G482 EXAM Definintions Flashcards
Kirchhoff’s second law
(sum of) e.m.f.s = sum /total of p.d.s/sum of voltages in/around a (closed) loop (in a circuit)
energy is conserved
Kirchhoff’s first law
sum of/total current into a junction equals the sum of/total current out conservation of charge
Progressive wave
is a transfer of energy
as a result of oscillations (of the source/medium/particles through which energy is travelling)
The principle of superposition of waves
When 2 or more waves meet at a point
The (resultant) displacement is equal to the (vector) sum of the displacements of each wave
The photoelectric effect
emission of electron(s) from a metal (surface) when photon(s)/
light/uv/em radiation are incident (on surface)
Electron volt (eV)
energy to accelerate/move an electron through a p.d. of 1 V
Work function of a metal
the minimum energy required to release an electron from the surface of a metal
Internal resistance
(some) energy is transferred into thermal energy /lost as
heat in (driving charge through) the battery. It behaves as
if it has an (internal) resistance/AW
or there is a voltage drop across/decrease in voltage from the battery when a current is drawn from it/AW
Phase difference
relates to the oscillation of two points on the (same) wave
how far ‘out of step’ one oscillation is from the other/AW
Coherent
constant phase difference/relationship (between the waves)
Power
Work done/energy transfer(red) per unit time
Kilowatt-hour
(a unit of) energy equal to 3.6 MJ or 1 kW for 1 h
de Broglie wavelength of an electron
electron wavelength depends on its speed/momentum
Displacement and amplitude
displacement : (any) distance moved from equilibrium of a point/particle on a wave
amplitude: maximum displacement (caused by wave motion)
Frequency
number of wavelengths passing a point /vibrations at a point per unit time/second or produced by the wave source
Phase difference
between two points on the same wave/waves of the same frequency, how far through the cycle one point is compared to the other
Electromagnetic wave properties
travel in a vacuum
same speed (in vacuum)/at c
caused by accelerating charges
are (oscillating) electric and magnetic fields
Word equation for resistivity of a material
resistivity = resistance x area (of cross-section)/length