Scientific concepts - actual definitions Flashcards
Define Matter
The substance that makes up objects.
Define Mass
The amount of matter in an object.
An object with greater mass contains more matter.
Define Energy
The inherent ability of a region of space and the matter within to do work, or to change itself or its surroundings.
Define Celestial objects
Naturally occurring bodies in the universe.
Define Geocentric model
The cosmological theory in which bodies of the solar system orbit the Earth. (Ptolemy)
Define Heliocentric model
The cosmological theory in which bodies of the solar system (Including the Earth) orbit around the Sun. (Nicolaus Copernicus)
Define Gravity
The attractive force that one mass exerts on another.
Define a planet (and its requirements)
-An object that orbits the sun.
-Roughly spherical
-Has cleared its neighbourhood of other objects.
Define a force
A push or pull that changes velocity in an object to change in magnitude (speed) and or direction.
Additionally forces can also tear, stretch, squash, spin, twist, float or sink.
Define velocity
The speed of an object in combination with direction of the object.
Define a system
A defined volume of space and everything thing in itn
Define the two main types of force;
-Contact/Mechanical
-Non contact
Mechanical/Contact forces are the result of a mass moving and coming into contact with another mass. E.g. wind provides a mechanical force onto a sail.
Non contact forces are applied across a distance, for example gravity or magnetism.
