physics paper 1

• the speed of light is constant
• light travels at the same speed regardless of its source or direction
• in vacuum, the speed of light is approximately 300 million metres per second (m/s)
• light travels at the same speed regardless of its frequency or wavelength
• infrared radiation has a longer wavelength than visible light, but it still travels at the same speed as visible light
• when travelling through matter, such as air or water, the speed of light decreases due to interactions with particles within the medium.
• ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light, but it still travels at the same speed as visible light
• frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) which is equal to one cycle per second
• wavelength is measured in nanometres (nm), where 1 nm = 1 x 10^-9 m
• The refractive index of a material is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in that particular material.
• ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light, but it also travels at the same speed as visible light
• this phenomenon is known as refraction
• When light passes from one transparent medium into another, it changes direction at the boundary between them.
• white light contains all visible frequencies from red through to violet
• sound waves are longitudinal waves that require a medium to travel through
• Distance


  The total length of an object's path, measured from its initial position to its final position.
• Displacement


  The shortest distance between an object's initial and final positions.
• Speed


  The rate of change of an object's position with respect to time, measured in meters per second (m/s).
• Velocity


  The rate of change of an object's position with respect to time, measured in meters per second (m/s) in a specific direction.
• Force


  A push or pull that can cause an object to change its motion, measured in Newtons (N).
• Gravity


  The force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, with a strength that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
• Special Relativity


  Deals with objects moving at constant high speeds relative to each other.
• General Relativity


  Explores gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects.
• Speed of Light


  The same for all observers.
• Gravitational Field


  The curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects.
• Newton's First Law


  The law of inertia: an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external force.
• Gravitational Force


  The force that attracts two objects with mass towards each other, proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
• Equation of Motion


  s = s0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2 (s = final position, s0 = initial position, v0 = initial velocity, a = acceleration, t = time)
• v = v0 + at

  v = final velocity, v0 = initial velocity, a = acceleration, t = time
• a = Δv / Δt

  a = acceleration, Δv = change in velocity, Δt = change in time
• F = ma


  F = net force, m = mass, a = acceleration
• F = (m1 \* m2) / (r^2)

  F = gravitational force, m1 and m2 = masses, r = distance between centers
• Conservation of Momentum

  p1 + p2 = p3 + p4 (p = momentum, 1 and 2, 3 and 4 = before and after collisions)
• Conservation of Energy


  E1 + E2 = E3 + E4 (E = energy, 1 and 2, 3 and 4 = before and after collisions)
• g = G \* (m1 \* m2) / (r^2)

  g = gravitational acceleration, G = gravitational constant, m1 and m2 = masses, r = distance between centers
• F_c = (m \* v^2) / r

  F = centripetal force, m = mass, v = velocity, r = radius
• Energy


  The ability to do work. It comes in various forms, such as kinetic, potential, thermal, and electromagnetic energy.
• Potential Energy Conversion


  Energy converted into kinetic energy through gravitational, elastic, electric, or chemical means.
• Gravitational Potential Energy


  Energy stored due to an object's height or position in a gravitational field. Converted to kinetic energy when the object falls or is lifted.
• Elastic Potential Energy


  Energy stored in stretched or compressed materials. Converted to kinetic energy when the material returns to its original shape.