance?The higher the temperature the higher the resistance. They are proportional to each other.
1197616078What is the relationship between voltage, current and resistance?Ohm's Law: V=IR
1197616079What is the relationship between power, voltage and current?P=IV
1197616080What quantity stays the same for resistors in series?Current stays the same for resistors in series.
1197616081What quantity ADDS for resistors in seriesResistance: R=R1+R2+R3+...
1197616082What stays the same for resistors or capacitors in parallel?Change in voltage across the resistor or capacitor.
1197616083What stays the same for capacitors in series?The charge on each capacitor.
1197616084What kind of capacitor circuit adds to find the total capacitance?Parallel. Because the plates are shared.
1197616085What is the path of a charged particle in a magnetic field?The particle travels in a circle. Radius=momentum/qB
1197616086How 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)
1197616087What 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.)
1197616088How 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.
1197616089How is the direction of the force on a current carrying wire calculated?Open right hand rule
1197616090What is electromagnetic induction?Electromagnetic induction is the generation of an Emf by moving a conductor through a magnetic field. emf=change in flux/dt
1197616091What 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.
1197616092What 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.
1197616093What 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)
1197616094How 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.
1197616095What 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.
1197616096What 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.
1197616097Give 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.
1197616098What is the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength?wave speed = (wavelength)(frequency)
1197616099What is the relationship between energy, frequency, and wavelength in any wave?E=hf=hc/(wavelength)
1197616100How 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
1197616101How 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
1197616102What 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.
1197616103What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?Radio, Infrared, Visible, UltraViolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays.
1197616104What is the order of the visible range electromagnetic spectrum?ROY-G-BIV: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
1197616105What 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.
1197616106Define reflectionThe bouncing of light
1197616107Define RefractionThe bending of light
1197616108Define diffractionBends waves around small objects and the interference of waves from a coherent sources.
1197616109What is the law of reflection?The Law of reflection states that the incident angle of a wave is equal to the reflected angle.
1197616110Define Snell's law.(n1)sin(theta1) = (n2)sin(theta2)
1197616111What happens at the critical angle?The refracted light ray is bent 90°. (Parallel to the interface surface.)
1197616112When 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.
1197616113When 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.
1197616114How 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.
1197616115What doesn't change (speed, frequency, or wavelength), when light moves from one medium to another?frequency (Think of the color as not changing.)
1197616116What conservation law dictates that the frequency of light cannot change as it travels between mediums?Conservation of Energy ... because E=hf
1197616117What 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.
1197616118What shapes are converging lenses?Lenses that are fatter in the middle than on the edges.
1197616119What shape is a diverging lenses?Lenses that are thinner in the middle than on the edges.
1197616120What shape is a converging mirrors?Concave mirrors are converging mirrors.
1197616121What shape is a diverging mirror?convex mirrors are diverging mirrors.
1197616122Which type of lenses have a POSITIVE focal length?Converging lenses have a positive focal length.
1197616123Which type of lenses have a NEGATIVE focal length?Diverging lenses have a negative focal length.
1197616124What 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.
1197616125What 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.
1197616126Which kind of lens always has a virtual image?Diverging
1197616127Which kind of mirror always has a virtual image.Convex
1197616128Which kind of mirror can show a real image?Concave
1197616129Which kind of mirror cannot magnify an image?Convex
1197616130What makes an image "real?"The light travels through the image.
1197616131When are f, p, q, ho, hi, and M positive for mirrors?When the object is beyond the focus for a concave mirror.
1197616132What kind of image do you get when the object is placed at the focus?No image.
1197616133What kind of mirror has a positive focus?Concave
1197616134What is an object placed when the distance between it and the mirror is positive?In front of the mirror, in the light.
1197616135What two things must be true for a positive magnification?(1) The image is larger than the object: ho>hi. (2) image is upright.
1197616136When is the image negative for mirrors?When it is on the "dark" side of the mirror. Opposite the light.
1197616137When is the image negative for a lens?When it is on the same side as the image?
1197616138What is Huygen's Principle?Every point on a wave front is a secondary source.
1197616139State the significance of Young's Experiment.Provided experimental proof of the wave property of light.
1197616140What 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.
1197616141What 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.
1197616142What did Thompson discover?The electron
1197616143What did Rutherford discover?The nucleus
1197616144What is the Bohr Model of the atom?That the orbits of the electrons are like planets around the Sun.
