General Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering key physics terms and concepts from the lecture notes (Pages 1–5).

Conduction

Heat transfer through a solid material.

Convection

Heat transfer by the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Radiation

Heat transfer via electromagnetic waves that can travel through space without a medium.

Electromagnetic waves

Waves of energy that can propagate through space and matter without requiring a physical medium.

Heat transfer

The process of thermal energy moving from objects at higher temperature to those at lower temperature.

Electrical energy

Energy that powers devices; can be converted into motion or other forms (e.g., motor rotation).

Energy conversion

Changing energy from one form to another (e.g., electrical to mechanical).

Soft surface

A surface that absorbs impact, spreading force and reducing peak impact compared to hard surfaces.

Hard surface

A rigid surface where impact is less absorbed and can be louder or harsher.

Impact absorption

Process by which a material or surface reduces peak force during impact.

Force absorption

How materials absorb force to reduce stress and injury.

Simple machines

Basic mechanical devices that make work easier by providing mechanical advantage; six kinds include wheel & axle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, pulley.

Wheel and axle

A simple machine consisting of a wheel attached to a central axle that amplifies force or speed.

Inclined plane

A flat sloped surface that makes lifting loads easier.

Wedge

A triangular tool that converts a force into a splitting or separating action.

Screw

A helical inclined plane used to hold things together or lift loads; a type of simple machine.

Lever

A rigid bar rotating about a fulcrum to lift or move a load with less effort.

Pulley

A wheel with a groove that changes the direction of a force and can provide mechanical advantage.

Scissors

A tool using two levers to cut; an example of a simple machine (composite).

Can Opener

A tool that uses simple-machine principles (lever and wheel/axle) to open a can.

Bicycle

A machine with multiple simple machines (wheel & axle, levers) providing mechanical advantage.

Hand Drill

A tool that uses simple-machine principles to bore holes.

Compound machines

Two or more simple machines working together to perform work.

Efficiency

A measure of how well a machine converts input energy into useful output energy; expressed as a percentage.

Friction

Resistance that occurs when surfaces slide against each other; depends on texture and material and causes energy loss.

Energy loss

Energy transformed into heat, sound, or vibration rather than useful work.

Mechanical advantage

The ratio of output force to input force; higher ratio means easier work.

Output work

Work done by a machine on the load.

Input work

Energy put into a machine to perform work.

Pascals Principle

Pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions.

Pascal's principle

Same as above (variant phrasing).

Hydraulic

Systems that transmit pressure through a confined fluid to multiply force, enabling lifting with smaller forces.

Hydraulic lift

A hydraulic system used to raise heavy loads by applying a small force on a small piston.

Fluid principles

Principles describing how fluids transmit pressure and respond in hydraulic systems.

Linear displacement

Change in the position of an object.

Linear velocity

The rate at which an object's position changes.

Linear acceleration

The rate at which an object's velocity changes with time.

Angular displacement

The angle through which an object moves along a circular path.

Angular velocity

How fast an object rotates (rate of change of angle).

Angular acceleration

The rate at which angular velocity changes with time.

Translational motion

Motion in which all points of the body move the same displacement, direction, duration, velocity, and acceleration.

Rotational motion

Motion that involves spinning, turning, or rotating around an axis.

Ergonomics

The study and design of equipment and environments to fit human physical capabilities and reduce effort.

Automation

Using physics concepts (like circuits and motion sensing) to make work faster, safer, and more accurate.

Work effort

Reducing the amount of force required to do work.

Smart tools

Devices such as motion-sensor lights, automatic dispensers, smart appliances, and robot cleaners that enhance efficiency and safety.