Year 10 Science - Waves, Motion, and Reactions Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Year 10 Science topics: Waves (Properties, Sound, Light), Motion (Newton's Laws, Kinematics), and Chemical/Nuclear Reactions.

Mechanical waves

Waves that require a medium ($solid$, $liquid$, or $gas$) to travel through, such as sound, water, or seismic waves.

Electromagnetic (EM) waves

Waves that do not need a medium and can travel through a vacuum at the speed of light ($3 \times 10^8\,m/s$).

Transverse waves

Waves in which particles vibrate perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of travel, such as light or water waves.

Longitudinal waves

Waves in which particles vibrate parallel (in the same direction) to the direction of travel, consisting of compressions and rarefactions.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position, which relates to the energy, loudness, or brightness of a wave.

Wavelength ($\lambda$)

The distance between two successive identical points on a wave, such as crest to crest, measured in metres ($m$).

Frequency ($f$)

The number of complete wave cycles passing a fixed point per second, measured in Hertz ($Hz$).

Period ($T$)

The time taken for one complete wave cycle, calculated as $T = \frac{1}{f}$.

The wave equation

The mathematical relationship where speed equals frequency multiplied by wavelength ($v = f\lambda$).

Doppler effect

The apparent change in frequency or pitch of a wave caused by the relative motion between the source and the observer.

Cochlea

The part of the inner ear filled with fluid and hair cells that converts sound vibrations into electrical nerve signals.

Absorption

A light behavior where energy is taken in by a material and typically converted to heat.

Reflection

A light behavior where light bounces off a surface, following the law that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another of different density because its speed changes.

Scattering

The redirection of light rays in many different directions after striking small particles, which explains why the sky appears blue.

Displacement

A vector quantity representing the straight-line distance from a start point to an end point, including direction.

Velocity

A vector quantity defined as displacement divided by time ($v_{av} = \frac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}$).

Acceleration ($a$)

The rate of change of velocity over time, measured in $m/s^2$, calculated as $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$.

Inertia

The resistance of an object to a change in its motion, which is the focus of Newton's First Law.

Newton's Second Law

The law stating that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to its mass ($F = ma$).

Newton's Third Law

The law stating that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force.

Law of Conservation of Mass

The principle that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Closed system

An experimental setup where no matter can enter or exit, allowing for the accurate demonstration of mass conservation.

IUPAC naming

A systematic, internationally agreed method for naming chemical compounds, such as using prefixes for covalent compounds.

Synthesis reaction

A reaction where two or more simple substances combine to form one more complex product ($A + B \rightarrow AB$).

Decomposition reaction

A reaction where one compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances ($AB \rightarrow A + B$).

Neutralisation

A chemical reaction where an acid and a base react to form a salt and water.

Precipitation reaction

A type of double displacement reaction where two aqueous ionic compounds react to form an insoluble solid.

Exothermic reaction

A reaction that releases energy (usually heat) to the surroundings, making the surroundings feel warmer.

Endothermic reaction

A reaction that absorbs energy from the surroundings, making the surroundings feel cooler.

pH scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity ranging from $0$ to $14$, where $7$ is neutral.

Collision Theory

The theory that reactions occur when particles collide with sufficient energy (activation energy) and the correct orientation.

Activation energy

The minimum amount of energy that colliding particles need for a chemical reaction to occur.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the reaction rate by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy without being consumed.

Alpha ($\alpha$) decay

Radioactive decay where a nucleus emits a particle of $2$ protons and $2$ neutrons, decreasing the mass number by $4$ and atomic number by $2$.

Beta ($\beta$) decay

Radioactive decay where a neutron converts into a proton, emitting a fast-moving electron, increasing the atomic number by $1$.

Half-life

The time taken for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to undergo decay.

Nuclear fission

The process of splitting a large, unstable nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

Nuclear fusion

The process where small nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, releasing energy; this process powers the Sun.