Physics: Mechanics

🏥 Physics Mechanics

Part 1 of 7 — Kinematics & Motion

v = v0 + at; x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at2; v2 = v02 + 2a(x-x0) — the Big 3 kinematic equations.

Projectile motion: horizontal velocity is constant; vertical acceleration = g = 9.8 m/s2.

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Key Insight: Vectors: break into components using sin and cos; add components separately.

MCAT Tip: Displacement is a vector (direction matters); distance is a scalar (total path length).

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Forces & Newtons Laws

Part 2 of 7 — Forces & Newtons Laws

F = ma — net force equals mass times acceleration (Newtons second law).

Normal force is perpendicular to the contact surface; friction is parallel and opposes motion.

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Key Insight: Inclined plane: weight component along plane = mg sin(theta); perpendicular = mg cos(theta).

MCAT Tip: Static friction (fs <= usN) prevents motion; kinetic friction (fk = ukN) acts during motion.

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Work, Energy & Power

Part 3 of 7 — Work, Energy & Power

Work = Fd cos(theta) — only the component of force along displacement does work.

Kinetic energy KE = (1/2)mv2; Work-energy theorem: Wnet = delta KE.

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Key Insight: Potential energy: gravitational PE = mgh; elastic PE = (1/2)kx2.

MCAT Tip: Conservation of energy: KE1 + PE1 = KE2 + PE2 (when no non-conservative forces).

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Momentum & Collisions

Part 4 of 7 — Momentum & Collisions

Momentum p = mv; Impulse J = F*delta-t = delta-p.

Conservation of momentum: total momentum before = total momentum after (isolated system).

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Elastic collision: both momentum and KE conserved; Inelastic: only momentum conserved.

MCAT Tip: Center of mass: x_cm = (m1x1 + m2x2)/(m1 + m2) — moves as if all mass is concentrated there.

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Fluids & Pressure

Part 5 of 7 — Fluids & Pressure

Pressure P = F/A; units: Pascal (Pa) = N/m2; 1 atm = 101,325 Pa.

Hydrostatic pressure: P = P0 + rhogh — pressure increases with depth.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Buoyancy (Archimedes): Fb = rho_fluid * V_displaced * g — object floats if Fb >= weight.

MCAT Tip: Bernoulli equation: P + (1/2)rhov2 + rhog*h = constant along a streamline.

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Waves & Sound

Part 6 of 7 — Waves & Sound

Wave speed v = f*lambda; frequency f = 1/T where T is the period.

Sound is a longitudinal wave; light is a transverse electromagnetic wave.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Doppler effect: frequency increases when source and observer approach each other.

MCAT Tip: Intensity follows inverse-square law: I is proportional to 1/r2; decibels: beta = 10*log(I/I0).

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Review & MCAT Practice

Part 7 of 7 — Review & MCAT Practice

Wave speed v = f*lambda; frequency f = 1/T where T is the period.

Sound is a longitudinal wave; light is a transverse electromagnetic wave.

Concept Check 🎯

Key Insight: Doppler effect: frequency increases when source and observer approach each other.

MCAT Tip: Intensity follows inverse-square law: I is proportional to 1/r2; decibels: beta = 10*log(I/I0).

Concept Check 🎯

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