Definitions
Form 4
Introduction to physics
Physics A branch of science which studies physical and natural phenomena around us.
Physical quantity Quantity that can be measured. (must have magnitude and unit)
Eg : speed, length
Base quantity Physical quantity which cannot be defined in terms of other physical
quantities.
Eg: length, mass, time, temperature
Derived quantity Physical quantity produced from base quantity through multiplication, division
or both
Eg: speed, acceleration, impulse, frequency
Vector quantity Physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
Eg: velocity, acceleration
Accuracy Measuring instruments that give a physical quantity close to actual value
Consistency Ability of instrument to give consistent readings when same physical quantity
is measured more than once
Inertia (newton first law) Tendency of an object to maintain its state of rest
Newton third law For any action there is a reaction (same magnitude, opposite direction)
Resultant force Force obtained from the addition of two or more forces
Work done Product of the force and the distance over which the force is applied
Elasticity Ability of an object to return to its original state when force is acted upon it
Hooke’s law Extension of spring is proportional to force applied (elasticity limit not
exceeded)
Elastic potential energy The energy stored in a spring when it is extended or compressed
Pressure
Pressure Force acting normally per unit area
Pascal principle The pressure exerted on a confined liquid is transmitted equally in all
directions
Eg : hydraulic jack, hydraulic brakes
Archimedes principle When object is wholly or partially immersed in liquid, it experiences a buoyant
force (buoyant force = weight of fluid displaced)
Heat
Temperature Degree of hotness
Thermal equilibrium Condition where there is not net rate of heat flow between two bodies, object
or substance
Specific heat capacity Quantity/ amount of heat needed to increase the temperature of a mass 1kg
by 1°𝑐
Specific latent heat of Quantity/ amount of heat needed to change 1kg of solid to liquid at its melting
fusion point without change in temperature
Specific latent heat of Quantity/ amount of heat needed to change 1kg of liquid to gas/vapour at its
vaporisation boiling point without change in temperature
Boyle’s law Pressure of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to volume of gas
(temperature of gas: constant)
Charles’ law For a fixed mass of ideal gas, the volume is directly proportional to its absolute
temperature at constant pressure
Pressure law The pressure of an ideal gas is directly proportional to absolute temperature at
constant volume
Light
Reflection The change in direction of a wave front at an interface between two different
media so that the wave front returns into the medium from which it originated
Refraction The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another caused
by its change in speed
Regular reflection The reflection of light where incidence parallel rays are reflected in same
directed
Irregular reflection The reflection of light where incidence parallel rays are refracted in different
directions
Refractive index
Real depth The real and original depth
Apparent depth The depth which is visually seen but not real in depth
Total internal reflection The reflection of light which occurs within the medium
Critical angle Angle of incidence that provides an angle of refraction of 90-degrees
Form 5
Waves
Wave A disturbance that propagates through space, transferring energy without
transferring matter
Transverse wave Wave in which the direction of vibration of the wave particle is perpendicular
to direction of travel of the wave
Ex: Light waves, radio waves, X-rays
Longitudinal wave Wave in which the direction of vibration of wave particle is parallel to the
direction of travel of the wave
Ex: Sound waves
Wavefront A line that joins all the points vibrating in-phase such as a line passing through
similar wave
Reflection The change of direction of waves when they hit a reflective surface
Refraction The change of direction of travel when waves cross from a medium to a new
medium
Diffraction Spreading of waves that happens when waves move through a small opening
or round small obstacle
Interference The superposition of two waves when they meet each other
Electricity
Electric current, I The rate of flow of charge
𝑄
I= (A)
𝑡
Electric field A region surrounding a charged body where electric force can be experienced
Potential difference, V The difference of electrical potential between two points/ the work done
when 1 C of charge moves between the two points in an electric field
𝑊
V= (V)
𝑄
𝐸
V = 𝑄 (V)
Internal resistance The resistance against moving charge due to the electrolyte
Resistance, R The ratio of potential difference V / voltage across the conductor to current I
which flowing through it
Electromotive force The work done by a source in driving a unit charge around a complete circuit
(e.m.f)
𝑒. 𝑚. 𝑓 (𝐸) = 𝑉 + 𝐼𝑟 (V)
E = QV
= VIt
= 𝐼2 𝑅 𝑡
𝑉2
= 𝑡
𝑅
E in joules (J)
Electromagnetism
Solenoid A long coil made up of several turns of wire like a cylinder
Electromagnet A coil which can produce a magnetic field when a current pass through it
Faraday’s law States that the magnitude of electromagnetic force (e.m.f) induced in a
conductor is directly proportional to the rate which conductor cuts the
magnetic field lines
Lenz’s law States that the induced current always flow in a direction so that it opposes
the change which is causing it
Transformer An electrical device which increases (step up) or decreases (step down) an
alternate voltage based on the principal of electromagnetic induction
Electronics
Thermionic emission The emission of electrons from the surface of heated metal
Cathode Ray Instrument that converts electronic and electrical signals to visual display
Oscilloscope (C.R.O)
Semiconductors Materials which can conduct electricity better than insulators but not as well
as conductors
Radioactivity
Radioactivity The spontaneous disintegration of unstable nucleus into a more stable nucleus
Half-life The time taken for the number of undecayed nuclei to be reduced to half of its
original number
Isotopes Atoms of elements which have the same proton number but different nucleon
number
Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes which decay and give out radioactive emissions
Chain reaction A self-sustaining reaction in which the products of a reaction can initiate
another similar reaction