Physics and Microbiology Vocabulary

Archimedes' Principle

The principle stating that any object wholly or partially immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces.

Buoyant Force

The upward force exerted by a fluid opposing the weight of an immersed object, calculated as $F_b = \rho_{\text{fluid}} V_{\text{displaced}} g$.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume representing how compact matter is within a space, measured in $\text{kg/m}^3$.

Bangka

A local Philippine outrigger canoe made from wood or fiberglass designed with a wide hull to displace enough water volume to stay afloat.

Pascal's Principle

The principle stating that pressure applied to a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all directions throughout the fluid, represented as $\frac{F_1}{A_1} = \frac{F_2}{A_2}$.

Fluid Pressure

The amount of force applied per unit area exerted equally in all directions by a fluid at rest, calculated as $P = \frac{F}{A}$ and measured in Pascals ($\text{Pa}$).

Master Piston

The smaller input piston in a hydraulic system to which an initial force is applied.

Slave Piston

The larger output piston in a hydraulic system that receives transmitted pressure and produces a proportionally larger output force.

Mechanical Waves

Disturbances that require a material medium to propagate by causing its particles to oscillate, such as sound waves or water waves.

Electromagnetic Waves

Waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields perpendicular to each other that can propagate through a vacuum at the speed of light ($c \thickapprox 3.0 \times 10^8\text{ m/s}$).

Transverse Waves

Waves characterized by particle or field oscillations occurring perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Longitudinal Waves

Waves in which particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, consisting of compressions and rarefactions.

Wavelength

The distance between two successive crests or troughs of a wave