MCAT Physics Flashcards

Kinematics Equations

• Fundamental equations that describe motion, relating displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.

Force of Gravity Between Two Objects

• Gravitational force formula: F = G * (m₁ * m₂) / r².
• Universal gravitational constant, G = 6.674 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg².

Kinetic Friction

• The force opposing the motion of two surfaces sliding past each other.
• Depends on the normal force and the coefficients of friction.

Static Friction

• The force preventing two surfaces from sliding past each other.
• Generally greater than kinetic friction, enabling objects to resist initial motion.

Uniform Circular Motion - Velocity

• Velocity is tangential to the circular path.
• Continuously changing direction while maintaining constant speed.

Centripetal Acceleration

• Directed towards the circle's center, ensuring circular motion.
• Given by the formula a_c = v²/r, where v is the velocity and r is the radius.

Centripetal Force

• Net force acting towards the center of the circular path required for uniform circular motion.
• Formula: F_c = m * a_c, where m is mass and a_c is centripetal acceleration.

Torque

• Rotational force that causes an object to rotate about an axis.
• Calculated as τ = r * F * sin(θ), where r is the distance from the pivot, F is the force, and θ is the angle between the force and lever arm.

Work-Energy Theorem

• Work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.
• Work is calculated as W = F * d * cos(θ), where d is displacement.

Kinetic Energy

• Energy possessed by a moving object, quantified as KE = ½ mv².
• SI unit: Joule (J), where 1 J = 1 kg·m²/s².

Work

• Work is done when a force causes displacement.
• Maximum work occurs when the force is aligned or opposed to the direction of displacement.

Gravitational Potential Energy

• Energy stored due to an object's position in a gravitational field.
• Given by the formula PE = m * g * h, where h is the height above a reference point.

Conservation of Energy

• Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.
• Total energy in an isolated system remains constant.

Power

• Rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.
• SI unit: Watt (W), where 1 W = 1 J/s.

Momentum

• Quantity of motion an object possesses, calculated as p = m * v.
• Measured in kg·m/s.

Conservation of Momentum

• Total momentum before a collision equals total momentum after, applicable in elastic and inelastic collisions.

Completely Inelastic Collision

• Collisions where objects stick together post-collision, resulting in maximum kinetic energy loss.

Hooke's Law

• Describes elastic behavior of springs: F = -k * x, where k is spring constant and x is displacement.
• Restoring force acts in the opposite direction of displacement.

Simple Harmonic Motion - Period/Frequency

• Period (T) defines the time for one complete cycle, frequency (f) is the number of cycles per second.

Simple Harmonic Motion - Angular Frequency - Mass and Spring

• Angular frequency (ω) is defined by ω = √(k/m), independent of amplitude (x).

Simple Harmonic Motion - Elastic Potential Energy of a Spring

• Potential energy stored in a spring: PE_s = ½ k * x².
• Energy converts to kinetic energy upon release.

Simple Harmonic Motion - Angular Frequency - Pendulum

• Pendulum's angular frequency: ω = √(g/L), where g is acceleration due to gravity and L is the length of the pendulum.

Simple Harmonic Motion - Restoring Force - Pendulum

• Restoring force acts tangential to the pendulum's arc, proportional to the mass and sine of the angle of displacement.

Density

• Mass density is defined as mass per unit volume.
• Units expressed as kg/m³.

Specific Gravity

• Ratio of a substance's density to the density of water.
• Determines whether an object sinks or floats; if specific gravity > 1, it will sink.