Edexcel GCSE Physics key terms

The mass of a particle compared with a chosen reference mass; at GCSE, the proton is assigned a relative mass of 1.

An energy resource that is naturally replenished on a timescale comparable with its use, so it is not expected to run out in the foreseeable future.

To exert a force that pushes objects away from one another.

A force that pushes objects away from one another.

The opposition of a component to the flow of charge, measured in ohms.

A circuit component that provides electrical resistance and can transfer energy by heating when a current passes through it.

The process of replacing one vector with component vectors which together have the same effect as the original.

An action produced following a stimulus, such as closing the fingers to catch a ruler.

The force exerted by a distorted spring towards its original shape.

The single overall force found by combining all the forces acting on an object, taking their directions into account.

The apparent backwards movement of a planet against the background stars for part of its journey across the sky.

A rule for finding the magnetic-field direction around a current-carrying wire: point the right thumb in the direction of conventional current, and the curled fingers show the field direction.

A shallow tray of water used to produce and observe water waves.

The chance that a hazard will cause harm, considered together with how serious that harm could be.

Movement in which an object turns around a fixed point or axis.

Replacing a number with a nearby value expressed to a chosen level of precision.

The total time taken for a wave to travel to a reflecting surface and return.

A flow diagram in which the width of each arrow represents the amount of energy transferred.

A quantity with a size but no direction.

A physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction.

A drawing in which measured arrow lengths represent vector magnitudes according to a stated scale.

A simplified, evidence-based description used to explain observations and make predictions.

The coil from which electrical power is transferred to the output circuit.

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

Earthquake waves that travel through the Earth and provide evidence about its internal layers.

A material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator; its conductivity can change greatly with conditions such as temperature.

A connection in which components lie on one path, so charge passes through each in turn.