University Physics Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core physics concepts, measurement standards, and vector mathematics from Chapter 1 of University Physics with Modern Physics.

Physical Theories

Patterns identified by physicists that relate and explain the phenomena observed in nature.

Physical Law or Principle

A physical theory that has been exceptionally well established through experimental testing or is widely accepted and used.

Idealized Model

A simplified version of a physical system that eliminates complicating details to make mathematical analysis manageable.

International System (SI)

The standard metric system of units used in science, in which length is measured in meters, time in seconds, and mass in kilograms.

Scalar Quantity

A physical quantity that can be completely specified by a single real number along with its units.

Vector Quantity

A physical quantity that has both a magnitude and a spatial direction.

Unit Vector

A dimensionless vector with a magnitude of exactly $1$, used purely to specify a direction in space (such as $\hat{i}$, $\hat{j}$, and $\hat{k}$).

Scalar Product (Dot Product)

A scalar operation between two vectors defined as $\vec{A} \cdot \vec{B} = AB \cos(\phi) = A_x B_x + A_y B_y + A_z B_z$, where $\phi$ is the angle between the vectors when placed tail to tail.

Vector Product (Cross Product)

A multiplication operation between two vectors yielding a vector perpendicular to both, with magnitude $C = AB \sin(\phi)$.

Right-Hand Rule

A rule used to find the direction of $\vec{A} \times \vec{B}$: point the fingers of the right hand along $\vec{A}$ with palm facing $\vec{B}$, curl fingers toward $\vec{B}$, and the thumb points in the direction of the vector product.

Anticommutative Property

The property of vector cross products where reversing the multiplication order flips the direction of the product vector

Uncertainty

The estimated precision or margin of error of a measured physical quantity, indicated by its number of significant figures.