AQA GCSE Physics key terms

The specific latent heat for a change between the liquid and vapour states.

Reflection from a smooth surface in a single direction.

The distance travelled per unit of time, without a direction; measured in metres per second (m/s).

A rotating contact divided into two halves that reverses a coil's connection to the external circuit every half-turn.

Fission that occurs without the nucleus first absorbing an incoming neutron.

A measure of a spring’s stiffness, equal to force divided by extension in the proportional region.

A wave pattern on a vibrating string that appears to stay in place, with still points and moving sections.

A physical form in which a substance exists, such as solid, liquid or gas.

An imbalance of positive and negative charge that remains on an object rather than flowing away continuously.

A transformer for which the secondary potential difference is smaller than the primary potential difference.

A transformer for which the secondary potential difference is greater than the primary potential difference.

A change in the surroundings that can be detected and may produce a response.

The total distance a vehicle travels from a driver noticing a need to stop until the vehicle comes to rest.

The time during which a stopping force acts to bring an object to rest.

The change from a solid directly to a gas, without passing through the liquid state.

An exploding star whose light can help astronomers investigate the expansion of the universe.

A transverse seismic wave that travels through solids but cannot travel through liquids.

A component that opens or closes a conducting path in a circuit.

An object or group of objects chosen for an energy analysis.

A straight line drawn to touch a curve at a chosen point and match its slope there.

A measure related to the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

The difference between the final and initial temperatures: $\Delta \theta=\theta_{\text{final}}-\theta_{\text{initial}}$.

The pulling force exerted by a stretched rope, string or cable.

The constant velocity reached by an object moving through a fluid when the resistive force balances the driving force, so the resultant force and acceleration are zero.

A property indicating how readily a material transfers energy by conduction; a higher value means a higher rate of transfer through the material under the same conditions.

The energy stored by an object because of the internal motion and arrangement of its particles.

A delay between energy being supplied to an object and the resulting temperature rise being fully detected.

A material or structure used to reduce the rate of energy transfer by heating.