Physics Terms

Question 1

Hooke’s Law

Answer 1

The extension of a spring Δx is directly proportional to the force applied Fapp, provided the elastic limit is not reached

Question 2

Physical quantity

Answer 2

consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit

Question 3

Homogeneity

Answer 3

When something is all the same or all the same kind

Question 4

Scalar quantity

Answer 4

quantity which has a magnitude

Question 5

Vector quantity

Answer 5

quantity which has both a magnitude and a direction

Question 6

Displacement

Answer 6

Distance of a point on the wave from the equilibrium position

Question 7

Amplitude

Answer 7

The maximum displacement of the wave

Question 8

Wavelength

Answer 8

Distance between 2 adjacent wavefronts

Question 9

Frequency

Answer 9

Number of oscillations per unit time

Question 10

Period

Answer 10

Time taken for one complete oscillation of a point in the wave

Question 11

Work done

Answer 11

Force x displacement in the direction of the force

Question 12

Diffraction

Answer 12

The spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap or around an edge

Question 13

Coherent

Answer 13

When 2 waves emit a constant phase difference

Question 14

Superposition

Answer 14

When 2 waves meet at a point, the displacement at the point is the sum of the displacement of each wave

Question 15

Maxima

Answer 15

when 2 waves are in phase

Question 16

Minima

Answer 16

when 2 waves are in antiphase (180 phase diff.)