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Glossary Key Words Flashcards

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1
Q

Acceleration

A

Change of velocity per second

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2
Q

Activity

A

The number of unstable atoms that decay per second in a radioactive source

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3
Q

Alpha radiation

A

Alpha particles, each composed of two protons and two neutrons, emitted by unstable nuclei.

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4
Q

Alternating current

A

Electric current in a circuit that repeatedly reverses its direction.

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5
Q

Alternator

A

An alternating current generator.

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6
Q

Amplitude

A

The height of a wave crest or trough of a transverse wave from the rest position. For oscillating motion, the amplitude is the maximum distance moved by an oscillating object from its equilibrium position.

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7
Q

Angle of incidence

A

Angle between the incident ray and the normal.

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8
Q

Angle of reflection

A

Angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

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9
Q

Atomic number

A

The number of protons as well as electrons in an atom. It is sometimes called the proton number.

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10
Q

Beta radiation

A

Beta particles that are high-energy electrons created in, and emitted from, unstable nuclei.

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11
Q

Big Bang theory

A

The theory that the universe was created in a massive explosion, and that the universe has been expanding ever since.

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12
Q

Biofuel

A

Any fuel taken from living or recently living materials, such as animal waste.

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13
Q

Black body radiation

A

The radiation emitted by a perfect black body (a body that absorbs all the radiation that hits it)

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14
Q

Black dwarf

A

A star that has faded out and gone cold

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15
Q

Black hole

A

An object in space that has so much mass that nothing, not even light can escape from its gravitational field.

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16
Q

Boiling point

A

Temperature at which a pure substance boils or condenses.

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17
Q

Boyle’s law

A

For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, its pressure multiplied by its volume is constant.

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18
Q

Braking distance

A

The distance travelled by a vehicle during the time it takes for tis brakes to act.

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19
Q

Carbon Neutral

A

A biofuel from a living organism that takes in as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is released when the fuel is burned.

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20
Q

Carrier waves

A

Waves used to carry any type of signal.

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21
Q

Centripetal force

A

The resultant force towards the centre of a circle acting on an object moving in a circular path.

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22
Q

Chain reaction

A

Reactions in which one reaction causes further reactions, which in turn causes further reactions etc.

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23
Q

Charge - coupled device (CCD)

A

An electronic device that creates an electronic signla from an optical image formed on the CCD’s array of pixels.

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24
Q

Circuit breaker

A

An electromagnetic switch that opens and cuts off current if too much current passes through it.

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25
Q

Compression

A

Squeezing together.

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26
Q

Concave lens

A

A lens that makes parallel rays diverge (spread out).

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27
Q

Condense

A

Turn from vapour into liquid.

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28
Q

Conservation of energy

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

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29
Q

Conservation of momentum

A

In a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event. Momentum is conserved in any collision or explosion, provided no external forces act on the objects that collide or explode.

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30
Q

Contrast medium

A

An X-ray absorbing substance used to fill a body organ so the organ can be seen on a radiograph.

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31
Q

Control variable

A

A variable that may, in addition to the independent variable, affect the outcome of the investigation, and therefore has to be kept constant or at least monitored.

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32
Q

Convection

A

Circulation of a liquid or gas caused by increasing its thermal energy.

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33
Q

Converging (Convex) Lens

A

A lens that makes light rays parallel to the principal axis converge (meet) at a point.

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34
Q

Cosmic microwave background radiation

A

Electromagnetic radiation that has been travelling through space ever since it was created shortly after the Big Bang.

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35
Q

Count rate

A

The number of counts per second detected by a Geiger counter.

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36
Q

Dark Matter

A

Matter in a galaxy that cannot be seen. Its presence is deducted because the galaxies would spin much faster if their stars were spin much faster if their stars were their only matter.

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37
Q

Deceleration

A

Change of velocity per second when an object slows down.

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38
Q

Density

A

Mass per unit volume of a substance.

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39
Q

Diffuse reflection

A

Reflection from a rough surface - the light rays are scattered in different directions.

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40
Q

Diffusion

A

The spreading out of particles away from each other.

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41
Q

Diode

A

A non-ohmic conductor that has a higher resistance in one direction (its reverse direction) than in the other direction (its forward direction).

