GED Science Test flashcards

Net force is the overall force acting on an object, which is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on it. It determines the object's acceleration.

• Vector sum of all forces
• Determines acceleration (F_net = ma)
• Forces in opposite directions subtract, forces in same direction add

Memory trick: Net Force: The Tug-of-War Total.

States that a changing magnetic flux through a circuit induces an electromotive force (EMF), which in turn drives an electric current.

• Foundation of electric generators and transformers.
• Requires relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field.
• Magnitude of induced EMF is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.

Memory trick: Electromagnetism's laws: current makes fields, fields make current, charges attract and repel.

A measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current, which is the inverse of resistivity.

• Good conductors have high conductivity (e.g., metals).
• Poor conductors (insulators) have low conductivity.
• Measured in Siemens per meter (S/m).

Memory trick: Electricity's path: some let it flow, some make it slow.

The process by which a changing magnetic field induces an electromotive force (voltage) and thus an electric current in a conductor.

• Discovered by Michael Faraday.
• Basis for electric generators and transformers.
• Requires relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field.

Memory trick: Motion makes current flow, like a magnet's dance.

The force that opposes the initiation of motion between two surfaces in contact that are at rest relative to each other.

• Acts when an object is not yet moving.
• Its magnitude adjusts to match the applied force, up to a maximum.
• Usually greater than kinetic friction.

Memory trick: Friction resists motion: static stops, kinetic slides, rolling rolls, fluid flows.

Hooke's Law states that the force (F) needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance (x) is proportional to that distance, where k is the spring constant.

• F = kx
• k is the spring constant, a measure of the spring's stiffness
• x is the extension or compression distance

Memory trick: Hooke's Hook holds the spring's stretch.

In the absence of non-conservative forces like air resistance, the total mechanical energy (sum of potential and kinetic energy) of an object in free fall remains constant.

• PE_initial + KE_initial = PE_final + KE_final.
• For an object dropped, initial KE is zero, and final PE is zero (at ground).
• mgh = 0.5mv² can be used to find final velocity.

Memory trick: PE becomes KE as it falls, like a bank transferring funds.

Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The formula is F = ma.

• F = ma (Force = mass × acceleration)
• Acceleration is in the direction of the net force
• Units: Force in Newtons (N), mass in kilograms (kg), acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²)

Memory trick: F=ma is the 'Force-ful' Second Law

Metals are elements characterized by properties such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, ductility, and typically high melting points.

• Good conductors of heat and electricity
• Malleable (can be hammered into sheets)
• Ductile (can be drawn into wires)
• Lustrous (shiny appearance)

Memory trick: Metals Conduct, Ductile, Lustrous, Strong.

Ionic bonds form between a metal and a nonmetal through the transfer of electrons, creating oppositely charged ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces.

• High melting and boiling points.
• Hard and brittle crystalline solids.
• Good electrical conductors when molten or dissolved in water (due to mobile ions).
• Poor electrical conductors in solid state (ions are fixed in lattice).

Memory trick: Bonds dictate behavior: strong, shared, or sea.

The variable in an experiment that is intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on another variable.

• It is the 'cause' in a cause-and-effect relationship.
• It is controlled by the experimenter.
• Usually plotted on the x-axis of a graph.

Memory trick: IV is what I Vary; DV is what I Discover.

An endothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings, usually in the form of heat, resulting in a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings.

• Absorbs heat from surroundings
• Temperature of surroundings decreases (feels cold)
• Requires continuous energy input to proceed

Memory trick: Endo = Enter heat, Exo = Exit heat

In a closed system, the total momentum of interacting objects remains constant, provided no external forces act on the system.

• Momentum = mass × velocity (p = mv).
• Total initial momentum = Total final momentum (Σp_initial = Σp_final).
• Applies to collisions and explosions.
• A vector quantity (direction matters).

Memory trick: Momentum's Magic: Before Equals After.

A fluid whose viscosity changes depending on the applied shear rate or stress, unlike Newtonian fluids where viscosity is constant.

• Examples include cornstarch and water (oobleck), ketchup, paint.
• Can become thicker (shear-thickening) or thinner (shear-thinning) with increased shear.
• Viscosity is not a constant value for these fluids.

Memory trick: Non-Newtonian fluids are 'moody' – their flow depends on how you treat them.

A liquid is a state of matter that has a definite volume but no definite shape. It takes the shape of its container and its particles are able to flow past one another.

• Definite volume
• Indefinite shape (takes container's shape)
• Particles are close but can move past each other
• Incompressible

Memory trick: Solid, Liquid, Gas: Shape and Volume Pass.

Metals are elements characterized by properties such as luster, high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility.

