Physics key terms

The direction in which a north magnetic pole would experience a force; outside a magnet, it is from north to south.

An imaginary line used to show the direction of a magnetic field; lines drawn closer together indicate a stronger field.

A measure of how strong a magnetic field is at a particular point.

A measure of the strength of a magnetic field, represented by $B$ and measured in tesla (T).

A push or pull arising from an interaction between magnetic fields.

The process by which a magnetic material becomes magnetised while it is in a magnetic field.

An attractive or repulsive interaction involving magnets or magnetic materials.

A material, such as iron, that can be attracted by a magnet and can become magnetised.

One of the two ends of a magnet, where its magnetic force is strongest; the poles are called north and south.

The ratio of image height to object height.

Describes an image that is larger than its object.

The size or amount of a quantity, expressed using a numerical value and an appropriate unit.

The long, stable stage during which a star fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

A stable stage of a star's life during which hydrogen nuclei fuse in its core.

An instrument that compares gas pressure with another pressure by using the difference between liquid levels.

The amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg).

The change of some mass into energy, consistent with the mass–energy relationship $E=mc^2$.

The total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus, written as $A$.

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus.

A boundary where one material meets another.

A model that uses equations or numerical relationships to describe a system and calculate possible outcomes.

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

The sum of a set of results divided by the number of results.

The average magnitude of the force opposing a vehicle's motion while it is braking.

An interval associated with a measurement within which the true value is reasonably expected to lie.

The interval between the smallest and largest values that an instrument can measure.

A process in which a force transfers energy by moving an object through a distance.