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42
Q

Direct current

A

Electric current in a circuit that is in one direction only.

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43
Q

Directly proportional

A

A graph will show this if the line of best fit is a straight line through the origin.

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44
Q

Dispersion

A

The splitting of white light into the colours of the spectrum.

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45
Q

Displacement

A

Distance in a given direction.

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46
Q

Dissipation of energy

A

The energy that is not usefully transferred and stored in less useful ways.

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47
Q

Diverging (concave) lens

A

A lens that makes light rays parallel to the axis diverge (spread out) as if from a single point - also referred to as a concave lens.

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48
Q

Driving force

A

Force of a vehicle that makes it move (sometimes referred to as motive force).

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49
Q

Dynamo

A

A direct-current generator.

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50
Q

Earth wire

A

The wire in a mains cable used to connect the metal case of an appliance to earth.

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51
Q

Echo

A

Reflection of sound that can be heard.

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52
Q

Efficiency

A

Useful energy transferred by a device ÷ total energy suppled to the device.

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53
Q

Effort

A

The force applied to a device used to raise a weight or move an object.

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54
Q

Elastic

A

A material is elastic if it is able to regain its shape after it has been squashed or stretched.

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55
Q

Electric current

A

Flow of electric charge. The size of an electric current (in amperes, A) is the rate of flow of charge.

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56
Q

Electric field

A

A charged object (X) creates an electric field around itself, which causes a non-contact force on any other charged object in the field.

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57
Q

Electromagnet

A

An insulated wire wrapped round an iron bar that becomes magnetic when there is a current in the wire.

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58
Q

Electromagnetic induction

A

The process of inducing a potential difference in a wire by moving the wire so it cuts across the lines of force of a magnetic field.

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59
Q

Electromagnetic spectrum

A

The continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves.

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60
Q

Electromagnetic waves

A

Electric and magnetic disturbances that transfer energy from one place to another.

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61
Q

Electrons

A

tiny negatively charged particles that move around the nucleus of an atom.

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62
Q

Endoscope

A

A medical instrument that uses optical fibres to see inside the body.

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63
Q

Energy levels

A

Specific energy values of electrons in an atom.

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64
Q

Errors

A

Sometimes called uncertainties.

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65
Q

Evaporate

A

Turn from liquid into vapour.

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66
Q

Extension

A

The increase in length of a spring (or a strip of material) from its original length.

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67
Q

Field lines

A

Line in a magnetic field along which a magnetic compass points - also called line of force.

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68
Q

Fleming’s left-hand rule

A

A rule that gives the direction of the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field according to the directions of the current and the field.

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69
Q

Fluid

A

A liquid or a gas.

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70
Q

Focal length

A

The distance from the centre of a lens to the point where light rays parallel to the principal axis are focused (or, in the case of a diverging lens, appear to diverge from).

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71
Q

Force

A

A force (in newtons, N) can change the motion of an object.

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72
Q

Force diagram

A

A diagram showing the forces on an object.

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73
Q

Force multiplier

A

A lever used so that a weight or force can be moved by a smaller force.

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74
Q

Free electron

A

Electron that moves about freely inside a metal and is not held inside an atom.

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75
Q

Free body force diagram

A

A diagram that shows the forces acting on an object without any other objects or forces shown.

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76
Q

Freezing point

A

The temperature at which a pure substance freezes.

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77
Q

Frequency

A

The number of wave crests passing a fixed point every second.

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78
Q

Frequency of an alternating current

A

The number of complete cycles an alternating current passes through each second. The unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz)

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79
Q

Friction

A

The force opposing the relative motion of two solid surfaces in contact.

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80
Q

Fuse

A

A fuse contains a thin wire that melts and cuts the current off if too much current passes through it.

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81
Q

Gamma radiation

A

Electromagnetic radiation emitted from unstable nuclei in radioactive substances.

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82
Q

Generator effect

A

The production of a potential difference using a magnetic field.

83
Q

Geothermal

A

Energy that comes from energy released by radioactive substances deep within the Earth.

84
Q

Gradient (of a straight line graph)

A

Change of the quantity plotted on the y-axis divided b the change of the quantity plotted on the x-axis.

