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Physics > Definitions > Flashcards

Definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

Ph

A

A scale to measure how acidic or basic a liquid is. pH is a number from 0 to 14.

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2
Q

Indicator

A

An indicator is a dye or chemical that changes colour in the presence of an acid or base, and can therefore indicate or show whether a substance is an acid, base or neutral.

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3
Q

Periodicity or periodic table trends

A

Arranging elements according to their similar properties

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4
Q

Element

A

Is a pure substance that cannot be broken into smaller units or parts

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5
Q

Valency

A

The number of bonds formed by an atom of an element

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6
Q

Atoms

A

Consists of a small, dense nucleus in the centre and a nuclei consists of two types of particles, protons +, and neutrons (neutral)

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7
Q

Mass number

A

The number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus

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8
Q

Compound

A

A pure substance that consists of two or more elements that have chemically combined

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9
Q

Molecule

A

Defined as two or more atoms that have chemically bonded with each other in a fixed ratio

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10
Q

Diatomic molecule

A

Some non-metals (r.h.s of Periodic Table) are gases at room temperature that exist as molecules that are made up of two atoms each

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11
Q

Neutralisation reaction

A

When an acid and a base combine, they react together. This makes the acid less acidic but more neutral

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12
Q

Force

A

A push or pull of an object

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13
Q

Spring balance

A

A simple device consisting of a spring which when stretched gives a reading of the force used to stretch the spring

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14
Q

Free-body diagram

A

Using a circle to represent the object and the different length arrows to represent forces acting on the object

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15
Q

Contact force

A

Is exerted when two objects are in contact, that is, they touch each other

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16
Q

Friction

A

A contact force that a surface exerts on an object

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17
Q

Tension

A

Is a contact force in a rope/cable that is used to carry a load

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18
Q

Compression

A

Is contact force that squeezes/pushes something into a smaller space

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19
Q

Non-contact force

A

Or a field force, acts over a distance. The two bodies exert field forces on each other without touching each other

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20
Q

Weight/Fgravity

A

Any object that has mass experiences a gravitational force. Always exerted downwards towards the centre of the earth

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21
Q

Body mass

A

The measure of the amount of matter that it is made of

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22
Q

Magnetic force

A

A force that two magnetic objects exert on each other over a distance

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23
Q

Resultant/Net force

A

The single force that replaces all other forces. The sum of all the force acting on the object

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24
Q

Drag

A

Solid moving through a fluid substance; water, air etc.

25
Q

Work

A

The process of transferring energy from one object/system to another/converting energy from one form to another

26
Q

Work is done on an object

A

When a force acts upon an object to cause a displacement of the object in the direction of the force

27
Q

Power

A

The rate at which work is done

28
Q

Energy

A

The ability to do work

29
Q

Kinetic energy

A

The energy an object possess due to its motion

30
Q

Gravitational potential energy

A

The energy an object possesses due to its position above the ground

31
Q

Mechanical energy

A

The energy that is possessed by an object due to its motion or its position

32
Q

Electric current

A

Rate of flow of charge

33
Q

Electron flow

A

Flow of negative charge from the negative to the positive terminal of a cell/battery

34
Q

Conventional current

A

The flow of positive charge from the positive to the negative terminal of a cell/battery

35
Q

Resistance

A

Opposition to the flow of charge

36
Q

Short circuit

A

Happens when another, easier path is accidentally made in an electric circuit

37
Q

Electromagnet

A

A coil of wire wrapped around a soft iron core connected to a power source

38
Q

Electrolysis

A

A chemical reaction that takes place due to an electric current flowing through a conducting solution

39
Q

Ammeter

A

Measuring device used to measure the electric current in the circuit

40
Q

Voltmeter

A

Instrument used to measure potential difference

41
Q

Potential difference

A

The work done per unit positive charge

42
Q

Rheostat

A

An apparatus that varies resistance, increase/decrease current

43
Q

Ohmic resistor

A

Obeys Ohm’s law where the ratio V/I is constant

44
Q

Non-Ohmic resistor

A

One that does not obey Ohm’s Law and where the ratio V/I is not constant

45
Q

Variable resistor

A

Resistors where we can adjust the resistance ourselves

46
Q

Law of conservation of matter

A

Matter is neither created nor destroyed, so we must have the same number and kind of atoms after the chemical change as were present before the chemical change

47
Q

Combustion

A

Process where some metals react with oxygen

48
Q

Metal oxide

A

The product when metals are burnt in the air containing oxygen

49
Q

Rust

A

A complex compound formed when iron in a metal reacts with oxygen

50
Q

Galvanising

A

Process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel/iron to prevent rusting

51
Q

Electroplating

A

Makes use of electrolysis, whereby an electric current is passed through an electrolyte and one metals deposited onto another

52
Q

Sacrificial anode

A

Works by oxidising more quickly than the metal it is protecting

53
Q

Non-metal oxide

A

Formed when you burn a non-metal in air, the non-metal reacts with the oxygen in the air

54
Q

Decomposition

A

A reaction in which a compound splits up into two or more simpler substances. AB ➡️ A + B

55
Q

Endothermic reaction

A

A reaction that the system absorbs energy from its surroundings in the from of heat

56
Q

Exothermic reaction

A

A reaction that releases energy from the system in the form of heat

57
Q

Electrolytic cell

A

When a solution of copper (II) chloride is placed in a beaker together with two carbon electrodes connected to a power source.

58
Q

Synthesis reaction

A

The reverse of decomposition of a compound into elements. Elements that can react with each other to form a new substance - a compound

Physics (7 decks)

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