Triple Science Physics Revision

Vocabulary flashcards for Triple Science Physics revision, covering energy, electricity, particle model of matter, atoms & radiation, forces, waves, magnetism, and astrophysics.

Kinetic Energy

Energy stored due to movement; calculated as ½ x mass × speed².

Gravitational Potential Energy

Energy stored when an object is lifted; calculated as mass x gravitational field strength x height.

Specific Heat Capacity

The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of a material by 1°C.

Conduction

A process of energy transfer where particles vibrate and collide more when a solid is heated.

Convection

A process of energy transfer where particles move faster when a liquid or gas is heated, causing less density and rising currents.

Elastic Potential Energy

Energy stored in a stretched object; calculated as ½ × spring constant × extension².

Power

Rate of transfer of energy or the amount of work done in a given time; calculated as energy transferred ÷ time or work done ÷ time.

Efficiency

Measure of how much work is converted to useful output, expressed as useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer or useful power output ÷ total power input.

National Grid

The uninterrupted system of cables and transformers that transfers electrical power from power stations to destinations where it is needed.

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

A resistor whose resistance changes based on light intensity, with lower resistance in bright light and higher resistance in darkness.

Thermistor

A temperature-dependent resistor with lower resistance when hot and higher resistance when cold.

Electric Current

The flow of electrical charge, measured in coulombs (C).

Potential Difference (Voltage)

The 'push' of electrical charge, measured in volts (V).

Resistance

A measure of how much a material impedes the flow of electric charge, in ohms (Ω).

Density

A measure of how much mass is in a given space; calculated as mass ÷ volume.

Internal Energy

The total energy of a system, including kinetic and potential energy stores of the constitutive particles.

Specific Latent Heat

The energy needed to change 1kg of a substance from one state to another without changing the temperature; energy (E) = mass (m) × specific latent heat (L).

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Half-Life

The time taken for the number of radioactive nuclei in an isotope to halve.

Contamination

The process where unwanted radioactive atoms get onto an object.

Irradiation

Occurs when materials are near a radioactive source.

Scalar Quantity

A quantity that has magnitude only; for example, temperature or mass.

Vector Quantity

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction; for example, velocity.

Gravity

The natural phenomenon by which any object with mass or energy is drawn together.

Weight

Measure which describes the mass and how gravity is acting on it (W = m * g).

Resultant Force

A single force which replaces several other forces and has the same effect on an object.

Work Done

Energy transferred when a force acts on an object and makes it move; calculated as force × distance moved.

Hooke's Law

The maximum applied force for which the extension will still increase proportionally (f=k*e).

Moment

The turning effect produced by a force; calculated as force × perpendicular distance from the pivot.

Balanced Moments

A state in which the total anticlockwise moments equal the total clockwise moments, resulting in no movement or turning.

Fluid

A material in a state of matter which flows--either liquid or gas.

Pressure

The force exerted per unit area, calculated as force ÷ surface area.

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the weight of the atmosphere.

Velocity

Speed of an object in a given direction.

Atmospheric Pressure

When the air molecules collide with the surface of the earth, pressure is exerted.

Pressure in Fluids

The pressure exerted by a fluid.

Terminal Velocity

The maximum velocity an object can achieve when the force accelerating the object and the force resisting the movement are balanced.

Momentum

The measure of mass in motion; calculated as mass × velocity.

Stopping Distance

The total distance a vehicle covers, including both thinking distance and braking distance.

Newton's First Law

If the total forces act on an object are balanced, a stationary object will remain stationary, and a moving object will continue at a steady speed and in the same direction.

Newton's Third Law

Every action has a reaction that is equal and opposed.

Newton's Second Law

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the resultant force acting on it and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

Braking Distance

The distance travelled by a vehicle once the brakes are applied and until it reaches a full stop.

Transverse Wave

A wave in which the vibrations are at a right angle (perpendicular) to the direction of energy transfer.

Longitudinal Wave

A wave in which the vibrations are in the same direction (parallel) as the energy transfer.

Frequency

The number of waves which pass a given point every second.

Wave Speed

How quickly the energy is transferred through a medium (how quickly the wave travels).

Specular Reflection

Occurs when a wave is reflected in a single direction from a perfectly smooth surface.

Diffuse Reflection

Occurs when a wave is reflected in many directions and happens at a rough or uneven surface.

Refraction

When a wave changes direction, usually at the boundary or two different materials.

Electromagnetic Waves

A type of disturbance that transfers energy as transverse waves.

Radiation

Energy is being transferred in a wave from a source to an absorber.

Perfect Black Body

An object which absorbs all the radiation it is exposed to.

Transformer

Change the voltage using an induced potential (electromagnetic induction).

Induced Potential/Electromagnetic Induction

When a potential difference (voltage) is created across a conductor (e.g. a wire) due to a change in the magnetic field.

Magnetic Field

Is the area surrounding a magnet where the force is acting on another magnet or magnetic material.

Electromagnet

A solenoid with an iron core. Electromagnets are induced magnets and can be turned on and off.

Motor Effect

When a wire carrying a current is exposed to the magnetic field of another magnet, then a force is produced on the wire at a right angle to the direction of the magnetic field produced.

Solar System

The solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

Nebula

Gravity pulls the dust and gas together, forming a protostar.

Emitted Radiation

Light waves and energy leaving the earth.

Absorbed Radiation

Light waves and energy being taken in by the earth.