Combined Science Physics Review (Form 3 and 4)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core topics of the Form 3 and 4 Combined Science Physics curriculum, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and electricity.

Data

Information collected in form of numbers during experiments or observations.

Pie Chart

A circular graph divided proportionally into segments where each sector represents a portion of $360^\text{o}$ based on a percentage of the total.

Trend

A general pattern in a graph showing a steady increase or decrease in measurements.

Physical Quantity

A property of an object or substance that can be measured using an appropriate instrument.

SI Units

The international system of measurements based on six base quantities: Length ($m$), Mass ($kg$), Time ($s$), Temperature ($K$), Electric current ($A$), and Amount of substance ($mol$).

Derived Units

Units obtained by calculating relationship between base units, such as speed measured in $\text{m/s}$ or $\text{ms}^{-1}$.

Parallax Error

An error in reading an instrument caused by the observer's eye not being directly above the scale marking.

Vernier Callipers

A measuring instrument used to accurately determine the thickness or internal diameter of small objects to the nearest $0.01\text{\thinspace cm}$.

Screw Gauge Micrometer

A precision tool used to measure very small lengths to the nearest $0.001\text{\thinspace cm}$.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance, typically measured in $\text{g/cm}^3$ or $\text{kg/m}^3$.

Force

A vector quantity measured in Newtons ($N$) described as the cause of a deformation or a velocity change.

Newton’s First Law of Motion

Principle stating every object remains at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.

Inertia

The property of mass that resists changes from its state of rest or uniform motion.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

The principle that the acceleration of a mass is directly proportional to the force acting on it, represented by $\text{F} = \text{ma}$.

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

Principle stating that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Linear Momentum

The product of an object's mass and its velocity, measured in $\text{kgms}^{-1}$.

Weight

The force acting on a mass due to gravity, calculated as $\text{W} = \text{mg}$ where $g$ is approximately $10\text{\thinspace N/kg}$ on Earth.

Mechanical Advantage (MA)

The ratio of the load lifted to the effort exerted in a machine system.

Velocity Ratio (VR)

The ratio of the distance moved by the effort to the distance moved by the load.

Efficiency

The percentage ratio of work output to work input, calculated as $\frac{\text{MA}}{\text{VR}} \times 100$.

Pressure

The force acting on a specific unit of area, measured in $\text{N/m}^2$ or Pascals ($Pa$).

Manometer

A U-shaped tube partially filled with liquid used to measure the pressure of fluids.

Lift Pump

A device consisting of a cylinder and a piston with valves used to lift water, primarily using atmospheric pressure to move water on the upstroke.

Siphon

A system using a flexible tube that relies on gravity and atmospheric pressure to transfer liquid from an elevated source to a lower container.

Conduction

The transfer of heat through solids via the vibration of particles and the movement of free electrons.

Convection

The transfer of heat through fluids (liquids or gases) by the bulk movement of the fluid itself through density-driven currents.

Radiation

Heat transfer occurring through a vacuum in the form of electromagnetic waves, requiring no material medium.

Signal Transmission

The communication of information via guided media like copper wires and optic fibers, or wireless media like radio waves.

Commutator

A component in a direct current motor that reverses the contact with the coil to ensure constant rotation in one direction.

Generator Effect

The production of an electromotive force (e.m.f.) by moving a conductor through a magnetic field or vice-versa.

Ohm’s Law

The rule stating that current through a metallic conductor is proportional to the potential difference across it, provided the temperature is constant: $\text{V} = \text{IR}$.

Electrical Power

The rate of using electrical energy, measured in Watts ($W$) and calculated using $\text{P} = \text{VI}$.

Earth Wire

A low-resistance safety wire colored yellow and green that protects users by carrying excess current to the ground if a casing becomes live.

Fuse

A safety component with a low melting point that breaks the circuit if the electrical current becomes excessively high.

Photovoltaic System

A technology that converts solar radiation directly into electrical energy using semiconducting materials like silicon.