• Luster: shiny appearance
• Conductivity: excellent conductors of heat and electricity
• Malleability: can be hammered into thin sheets
• Ductility: can be drawn into wires

Memory trick: Shiny Conductors Hammered Easily are Metals

Elements generally found on the left side of the periodic table, characterized by specific physical and chemical properties.

• Good conductors of heat and electricity.
• Malleable (can be hammered into sheets) and ductile (can be drawn into wires).
• Lustrous (shiny).
• Tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations) in chemical reactions.

Memory trick: Metals Make, Nonmetals Not, Metalloids Mix.

Distance is the total path length traveled by an object, calculated by multiplying its speed by the time taken.

• Distance = Speed × Time
• Speed = Distance / Time
• Time = Distance / Speed

Memory trick: Distance = Speed x Time (DST)

The rapid vaporization of a liquid, occurring when a liquid is heated to its boiling point and turning into a gas throughout its bulk.

• Occurs at a specific boiling point for a given pressure.
• A bulk phenomenon (bubbles form throughout the liquid).
• Requires continuous energy input (latent heat of vaporization).
• Distinct from evaporation, which is a surface phenomenon.

Memory trick: Boiling Bubbles, Evaporation Escapes.

The Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy states that in an isolated system, the total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) remains constant if only conservative forces (like gravity) are doing work.

• Total Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy
• PE_initial + KE_initial = PE_final + KE_final
• Potential Energy (gravitational) = mgh
• Kinetic Energy = 0.5mv²

Memory trick: PE converts to KE, Energy is Conserved

The distinct forms that matter takes on, characterized by how particles are arranged and interact.

• Solid: definite shape, definite volume.
• Liquid: indefinite shape, definite volume.
• Gas: indefinite shape, indefinite volume.
• Plasma: ionized gas, indefinite shape/volume, conducts electricity.

Memory trick: Solid's Set, Liquid's Loose, Gas Goes Everywhere.

Radiation is the transfer of heat energy in the form of electromagnetic waves (e.g., infrared, visible light). It does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.

• Transfers heat via electromagnetic waves
• Does not require a medium (can travel through vacuum)
• Example: heat from the sun, heat from a fire

Memory trick: CCC-R (Conduction, Convection, Radiation)

An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do not flow freely, making it very difficult to conduct an electric current under the influence of an electric field.

• High electrical resistance
• Prevents the flow of electricity
• Examples: rubber, glass, plastic, ceramic

Memory trick: Conductors let current cruise, Insulators obstruct its use.

The ability of a material to be drawn out into a thin wire or stretched without fracturing.

• A type of plasticity.
• Allows materials to deform significantly under tensile stress.
• Common in metals like copper, gold, and aluminum.

Memory trick: Many materials have many methods to measure their marvelous makeup.

One of the equations of motion used to describe the relationship between initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time for objects moving with constant acceleration.

• Equation: v_f = v_i + at
• v_f = final velocity
• v_i = initial velocity
• a = acceleration

Memory trick: Speed changes with time, acceleration is the key.

States that the total entropy of an isolated system can only increase over time, or remain constant in ideal cases. This implies that heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body, and that all energy transfers result in some energy being lost as unusable heat.

• Entropy (disorder) tends to increase.
• No energy conversion is 100% efficient.
• Heat always flows from hot to cold naturally.

Memory trick: Thermodynamics tells us about energy's flow, how it's conserved, and where it can't go.

Mass percent concentration is a way to express the concentration of a solution, defined as the mass of the solute divided by the total mass of the solution, multiplied by 100%.

• Mass % = (Mass of Solute / Mass of Solution) × 100%
• Mass of Solution = Mass of Solute + Mass of Solvent
• Units of mass must be consistent (e.g., grams)

Memory trick: Percent Mass = Part over Whole x 100

Heat transfer that occurs through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases). Warmer, less dense fluid rises, and cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating a circulation current.

• Occurs in liquids and gases.
• Involves the physical movement of the heated substance.
• Creates convection currents.
• Examples: boiling water, ocean currents, atmospheric circulation.

Memory trick: Heat moves in three ways: contact, current, or waves.

For a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, the pressure and volume are inversely proportional.

• P₁V₁ = P₂V₂
• As pressure increases, volume decreases
• Temperature and moles of gas remain constant

Memory trick: Boyles's P and V are inverse, Charles's V and T are direct, Gay-Lussac's P and T are direct.

States that for a fixed mass of gas at constant volume, the pressure (P) is directly proportional to its absolute temperature (T).

• P₁/T₁ = P₂/T₂ (at constant V and n).
• Temperature must be in Kelvin (absolute temperature).
• Explains why pressure increases in a sealed container when heated.

