Chapter 1: General Physics

Physical Quantity: Anything that can be measured.

Scalar Quantity: A quantity with magnitude only.
Vector Quantity: A quantity with both magnitude and direction.
Mass: The amount of matter in an object.
Volume: Amoun of space occupied by an object.
Density: Mass per unit volume.
Chapter 2: Atomic Physics and Radioactivity
Radioactivity: The spontaneous and random emission of alpha (α) particles, beta (β) particles,
and gamma (γ) rays from the nucleus of an unstable atom to become more stable.
Spontaneous: Unaffected by environmental conditions.
Random: we cannot predict which atom will decay next, as all atoms have a constant probability
of decay.
Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with the same proton number but different mass numbers
due to a different number of neutrons.
Nuclide: One particular isotope of an element.
Ionisation: When an atom becomes positively or negatively charged by loosing or gaining
electrons.
Activity/Count Rate: Average number of decaying atoms per unit time.
Half-life time: time taken for the activity of a sample to decrease by half.
Background Radiation: low levels of ionising radiation that we are always exposed to.
Chapter 3 Thermal Physics
Temperature: Measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in a body.
Absolute Zero: 0K, which is the lowest possible temperature, as particles have no kinetic energy
Specific Heat Capacity: amount of energy required per unit mass per unit change in temperature.
Internal Energy: Sum of kinetic and potential energy of the molecules which make up a piece of
matter.
 Chapter 4: Waves
Wave: Disturbance causing a transfer of energy by vibration of particles without transferring
matter.
Mechanical Waves: Waves which require a medium to travel through.
Electromagnetic Waves: Waves which do not require a medium to travel through.
Longitudinal Waves: Waves where the vibration of particles are parallel to the direction of
energy travel.
Transverse Waves: Waves where the vibration of particles perpendicular to direction of energy
travel.
Compression: Region where the particles are closer than normal with higher pressure.
Rarefaction: Region where the particles are further apart than normal with lower pressure.
Displacement: Direction and distance of a particle from the rest position.
Amplitude: Maximum displacement of a particle from rest.
Time Period: The time taken to complete on wave/oscillation.
Frequency: Number of waves per unit time of a source.
Wavelength: Distance travelled by one wave OR Distance between two successive crests or
troughs.
Refraction: The change in speed and wavelength of a wave.
Diffraction: The spreading of a wave when it passes through a gap or round a corner.
Critical Angle: From more dense to less dense medium, the critical angle is the angle of incidence
at which the angle of refraction = 90º
Total Internal Reflection: All light is reflected back into the more dense medium as the incident
angle is greater than the reflected angle.
Polychromatic Light: Light consisting of light waves of many frequencies.
Monochromatic Light: Light consisting of light waves of a single frequency.
Principal Axis: A line which passes through the centre of the lens.
Principal Focus/Focal Point: The point were incident parallel rays meet after passing through a
lens OR Origin of rays that emerge parallel after passing through a lens.
Focal Length: The distance between the principal focus and the centre of the lens.
Chapter 5: Mechanics
Forces: The change in momentum per unit time. (can be understood as a push or pull)
Driving Force: A force acting in the same direction as motion.
Resisting Force: A force acting in the opposite direction to motion.
Weight: The gravitational force acting on a mass.
Gravitational Field: A region where weight acts on a mass.
Gravitational Field Strength: The Gravitational Force (weight) acting per unit mass.
Centre of Mass/Centre of Gravity: The point at which all the weight of the object is said to act.
Normal Contact Force: A force which occurs when two solids are in contact with each other.
Friction: Force against sliding.
Drag/Fluid Resistance: A force which occurs when an object is moving in a fluid.
Upthrust: A force which acts upwards when an object is placed in a fluid.
Tension: A force which acts whenever an object is taut (stretched).
Speed: Distance travelled per unit time.
Instantaneous Speed: The speed of an object at a given moment in time.
Velocity: Displacement of an object per unit time.
Acceleration: Change in velocity per unit time.
Deceleration: Negative acceleration.
Deformation: Change in shape.
Elastic Deformation: Occurs when an object experiences a change in shape, but then returns to its
original shape when the force is removed.
Plastic Deformation: Occurs when an object experiences a change in shape, and does not return
to its original shape when the force is removed.
Extension: The difference between the stretched and the unstretched length.
Momentum: A product of mass and velocity.
Impulse: The change in momentum OR A product of force and time.
Moment: The product of force and the perpendicular distance from the pivot. (can be understood
as turning effect of a force around a pivot)
Equilibrium: When there is no net force or net moment.
Stability: A body topples (falls) when the line of action of weight/the line of action of the centre
of mass falls outside the base.
Pressure: Force per unit area.
Energy: The ability to do work.
Kinetic Energy: Energy due to motion.
Gravitational Potential Energy: Stored energy due to (change in) height.
Chemical Potential Energy: Stored energy, which is released during chemical reactions.
Elastic Potential Energy/ Strain: Stored energy when a body experiences elastic deformation.
Work: The product of force and the distance in the direction of the force OR The transfer of
energy.
Power: Work done per unit of time OR Energy transfer per unit time.
Chapter 6: Space Physics
Elliptical Orbits: Orbits which are not perfectly circular.
Asteroids: Pieces of rock of various sizes which orbit the Sun in almost circular orbits.
Comets: Dust embedded in ice made from water and methane, which orbit the Sun in highly
elliptical orbits.
Nuclear Fusion: When two hydrogen atoms fuse to produce Helium and energy.
Light Year: The distance light travels in a year.
Stellar Nebulae: Interstellar clouds of dust and gas containing Hydrogen.
Red-shift: Increase in observed wavelength of electromagnetic radiation of receding stars and
galaxies.
Hubble Constant: A constant which relates the velocity of a distant galaxy from us (recession
velocity) to its distance.
 Chapter 7: Electricity and Magnetism
Conductor: A substance with freely moving electrons.
Insulator: A substance with electrons firmly bound to their atoms.
Electric Field: A region where a charge experiences a force.
Current: The amount of charge flowing per unit time.
Voltage Difference/Potential Difference: Work done by a unit charge passing through a
component.
Voltage: Energy carried per unit charge.
Electromotive Force: Work done by an electrical source to move a unit charge round a complete
circuit.
Resistance: The opposition to current.
The kilowatt-hour (kWh): Electrical energy used by a 1kW appliance in 1 hour.
Electrocution/Electric Shock: When current flows from an electric circuit through a person’s
body to the Earth.
Ferrous materials: Materials which are attracted to magnets.
Magnetic Field: a region where a force acts on a ferrous material.
Induced Magnetism: Making a ferrous material a magnet.
Electromagnetic Induction: The induction of an e.m.f due to a conductor experiencing a change
in magnetic field strength (magnetic flux).