Essential Physics Formulas and Key Scientists
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Formulas:
Thermodynamic: Q = mcΔT / U = q - w (q = energy in joules / m = mass in grams / c = specific heat / ΔT = change in temperature t2 - t1)
Speed of Light:
- Wavelength: Y = wave length
- Frequency: F = frequency
Electric Force:
Current:
Definitions:
- Amplitude: The maximum displacement from equilibrium.
- Period: The time it takes for a complete cycle to occur.
- Frequency: The number of cycles/vibrations per unit of time.
- Crest: The highest point above equilibrium.
- Trough: The lowest point below the equilibrium position.
- Wavelength: The distance between two adjacent similar points of a wave.
- Transverse Wave: A wave whose particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.
- Standing Wave: A wave pattern that results when two waves of the same frequency/wavelength and amplitude travel in opposite directions, causing interference.
- Interference Wave: A phenomenon that occurs when two waves meet while traveling in the same medium.
- Reflection: The process in which light bounces back on a surface.
- Refraction: The process in which light changes direction as it passes from one medium to another.
- Diffraction: The change in the direction of a wave when it encounters an obstacle.
- Doppler Effect: An observed change in frequency when there is relative motion between the source of waves and the observer.
- Electrical Polarization: The process of separating opposite charges within an object.
- Conductor: An object/type of material that allows the flow of electric/heat charge.
- Insulator: A non-conductor of electricity/heat; it opposes the charge.
- Coulomb's Law: The electric force between charged objects depends on the distance between the objects and the magnitude of charge.
- Ohm's Law: The voltage in a circuit equals the product of the current and resistance.
- Convex Mirror: Reflection inside a sphere.
- Concave Mirror: A curved mirror that reflects outward.
Scientists:
- Albert Einstein: Theory of relativity.
- Richard Feynman: Quantum field theory/quantum electrodynamics.
- André-Marie Ampère: Founded/named the science of electrodynamics.
- Ernest Rutherford: First to split the atom/theory of atomic structure.
- James Clerk Maxwell: Formulation of electromagnetic theory.
- Michael Faraday: Law of electrolysis/invention of the electric motor.
- Charles-Augustin de Coulomb: Coulomb's law.
- Stephen Hawking: Hawking radiation.
- Max Planck: Planck's constant/quantum theory of energy.
- Thomas Edison: Phonograph/incandescent light bulb.
- Rudolf Clausius: Formulated the second law of thermodynamics.
- J.J. Thomson: Discovery of the electron.