85
Q

Gravitational field strength, g

A

The force of gravity on an object of mass 1 kg (in newtons per kilogram, N/Kg). It is also the acceleration of free fall.

86
Q

Half-life

A

Average time taken for the number of nuclei of the isotope (or mass of the isotope) in a sample to halve.

87
Q

Hooke’s law

A

The extension of a spring is directly proportional to the force applied, as long as its limit of proportionality is not exceeded.

88
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable for which values are changed or selected by the investigator.

89
Q

Induced magnetism

A

Magnetisation of an unmagnetised magnetic material by placing it in a magnetic field.

90
Q

Inertia

A

The tendency of an object to stay at rest or to continue in uniform motion.

91
Q

Infrared radiation

A

Electromagnetic waves between visible light and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

92
Q

Input energy

A

Energy supplied to a device.

93
Q

Internal energy

A

The energy of the particles of a substance due to their individual motion and positions.

94
Q

Inverse proportionality

A

This is where two variables are related such that making one variable n times bigger causes the other one to become n times smaller.

95
Q

Ion

A

A charged atom.

96
Q

Ionisation

A

Any process in which atoms are ionised.

97
Q

Irradiated

A

An object that has been exposed to ionising radiation.

98
Q

Isotopes

A

Atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons.

99
Q

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

A

The energy in electricity supplied to a 1 kW electrical device in 1 hour.

100
Q

Latent heat

A

The energy transferred to or from a substance when it changes state.

101
Q

Light-depending resistor (LDR)

A

A resistor whose resistance depends on the intensity of the light incident on it.

102
Q

Light-emitting diode (LED)

A

A diode that emits light when it conducts.

103
Q

Limit of proportionality

A

The limit for Hooke’s law applied to the extension of a stretched spring.

104
Q

Line of force

A

Line in a magnetic field along which a magnetic compass points - also called a magnetic field line.

105
Q

Line of force in an electric field

A

Line along which a free positive charge moves along in an electric field.

106
Q

Live wire

A

The mains wire that has a voltage that alternates in voltage (between +325V and 325V in Europe)

107
Q

Load

A

The weight of an object raised by a device use to lift the object, or the force applied by a device when it is used to shift an object.

108
Q

Longitudinal waves

A

Waves in which the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.

109
Q

Magnetic field

A

The space around a magnet or a current-carrying wire.

110
Q

Magnetic field line

A

Line in a magnetic field along which a magnetic compass points - also called a line of force.

111
Q

Magnetic flux density

A

A measure of the strength of the magnetic field defined in terms of the force on a current-carrying conductor at right angles to the field lines.

112
Q

Magnification.

A

The image height ÷ the object height

113
Q

Magnifying glass

A

A converging lens used to magnify a small object which must be placed between the lens and its focal point.

114
Q

Magnitude

A

The size or amount of a physical quantity.

115
Q

Main sequence

A

The main sequence is the life stage of a star during which it radiates energy because of fusion of hydrogen nuclei in its core.

116
Q

Mass

A

The quantity of matter in an object - a measure of the difficulty of changing the motion of an object (in Kilograms, kg)

117
Q

Mass number

A

The number of proton and neutrons in a nucleus.

118
Q

Mechanical wave

A

Vibration that travels through a substance.

119
Q

Melting point

A

Temperature at which a pure substance melts or freezes (solidifies)

120
Q

Microwaves

A

Electromagnetic waves between infrared radiation and radio waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

121
Q

Moderator

A

Substance in a nuclear reactor that slows down fission neutrons.

122
Q

Moment

A

The turning effect of a force defined by the equation: moment of a force (in newton metres, Nm) = force (in newtons, N) x perpendicular distance from the pivot to the line of action of the force (in metres, m)

123
Q

Momentum

A

This equals mass (in kg) x velocity (in m/s)

124
Q

Motor effect

A

When a current is passed along a wire in a magnetic field, and the wire is not parallel to the lines of the magnetic field, a force is exerted on the wire by the magnetic field.

