Physics Definitions

Word/ Phrase Definition

System Group of objects
Specific heat capacity The amount of energy required to raise the temperature
of one kilogram of substance by one degree Celsius
Power The rate at which energy is transferred
Wasted energy Energy that is dissipated so that it is stored in less useful
ways e.g. heat from a lamp
Renewable energy resources Energy resources which can be replenished as it is used
Current The flow of electrical charge
National Grid A system of cables and transformers linking power
stations to consumers
Step-up transformers Increase potential difference
Step-down transformers Decrease potential difference
Static electricity When certain insulating materials are rubbed against
each other, electrons are transferred to one material so
they both become electrically charged.
Magnetic field The region around a magnet where a force acts on
another magnet or on a magnetic material
Motor effect When a conductor carrying a current is placed in a
magnetic field, the magnetic producing the field and the
conductor exert a force on each other.
Generator effect When a conductor moves relative to a magnetic field, a
potential difference is induced across the ends of the
conductor.
Alternator Permanent magnet rotates inside a coil of wire, inducing
the current in the coil. The current regularly reverses
direction.
Dynamo A coil rotates inside the magnetic field of a permanent
magnet, inducing a current in the coil. The current always
flows in the same direction.
Solid Rigid, fixed shape, fixed volume
Liquid Not rigid, no fixed shape, fixed volume
Gas Not rigid, no fixed shape, no fixed volume
Internal energy Energy that is stored inside a system by the particles that
make up the system.
Specific latent heat The amount of energy required to change the state of one
kilogram of substance by one degree Celsius.
Specific latent heat of fusion Specific latent heat from solid to liquid
Specific latent heat of Specific latent heat from liquid to gas
vaporisation
Temperature Related to the average kinetic energy of the molecules
Work The transfer of energy by a force
Isotopes Atoms of the same element that have a different number
of neutrons
Plum pudding model The atom is a ball of positive charge with electrons
embedded in it
Nuclear model Electrons orbit the nucleus at specific distances
Activity The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays
Alpha particle Helium nucleus
Beta particle Electron
Gamma radiation Electromagnetic radiation from the nucleus
Radioactive decay A random process
Half-life` The time it takes for the nuclei of the isotope in a sample
to have (count rate to halve)
Radioactive contamination The unwanted presence of materials containing
radioactive atoms among other materials. The hazard
from contamination is due to the decay of the
contaminating atoms.
Irridation The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation.
The irritated object does not become radioactive.
Nuclear fission Splitting of large and unstable nuclei
Nuclear fusion Joining of 2 light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. Some
of the mass may be converted into radiation.
Scalar quantities Only have a magnitude e.g. speed
Vector quantities Have a magnitude and a direction e.g. velocity
Force A push or pull that acts on an object due to the
interaction with another object
Contact forces Forces on objects that are physically touching
Non-contact forces Forces on objects that are physical separated
Weight The force acting on an object due to gravity
Centre of mass The point representing the mean position of the mass
Resultant force A single force that has the same effect as all of the forces
Compression forces 2 forces acting inwards onto an object
Tension forces 2 forces acting outwards from an object
Bending forces 2 forces acting inwards, bending the object
Moment The turning effect of a force
Up-thrust The resultant force on a submerged object due to a
greater pressure at the bottom surface than the top
Newton’s first law If the resultant force on an object is zero, the object does
not accelerate.
Newton’s second law The acceleration of an object is proportional to the
resultant force acting on the object
Newton’s third law For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Conservation of momentum In a closed system, the total momentum before an event
is equal to the total momentum after the event.
Amplitude The maximum displacement of a point on a wave away
from its undisturbed position.
Wavelength The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent
point on the adjacent wave.
Frequency The number of waves passing a point each second
Wave speed The speed at which the wave moves through a medium
Ultrasound waves Waves that have a frequency higher than the upper limit
of hearing for humans
Seismic waves Waves produced by an earthquake
Electromagnetic waves Transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of
the waves to an absorber.
Perfect black body Object that absorbs all of the radiation incident on it.
Does not reflect or transmit any radiation. Also the best
possible emitter
Red-shift Observed increase in the wavelength of light from most
distant galaxies. The further away the galaxy, the faster
that it is moving and the bigger the observed increase in
wavelength.