Physics171Glossary

Absolute Pressure

Is the sum of gauged pressure and atmospheric pressure.

Acceleration

The changing in the velocity or direction of an object.

Acceleration of Gravity

A constant which is related to the size and mass of a planet. On the earth this value is 9.8 m/s2. It is represented with a g.

Air Pressure

Is the force exerted on a unit area by air molecules.

Alternating Current

Current which oscilates 60 times per second. This is the type of current used within our homes.

Ampere`

The unit which is used to measure current. 1 ampere` is 1 coulomb of charge per second.

Amplitude

It is the height of a transverse wave from the zero point to the crest.

Amplitude Modulation

This type of modulation varies the height of the carry frequency by encoding a sigal upon it.

Angle of Incident

The angle of the incoming ray which is measured between the ray and normal.

Angle of Reflection

The angle of the reflected ray which is mesured between the ray and normal.

Angle of Refraction

The angle of the refracted ray which is measure between the ray and normal.

Archimedes Principle

The weight of a displaced fluid is equal to the buoyant force.

Atmospheric Pressure

Is the weight of the atmospheric per unit volume.

Atomic Mass

Is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Atomic Number

Is the number of protons in an element. Changing the number of protons will change the element.

Atoms

Is the smallest building block of matter that contains all the properties of a pure substance.

Average Speed

Bandwidth

Is the amount of information which can be transferred by the device.

Barometer

Is a device used to measure air pressure.

Binary

The base two number system, which uses only 0 and 1. This system is used all computer operations.

BTU

British Thermal Unit, the amount of heat required raise one pound of water 1 degree fahrenheit.

Buoyancy

The upwards force of an object that is placed into liquid.

Celsius Scale

A temperature scale based on water freezing and boiling point.

Centripetal Force

Charge

Is a fundamental quantity of matter and is measured in Coulomb.

Coaxial

About the same axis.

Coherent Light

Is light in which all the wavelengths are in alignment (ie. all the crests are alignment and all the troughs aligned).

Compounds

A compound is composed of two or more different elements.

Compressions

High pressure region in a longitudinal wave.

Conduction (Thermal)

The transfer of energy (heat) by direct contact in a solid.

Convection

The transfer of energy (heat) by molecular motion in a liquid or a gas.

Cooling Degree Days

The number of degrees that the average temperature is above 65o F. Summed over the entire cooling season.

Coulomb

Is the measure of the charge. One electron has a charge of -1.6x10-19 Coulomb.

Crest

The highest point of a transverse wave.

Current

Is the rate of moving of changed particles (electrons). It is measure in ampere`.

Deceleration

Density

The mass per unit volume. It is represented with the greek letter rho p

Ear Drum

A thin membrane in the ear which vibrates with sound it is attached to the bones in the ear.

Elastic Collision

Electrical Power

Power is equal to voltage times the current and it is measured in watts.

Electricity

Is the study of charged particle in motion.

Electromagnetic Wave

A transverse wave which has both electrical and magnetic properties. Light, ultraviolet, infrared, radio, x-rays, gamma waves and microwaves are all transverse waves.

Electron

An electron is one of the fundamental building blocks of an atom. It has a negative charge and a mass that is about 2000 times less than that of a proton. Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Fahrenheit

A temperature scale which has the zero point near the freezing point of salt water and 100 degrees point near human body temperature.

Ferrous Material

Is a material that acts like iron.

Fiber Optics

Are thin strands of glass fiber that are used to carry light (usually from a LASER) which is encoded with data. This form of communication allows for more information to be transmitted then copper wire.

Force

A push or pull, which defined by Newton's Second Law of Motion. F=ma

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a given location at a certain period of time.

Frequency Modulation

A change of the frequency of the carry wave to encode a communication signal.

Gases

Have no definite volume and no definite shape.

Gauge Pressure

The pressure which is measured on pressure gauge, in gauge pressure atmospheric pressure is ignored.

Gravitational Potential Energy

The energy stored in a object which is above the reference frame of the Earth.

Heat

The energy contained in an object which is dependent on temperature, mass and substance (material) average.

Heating Degree Days

The number of degrees below 65o F for a day summed over the entire heating season.

Hertz

The unit of frequency, cycles per second.

Hydraulics

The study of liquids.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by a liquid.

Index of Refraction

A property of matter which determines how a light is bent upon entering or existing the material. A vacuum has an index of one.

Inelastic Collision

Instantaneous Speed

Insulate (Thermal)

A material which resets the conduction of heat.

Ion

Is an atom which has a net charge.

