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MCAT Physics Ch. 10
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Scientific Notation | Method of writing numbers in a way that improves the ease of calculations |
Scientific Notation Takes The Format: | [significand] x 10^[exponent] |
Significand Must Be Great Than Or Equal To: | 1 and less than 10 |
Exponent Must Be An: | Integer |
Significant Figures Include: | All nonzero digits and any trailing zeroes in a number with a decimal point. |
For Addition And Subtraction, Reduce The Answer To Have: | The same number of decimal places as the number with the fewest number of decimal places |
For Multiplication And Division, Reduce The Answer To Have: | The same number of significant digits as the number with the fewest number of significant digits |
Entire Number Should Be Maintained Throughout Calculations To: | Minimize rounding error |
Exponents | Notation for repeated multiplication. They can be manipulated mathematically when the bases are the same. |
Logarithms | Inverse of exponents and are subject to similar mathematical manipulations |
Natural Logarithms | Use base e (Euler's number) and can be converted into common logarithms which use base 10 |
Sine | len opp / len hyp |
Cosine | Ratio of length of the side adjacent to an angle to the length of the hypotenuse |
Tangent | Ratio of the side opposite an angle to the side adjacent to it. |
Inverse Trigonometric Functions | Use the calculated value from a ratio of side lengths to calculate the angle of interest. |
Direct Relationships | As one variable increases, the other increases in proportion |
Inverse Relationships | As one variable increases, the other decreases in proportion. |
Conversions Between Metric Prefixes Require: | Multiplication or division by corresponding powers of ten |
Conversions Between Units Of Different Scales Require: | Multiplication or division and may require addition or subtraction. |
Unit Analysis (Dimensional Analysis) | Can determine the appropriate computation based on given information. |
Eq. 10.1: Zero Exponent Identity | X^0 = 1 |
Eq. 10.2: Multiplying-like Bases With Exponents | X^A * X^B = X^(A+B) |
Eq. 10.3: Dividing Like Bases With Exponents | X^A / X^B = X^(A-B) |