Term Definition
Vector A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Scalar A physical quantity that has magnitude only.
Resultant Vector The single vector which has the same effect as the original vectors acting together.
Distance The length of path travelled (scalar).
Displacement A change in position (vector).
Speed The rate of change of distance (scalar).
Velocity The rate of change of displacement (vector).
Acceleration The rate of change of velocity.
Newton's First Law An object continues in a state of rest or uniform velocity unless acted upon by a net force.
Inertia The property of an object that causes it to resist a change in its state of motion.
Newton's Second Law When a net force acts on an object, it accelerates in the direction of the net force: F = ma.
Newton's Third Law When object A exerts a force on object B, object B exerts an equal and opposite force on o
Weight The gravitational force the Earth exerts on an object: Fg = mg.
Normal Force The perpendicular force a surface exerts on an object in contact with it.
Momentum The product of mass and velocity: p = mv.
Law of Conservation of Momentum
The total momentum of an isolated system remains constant.
Elastic Collision A collision in which both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
Inelastic Collision A collision in which only momentum is conserved.
Impulse The product of the net force and contact time. J = F * t = change in momentum.
Work The product of displacement and the component of force parallel to the displacement.
Gravitational Potential Energy Energy an object has due to its position relative to a reference point.
Kinetic Energy The energy an object has as a result of its motion.
Mechanical Energy The sum of gravitational potential and kinetic energy.
Power The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.
Efficiency The ratio of output power to input power.
Gravitational Field The force acting per unit mass.
Electric Field The force per unit positive charge at a point.
Potential Difference The work done per unit positive charge: V = W/q.
Current The rate of flow of charge: I = q/t.
Ohm's Law The current through a conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference across it
Resistance A material's opposition to the flow of electric charge.
EMF The total energy supplied per coulomb of charge by a cell.
Magnetic Field A region around a magnet or current-carrying conductor where magnetic forces are experi
Photon Energy The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of light: E = hf.
Threshold Frequency The minimum frequency needed to emit electrons from a metal.
Work Function The minimum energy needed to emit an electron from a metal surface.