Memory trick: Gas laws connect pressure, volume, and temp, keeping things constant to prevent a cramp.

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F=ma).

• F = ma (Force = mass × acceleration)
• Force measured in Newtons (N)
• Mass in kilograms (kg), acceleration in m/s²

Memory trick: Force equals Mass times Acceleration, 'F ma' like 'Fuh-mah!'

Observable signs that suggest a chemical reaction has occurred, resulting in the formation of new substances with different properties.

• Formation of a gas (bubbles)
• Formation of a precipitate (solid)
• Change in color
• Change in temperature (release or absorption of heat)

Memory trick: New Stuff, New Signs: That's Chemistry's Design.

A fundamental law in electrical circuits stating that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.

• Formula: V = I * R (Voltage = Current * Resistance).
• Can be rearranged to I = V/R or R = V/I.
• Applies to many materials, but not all (e.g., semiconductors).

Memory trick: VIR: Voltage Is Resistance times Current (V = I * R).

A force that opposes motion between surfaces in contact.

• Static friction opposes initial motion, kinetic friction opposes ongoing motion.
• Proportional to the normal force (F_friction = μ * F_normal).
• Depends on the coefficient of friction (μ) between the surfaces.
• Acts parallel to the surfaces, opposite to the direction of motion.

Memory trick: Friction's Friend is Normal Force.

A chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat or light, into the surroundings.

• Temperature of surroundings increases.
• Energy is a product of the reaction.
• Examples include combustion and neutralization.

Memory trick: Energy goes 'out' or 'in' a reaction.

A gas law stating that at constant pressure, the volume of a given mass of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature.

• V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂ (or V ∝ T).
• Temperature must be in Kelvin.
• Applies when pressure and number of moles are constant.

Memory trick: PB TV: Boyle's Pressure-Volume, Charles's Temperature-Volume.

A material that allows electric current to flow through it easily.

• Low electrical resistance
• Often metals like copper, silver, gold
• Used in wires and circuit components

Memory trick: Conductive copper carries current.

The energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field, typically its height above a reference point.

• PE = mgh (mass * gravity * height)
• Measured in Joules (J)
• Increases with mass and height

Memory trick: Mass, Gravity, Height make 'Mighty' Potential Energy.

The ratio of the output force (load) produced by a machine to the input force (effort) applied to it.

• AMA = Output Force / Input Force.
• Always less than or equal to Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA) due to friction.
• Measures the actual force multiplication of a machine.
• Unitless value.

Memory trick: AMA: Actual Means Applied.

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength or frequency.

• Includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
• All travel at the speed of light in a vacuum.
• Differ in wavelength, frequency, and energy.
• Infrared radiation is associated with heat.

Memory trick: Radio's Relaxed, Gamma's Got Guts.

Microwave radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than infrared but shorter than radio waves. It is commonly used in microwave ovens to heat food by causing water molecules to resonate and generate heat.

• Part of the electromagnetic spectrum
• Used in microwave ovens, radar, and telecommunications
• Causes polar molecules (like water) to vibrate and produce heat
• Non-ionizing radiation

Memory trick: EM Spectrum: R-M-I-V-U-X-G, 'R'adiant 'M'icrowaves 'I'gnite 'V'isible 'U'ltra 'X'tra 'G'amma.

A state of matter characterized by a definite volume but an indefinite shape, taking the shape of its container.

• Particles are close together but can move freely.
• Exhibits fluidity and surface tension.
• Less compressible than gases, more than solids.

Memory trick: Matter's states: solid, liquid, gas, each has its own class.

A covalent bond between two carbon atoms consisting of one sigma (σ) bond and two pi (π) bonds, characteristic of alkynes.

• Strongest and shortest C-C bond type
• One sigma bond, two pi bonds
• Restricts rotation, making the molecule linear around the bond

Memory trick: Sigma is single, Pi is extra, more Pi means no free spin.

A chemical reaction between an acid and a carbonate compound, typically producing a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas.

• Characteristic fizzing/effervescence (CO2 gas)
• Example: HCl + CaCO3 → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
• Used to test for carbonates

Memory trick: Fizzy gas from acid means carbonate's past.

Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity. It increases with depth.

• Increases with depth (P = ρgh)
• Acts in all directions at a given depth
• Total pressure includes atmospheric pressure at the surface
• Important for diving and underwater structures

Memory trick: Deep Dive: Surface + Water's Weight.

A center-seeking force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, causing it to accelerate towards the center of the circle and maintain its circular motion.

