AQA Unit 4 Physics Definitions
Section 1 - Further Mechanics
Newtons 2nd Law - The rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the
resultant force which acts upon it.
The Newton - One newton is the force that will give a mass of one kilogram an
acceleration of one metre per second.
Linear Momentum - The mass of an object multiplied by its velocity.
Conservation of Momentum - In any direction, in the absence of external forces the total
momentum of a system remains constant.
Impulse - Change in momentum of a body.
Elastic Collision - No momentum of kinetic energy is lost.
Inelastic Collision - Momentum is conserved but kinetic energy is lost.
Radian - One radian is the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of length
equal to the circles radius.
Period - The period of an object in circular motion is the time taken for it to complete one
revolution.
Angular Speed - The angle an object rotates through per second.
Centripetal Acceleration - A force which keeps the object moving in a circle.
Simple Harmonic Motion - An oscillation in which the acceleration is directly proportional
to the displacement from the mid-point, and is directed towards the mid-point.
Damping - When energy is lost to the surroundings and the amplitude of an oscillation is
reduced.
Resonance - When the driving force equals the natural frequency and causes the
amplitude to rapidly increase.
Section 2 - Gravitation and Electric Fields
A Field - The region in which a force operates.
Gravitational Field Strength - The gravitational field strength at any point is the force
acting per unit mass at that point.
Newtons Law of Gravitation - The gravitational force of attraction between two bodies is
directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.
Gravitational Potential - The work done per unit mass in moving the mass from infinity to
the point.
Gravitational Potential Difference - Energy needed to move a unit mass.
Electric Field Strength - The electric field strength at any point is the force acting per unit
charge at that point.
Electric Potential - The work done per unit charge on a positive charge in moving the
charge from infinity to the point.
Electric Potential Difference - Energy needed to move a unit charge.
Section 3 - Capacitors
Capacitance - The amount of charge stored per volt.
Section 4 - Magnetic Fields
Magnetic Field - A region where a force is exerted on magnetic materials.
Force on a Wire - The force is proportional to the magnetic field strength.
Magnetic Field Strength - The force on one metre of wire carrying a current of one amp at
right angles to the magnetic field.
Magnetic Flux Density - A measure of the strength of the magnetic field per unit area.
Flux Linking - When an e.m.f is induced by changing thee magnitude or direction of the
magnetic flux.
Flux Change - A change in flux of one weber per second will induce an e.m.f of one volt in
a loop of wire.
Faradays Law - The induced e.m.f is directly proportional to the rate of change of flux
linkage.
Lenzs Law - The induced e.m.f is always in such a direction as to oppose the change that
caused it.
