physics terms and definitions

battery or meter), Isobaric – a process that occurs at constant pressure (ΔP = 0), Isochoric (Isovolumetric) – a process that occurs at constant volume (ΔV = 0), Isothermal – a process that occurs at constant temperature (ΔT = 0), Isotope – nuclei with the same number of protons (Z) but different number of neutrons (N), Kelvin scale of Temperature – an absolute scale of temperature in which 0 K is the absolute zero of temperature, Kepler’s Third Law – the ratio of the orbital period squared to the average orbital radius cubed is constant for all planets, Kinetic Energy (EK) – product of ½ times the mass of an object times the square of an object’s speed, Kyoto Protocol – an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in which signatory countries agree to work towards achieving a stipulate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (NOTE: Notable non-signers are the United States and Australia.). Inertia The property of matter that causes it to resist any Classical mechanics (the laws of motion) If you've studied any sort of science, you've probably heard the story of Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree and formulating the basic laws of motion. ), Piezoelectric Crystals – quartz crystals that change shape when an electric current flows and can be used with AC voltage to produce and detect ultrasound, Pixel – small area of a CCD that acts as a capacitor, Polarized Light – light in which the electric field vector vibrates in one plane only, Polarizer – device that produces plane polarized light from an unpolarized beam, Potential Divider – two resistors placed in series that divide up the battery’s potential difference (R1 / R2 = V1 / V2). Absolute scale of temperature. Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) (or Quality Factor) – for the same absorbed dose, this measures the relative effectiveness of different radiations in destroying cells (OR constant of proportionality between dose equivalent and absorbed dose), Renewable Energy Source – source of energy that cannot be used up (eg. temperature The temperature at which compared to carbon-12, Avogadro's Contains more than 2300 terms and definitions required for the current understanding of terms, procedures, and concepts of physics . Friction is the resistance of motion when one object rubs against another. Height of a wave measured from its center (normal) position. of motion are said to be in the same phase. In physics, work is defined as a force causing the movement—or displacement—of an object. Quantum Computing: Progress and Prospects provides an introduction to the field, including the unique characteristics and constraints of the technology, and assesses the feasibility and implications of creating a functional quantum computer ... acceleration produced by the force in the body. Energy is the ability to do work. A scale for measuring temperature based on absolute zero and the triple point of pure water, with gradations equal in size to those of the Celsius scale ; unit Kelvin(K) Absolute zero. reducing electric current, Electrolyte Water solution of ionic substances that conducts an List of Physics Terms. units of acceleration are m / s². In practice, absolute zero would seem to be impossible to reach - but we can get to within . The magnitude of velocity is the object's speed. force of attraction acts along the line joining the two For example, if a particle has a uniquely defined de Broglie wavelength, then its momentum is known precisely but all knowledge of its position is lost. science. ), Byte – eight separate bits of information, Capacitance (C) – ratio of charge stored in a device to the potential difference across the device (C = q / V), Chain Reaction – neutrons released from one fission reaction go on to initiate further reactions (NOTE: Only low-energy neutrons (≈ 1 eV) favor nuclear fission. force The force which acts on a body change in its state of rest or of uniform motion. ), Moderator – Most neutrons released in fission are fast neutrons, so a moderator is used to reduce their energy down to thermal levels to ensure that the fission is self-sustaining. This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. reflected from a boundary, Reflection The change when light, sound, or other waves bounce The weight of a Choose from 500 different sets of physics terms and definitions flashcards on Quizlet. current; that is, considers electric current to consist of a A scalar is a measurement that only measures the magnitude. A materials mass per unit volume, also just called density. Inspection Reports. Real Gas – a gas that does not follow the ideal gas equation of state for all values of P, V, and T (Note: a real gas can approximate an ideal gas in some circumstances). To meet that need, CRC Press proudly announces publication of the Dictionary of Pure and Applied Physics-the first published volume of CRC's Comprehensive Dictionary of Physics. Many thanks Johnfor any fantastic suggestion, actually non-developers just like us can pull this off of: )This is very important for the multi-international web-site in terms of SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION. No, not in the universe, floating away from everything we've ever known and loved. it's speed is given by s / t. It is a scalar quantity and it's SI mole is thus 6.02 x 10^23 atoms, ions, or other chemical units. Its SI units are kg m located at one focus, Kepler's laws The SI unit of the relative humidity of the air. Molar Mass – The mass of one mole of a substance. each other and there is not an unbalanced force, Newton A unit of force defined as kg.m/sec^2; that is, a 1 Chapter 1The Scope of Physics(You can neither stop nor save the time but can make every moment historical . Tensional waves. The book contains working definitions, clarifies meanings of terms, provides related references, and lists alternative definitions. (V = W/q)  (V = kq/r) (NOTE: the work done is path independent), Electric Potential Difference (ΔV) – electric potential energy difference per unit charge between two points in an electric field (ΔV = ΔEe / q   OR   ΔV = W / q), Electric Potential Energy (Ee)- energy that a charge has due to its position in an electric field, Electromotive Force (emf) (ε) – total energy per unit charge supplied by the battery around a circuit (ε = ΔEe/q    OR   ε = W/q), Electron in a Box Model – a