Physics Honors Vocabulary

Physics

The study of mater and how matter is related to energy.

Chemistry

The study of matter, it's behaviour, it's characteristics, and changes it undergoes

Accuracy

Occurs when the first trial and subsequent trials hit the intended target

Presicion

Occurs when the second trial and subsequent trials closely follow the first trial,

Model

A pattern, plan, representation, of description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system or concept.

Dimension

Physical quantity that can be measured

Frame of Reference

A system for specifying the precise location of objects in space and time

Displacement

The change in position of an object

Speed

The rate of change of distance

Speed= distance/time

Velocity

The rate of change of displacement

Velocity= displacement/time

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity (m/s²)

Freefall

Is the motion of an object when only the force of gravity acts on the object

Scalar

Quantity posseses magnitude (size) only

Vector

Quantity posseses both size and direction

Resultant

A vector that represents the sun of two or more vectors

Components of a Vector

The projections of a vector along the axes of a coordinate system

Projectile Motion

The curved path that an object follows when thrown, launched, or otherwise projected near the surface of Earth

Force

That which changes and objects state of rest, or uniform motion in a straight line

Force

Push or pull

Inertia

The tendency of an objection to remain at rest or of moving to continue moving

Newtons 1st law (the law of inertia)

Every object contains a state of rest, or uniform motion in a straight line

Net force

The net force is calculated just as you would the resultant

Newtons 2nd law

States that the acceleration is directly proportional to the applied force, and inversely proportional to the mass

Newtons Second Law

States that the rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the applied force

Momentum

The momentum of an objects mass and velocity

Newtons 3rd law

Action and reaction are equal or opposite

Friction

Force opposing motion

Normal force

Force that acts on a surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface

Pressure

The force acting normally (perpendicular) per unit area

Scientific Work

Said to be done when the point of application of a force moves and is measured by the product of the force and the distance moves in the direction of the force

Energy

The capacity to perform work

Power

The rate of doing work, p=w/t unit = w

Law of conservation of energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but only transformed from one form to another

Kinetic energy

The energy the object possesses by reason of its motion

Potential energy

The energy the object possesses by reason of its position (gravitational) of state (elastic)