Physics Fundamentals: Density, Energy, Heat, Magnetism, and Waves

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic physics topics including density, force, energy, thermal transfer, magnetism, waves, sound, and measurement techniques.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance.

Density Formula

$\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}$ ($D = \frac{m}{V}$).

Density Units

Commonly measured in $\text{g/cm}^3$ or $\text{kg/m}^3$.

Sinking and Floating

Objects sink if they are denser than the liquid and float if they are less dense than the liquid.

Force

A push or pull acting on an object, measured in Newtons ($\text{N}$), which can change an object's speed, direction, or shape.

Energy

The capacity to do work, measured in Joules ($\text{J}$).

Conservation of Energy

A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, and the total energy in a closed system stays constant.

Energy Efficiency

The concept that during energy transfer, some energy is always wasted as heat.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Heat

Thermal energy moving from hot regions to cold regions due to temperature differences.

Conduction

Heat transfer through solids occurring by particle vibrations.

Convection

Heat transfer in fluids (liquids or gases) via density-driven currents.

Radiation

Heat transfer through infrared waves that does not require particles.

Evaporation

The process where fast particles at the surface escape a liquid as gas, which lowers the remaining liquid's temperature.

Law of Magnetism

Like poles repel each other, while opposite poles attract each other.

Magnetic Metals

Metals including iron, nickel, and cobalt that are attracted to magnets.

Electromagnet

A temporary magnet created by using an electric current.

Waves

Oscillations that transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

Transverse Wave

A wave where the particle vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave where the particle vibration is parallel to the direction of wave travel.

Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position.

Wavelength

The distance between two identical consecutive points on a wave.

Frequency

The number of complete waves passing a point per second.

Sound

A longitudinal mechanical wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel and cannot travel through a vacuum.

Pitch and Loudness

Pitch is controlled by the frequency of the wave, while loudness is controlled by the amplitude.

Echo

The reflection of a sound wave off a surface.

Meniscus

The curved surface of a liquid; volume should be read from the bottom of this curve at eye level.

Newtonmeter

Also known as a spring balance, it is used to measure force in Newtons ($\text{N}$).

Parallax Error

An incorrect reading caused by viewing a scale from an angle rather than at eye level.