Chem/Phys 150: Study Guide for Exam 1

In general,
• Be able to work the kinds of problems assigned in the homework and on the labs.
• Don’t just memorize. Try to achieve a deep understanding of the concepts—that’s how I will test you.
• Focus on the topics I emphasized in class.
• Realize that some problems (i.e. multi-step conversions or motion problems) are comprehensive in nature (test
many concepts at once) and are, therefore, going to appear on the exam.
• Know the meanings of the following formulas and constants and be able to use them to solve problems. These are
the equations that will be given to you on the exam. Conversion factors other than between metric prefixes (i.e.
millimeters to kilometers) and commonly known quantities (i.e. 12in/ft) will be given to you as necessary.
v f − vi v f + vi 2
a= v = d =
1
at
2 w = mg ac =
v
t 2 2 r

2 m1m 2
mv W
Fc = F =G
2
W = Fd P = PE = mgh
r d t

1 2 2 9  T
KE = mv T = T + 32 =T +273 Q = s m∆T
E = mc F K C h
2 5 C

2
Q = m∆H 8 m g = 9.8
m −11 N ⋅ m
c = 3.0 x10 2 G = 6.67 x10
2
s s kg

Ch. 1
• Be able to define physical science and talk about what it encompasses.
• Know the following vocabulary words: observations, conclusions, hypothesis, theory, principle, law, and model.
• Know that science is experimental in nature (hypothesize, test, theorize, etc.). Know that scientists use models to
describe the physical world as best they can with the information available from research and that those models
can change.
• Know the SI system of measurement (the parts of Tables 1.1 & 1.2 as noted in class) and be able to describe some
advantages it has over the English system. This includes knowing the standard units for any quantity shown
above and being able to convert among the units given the appropriate info (see note above).
• Know that all measured quantities have some degree of uncertainty.
• Know that 1mL of water (1cm3 or cc) has a mass of 1g.
• Know the 4 proportionality relationships that we discussed in class and how to recognize them in equations.
• Know and be able to use the formula for density.

Ch. 2
• Know that motion is primarily concerned with the change in position over time.
• Know what speed and velocity are, the difference between them, and the equation to calculate them. Know the
difference between average velocity and instantaneous velocity.
• Know what a force is. Know what is meant by net force and be able to discuss the forces acting on a given object
given appropriate information. Know Newton’s three laws of motion and be able to discuss/use them.
• Know what momentum is and how to calculate it. Know that momentum is conserved and how to use this fact to
calculate masses or velocities during collisions, etc.
• Be able to discuss centripetal motion, acceleration, and force. Know what a centrifugal “force” is and that it is not
a real force.
• Know the difference between mass and weight. Know the universal law of gravitation.

Ch. 3
• Know the definition for work and its relationship to energy. (Remember that they have the same units!)
• Know what kinetic and potential energy are and how they can relate to each other.
• Know that energy is conserved (and that this is also known as the First Law of Thermodynamics). Know that
energy can take any of the following forms and be able to give an example/description of each: mechanical,
chemical, radiant, electrical, nuclear, and internal.
 o Know what the electromagnetic spectrum is and some of the types of electromagnetic radiation.
• Know some of the most common energy sources that are being used in the US. Know some “alternative” sources.
Know what is meant be fossil fuels and why they have that name.
o Don’t forget about our discussion of Einstein’s equation (above) and its importance.

Ch. 4
• Be able to describe the Kinetic Molecular Theory.
o Be able to describe the motion, space between, shape, and volume for substances in each state of matter.
• Know the three common temperature scales and what is meant by absolute zero. Know the definition for
temperature.
• Know the definition for heat and how it relates to energy. Know that heat is different than temperature and be
able to describe or show this difference.
• Know that a food Calorie is really a kilocalorie.
• Know that heat can flow via conduction, convection, or radiation. Be able to describe and give examples of each.
• Be able to interpret Figure 4.18 in the book. This is similar to the one I did in class describing the phase changes
of water.
• Remember that I have used different symbols in two of the heat equations than your book, but that the equations
are really the same.
• Be able to discuss evaporation and condensation cycles like we did in class.
• Know the first two Laws of Thermodynamics.
o Know what entropy is and be able to compare the relative entropy of a system at two different states.