Year 10 Physics Word List

Acceleration

A change in velocity over a period of time that is caused by an unbalanced force. Has the units of metres per second squared (m/s2 or m s-2) and the acceleration will be in the direction of the net force.

Accuracy

The extent to which measurements are considered to be close to the true value.

Rectangular Component

The parts of a vector resolved into vertical and horizontal vector components. Rectangular components are perpendicular to each other.

Causal

Two variables with a relationship which indicates that one event is the result of the occurrence of the other event.

Controlled Variable

A variable that is kept constant (or changed in constant ways) during an investigation. For example, the same amount of water would be a controlled variable in an investigation comparing solubility.

Data

Information that is collected, organised and analysed for various purposes. It can be in the form of numbers, text, images or any other format that can be processed. Data can be represented using techniques such as tables, graphs and textual explanations.

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that changes in response to changes to the independent variable; conventionally plotted on the vertical (y) axis of a graph.

Displacement

A vector quantity that measures the change between two positions of an object along the shortest path connecting them.

Distance

A scalar quantity that measures the change of position of an object between two locations along the actual path connecting them.

Error

The difference between an observed result and an expected or theoretical result. Systematic errors are often due to limitations in equipment or procedure and will be consistently different from the expected result.

Equilibrium

A state of balance resulting from the application of two or more forces that produce a zero net force.

Extrapolate/Extrapolation

Occurs when the fitted model such as a line of best fit is used to make predictions using values that are outside the range of the original data upon which the fitted model was based.

Field

A region in which a body experiences a force due to the effects of another body. The effect can be the mass within the bodies, their charges or magnetic properties.

First-Hand (Data)

Information or data which has been directly observed or measured.

Force

A push or pull between objects, which may cause one or both objects to change speed, and/or direction of their motion, and/or their shape.

Free Body Diagram

A diagram showing the vectors acting on a body; usually drawn with the vectors originating at the centre of mass of the object.

Friction

A force that always opposes motion.

Gradient

Measures the rate of change of the vertical quantity to a horizontal quantity on a line graph. Calculated using run. Usually, gradients in Physics have associated units.

Gravitational Force

The force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface.

Hypothesis

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

Independent Variable

The variable that is deliberately changed, often through a series of pre-set values.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Interpolate/Interpolation

Making predictions between known data values. For example, working between 2 known points on a graph to predict a value in between these points.

Investigate

Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about.

Law

A statement that describes a relationship or phenomena that does not change under the same conditions.

Mass

How much matter an object has; measured in kilograms.

Matter

A physical substance; anything that has mass and occupies space.

Model

A mathematical, conceptual or physical representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies or provides an explanation of the structure, workings or relationships within an object, system or idea. Models can provide a means of testing and predicting behaviour within limited conditions. Models may be physical or exist in digital form.

Newton

The unit of force (symbol N).

Physical Quantities

Characteristics that can be seen or measured.

Precision

The extent to which repeated measurements of the same item are close to each other.

Qualitative

To use descriptive explanations involving features, characteristics or properties to identify important components. Data and information that is not numerical in nature.

Quantitative

Data or components that can be expressed or measured numerically, including chemical formulae or numbers.

Risk (Assessment)

The determination of quantitative or qualitative estimate of risk related to a well-defined situation and a recognised threat (also called hazard).

Resultant Vector

Is the sum of two or more vectors of the same type.

Secondary Sources/Information

Sources of information that have been collected, processed, interpreted and published by others, eg census data, newspaper articles and images or information in a published report.

Scalar

A quantity that can be fully described by magnitude and units.

Si

The International System of Units (SI) is a system of measurement based on agreed standards units, such as metre, second and gram.

Speed

Is a scalar quantity that is the rate at which an object covers distance. Calculated by the distance travelled divided by the time interval. Has units of metres per second (m/s or m s-1).

Systematic Observations

Following a valid scientific method to carry out observations.

Theory

A formal explanation, based on evidence and reviewed by the scientific community. Predictions can be tested by comparing actual observations with the theory.

Validity

The extent to which the processes and resultant data measure what was intended.

Variable

A factor that can be changed, kept the same or measured in an investigation.

Vector

A quantity that needs magnitude, units and direction to fully describe it (MUD).

Velocity

The rate of change of an object's position with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The SI units for velocity are metres per second (ms-1).

Weight

The measure of the force of gravity acting on a body with a given mass. An object can be weightless without its mass being zero. The term 'weight' is used as a synonym for mass when the concept of gravitational force has not been introduced.