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Introduction to SAT II Physics - FreeExamPapers

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In a right triangle, the sine of a given angle is the length of the side opposite the angle divided<br />

by the length of the hypotenuse.<br />

Snell’s Law<br />

Relates the angle of incidence <strong>to</strong> the angle of refraction: .<br />

Sound<br />

Waves carried by variations in air pressure. The speed of sound waves in air at room<br />

temperature and pressure is roughly 343 m/s.<br />

Specific heat<br />

The amount of heat of a material required <strong>to</strong> raise the temperature of either one kilogram or<br />

one gram of that material by one degree Celsius. Different units may be used depending on<br />

whether specific heat is measured in s of grams or kilograms, and joules or calories.<br />

Spectroscope<br />

A device that breaks incoming light down in<strong>to</strong> spectral rays, so that one can see the exact<br />

wavelength constituents of the light.<br />

Speed<br />

A scalar quantity that tells us how fast an object is moving. It measures the rate of change in<br />

distance over time. Speed is <strong>to</strong> be contrasted with velocity in that there is no direction<br />

associated with speed.<br />

Spring<br />

Objects that experience oscilla<strong>to</strong>ry or simple harmonic motion when dis<strong>to</strong>rted. Their motion is<br />

described by Hooke’s Law.<br />

Spring constant<br />

Indicates how “bouncy” or “stiff” a spring is. More specifically, the spring constant, k, is the<br />

constant of proportionality between the res<strong>to</strong>ring force exerted by the spring, and the spring’s<br />

displacement from equilibrium. The greater the value of k, more resistant the spring is <strong>to</strong> being<br />

displaced.<br />

Standing wave<br />

A wave that interferes with its own reflection so as <strong>to</strong> produce oscillations which stand still,<br />

rather than traveling down the length of the medium. Standing waves on a string with both<br />

ends tied down make up the harmonic series.<br />

Static friction<br />

The force between two surfaces that are not moving relative <strong>to</strong> one another. The force of static<br />

friction is parallel <strong>to</strong> the plane of contact between the two objects and resists the force pushing<br />

or pulling on the object.<br />

Strong nuclear force<br />

The force that binds pro<strong>to</strong>ns and neutrons <strong>to</strong>gether in the a<strong>to</strong>mic nucleus.<br />

Sublimation<br />

The process by which a solid turns directly in<strong>to</strong> gas, because it cannot exist as a liquid at a<br />

certain pressure.<br />

Superposition<br />

The principle by which the displacements from different waves traveling in the same medium<br />

add up. Superposition is the basis for interference.<br />

System<br />

366

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