Physics Definitions Flashcards
length
Straight line distance between two points
Area
Amount of surface that covers an object
Mass
Amount of matter in an object
Temperature
The measure of how hot or cold an object is
Volume
The amount of space an object takes up
Speed
Distance travelled in relation to the time taken to travel that distance
Velocity
Speed in a given direction
Density
How much mass is contained in a particular volume
Energy
The ability to do work
Power
The rate at which work is done
The principle of conservation of energy
Energy cannot be created nor destroyed only converted from one form to another
Conduction
Transfer of heat through a solid without the particles in the solid movie out of position
Convection
Transfer of heat through a liquid or gas when the molecules of the liquid or gas move upwards and carry the heat
Radiation
The transfer of heat in rays from a hot object without needing a medium to pass through
Latent heat
Causes a change in state of liquid gas or solid and not a change in temperature
Magnetic field
Space around a magnet where a magnetic force is detected
Pressure
The amount of force put on a certain area
Atmospheric pressure
Gases in the atmosphere being pulled down to earth by gravity
Force
Something that causes an object to move or change its velocity
Friction
A force preventing easy movement between two objects in contact
Weight
A force due to gravity
Eclipse
Occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth
Luminous objects
Make and give out their own light
Nonluminous object
Reflects light from another source
Dispersion
Breaking of white light into its seven colours
Reflection
Bouncing of light of the surface
Mirror image
Laterally inverted image in a plane mirror
Refraction
Bending of light as it passes from one medium to another
Conductor
Substance that allows the charge to flow through it easily
Insulator
Substance that does not allow charge to flow through it
Series circuit
Two components are connected one after the other
Parallel circuit
Current coming to the battery splits up and some goes through each component
Current
Flow of charge
Voltage
Current will flow between two points if there is a potential difference between them (push of electrons)
Resistance
Opposes movement of electrons around the circuit
Direct current
Flows in One Direction only
Alternating-current
Flows in all directions
Fuse
Deliberate weak link in a circuit that will melt if the current exceeds a preset value
Diodes
Allow current to flow in One Direction only
LEDs
Light Emitting Diodes
LDRs
Light dependent resistors
Nonbiodegradable
Do not break down in the environment
Lever
Rigid object which is free to turn about a fixed point called a fulcrum
Centre of gravity
The point through which all the weight of a particular object appears to act
Wavelength
Distance from one crest of a wave to another
Frequency
Number of waves passing a point in each second
Amplitude
Amount of energy in a soundwave
Pitch
How low or high a sound seems
Ultrasound
High-pitched sound beyond range of human ear
