Edexcel GCSE Physics key terms

The force exerted by a gravitational field on each kilogram of mass, measured in newtons per kilogram (N/kg).

The gravitational force on each kilogram of mass at a particular location, measured in newtons per kilogram (N/kg).

Energy stored because an object is at a height in a gravitational field.

Energy stored by an object because of its height in a gravitational field.

The inward pulling force between masses; in a star, it tends to compress the stellar material towards the centre.

The warming caused when gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and re-emit it in different directions, including back towards the surface.

The time taken for half the undecayed nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay, or for its activity to fall to half its original value.

The transfer of energy from a hotter object or region to a colder one because of a temperature difference.

A graph showing how the temperature of a substance changes as it is heated, commonly plotted against time.

The transfer of electrical energy to the thermal energy stores of a conductor and its surroundings when current flows through resistance.

The transfer of electrical energy to thermal energy when charge flows through a component with electrical resistance.

A component that becomes hot when an electric current transfers energy to it.

A model in which Earth and the other planets orbit the Sun.

The unit of frequency; one hertz means one complete oscillation per second.

The unit of frequency; 1 Hz means one complete cycle per second.

Electricity generated when moving water drives a turbine, commonly using water released from behind a dam.

A stable condition in which the inward effect of gravity is balanced by the outward pressure of hot stellar material.

A transformer model in which all the input power is transferred to the output, so its efficiency is 100%.

The provision of visible light so that objects and surroundings can be seen.

Surrounded by a fluid, either completely or with only part of the object below a liquid's surface.

To cause an electrical effect, such as an alternating potential difference or current, through the action of an incoming electromagnetic wave.

An electric current caused by an induced potential difference in a complete circuit.

A magnetic material that becomes magnetised when it is placed in a magnetic field.

The magnetic field created by an induced current in a conducting circuit.

A voltage produced across a conductor when the magnetic field passing through it changes.

The redistribution of charge within an object caused by the electric field of a nearby charged object.

A collision in which total kinetic energy is not conserved, although total momentum remains conserved in a closed system. The objects may separate afterwards.