Physics Ex

Notes

Physics Exam Review Notes – Chapters 1 to 4 Chapter 1 – Introduction, Measurements, and Estimation • Physics studies matter, energy, motion, and forces using mathematical models. • SI Units: meter (m), kilogram (kg), second (s). Derived units include m/s, m/s², and newtons (N). • Scientific notation helps express very large or very small numbers. • Dimensional analysis checks whether equations and calculations are consistent. • Order-of-magnitude estimates are used to approximate values quickly. Chapter 2 – Kinematics in One Dimension • Kinematics describes motion without considering forces. • Displacement: change in position (∆x). Velocity describes how position changes with time. • Average velocity = displacement / time. • Acceleration describes how velocity changes over time. • Important constant-acceleration equations: • v = v0 + at • x = x0 + v0 t + (1/2) a t² • v² = v0² + 2a(x − x0) • When an object is dropped, acceleration is due to gravity g ≈ 9.8 m/s² downward. Chapter 3 – Vectors • Vectors have magnitude and direction (examples: velocity, force). • Scalars only have magnitude (examples: mass, time, temperature). • Vector components break vectors into x and y d...