AP Exams (Advanced Placement) AP Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental) Flashcards

24 sample cards from the AP Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental) deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. Define endothermic and exothermic reactions in terms of enthalpy change (ΔH).

   Exothermic releases heat, ΔH < 0 (negative). Endothermic absorbs heat, ΔH > 0 (positive).

2. What does a positive Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) indicate, and give the equation linking ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS.

   Positive ΔG means the reaction is nonspontaneous. ΔG = ΔH - TΔS; spontaneous when ΔG < 0.

3. State Le Chatelier's principle and predict the shift when pressure increases on a gaseous equilibrium.

   A system at equilibrium shifts to counteract a disturbance. Increasing pressure shifts equilibrium toward the side with fewer moles of gas.

4. Define pH and pOH, and state their relationship at 25 degrees C.

   pH = -log[H+], pOH = -log[OH-]. At 25 degrees C, pH + pOH = 14.

5. Using Bronsted-Lowry theory, define an acid and a base and identify a conjugate acid-base pair.

   Acid = proton (H+) donor; base = proton acceptor. A conjugate pair differs by one H+ (e.g., HCl/Cl- or NH4+/NH3).

6. In chemical kinetics, list four factors that increase reaction rate.

   Higher temperature, higher reactant concentration, larger surface area, and a catalyst (which lowers activation energy).

7. In electrochemistry, where do oxidation and reduction occur in an electrochemical cell, and what is the mnemonic?

   Oxidation at the anode, reduction at the cathode. Mnemonic: 'An Ox, Red Cat' and 'OIL RIG' (Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain of electrons).

8. In kinematics, write the three main equations of motion for constant acceleration.

   v = v0 + at; x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2; v^2 = v0^2 + 2a(x - x0).

9. State Newton's three laws of motion.

   1) An object stays at rest or constant velocity unless acted on by a net force (inertia). 2) F_net = ma. 3) For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

10. Define the work-energy theorem and give the formula for kinetic energy.

    Net work equals change in kinetic energy: W_net = ΔKE. KE = (1/2)mv^2.

11. State the law of conservation of momentum and give the impulse-momentum theorem.

    Total momentum is conserved when no external net force acts: p = mv stays constant. Impulse = FΔt = Δp (change in momentum).

12. Contrast elastic and inelastic collisions.

    Both conserve momentum. Elastic collisions also conserve kinetic energy; inelastic collisions do not (KE is lost to heat/deformation); perfectly inelastic objects stick together.

13. For an object in simple harmonic motion, give the period of a mass-spring system and a simple pendulum.

    Mass-spring: T = 2π√(m/k). Simple pendulum: T = 2π√(L/g).

14. Write the wave equation relating speed, frequency, and wavelength, and define amplitude.

    v = fλ (speed = frequency x wavelength). Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium, related to the wave's energy.

15. State the continuity equation and Bernoulli's principle for fluids.

    Continuity: A1v1 = A2v2 (volume flow rate constant). Bernoulli: where fluid speed is higher, pressure is lower (P + (1/2)ρv^2 + ρgh = constant).

16. State Archimedes' principle and give the buoyant force formula.

    The buoyant force on a submerged object equals the weight of the fluid displaced: F_b = ρ_fluid x V_displaced x g.

17. State Coulomb's law for the force between two point charges.

    F = k(q1 q2)/r^2, where k ≈ 8.99 x 10^9 N·m^2/C^2; like charges repel, opposite charges attract.

18. State Ohm's law and the formulas for electrical power.

    V = IR. Power P = IV = I^2R = V^2/R.

19. How do total resistance formulas differ for resistors in series versus parallel?

    Series: R_total = R1 + R2 + ... (resistances add). Parallel: 1/R_total = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... (total is less than the smallest resistor).

20. State the right-hand rule for the magnetic force on a moving positive charge.

    Point fingers in the direction of velocity, curl toward the magnetic field B; the thumb (or F = qv x B) gives the force direction. For negative charges, reverse it.

21. State Snell's law and define the index of refraction.

    n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2). The index of refraction n = c/v is the ratio of light's speed in vacuum to its speed in the medium.

22. In Physics C mechanics, give the calculus definitions of velocity and acceleration, and the rotational analog of Newton's second law.

    v = dx/dt, a = dv/dt = d^2x/dt^2. Rotational form: net torque τ = Iα (moment of inertia x angular acceleration).

23. List Maxwell's four equations by name and what each describes.

    Gauss's law (electric flux from charge), Gauss's law for magnetism (no magnetic monopoles), Faraday's law (changing B induces E/EMF), and Ampere-Maxwell law (currents and changing E create B).

24. In environmental science, define biodiversity and distinguish a renewable from a nonrenewable resource, then name the dominant cause of current global climate change.

    Biodiversity is the variety of life (genetic, species, ecosystem). Renewable resources replenish naturally (solar, wind, timber); nonrenewable do not on a human timescale (fossil fuels, minerals). Climate change is driven mainly by greenhouse gas emissions (chiefly CO2) from burning fossil fuels.

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AP Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental) flashcards FAQ