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Physics Vocabulary
Core physics words for motion, energy and matter.
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- MotionTermA change in an object's position
- SpeedTermHow fast an object moves: distance divided by time
- VelocityTermSpeed in a given direction
- AccelerationTermHow quickly velocity changes
- DisplacementTermThe straight-line change in position, with direction
- DistanceTermThe total length of the path traveled
- ScalarTermA quantity with size only, like speed
- VectorTermA quantity with size and direction, like velocity
- ForceTermA push or a pull
- Net forceTermThe total of all forces acting on an object
- Balanced forcesTermForces that cancel, causing no change in motion
- Unbalanced forcesTermForces that do not cancel, causing a change in motion
- InertiaTermAn object's resistance to change in its motion
- MassTermThe amount of matter in an object
- WeightTermThe force of gravity on an object
- GravityTermThe force that pulls objects with mass toward each other
- FrictionTermA force that resists sliding between surfaces
- Air resistanceTermFriction from air pushing against a moving object
- Terminal velocityTermThe constant speed reached when air resistance equals weight
- MomentumTermMass times velocity
- ImpulseTermA force applied over time, changing momentum
- WorkTermForce applied over a distance
- PowerTermThe rate of doing work
- EnergyTermThe ability to do work or cause change
- Kinetic energyTermEnergy of motion
- Potential energyTermStored energy due to position or condition
- Gravitational potential energyTermEnergy stored in an object because of its height
- Elastic potential energyTermEnergy stored in stretched or squeezed objects
- Thermal energyTermThe total kinetic energy of the particles in an object
- HeatTermThermal energy moving from hot to cold
- TemperatureTermA measure of the average kinetic energy of particles
- ConductionTermHeat moving through direct contact
- ConvectionTermHeat moving by the flow of fluids
- RadiationTermEnergy traveling as waves, even through empty space
- WaveTermA disturbance that carries energy
- FrequencyTermThe number of waves passing a point per second
- WavelengthTermThe distance from one wave crest to the next
- AmplitudeTermThe height of a wave from its rest position
- HertzTermThe unit of frequency: one wave per second
- ReflectionTermWaves bouncing off a surface
- RefractionTermWaves bending when they enter a new material
- DiffractionTermWaves spreading as they pass an edge or opening
- AbsorptionTermA material taking in wave energy
- Transverse waveTermA wave in which particles move up and down across the wave's direction
- Longitudinal waveTermA wave in which particles move back and forth along the wave's direction
- Electromagnetic spectrumTermThe full range of light waves from radio to gamma rays
- CircuitTermA closed path for electric current
- CurrentTermThe flow of electric charge
- VoltageTermThe push that moves charge through a circuit
- ResistanceTermHow much a material opposes electric current
- ConductorTermA material that carries electricity or heat well
- InsulatorTermA material that carries electricity or heat poorly
- MagnetTermAn object that attracts iron and has two poles
- Magnetic fieldTermThe area around a magnet where it exerts force
- ElectromagnetTermA magnet made by passing current through a coil of wire
- Static electricityTermA buildup of electric charge on an object
- AtomTermThe smallest unit of an element
- Nuclear fissionTermSplitting a large nucleus into smaller ones, releasing energy
- Nuclear fusionTermJoining small nuclei into a larger one, releasing energy
- Radioactive decayTermAn unstable nucleus giving off particles or energy
- PressureTermForce per unit area
- BuoyancyTermThe upward push of a fluid on an object
- DensityTermMass per unit of volume
- TorqueTermA twisting force
- Centripetal forceTermA force that pulls an object toward the center of a circle
- ProjectileTermAn object thrown or launched and moving under gravity
- Free fallTermFalling with only gravity acting
- EfficiencyTermThe share of input energy that does useful work
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