Definitions Flashcards
Definition of gravitational field strength
The gravitational force acting on a unit mass.
Definition of moment of inertia of an object
A measure of its resistance to angular acceleration about a given axis.
Definition of the gravitational potential of a point in space
The work done in moving
unit mass from infinity to that point.
Definition of escape velocity
The minimum velocity required to allow a mass to
escape a gravitational field to infinity, where the mass achieves zero kinetic energy and
maximum (zero) potential energy.
Definition of SHM (simple harmonic motion)
In terms of the restoring force and acceleration proportional to, and in
the opposite direction to, the displacement from the rest position.
Definition of electric field strength
The electrical force acting on unit positive charge
Definition of electrical potential at a point
The work done in moving unit positive charge
from infinity to that point.
Definition of the time constant for an RC circuit
The time to increase the charge stored by 63% of the difference between initial charge and full charge, or the time taken to
discharge the capacitor to 37% of initial charge.
Definition of inductance
The tendency of an electrical conductor to oppose a change in the electric current flowing through it
Definition of back EMF
The EMF generated in a conductor by a changing external Magnetic Field. The Induced EMF always acts to oppose the change which caused it, and therefore is also known as the Back EMF.
Definition of moment of inertia of an object
A measure of its resistance to angular acceleration about a given axis
Definition of gravitational field strength
The gravitational force
acting on a unit mass.
Definition of the gravitational potential of a point in space
The work done in moving unit mass from infinity to that point.
Definition of escape velocity
The minimum velocity required to
allow a mass to escape a gravitational field to infinity, where the mass achieves zero kinetic energy and maximum (zero) potential energy.
