Metrics of Scientific Notation and Basic Physics Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering core physics definitions, scientific methodology, and unit metrics with standard prefixes.

Physics

The study of the laws that govern the universe.

Mechanics

The study of motion.

Kinematics

The branch of mechanics that describes motion without necessarily discussing what causes the motion.

Dimensional Kinematics

The study of the motion of objects without studying the forces that cause the motion.

Scientific Thinking

A process consisting of observation, question, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, result, and peer review.

Scientific Beliefs

Beliefs that rely on evidence and can be reproduced reliably and predictably.

Pseudoscientific Beliefs

Beliefs that are not proveable.

Length

A quantity measured in meters or centimeters in the metric system, and feet ($\text{ft}$) or miles ($\text{mi}$) in the US system.

Time

A quantity measured in seconds ($\text{s}$) in both the metric system and the US system.

Mass

A quantity measured in grams or kilograms ($\text{kg}$) in the metric system, and slugs in the US system.

Force

A quantity measured in newtons ($\text{N}$) in the metric system, and pounds ($\text{lb}$) in the US system.

Giga-

A metric prefix with the symbol $G$ representing a multiplier of $1,000,000,000$ or $10^9$.

Mega-

A metric prefix with the symbol $M$ representing a multiplier of $1,000,000$ or $10^6$.

Kilo-

A metric prefix with the symbol $k$ representing a multiplier of $1,000$ or $10^3$.

Centi-

A metric prefix with the symbol $c$ representing a multiplier of $0.01$ or $10^{-2}$.

Milli-

A metric prefix with the symbol $m$ representing a multiplier of $0.001$ or $10^{-3}$.

Micro-

A metric prefix with the symbol $\mu$ representing a multiplier of $0.000001$ or $10^{-6}$.