Physical Science Midterm Study Guide – Flashcards
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Scientific Method
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An organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information
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Observation
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information that you obtain through your senses
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Hypothesis
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a proposed answer to a question
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Variables
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an element, feature, or factor that is liable to vary or change.
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Controlled Experiment
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An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time.
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Scientific Theory
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a well tested explanation for a set of observations or experimental results
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Scientific Law
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a statement that summarizes a pattern found in nature
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Model
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a representation of an object or event
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Scientific Notation
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a way of expressing the value of a product of a number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10
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Length
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the straight-line distance between two points
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Mass
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the quantity of matter in an object or sample
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Volume
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the amount of space taken up by an object
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Density
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the ratio of an objects mass to its volume
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Accuracy
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the quality or state of being correct or precise.
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Relative Motion
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movement in relation to a frame of reference
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Vector
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a quantity that has magnitude and direction
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Velocity
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the speed and direction in which an object is moving
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Free Fall
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the movement of an object toward earth solely because of gravity
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Linear Graph
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the displayed data forms straight line parts
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Nonlinear Graph
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a curve connects the data points that are plotted
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Distance
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the length of a path between two points.
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Displacement
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the direction from the starting point and the length of a straight line from the starting point to the ending point
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Force
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a push or pull that acts on an object
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Newton
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the force that causes a 1-kilogram mass to accelerate at a rate of 1 meter per second
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Net Force
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the overall force acting on an object after all the forces are combined
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Gravity
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a force that acts between any two forces
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Terminal Velocity
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the constant velocity of a falling object when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity
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Inertia
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the tendency of an object to resist a change in its motion
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Law of Conservation of Momentum
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if no net force acts on a system, then the total momentum of the system does not change
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Air Resistance
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fluid friction acting on an object moving through the air
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Projectile Motion
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the motion of a falling object after it is given an initial forward velocity
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Centripetal Force
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a center-directed force that continuously changes the direction of an object to make it move in a circle.
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Pascal
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the SI unit for pressure
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Fluid
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a substance or mixture that flows and has no shape
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Hydraulic System
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a device that uses a pressurized fluid acting on a piston of different sizes
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Lift
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an upward force due to pressure
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Buoyancy
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the ability of a fluid to exert
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Buoyant Force
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an upward force acting on an object in a fluid
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Watt
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the SI unit for power
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Horsepower
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another common unit for power. 1 horsepower is = to about 746 watts
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Joule
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the SI unit for work
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Machine
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a device that changes a force
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Input Distance
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the distance the input force acts through
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Output Distance
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the distance the output force acts through
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Input Force
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the force you exert on a machine
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Output Force
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a force exerted by a machine
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Energy
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the ability to do work
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Energy Conservation
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finding ways to use less energy or to use energy more efficiently
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Energy Conversion
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the process of changing one form of energy to another
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Law of Conservation of energy
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states that energy can not be created or destroyed
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Fossil Fuels
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oil, natural gas, and coal are known as fossil fuels because they formed underground from the remains of once living things
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Nonrenewable Energy Resources
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resources that exist in limited quantities and once used, can not be replaced
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Renewable Energy Resource
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resources that can be replaced in a short period of time
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Mechanical Wave
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a disturbance in matter that carries energy from one place to another
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Frequency
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the number of complete cycles in a given time
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Period
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the time required for one cycle, a complete motion that returns to its starting point
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Wavelength
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the distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave
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Wave Speed
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wavelength x frequency
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Reflection
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occurs when a wave bounces off a surface that it cannot pass through
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Refraction
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the bending of a wave as it enters a new medium at an angle
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Diffraction
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the bending of a wave as it moves around an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening
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Interference
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occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine together
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Doppler Effect
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a change in sound frequency caused by motion of the sound source, motion of the, or both.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum
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the full range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
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Thermographs
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color coded pictures that show variations in temperature
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Dispersion
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the process in which white light separates into color
