3rd Summer Exam 2026 Physics Checklist Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering Forces, Electricity, and Energy topics based on the exam checklist transcript.

Scalar quantity

A quantity that has magnitude only.

Vector quantity

A quantity that has magnitude and an associated direction.

Distance

How far an object moves, which does not involve direction and is a scalar quantity.

Displacement

Includes both the distance an object moves, measured in a straight line from the start point to the finish point, and the direction of that straight line; it is a vector quantity.

Speed

A scalar quantity that does not involve direction, calculated using the equation $s = vt$ for constant motion.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a given direction, which is a vector quantity.

Distance-time graph gradient

Represents the speed of an object moving along a straight line.

Velocity-time graph area

The enclosed area under the graph represents the distance travelled or displacement of an object.

Series circuit current

The current is the same through each component.

Series circuit potential difference

The total potential difference of the power supply is shared between the components.

Series circuit resistance

The total resistance of two components is the sum of the resistance of each component, expressed as $R_{total} = R_1 + R_2$.

Parallel circuit potential difference

The potential difference across each component is the same.

Parallel circuit current

The total current through the whole circuit is the sum of the currents through the separate components.

Parallel circuit resistance

The total resistance of two resistors is less than the resistance of the smallest individual resistor.

Ohm's Law equation

$V = IR$, where $V$ is potential difference in volts ($V$), $I$ is current in amperes ($A$), and $R$ is resistance in ohms ($\Omega$).

Ohmic conductor

A conductor where the current is directly proportional to the potential difference across the resistor at a constant temperature, meaning resistance remains constant.

Filament lamp resistance

Increases as the temperature of the filament increases.

Diode

A component where current flows in one direction only and has a very high resistance in the reverse direction.

Thermistor

A component whose resistance decreases as the temperature increases; used in thermostats.

LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)

A component whose resistance decreases as light intensity increases; used for switching lights on when it gets dark.

Electric current

A flow of electrical charge where the size of the current is the rate of flow of electrical charge.

Charge flow equation

$Q = It$, where $Q$ is charge flow in coulombs ($C$), $I$ is current in amperes ($A$), and $t$ is time in seconds ($s$).

Renewable energy resource

An energy resource that is being (or can be) replenished as it is used.

System

An object or group of objects.

Kinetic energy equation

$E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$, where $m$ is mass in kilograms ($kg$) and $v$ is speed in metres per second ($m/s$).

Gravitational potential energy equation

$E_p = mgh$, where $m$ is mass in $kg$, $g$ is gravitational field strength in $N/kg$, and $h$ is height in metres ($m$).

Work done definition

Occurs when a force causes an object to move through a distance; calculated as $W = Fs$.

Joule (in terms of work)

One joule ($1 J$) of work is done when a force of one newton ($1 N$) causes a displacement of one metre ($1 m$).

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred or the rate at which work is done; $P = \frac{E}{t}$ or $P = \frac{W}{t}$.

Watt

A unit of power equal to an energy transfer of $1$ joule per second ($1 J/s$).

Conservation of energy

Energy can be transferred usefully, stored or dissipated, but cannot be created or destroyed.

Efficiency equations

$\text{efficiency} = \frac{\text{useful output energy transfer}}{\text{total input energy transfer}}$ or $\text{efficiency} = \frac{\text{useful power output}}{\text{total power input}}$.