1197616145What is the energy of a photon?E=hf ...E=energy of a single photon (J), h = Plank's constant, f=frequency (Hz)
1197616146What is mass energy equivalence?Energy and mass are equated by E=mc^2.
1197616147What does light absorption involve?The incoming light (electromagnetic wave) has the same frequency as some of the electrons.
1197616148What does light emission involve?Electromagnetic wave exits the electrons to a higher orbital. When the electron relaxes, a wavelength of light is given off.
1197616149What 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.
1197616150What is the photoelectric effect?It is the release of photoelectrons released by photons with an energy (E=hf) above the work function.
1197616151What 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.)
1197616152How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom?Atomic mass number minus atomic number.
1197616153What is an isotope?Same number of protons by a different number of neutrons. e.g. Carbon-12 versus Carbon-14
1197616154What is the binding energy?The energy required to remove an electron or nucleon from a molecule.
1197616155What is the strong force?THe force that holds the nucleus together.
1197616156What causes radioactivity?The release of a particle or photon from an UNSTABLE nucleus.
1197616157What is transmutation?It is when a nucleon changes properties. Like a neutron changing into a proton.
1197616158What are the three types of radiation?Alpha, Beta, and Gamma
1197616159What comprises alpha radiation?The release of a Helium nuclei, 4,2 He2+
1197616160What comprises beta radiation?The release of an electron and antineutrino or the release of a positron and a neutrino.
1197616161What comprises gamma decay?The release of an energetic photon from an overly excited molecule.
1197616162Which type of radiation has the lowest energy?Alpha
1197616163Which type of radiation has the highest energy?Gamma
1197616164What is half life?It is the time for 1/2 a substance to decay by radioactive processes.
1197616165What is force times the perpendicular distance?Torque
1197616166What is force times the parallel diplacement?Work
1197616167What is force times time?Impulse
1197616168What is the name given to the distance between the pivot point and applied perpendicular force?Moment arm
1197616169Define mass in terms of density.m=(rho)V
1197616170S.I. unit of pressurePascal
1197616171This is the gauge pressure when under water.(rho)gh
1197616172Continuity equationa1v1=a2v2
1197616173How does the speed change when the pressure is decreased?Speed ups
1197616174Pressure of an open container at the opening.atmospheric pressure
1197616175This is used to determine the speed of a fluid when the pipe slopes up or down.Bernoulli's equation
1197616176Flow RateVolume/time
1197616177Flow Rate(Cross-sectional Area)(Velocity)
1197616178BuoyancyForce lifting a body when it is in a fluid.
1197616179The "V" is (rho)VgThe volume under water
1197616180Force in terms of pressureForce= Pressure/Area
1197616181Condition for no rotationSum of the torques equal zero.
1197616182The speed of a ball when it lands at the same height it was thrown from.initial velocity
1197616183S.I. unit of torqueN•m
1197616184S.I. unit of fluxWeber
1197616185S.I. unit of Flow ratem^3/s
1197616186S.I. unit of workJoule
1197616187S.I. unit of every kind of energyJoule
1197616188S.I. unit of powerWatt
1197616189S.I. unit of momentumkg•m/s
1197616190Unit that means the same thing as NmJoule
1197616191S.I. unit of centripetal forceNewton
1197616192S.I. unit of frictional forceNewton
1197616193S.I. unit of gravitational forceNewton
1197616194S.I. Unit of electric forceNewton
1197616195S.I. unit of magnetismTesla
1197616196Formula for work by a car that changes speed on a horizontal road.W = KE:final - KE:initial
1197616197Formula for work as a charged particle travels across two charged platesW=qV
1197616198Formula for the electric force felt by a charged particle in an electric field.F=qE
1197616199Formula for the electric field between a pari of charged plates.E=V/d
1197616200Unit of electric fieldN/C
1197616201Unit of energy for electricity.V ... Volt is a Joule/Coulomb
1197616202Energy of a SINGLE photonE=hf
1197616203Average kinetic energy of an ideal gas's SINGLE molecule.KE = (3/2)kT
1197616204Gauge Pressurepgh ..thats ("rho")(gravity's acceleration)(height)
1197616205Formula for the potential difference of a point charge as compared to infinity.V=kq/R
1197616206Formula for the electric field at point in space for a single point charge.E=kq/R^2
1197616207Electric force felt by a charge due to another charge.F=kq1q2/R^2

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