Physical Setting / Physics Regents Examinations: Reference Tables for Physics

When you take the New York State Regents examination in physics, you will be provided with a set of reference tables to aid you in answering the questions on the examination.For those students not taking the examination, the following tables will provide a convenient reference when answering the questions and problems presented in this book.

Each of these tables is given below along with a brief description of it. 

A. List of Physical Constants

The most important physical constants and their symbols, where appropriate, are given in this table.The value of each constant is given to three significant digits along with its units.
For example, if you were asked to calculate the gravitational force between the Moon and Earth, you would use this table to find the masses of the Moon and Earth and the mean Earth–Moon distance.

B. Prefixes for Powers of 10

The metric prefixes, along with their symbols and values, are given for numbers between 10–12 and 1012.
For example, 10–1 meter is known as a decimeter (dm).

C. Approximate Coefficients of Friction

The coefficients of friction (µ) for a number of pairs of surfaces are provided.The kinetic coefficients of friction are used when the surfaces are in relative motion. The static coefficients of friction are used when the surfaces are at rest with respect to each other.

D. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
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The wavelength and frequency ranges for the principal types of electromagnetic radiation are given in this chart.Note that the type of radiation is principally determined by its source and not necessarily by its wavelength (or frequency).As a result, there is some overlap between certain types of radiation.In addition, the frequency ranges for visible light are provided at the bottom of the chart.

E. Absolute Indices of Refraction

The absolute index of refraction is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium. (Monochromatic yellow light of 5.09 × 1014 Hz was used to compute these indices.)
The larger the index of refraction, the slower light travels in the medium. Therefore, according to this table, light travels slowest in a diamond and fastest in air. In a vacuum, the index of refraction would be exactly 1.
This table is useful for solving problems in which light is refracted as well as for comparing the speed of light in different media.

F. Energy Level Diagrams for Hydrogen and Mercury

Each energy state is represented by a horizontal line. Its energy value, in eV, is given at the right. Note that these values are negative numbers that increase to a maximum value of 0.00. The lowest energy state is known as the ground state. Every other state is known as an excited state. At a value of 0.00 eV, the electron is no longer associated with the atom, a condition known as ionization.
At the left is the label corresponding to the energy state. For hydrogen, these states are integers known as principal quantum numbers. For mercury, the atom is much more complex and the various states are represented as letters.
In order to calculate the energy involved in a particular transition, one subtracts the final energy value from the initial value. If the difference is negative, then energy is released by the atom as a photon. If it is positive, then the energy is absorbed by the atom.

G. Classification of Matter

This chart classifies matter according to the standard model. For example, all nuclear particles are classified as either hadrons or leptons. Leptons (and their antiparticles) are not composed of smaller units and have a charge of ±1 or 0. Hadrons are composed of smaller units and are ultimately composed of quarks and/or antiquarks.

H. Particles of the Standard Model

e.

I. Circuit Symbols

The symbols used in simple electric circuits are provided in this chart. It is useful in interpreting the elements that make up a particular type of circuit.

J. Resistivities at 20°C

The resistivities, in ohm • meters, are given for a number of conductors at 20°C. Resistivities are useful for comparing the relative abilities of various materials to conduct an electric current. They are also used to calculate the resistance of a conductor whose length and cross-sectional area are known.

K. EQUATIONS FOR PHYSICS
It is expected that you will be able to solve quantitative problems using any of the equations given below.

Mechanics

	d = displacement or distance
vf = vi + at	ET = total energy
	F = force
	Fc = centripetal force
	Ff = force of friction
Ay = A sin θ	Fg = ­weight or force due to gravity
	FN = normal force
Ax = A cos θ	Fnet = net force
	Fs = force on a spring
	g = ­acceleration due to gravity or gravitational field strength
Ff = µFN	G = ­universal gravitational constant
	h = height
	J = impulse
	k = spring constant
p = mv	KE = kinetic energy
	m = mass
pbefore = pafter	p = momentum
J = Fnett = Δp	P = power
Fs = kx	PE = potential energy
	PEs = potential energy stored in a spring
	Q = internal energy
Fc = mac	r = radius or distance between centers
	t = time interval
	v = velocity or speed
	= average velocity or average speed
	W = work
W = Fd = ΔET	x = change in spring length from the equilibrium position
	Δ = change
ET = PE + KE + Q	= angle
	µ = coefficient of friction

Equations are provided for motion, vectors, Newton’s laws, momentum and impulse, work, energy, and power.

Electricity

	A = cross-sectional area E = electric field strength
	Fe = electrostatic force
	I = current
	k = electrostatic constant
	L = length of conductor
	P = electrical power
	q = charge
	R = resistance
	Req = equivalent resistance
	r = distance between centers
	t = time
P = VI = I2R =	V = potential difference
	W = work (electrical energy)
	Δ = change
	ρ = resistivity
Series Circuits	Parallel Circuits
I = I1 = I2 = I3 = …	I = I1 + I2 + I3 + …
V = V1 + V2 + V3 + …	V = V1 = V2 = V3 = …
Req = R1 + R2 + R3 + …

Equations are provided for electrostatic forces, electric fields, potential difference, current, resistance, and power and energy in electric circuits. In addition, the current, potential difference, and resistance relationships are provided for series and parallel circuits.

Waves

v = fλ	c = speed of light in a vacuum
	f = frequency
br />	n = absolute index of refraction
	T = period
θi = θr	v = velocity
	λ = wavelength
	θ = angle
	θi = incident angle
	θr = reflected angle

Equations are provided for all types of waves (relationships among speed, wavelength, frequency, and period) as well as for reflection and refraction.

Modern Physics

	c = speed of light in a vacuum
	E = energy
	f = frequency
	h = Planck’s constant
E = mc2	m = mass
	λ = wavelength

Three energy equations are included in this table. Planck equation for relating the energy of a photon to its frequency (or wavelength). Energy of a photon that is emitted or absorbed as the result of a transition between two energy levels in an atom. Einstein equation that relates energy and mass.

Geometry and Trigonometry (Equations GT1–GT4)

Rectangle	A = area
A = bh	b = base
Triangle	C = circumference
	h = height
	r = radius
Circle
C = 2Πr
Right Triangle GT4D. GT4C. GT4D.

The geometric relationships for the areas of rectangles, triangles, and circles are given. In addition, the relationship for the circumference of a circle is provided. This table also gives the Pythagorean theorem and several trigonometric relationships for a right triangle.