CHAPTER 1: General Physics
Term Definition
Vector A quantity that has both magnitude and direction
Scalar A quantity that has only magnitude
Speed Rate of change of distance
Velocity Rate of change of displacement
Acceleration Rate of change of velocity
Free fall Motion of an object under gravity only (air resistance
ignored)
Weight Force due to gravity (mass × gravitational field
strength)
Force A push or pull that can change motion or shape
Density Mass per unit volume
Hooke’s Law Extension is proportional to load (within limit)
Limit of proportionality Point where extension is no longer proportional to
load
Elastic limit Point where object won’t return to original shape
Centripetal force Force acting towards the center of a circle
Friction Force opposing motion
Pressure Force per unit area
Work Force × distance moved in direction of force
Power Rate at which work is done
Kinetic Energy Energy of a moving object
Gravitational Potential Energy Energy due to height
Elastic Potential Energy Energy stored when stretched/compressed
Conservation of Energy Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only
transferred
Efficiency Percentage of useful energy output
Moment (Turning Effect) Force × perpendicular distance from pivot
Principle of Moments Clockwise moments = anticlockwise moments
Equilibrium When forces balance and moments balance
Centre of Gravity Point where weight acts
Impulse Change in momentum (force × time)
Conservation of Momentum Total momentum remains constant in a system
CHAPTER 2: Thermal Physics
Temperature Related to the average kinetic energy of molecules
Absolute Zero Lowest possible temperature where particles have
minimum kinetic energy
Boyle’s Law Pressure is inversely proportional to volume (constant
temperature)
Specific Heat Capacity Heat needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C (or 1
K)
Conduction Heat transfer through direct contact without
movement of substance
Convection Heat transfer by movement of fluids (warm rises, cool
sinks)
Radiation Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves (can travel
through vacuum)
CHAPTER 3: Waves
Transverse Wave Oscillations perpendicular to direction of travel
Longitudinal Wave Oscillations parallel to direction of travel
Amplitude Maximum displacement from rest position
Wavelength Distance between two points in phase
Period Time taken for one complete cycle
Frequency Number of cycles per second
Reflection Change in direction when wave hits a surface
Refraction Change in direction when entering a new medium
Diffraction Spreading of waves through gaps or edges
Total Internal Reflection Complete reflection inside a medium when angle
exceeds critical angle
Refractive Index Ratio of speeds of a wave in two media
Critical Angle Angle of incidence that produces 90° refraction
Focal Length Distance from lens center to principal focus
Principal Focus Point where parallel rays meet
Real Image Image that can be formed on a screen
Virtual Image Image that cannot be formed on a screen
CHAPTER 4: Electricity and Magnetsim
Current Rate of flow of charge
Electric Field Region where charges experience force
Electromotive Force (e.m.f.) Work done per unit charge by a source
Potential Difference Work done per unit charge between two points
Power Rate of energy transfer
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) Unit of electrical energy used
Current ∝ Voltage (I ∝ V) when resistance constant
Resistance Opposition to current flow
Ohm’s Law
Thermistor Resistance decreases as temperature increases
Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR) Resistance decreases as light intensity increases
Parallel Circuit Current splits into branches
Series Circuit Same current flows throughout
Fuse Breaks circuit if current too high
Relay Switch controlled by another circuit
Diode Allows current in one direction only
LED Emits light when current flows
Electromagnetic Induction Voltage induced by changing magnetic field
Faraday’s Law Induced e.m.f. ∝ rate of change of magnetic flux
Lenz’s Law Induced current opposes the change causing it
AC Generator Converts mechanical → electrical energy
DC Motor Converts electrical → kinetic energy
Step-up Transformer Increases voltage, decreases current
Step-down Transformer Decreases voltage, increases current
CHAPTER 5: Nuclear Physics
Isotopes Same protons, different neutrons
Nuclear Fission Splitting of a nucleus releasing energy
Nuclear Fusion Joining of nuclei releasing energy
Radioactive Decay Spontaneous emission from unstable nucleus
Random Decay Unpredictable decay of individual nuclei
Background Radiation Radiation from environment (natural + artificial)
Ionization Gain or loss of electrons forming ions
Half-life Time for half the nuclei to decay
CHAPTER 6: Space Physics
Average Orbital Speed Speed of an object in orbit
Solar System Sun + planets + other bodies bound by gravity
The Sun Medium-sized star powered by nuclear fusion
Galaxies Large collections of stars held by gravity
Speed of Light ≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s
Light Year Distance light travels in one year
Redshift Light stretched as objects move away
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation left from early universe
Radiation (CMBR)
Big Bang Theory Universe began from hot dense state and expanded
Hubble Constant Rate of expansion of the universe