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Physics A2 > Definitions > Flashcards

Definitions Flashcards

0
Q

Alpha

A

A helium nucleus (4-2-He)
That moves only a few cm in air and cannot penetrate skin
Very ionising

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1
Q

Nucleon

A

particles found in the nucleus- protons and neutrons

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2
Q

Beta +

A

Fast moving positron

Decreases proton number by 1 in Beta+ emission

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3
Q

Beta -

A

Fast moving electron

Increases proton number by 1 in Beta- emission

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4
Q

Gamma

A

High frequency/energy Electro-Magnetic wave (travels at the speed of light, highly penetrating, not very ionising)
(Cannot be completely stopped, only slowed or reduced)

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5
Q

Fission

A

The splitting on large unstable nuclei to form smaller more stable nuclei

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6
Q

Fusion

A

The joining of 2 small nuclei to form bigger, more stable nuclei

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7
Q

Binding energy

A

The energy required to break a nucleus into its constituent parts

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8
Q

Mass Defect

A

The difference in mass between the nucleus and its constituent parts

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9
Q

Random (in terms of decay)

A

You cannot predict which nucleus will decay NEXT

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10
Q

Spontaneous (in terms of decay)

A

Cannot be influenced by external factors (e.g. Temperature)

So we cannot control the speed or amount of decay

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11
Q

Half life

A

The amount of time it takes for half of the undecayed nuclei to decay

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12
Q

Isotope

A

An atom with the same number of protons, different number of neutrons

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13
Q

SHM (Simple Harmonic Motion)

A

An oscillation in which the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to its displacement from the midpoint, and is directed towards the midpoint

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14
Q

Resonance

A

When the driving frequency is equal to the natural frequency

(the system gains energy from the driving force and vibrates with a rapidly increasing amplitude)

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15
Q

Damping

A

Reduces the amplitude if the oscillation over time. The heavier the damping, the quicker the amplitude is reduced to zero.

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16
Q

Gravitational field lines

A

Arrows showing the direction of the force that masses would feel in a gravitational field

17
Q

Gravitational field strength

A

The force per unit mass (g)

g=F/m

18
Q

Satellite

A

A smaller mass which orbits a much larger mass

19
Q

Magnetic Field

A

A region where a force is exerted on magnetic material

20
Q

Capacitance

A

The amount of charge stored per volt

21
Q

Hadrons

A

Particles that feel the strong interaction (protons and neutrons)

22
Q

Baryon

A

Particle with 3 quarks (e.g. protons and neutrons)

23
Q

Meson

A

Particle with 1 quark and 1 antiquark
(E.g. Pions and Kaons)
-unstable

24
Q

Baryon number

A

The number of baryons in a reaction

25
Q

Leptons

A

Don’t feel the strong interaction (e.g. Electrons and neutrinos)

26
Q

Cyclotron

A

Circular particle accelerator

27
Q

Boyle’s Law

A

At a constant temperature the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely proportional

28
Q

Charles’ Law

A

At constant pressure, the volume or a gas is directly proportional to the absolute temperature

29
Q

The pressure law

A

At constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to ta absolute temperature

30
Q

Electric potential

A

Potential energy per unit charge

31
Q

Faraday’s Law

A

The induced EMF is directly proportional to the rate of change of flux linkage

32
Q

Lenz’s law

A

The induced EMF is always in such a direction as to oppose the change that caused it

33
Q

Specific heat capacity

A

The energy transfer needed to change the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1 Kelvin

34
Q

Ideal Gas

A

A gas that obeys Boyle’s law at all temperatures

35
Q

Background radiation

A

The radiation that is present at all times in our environment

36
Q

Luminosity

A

The total power emitted by a star (the unit is the Watt)

37
Q

Radiant Flux

A

The power per unit area received by an observer (the unit is the Wm^-2)

38
Q

Light year

A

9.5 x 10^15 m

39
Q

Hubble’s Law

A

The recessional speed of galaxies is directly proportional to the distance from the point of observation

Physics A2 (2 decks)

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