• Always directed towards the center of the circular path.
• Responsible for centripetal acceleration.
• Examples: tension in a string, gravitational force, friction on a turning car.

Memory trick: Centripetal 'pulls to the Center'.

The variable in an experiment that is measured or observed and whose value depends on the changes made to the independent variable.

• The 'effect' or 'outcome' of the experiment.
• Plotted on the y-axis of a graph.
• Responds to changes in the independent variable.

Memory trick: Variables: Independent changes, dependent responds, controlled stays the same.

The bending of light as it passes from one transparent medium into another, due to a change in its speed.

• Occurs at the boundary between two media
• Causes objects underwater to appear distorted
• Responsible for lenses and prisms working

Memory trick: Refraction makes light bend, like a broken stick in water.

Coherence describes the property of waves (especially light waves) having a constant phase relationship. Coherent light, like that from a laser, maintains a stable and predictable phase difference between different points in the wave.

• Constant phase relationship between waves
• Allows for highly collimated beams (doesn't spread out)
• Essential property of laser light
• Important for interference and diffraction applications

Memory trick: Lasers are 'CMOS' (Coherent, Monochromatic, Ordered, Straight).

One of the kinematic equations used to calculate displacement (distance) when initial velocity, final velocity, and time are known, assuming constant acceleration.

• Formula: d = (vi + vf)/2 * t
• vi = initial velocity, vf = final velocity, t = time
• Applies to motion with constant acceleration (or deceleration)

Memory trick: Distance is the Average Speed's Time Travel.

A phenomenon where an oscillating system responds with maximum amplitude when excited by an external force at its natural (resonant) frequency.

• Requires a driving force at natural frequency
• Leads to a large amplitude of oscillation
• Can be constructive or destructive (e.g., shattering glass with sound)

Memory trick: Resonance hits the right note, making the swing grow.

A measure of how much mass is contained in a given unit volume of a substance.

• Formula: Density = Mass / Volume (D = m/V).
• Common units: g/cm³ or kg/m³.
• Characteristic property of a substance.

Memory trick: Density: Don't Mess with Volume!

A measure of a material's ability to transfer heat.

• High thermal conductivity means efficient heat transfer.
• Low thermal conductivity indicates a good insulator.
• Metals (like copper, aluminum) are excellent conductors.
• Gases, plastics, and wood are generally poor conductors (good insulators).

Memory trick: Conductors Carry, Insulators Ignore.

Mechanical, longitudinal waves that propagate through a medium by means of particle displacement.

• Require a medium (solid, liquid, gas) to travel.
• Are longitudinal waves: particles oscillate parallel to wave direction.
• Cannot travel through a vacuum.
• Speed depends on the properties of the medium.

Memory trick: Sound needs Stuff, Light Loves Space.

The rate at which an object's velocity changes over time.

• Formula: Acceleration = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) / Time (a = Δv/t).
• Units: m/s².
• Can be positive (speeding up), negative (slowing down), or involve a change in direction.

Memory trick: Acceleration: A Change in Velocity Over Time.

The phenomenon where white light separates into its constituent colors when it passes through a medium like a prism, due to different wavelengths having different refractive indices.

• Creates a spectrum (e.g., rainbow).
• Caused by the dependence of a medium's refractive index on wavelength.
• Red light refracts less than violet light in most transparent media.

Memory trick: Light interacts in many ways: bouncing, bending, splitting, spreading.

The period (T) of an oscillation or wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle or vibration to occur. It is the reciprocal of the frequency.

• Units: seconds (s)
• T = 1/f (Period = 1 / Frequency)
• Represents the duration of one full event (e.g., one swing, one wave)

Memory trick: Period is the 'Time' for a Full Trip

The increase in the volume of seawater as its temperature rises, contributing significantly to global sea-level rise.

• Water expands when heated, even slightly.
• Accounts for a substantial portion of observed sea-level rise.
• Distinct from the addition of water from melting glaciers and ice sheets.

Memory trick: Warm Water, Wider World, Waving Goodbye to Shores.

A liquid layer of Earth's interior, primarily composed of iron and nickel, where S-waves are absorbed and P-waves refract and slow down.

• Located between the mantle and the inner core.
• Responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field through convection.
• Temperature ranges from approximately 4,400°C to 6,100°C.

Memory trick: P-waves Pass, S-waves Stop: Outer Core's Liquid Plot.

An area where atmospheric pressure is higher than the surrounding areas, characterized by sinking air, clear skies, calm winds, and often dry, stable weather.

• Sinking air warms and dries, inhibiting cloud formation.
• Associated with fair, often warm, weather.
• Can lead to prolonged periods of drought if persistent.

Memory trick: High Pressure, Happy Weather (but dry!).