125
Q

National Grid

A

The network of cables and transformers used to transfer electricity from power stations to consumers (i.e homes, shops, offices, factories, etc)

126
Q

Neutral wire

A

The wire of a mains circuit that is earthed at the local substation so its potential is close to zero.

127
Q

Neutron star

A

The highly compressed core of a massive star that remains after a supernova explosion.

128
Q

Neutrons

A

Uncharged particles of the same mass as protons. The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons.

129
Q

Newton’s First Law of Motion

A

If the resultant force on an object is zero, the object stays at rest if it is stationary, or it keeps moving with the same speed in the same direction.

130
Q

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

A

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the resultant force on the object, and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

131
Q

Newton’s Third Law

A

When two objects interact with each other, they exert equal and opposite forces on each other.

132
Q

Normal

A

Straight line through a surface or boundary perpendicular to the surface or boundary.

133
Q

Nuclear fission

A

The process in which certain nuclei (uranium-235 and plutonium-239) split into two fragments, releasing energy and two or three neutrons as a result.

134
Q

Nuclear fission reactors

A

Reactors that release energy steadily due to the fission of a suitable isotope such as uranium-235.

135
Q

Nuclear fuel

A

Substance used in nuclear reactors that releases energy due to nuclear fission

136
Q

Nuclear fusion

A

The process where small nuclei are forced together to fuse and form a larger nucleus.

137
Q

Nucleus

A

Tiny positively charged object composed of protons and neutrons at the centre of every tom.

138
Q

Ohm’s law

A

The current through a resistor at constant temperature is directly proportional to the potential difference across the reactor.

139
Q

Opaque object

A

An object that light cannot pass through.

140
Q

Optical fibre

A

Thin glass fibre used to transmit light signals.

141
Q

Oscillate

A

Move to and fro about a certain position along a line.

142
Q

Oscilloscope

A

A device used to display the shape of an electrical wave.

143
Q

Parallel

A

Components connected in a circuit so that the potential difference is the same across each one.

144
Q

Parallelogram of forces

A

A geometrical method used to find the resultant of two forces that do not act along the same line.

145
Q

Perpendicular

A

At right angles

146
Q

Physical change

A

A change in which no new substances are produced.

147
Q

Plugs

A

A plug has an insulated case and is used to connect the cable from an appliance to a socket.

148
Q

Potential difference

A

A measure of the work done or energy transferred to the lamp by each coulomb of charge that passes through it. The unit of potential difference is the volt (V)

149
Q

Power

A

The energy transformed or transferred per second. The unit of power is the watt (W).

150
Q

Pressure

A

Force per unit cross-sectional area for a force acting on a surface at right angles to the surface. TH unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa) or newton per square metre (n/m squared)

151
Q

Primary seismic wave

A

Longitudinal waves that push or pull on the material that they move through as they travel through the Earth.

152
Q

Principal focus

A

The point where light rays parallel to the principal axis of a lens are focused (or, in the case of a diverging lens, appear to diverge from)

153
Q

Principle of moments

A

For an object in equilibrium, the su of all the clockwise moments about any point = the sum of all the anti-clockwise moments about that point.

154
Q

Protons

A

Positively charged particles with an equal and opposite charge to that of an electron.

155
Q

Protostar

A

The concentration of dust clouds and gas in space that forms a star.

156
Q

Radiation dose

A

Amount of ionising radiation a person receives.

157
Q

Radio waves

A

Electromagnetic waves of wavelengths greater than 0.10m.

158
Q

Radioactive contamination

A

The unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials.

159
Q

Rarefaction

A

Stretched apart.

160
Q

Reactor core

A

The thick steel vessel used to contain fuel rods, control rods and the moderator in a nuclear fission reactor.

161
Q

Real image

A

An image formed by a lens that can be projected on a screen.

162
Q

Red giant

A

A star that has expanded and cooled, resulting in it becoming red and much larger and cooler than it was before it expanded.

163
Q

Red supergiant

A

A star much more massive than the Sun will swell out after the main sequence stage to become a red supergiant before it collapses.

164
Q

Redshift

A

Increase in the wavelength of electromagnetic waves emitted by a star or galaxy due to its motion away from us. The faster the speed of the star or galaxy, the greater the redshift is.