Kelvin

An absolute temperature scale based on the celsius scale.

Kinetic Energy

Energy dut to motion of an object.

Laser

Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

Law of Reflection

The angle of the incoming ray is equal to the angle of the exiting ray.

Liquids

Have a definite volume but no definite shape.

Longitudinal Wave

Sound waves, direction of movement is same as the direction of the wave.

Magnetic Field

Created by a moving charge.

Mass

A universal property of matter the mass is dependant upon what it is composed of and how many atoms (molecules) are present.

Mass Density

Is the mass of an object divided by the volume. It is usually refered to as density.

Model

Is a physical representation which is used to explain a physical phenomena.

Molecules

Is the smallest building block of a compound that contains all the properties.

Momentum

Neutrons

The neutral particles in the Nucleus of an atom.

Newton

The unit of force in the SI system of measurement

Newton's First Law of Motion

Newton's Second Law of Motion

An unbalanced force will cause an acceleration and is defined by F=ma

Newton's Third Law of Motion

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Normal

A line perpendicular to a surface.

Normal Force

Ohm

Is the unit used to measure resistance.

Ohm's Law

Is the fundamental equation of electricity. The potential difference is equal to the product of current and resistance.

One Dimensional

Parallel Circuit

A circuit in which the current has multiple paths.

Pascal's Principle

Pressure on a fluid is transmitted throughout the fluid equally.

Photons

Is a massless particle composed of pure energy and thus the amount of energy is directly related to the color of light.

Pitch

Frequency is what controls the pitch.

Pneumatics

The study of gases.

Potential Energy

Stored energy in an object.

Power

Is work per unit of time (P=W/t).

Pressure

The force per unit area. The force is perpendicular to the area.

Protons

The positive charged particle in the nucleus of an atom.

Radiation

The transfer of energy by the electromagnetic waves.

Rankin

An absolute temperature scale based on the fehrenheit scale.

Rarefactions

Low pressure regions of a longitudinal wave.

Reflection

The bouncing off of a surface by a light or other wave sources.

Refraction

The bending and changing of velocity as light passes from one substance to another.

Resistance ®

The physical property of a material which impedes the flow of electricity.

Resistivity

Is a fundamental physical property which depends only on the material. Gold has a very low resistivity.

R-Value

A measurement of the insulative ability of a material.

Series Circuit

A circuit which has only one pathway for the flow of electricity.

Snell's Law

ni sin? = nr sin?r

Sound

High and low pressure areas of the longitudinal wave.

Speed

Temperature

The average velocity of the molecules of a material; how hot or cold a substance is.

Torque

A force through a perpendicular distance with one end acting as a pivot point.

Transverse Wave

The amplitude of the wave is perpendicular to the direction of motion.

Trough

The lowest point a transverse wave.

Vector

Velocity

Viscosity

Is the resistance to the flow of the fluid.

Voltage

Is the push of the charged particles refers to also as potential difference. Electrons travel towards the higher potential (voltage) measured in the volt.

Volume

Is a product of length, width, and depth for a cubical imaginary box.

Water Flume

Usually constructed of wood and runs horizontally. It is used to carry water to a mill wheel.

Waterwheel

A wheel on a mill in which the energy of the water causes the wheel to rotate.

Wavelength

The distance from one part of a wave to the next corresponding part of the wave.

Weight

Is the mass of an object times the acceleration of gravity. Therefore if an object is taken to another celestial body its weight will change ie an object on the moon weighs 1/6 of what it weighs on the earth.

Weight Density

Is weight per unit of volume.

Work

A force applied through a parallel distance.

