Open and Closed Systems: Energy
Grace Lewis
8 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers conservation of energy, work, and power for the AP Physics 1 exam. It explains the law of conservation of energy, different forms of energy, and how energy interacts within systems. The guide also details work calculations, the work-energy theorem, and how to calculate power. Finally, it provides practice questions and exam tips.
#AP Physics 1: Energy and Work - The Night Before 🚀
Hey! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP Physics 1 exam. We're going to break down energy and work, making sure you're ready for anything the test throws your way. Let's dive in!
#Conservation of Energy: The Golden Rule 🌟
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Key Concept
The Basics
- What is Conservation? Certain quantities remain constant within a system. Changes in these quantities are due to transfers between the system and its surroundings.
- Energy is King: Energy is always conserved. It can't be created or destroyed, only transformed. This is the Law of Conservation of Energy.
- Closed System: The total energy in a closed system stays the same, no matter what happens inside. What one part loses, another part gains.
- Forms of Energy: This law applies to all types of energy:
- Kinetic Energy: Energy of motion.
- Potential Energy: Energy of position or configuration.
- Thermal Energy: Energy of heat.
#Total Energy Changes
- External Interactions: Interactions with external objects or systems can change the total energy of a system.
#Systems vs. Objects: Defining Your World 🌍
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Key Concept
What's a System?
- System Definition: A system is an object or a collection of objects we're focusing on. Objects are treated as having no internal structure.
- Thermodynamics View: In thermodynamics, a system is a region we're studying.
- Open System: Exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings. (Also called an exchange system).
- Closed System: Exchanges only energy, not matter, with its surroundings.
- Isolated System: Exchanges neither matter nor energy with its surroundings.
Memory Aid
Think of it like this:
- Open System: Like a pot of boiling water on the stove (exchanging heat and water vapor).
- Closed System: Like a sealed pot on the stove (exchanging heat but not water).
- Isolated System: Like a perfectly insulated thermos (no exchange at all).
#Force Interactions: How Systems Interact 💪
- **In...
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