165
Q

Reflection

A

The change of direction of a light ray or wave at a boundary when the ray or wave stays in the incident medium.

166
Q

Refraction

A

The change of direction of a light ray when it passes across a boundary between two transparent substances (including air).

167
Q

Relay

A

A switch opened or closed by an iron armature that is attracted to the relay’s electromagnet when a current is in the electromagnet.

168
Q

Renewable energy

A

Energy from natural sources that is always being replenished so it never runs out.

169
Q

Repeatable

A

A measurement is repeatable if the original experimenter repeats the investigation using the same method and equipment and obtains the same results.

170
Q

Reproducible

A

A measurement is reproducible if the investigation is repeated by another person, or by using different equipment or techniques, and the same results are obtained.

171
Q

Resistance

A

Resistance (in ohms Ω) = potential difference (in volts, V) / current (in amperes, A)

172
Q

Resistive forces

A

Forces such as friction and air resistance that oppose the motion of an object.

173
Q

Resolution of forces

A

The process of considering a force in terms of two perpendicular components, which together have the same effect ona n object as the force.

174
Q

Resultant orce

A

A single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on the object.

175
Q

Risk

A

The likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm.

176
Q

Scalar

A

A physical quantity, such as mass or energy, that has magnitude only (unlike a vector which has magnitude and direction).

177
Q

Secondary seismic waves

A

Transverse waves that shake the Earth from side to side as they pass through.

178
Q

Seismic waves

A

Shock waves that travel through the Earth and across its surface as a result of an earthquake

179
Q

Series

A

Components connected in a circuit in such a way that the same current passes through them.

180
Q

Single pendulum

A

A pendulum consisting of a small spherical bob suspended by a thin string from a fixed point.

181
Q

Solenoid

A

A long coil of wire that produces a magnetic field in and around the coil when there isa current in the coil

182
Q

Specific heat capacity

A

Energy need to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1ºC.

183
Q

Specific latent heat of fusion

A

Energy needed to melt 1 Kg of a substance with no change of temperature.

184
Q

Specific latent heat of vaporisation

A

Energy needed to boil away 1 Kg of a substance with no change of temperature.

185
Q

Specular reflection

A

Reflection from a smooth surface. Each light ray is reflected in a single direction.

186
Q

Speed

A

The speed of an object (metres per second) = distance moved by the object (metres) / time taken to move the distance travelled (seconds)

187
Q

Split-ring commutator

A

Metal contacts on the coil of a direct current motor that connects the rotating coil continuously to its electrical power supply.

188
Q

Spring constant

A

Force per unit extension of a spring.

189
Q

Static electricity

A

Electric charge stored on insulated objects.

190
Q

Step-down transformer

A

Electrical device used to step-up the size of an alternating potential difference.

191
Q

Stopping distance

A

The distance travelled by the vehicle in the time it takes for the driver to think and brake.

192
Q

Supernova

A

The explosion of a massive star after fusion in its core ceases and the matter surrounding its core collapses on to the core and rebounds.

193
Q

Systematic errors

A

Cause readings to be spread a value other than the true value, due to results differing from the true value by a consistent amount each time a measurement is made.

194
Q

Tangent

A

A straight line drawn to touch a point on a curve so it has the same gradient as the curve at that point.

195
Q

Terminal velocity

A

The velocity reached by an object when the drag force on it is equal and opposite to the force making it move.

196
Q

Thermal conductivity

A

Property of a material that determines the energy transfer through ti by conduction.

197
Q

Thermistor

A

A resistor whose resistance depends on the temperature of the thermistor.

198
Q

Thinking distance

A

The distance travelled by the vehicle in the time it takes the driver to react

199
Q

Three-pin plug

A

A three-pin plug has a live pin, a neutral pin and an earth pin.

200
Q

Total internal reflection

A

The total reflection of alight ray in a transparent substance when it reaches a boundary with air or another transparent substance.

201
Q

Transformer

A

Electrical device used to change an (alternating) voltage. See also Step-up transformer and Step-down transformer.

202
Q

Translucent object

A

An object that allows light to pass through, but the light is scattered or refracted.

203
Q

Tansmission

A

A wave passing through a substance.

Physics (6 decks)

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