AQA GCSE Physics key terms

An expanded, very massive star that can later undergo a supernova.

The change in direction of a wave at a boundary so that it travels back into the medium it came from.

A change in direction when a wave crosses a boundary and changes speed.

A solid with a simple geometric shape, such as a cuboid or cylinder, whose volume can be calculated from measurements of its dimensions.

The ability of an energy resource to provide energy when it is needed.

An energy resource that can be replenished as it is used.

The extent to which repeated measurements made in consistent conditions give similar results.

A force that pushes objects away from one another.

A measure of how strongly a component opposes current, measured in ohms (Ω).

A component that opposes the flow of electric current.

The process of replacing one force with two perpendicular component forces that have the same combined effect.

The overall force after all the forces acting on an object have been combined, taking their directions into account.

The connection of a diode in the direction in which it has a very high resistance and allows almost no current to flow.

An object that orbits another object; satellites can be natural or artificial.

A quantity with a size, or magnitude, but no direction.

A quantity with magnitude but no direction.

A simplified representation used to describe and explain observations; it may be changed or replaced when new evidence does not fit it.

The output coil of a transformer, in which an alternating potential difference is induced.

A wave produced by an earthquake that travels through the Earth.

A circuit arrangement in which components lie on the same single route around the circuit.

A circuit in which components are connected one after another in a single closed loop, so the same current passes through every component.

A region where a particular direct seismic wave from an earthquake is not detected.

Two complete conducting rings that maintain contact between a rotating coil and an external circuit.

A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when a current flows through it.

A travelling pattern of pressure variations caused by vibrations in a material such as air.

A brief movement of electric charge through the air between objects.

The energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius, measured in J/kg °C.