General Science: Physics and Chemistry Concepts Flashcards

What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Answer: An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an external force

Newton's First Law is the law of inertia: objects resist changes in their state of motion.

What is the formula for calculating force?

Answer: F = ma

Newton's Second Law: F = ma (Force equals mass times acceleration).

What is the atomic number of an element?

Answer: Number of protons in the nucleus

The atomic number equals the number of protons, which defines the element.

Which of the following is a chemical change?

Answer: Paper burning

Burning produces new substances (ash, CO₂); it is a chemical change.

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Answer: 3 × 10⁸ m/s

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 × 10⁸ meters per second.

What is the pH of a neutral solution?

Answer: 7

A neutral solution has a pH of 7; acids are below 7, bases are above 7.

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Answer: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only converted

Energy is conserved — it changes form but the total amount remains constant.

Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?

Answer: Electron

Electrons have a negative charge; protons are positive; neutrons are neutral.

What type of energy does a compressed spring possess?

Answer: Elastic potential energy

A compressed spring stores elastic potential energy, which is released when it decompresses.

What is the chemical symbol for gold?

Answer: Au

Gold's symbol Au comes from the Latin word 'aurum.'

What happens to gas pressure if volume decreases at constant temperature?

Answer: Pressure increases

Boyle's Law: pressure and volume are inversely proportional at constant temperature.

What is an isotope?

Answer: An atom with the same number of protons but different neutrons

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

What is the term for the minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction?

Answer: Activation energy

Activation energy is the minimum energy needed to initiate a chemical reaction.

Which force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?

Answer: Gravitational force

Gravity provides the centripetal force that keeps planets in orbit.

What is the process by which a solid changes directly to a gas?

Answer: Sublimation

Sublimation is the direct transition from solid to gas without becoming liquid.

What unit measures electrical current?

Answer: Ampere

Electrical current is measured in amperes (amps).

What type of bond forms between two nonmetal atoms sharing electrons?

Answer: Covalent bond

Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons, common between nonmetals.

What is the freezing point of water on the Celsius scale?

Answer: 0°C

Water freezes at 0°C (32°F) under standard conditions.

What does the term 'acceleration' mean in physics?

Answer: Rate of change of velocity

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity changes over time.

Which state of matter has a definite volume but no definite shape?

Answer: Liquid

Liquids have a definite volume but take the shape of their container.