OCR GCSE Physics B key terms

A series circuit that shares the supply potential difference between two or more components.

Stored energy associated with the positions of particles and the attractive forces between them.

The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by a component; a lamp transferring energy more quickly is generally brighter.

The stated rate at which a device transfers energy when operating under its specified conditions.

Closeness of repeated measurements to one another; precise data have little spread.

A statement of what should happen in a specified situation if an explanation is correct.

The force acting normally on each unit area of a surface.

The input coil of a transformer, connected to the alternating supply.

The straight reference line through the optical centre of a lens and its principal foci.

The point at which rays initially parallel to the principal axis meet, or appear to spread from, after passing through a lens.

The frequency at which an object's emitted radiation is strongest.

The chance that a particular outcome will occur.

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus.

The number of protons in a nucleus, represented by $Z$; it determines the element.

The amount of ionising radiation absorbed by an object or living tissue.

The unwanted presence of radioactive material on or inside an object or living thing.

A spontaneous change in an unstable atomic nucleus during which radiation is emitted and the nucleus becomes more stable.

A small amount of radioactive substance introduced into the body so its radiation can be detected to trace where it goes.

Treatment that uses ionising radiation to damage or destroy unwanted tissue, such as a tumour.

Unpredictable variation that makes repeated measurements scatter around a best estimate.

A process in which it is impossible to predict exactly which individual nucleus will decay or when it will decay.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a set of measurements.

The span from the lowest to the highest value of a variable tested or measured.

A region in a longitudinal wave where particles are farther apart than normal.

The change in speed per unit time; a positive change is acceleration and a decrease in speed is deceleration.

The scientific reason for carrying out an investigation in a particular way.

A line showing the direction in which light travels, drawn with an arrowhead.