Physics key terms

A relationship in which multiplying one quantity by a factor causes the other quantity to be divided by that factor.

A relationship in which one quantity increases in the same ratio as the other decreases, so their product remains constant.

Describes an image that is upside down compared with its object.

An atom or group of atoms with an overall electrical charge because it has gained or lost electrons.

The process in which one or more electrons are removed from an atom, leaving a positively charged ion.

A radiation's ability to remove electrons from atoms and form ions as it travels through matter.

Radiation that can remove electrons from atoms, producing ions and potentially damaging living cells.

A material within a transformer that becomes magnetised and links the changing magnetic field from the primary coil to the secondary coil.

The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation from an external source; the irradiated object does not become radioactive.

An atom of an element with a particular number of neutrons in its nucleus.

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

A systematic set of rules for naming chemical substances so that their identities can be communicated unambiguously.

A graph showing how the current through a component varies with the potential difference across it.

The unit of work done and energy transferred; one joule is the work done when a force of one newton causes a displacement of one metre along its line of action.

The unit of work done and energy transferred.

A device that measures the energy transferred to a heater, in joules.

A point at which a circuit divides into, or rejoins from, separate branches.

The absolute temperature scale, beginning at absolute zero; its unit is the kelvin, K.

The energy transferred by a device operating at a power of one kilowatt for one hour. $1\text{ kWh} = 3.6\times10^6\text{ J}$.

A unit of energy equal to the energy transferred by a 1 kW appliance operating for one hour.

Energy associated with the motion of a particle; particles moving or vibrating more rapidly have more kinetic energy.

Energy stored by an object because it is moving.

The energy store of a moving object.

A component that produces light when current flows through it.

Energy transferred when a substance changes state without changing temperature.

A regular arrangement of closely packed positive ions in a solid metal.

A light-dependent resistor whose resistance decreases as the light falling on it becomes brighter.