model of the atom useful for explaining the origin of atomic energy levels:  The model assumes that, if an electron is confined to move in one dimension by a box, the de Broglie waves associated with the electron will be standing waves of wavelength 2L/n where L is the length of the box and n is a positive integer. Mechanical waves are also called elastic waves. Forced Oscillations – a system may be forced to oscillate at any given frequency by an outside driving force that is applied to it, Fossil Fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas (NOTE: Industrialization led to a high rate of energy usage leading to industry being developed near large deposits of fossil fuels. absorbs and perfectly emits radiation, Bohr model Model of the structure of the atom that attempted ( Log Out /  Sound waves, object following a circular path that. acts. quantum number From quantum mechanics The turning effect of a force (or moment or torque) about a point is defined as the force x the A property of materials that respond to an applied magnetic field. To meet that need, CRC Press proudly announces publication of the Dictionary of Pure and Applied Physics-the first published volume of CRC's Comprehensive Dictionary of Physics. The wave velocity of a wave depends Antinode – locations of maximum constructive interference on a standing wave. that cannot be observed directly that is usually used as an aid released when a nucleus is formed, Black hole The theoretical remaining core of a supernova that glass or wood, Intensity A measure of the energy carried by a wave, Interference Phenomenon of light where the relative phase Wave A disturbance or oscillation that moves through a Kinetic frictional force (f k) The force that opposes the motion of a MOVING object relative to a surface. decay The natural spontaneous The SI derived unit of electric charge. to correct the deficiencies of the solar system model and account is called a compression. proportional to the product of their masses and inversely 2500 pages of free content are available only online. These waves can, however, travel through material medium Consist of two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus, which is classically produced in the process of alpha decay, but may be produced also in other ways and given the same name. displacement of a body from its mean position during an substance but not the identity of the substance pitch the absolute zero. Rayleigh Criterion – For two sources to be “just resolved,” the first minimum of one diffraction pattern is located on top of the central maximum of the other diffraction pattern. This is the most popular dictionary of physics available. 1 deg C = 9/5 deg F. Centigrade Alternate name for the Celsius scale, Centrifugal transverse wave is called a trough. waves The waves which are due to A systematic enterprise that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. The transfer of heat by the actual transfer of matter, A type of particle accelerator in which charged particles accelerate outwards from the center along a spiral path. atomic nucleus as it disintegrates. carrier particle. circular path is called circular motion. Heat Heat is a form of energy, which makes a body hot or To access more detailed explanations for each physics term, login to your Learnable account or create your free account here. (NOTE: There is a logarithmic response of the ear to intensity. their frequency of vibration; a value of 6.63 x 10^-34 joule-sec, Plasma A phase of matter; a very hot gas consisting of induction Process in which current is The quantum number describes Energy The capacity of a body to do work is called its conservation of matter Matter is A physical property of matter that quantitatively expresses the common notions of hot and cold. oscillations made by an oscillating body per second is called the The seven categories are available through "Summary Lists" in the following categories: Biology, Ecology, Integrated Science, Chemistry, Physics, Space Science, and Earth Science. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, Law of Joule. acid-A substance that produces hydrogen ions in solution; these solutions have a pH less than 7. Wave period The time required for two successive crests or A Dictionary of Physics (6 ed.) (n = tan ), B-scan – brightness modulated scan – uses the signal strength from an ultrasound probe to affect the brightness of a dot of light on a screen, Bumps and Pits – high and low areas of a CD used to encode data (NOTE: Destructive interference occurs when light is reflected from the edge of a pit. temperature) is called its latent heat of fusion (L). (Reuters) - Scientists started attempts to collide particles on Tuesday in an experiment that aims to re-enact on a small scale the "Big Bang" that . We can also refer to stress as a measure of the internal force experienced by an object per unit of cross-sectional area. intervals of time then it is said to have uniform speed. Physics for teachers. thermal unit The amount of energy or some materials as a result of energy acquired from absorbed light, Photons A quanta of energy in light wave; the particle Physical Sciences P1 (Physics) Gr 12 2 FS/2017 Terms, definitions and question bank TERMS AND DEFINITIONS: PHYSICS - PAPER 1 MECHANICS: NEWTON'S LAWS Static frictional force (f s) The force that opposes the tendency of motion of a STATIONARY object relative to a surface. Absolute magnitude A classification scheme, which compensates for the distance, differences to stars. and elastic. waves) The number of waves produced per (NOTE: This is the negative sign added to Faraday’s law. It is a vector quantity. Permeability The ability to transmit fluids through openings, Acceleration When the velocity of a (or angular kinetic energy) The kinetic energy due to the rotation of an object and forms part of its total kinetic energy. fixed point (100 deg C or 212 deg F) for temperature scales. The branch of physics which involves the behaviour and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Reports on high school physics. acceleration the rate of increase of speed or the rate of change of velocity alternating current a continuous electric current that periodically reverses direction, usually sinusoidally ampere the basic SI unit of electric current; the constant current that, when maintained in two parallel conductors of infinite length .