NCEA Level 1 Physics Definitions

Thermal Energy

The total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance - indicating how hot or cold it is.

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius, usually measured in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).

Latent Heat

refers to the energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, which causes a change in state without a change in temperature.

Resistance, Current and Voltage in Series Circuits

Resistance increases (harder to get in)

Current is constant (= people per second)

Voltage is shared (all must go through both doors)

Resistance, Current and Voltage in Parallel Circuits

Resistance decreases (easier to get in)

Current is shared (= people per second)

Voltage is constant (all can only go through one door)

Heat

A form of energy transfer that can be transferred through conduction, convection or radiation. When two bodies at different temperatures come into contact, heat flows from the warmer object to the cooler object until both objects reach thermal equilibrium.

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy through the direct collision / vibration of particles in a solid without moving those particles to a new location.

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy in fluids through the movement of particles from one location to another.

Radiation

The transfer of thermal energy via electromagnetic waves (infrared), which does not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.