Physics EOT2 (definitions)

Lenz's Law

The magnetic field produced by an induced current opposes the change in the original magnetic field.

Eddy Currents

Currents generated in a metal moving through a magnetic field.

Self-Inductance

The property of a wire to create an induced EMF that opposes the change in the potential difference across the wire.

Transformers

Devices that increase or decrease potential differences (voltage) with minimal energy loss.

Mutual Inductance

The EMF and current in one coil caused by a changing current in another coil.

Step-up Transformer

A transformer where the secondary potential difference is larger than the primary potential difference.

Step-down Transformer

A transformer where the secondary potential difference is smaller than the primary potential difference.

Isotope

Different forms of the same atom with the same chemical properties but different masses.

Mass Spectrometer

An instrument that measures the charge-to-mass ratio of positive ions in a material.

Electromagnetic Waves

Oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space and matter.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of frequencies that make up the continuum of electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy carried or radiated by an electromagnetic wave.

Transmitter

A device that converts voice, music, pictures, or data into electronic signals.

Antenna

A device that creates electromagnetic waves that propagate through the air.

Dielectric

A material that is a poor conductor of electricity, where electric charges partially align with an electric field.

Carrier Wave

A wavelength within the electromagnetic spectrum used to carry information.

Threshold Frequency

The minimum frequency of incident radiation required to eject electrons from the cathode.

Photon

A particle of light that carries energy.

Work Function

The energy needed to release the most weakly bound electron from a metal.

Compton Effect

The shift in the energy of scattered photons after collision.

de Broglie Wavelength

The wavelength associated with a moving particle, given by the de Broglie relation.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

The principle stating there is a limit to how precisely the position and momentum of a particle can be simultaneously measured.