Physics: Key Concepts in Electricity, Forces, and Motion

Density

Mass per unit volume.

Mass

Amount of matter in an object.

Volume

Amount of space an object occupies.

Floating

When an object stays on the surface of a liquid. lower density then the liquid

Sinking

When an object moves to the bottom of a liquid. Greater density then the liquid

Electric current

Flow of electric charge.

Charge

Quantity of electricity.

Voltage

Energy per unit charge.

Resistance

Opposition to the flow of current.

Circuit

A complete path for electric current.

Ammeter

Device used to measure current.

Voltmeter

Device used to measure voltage.

Conductor

Material that allows current to flow easily.

Energy

Ability to do work.

Kinetic energy

Energy due to motion.

Potential energy

Stored energy due to position or shape.

Heat energy

Energy associated with temperature.

Light energy

Energy that travels as waves.

Electrical energy

Energy from moving charges.

Force

A push or a pull.

Weight

Force due to gravity acting on an object.

Gravity

Force that attracts objects toward Earth.

Balanced forces

Forces that do not change motion.

Unbalanced forces

Forces that cause a change in motion.

Friction

Force that opposes motion between surfaces in contact.

Speed

Distance travelled per unit time.

Velocity

Speed in a given direction.

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity.

Distance

Total length travelled.

Displacement

Distance moved in a specific direction.

Time

Duration of motion.

Deceleration

Decrease in velocity over time.

Conductors

Substances that allow electricity to travel through them.

Insulators

Substances that do not allow electricity to travel through them.

Series circuit

All components are connected end-to-end in a single, continuous loop; if one component breaks, everything breaks.

Parallel circuit

Components are connected on separate branches, creating multiple paths for electricity to flow; if one component breaks, the others still work.