Cambridge O Level Physics 5054

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from the Cambridge O Level Physics 5054 syllabus.

Scalar Quantity

A scalar quantity has magnitude (size) only.

Vector Quantity

A vector quantity has magnitude and direction.

Speed

The distance travelled per unit time.

Velocity

Change in displacement per unit time

Acceleration

Change in velocity per unit time

Mass

Measure of the quantity of matter in an object at rest relative to the observer.

Gravitational field strength

Force per unit mass

Gravitational field

Region in which a mass experiences a force due to gravitational attraction

Density

Mass per unit volume

Newton’s first law

States that an object either remains at rest or continues to move in a straight line at constant speed unless acted on by a resultant force.

Newton’s third law

States that when object A exerts a force on object B, then object B exerts an equal and opposite force on object A.

Friction

Force that may impede motion and produce heating.

Spring constant

Force per unit extension

Moment of a force

Measure of its turning effect and give everyday examples

Moment of a force

Force × perpendicular distance from the pivot

Momentum

Mass × velocity

Impulse

Force × time for which force acts

Power

Work done per unit time and also as energy transferred per unit time

Pressure

Force per unit area

true value

The value that would be obtained in an ideal measurement

measurement error

The difference between a measured value and the true value of a quantity

precision

How close the measured values of a quantity are to each other

repeatability

A measurement is repeatable if the same or similar result is obtained when the measurement is repeated under the same conditions, using the same method, within the same experiment

validity of experimental design

An experiment is valid if the experiment tests what it says it will test. The experiment must be a fair test where only the independent variable and dependent variable may change, and controlled variables are kept constant