Cambridge International AS Level Physics (9702)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions from the Cambridge International AS Level Physics (9702) course.

Velocity

Rate of change of displacement.

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity.

SUVAT Equations

Equations for motion with uniform acceleration: v = u + at, s = ut + rac{1}{2}at^2, v^2 = u^2 + 2as.

Free Fall

Motion under the influence of gravity only, with g = 9.81 m s⁻².

Newton's Second Law

Resultant force equals rate of change of momentum.

Momentum

Product of mass and velocity.

Impulse

Product of force and time; equal to change in momentum.

Gravitational Field Strength

Force per unit mass.

Density

Mass per unit volume.

Pressure

Force per unit area acting normal to a surface.

Work Done

Force x displacement in the direction of the force.

Kinetic Energy

Energy due to motion.

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy due to position in a gravitational field.

Power

Rate of doing work.

Efficiency

Useful energy output divided by total energy input, multiplied by 100%.

Hooke's Law

Extension directly proportional to force within the limit of proportionality.

Stress

Force per unit area.

Strain

Extension divided by original length.

Young Modulus

Stress divided by strain.

Wave Speed

Related to frequency and wavelength by the equation v = fλ.

Frequency

Number of oscillations per unit time.

Electric Current

Rate of flow of charge past a point.

Potential Difference

Work done per unit charge.

Resistance

Opposition to the flow of electric current.

Electric Power

Rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.

Specific Charge

Ratio of charge to mass of a particle.

Radioactive Decay

Random and spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable nucleus.