Word	Definition
Absolute Pressure	Is the sum of gauged pressure and atmospheric pressure.
Acceleration	The changing in the velocity or direction of an object.
Acceleration of Gravity	A constant which is related to the size and mass of a planet. On the earth this value is 9.8 m/s2. It is represented with a g.
Air Pressure	Is the force exerted on a unit area by air molecules.
Alternating Current	Current which oscilates 60 times per second. This is the type of current used within our homes.
Ampere`	The unit which is used to measure current. 1 ampere` is 1 coulomb of charge per second.
Amplitude	It is the height of a transverse wave from the zero point to the crest.
Amplitude Modulation	This type of modulation varies the height of the carry frequency by encoding a sigal upon it.
Angle of Incident	The angle of the incoming ray which is measured between the ray and normal.
Angle of Reflection	The angle of the reflected ray which is mesured between the ray and normal.
Angle of Refraction	The angle of the refracted ray which is measure between the ray and normal.
Archimedes Principle	The weight of a displaced fluid is equal to the buoyant force.
Atmospheric Pressure	Is the weight of the atmospheric per unit volume.
Atomic Mass	Is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
Atomic Number	Is the number of protons in an element. Changing the number of protons will change the element.
Atoms	Is the smallest building block of matter that contains all the properties of a pure substance.
Average Speed
Bandwidth	Is the amount of information which can be transferred by the device.
Barometer	Is a device used to measure air pressure.
Binary	The base two number system, which uses only 0 and 1. This system is used all computer operations.
BTU	British Thermal Unit, the amount of heat required raise one pound of water 1 degree fahrenheit.
Buoyancy	The upwards force of an object that is placed into liquid.
Celsius Scale	A temperature scale based on water freezing and boiling point.
Centripetal Force
Charge	Is a fundamental quantity of matter and is measured in Coulomb.
Coaxial	About the same axis.
Coherent Light	Is light in which all the wavelengths are in alignment (ie. all the crests are alignment and all the troughs aligned).
Compounds	A compound is composed of two or more different elements.
Compressions	High pressure region in a longitudinal wave.
Conduction (Thermal)	The transfer of energy (heat) by direct contact in a solid.
Convection	The transfer of energy (heat) by molecular motion in a liquid or a gas.
Cooling Degree Days	The number of degrees that the average temperature is above 65o F. Summed over the entire cooling season.
Coulomb	Is the measure of the charge. One electron has a charge of -1.6x10-19 Coulomb.
Crest	The highest point of a transverse wave.
Current	Is the rate of moving of changed particles (electrons). It is measure in ampere`.
Deceleration
Density	The mass per unit volume. It is represented with the greek letter rho p
Ear Drum	A thin membrane in the ear which vibrates with sound it is attached to the bones in the ear.
Elastic Collision
Electrical Power	Power is equal to voltage times the current and it is measured in watts.
Electricity	Is the study of charged particle in motion.
Electromagnetic Wave	A transverse wave which has both electrical and magnetic properties. Light, ultraviolet, infrared, radio, x-rays, gamma waves and microwaves are all transverse waves.
Electron	An electron is one of the fundamental building blocks of an atom. It has a negative charge and a mass that is about 2000 times less than that of a proton. Electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom.
Energy	The ability to do work.
Fahrenheit	A temperature scale which has the zero point near the freezing point of salt water and 100 degrees point near human body temperature.
Ferrous Material	Is a material that acts like iron.
Fiber Optics	Are thin strands of glass fiber that are used to carry light (usually from a LASER) which is encoded with data. This form of communication allows for more information to be transmitted then copper wire.
Force	A push or pull, which defined by Newton's Second Law of Motion. F=ma
Frequency	The number of waves that pass a given location at a certain period of time.
Frequency Modulation	A change of the frequency of the carry wave to encode a communication signal.
Gases	Have no definite volume and no definite shape.
Gauge Pressure	The pressure which is measured on pressure gauge, in gauge pressure atmospheric pressure is ignored.
Gravitational Potential Energy	The energy stored in a object which is above the reference frame of the Earth.
Heat	The energy contained in an object which is dependent on temperature, mass and substance (material) average.
Heating Degree Days	The number of degrees below 65o F for a day summed over the entire heating season.
Hertz	The unit of frequency, cycles per second.
Hydraulics	The study of liquids.
Hydrostatic Pressure	The pressure exerted by a liquid.
Index of Refraction	A property of matter which determines how a light is bent upon entering or existing the material. A vacuum has an index of one.
Inelastic Collision
Instantaneous Speed
Insulate (Thermal)	A material which resets the conduction of heat.
Ion	Is an atom which has a net charge.
Kelvin	An absolute temperature scale based on the celsius scale.
Kinetic Energy	Energy dut to motion of an object.
Laser	Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
Law of Reflection	The angle of the incoming ray is equal to the angle of the exiting ray.
Liquids	Have a definite volume but no definite shape.
Longitudinal Wave	Sound waves, direction of movement is same as the direction of the wave.
Magnetic Field	Created by a moving charge.
Mass	A universal property of matter the mass is dependant upon what it is composed of and how many atoms (molecules) are present.
Mass Density	Is the mass of an object divided by the volume. It is usually refered to as density.
Model	Is a physical representation which is used to explain a physical phenomena.
Molecules	Is the smallest building block of a compound that contains all the properties.
Momentum
Neutrons	The neutral particles in the Nucleus of an atom.
Newton	The unit of force in the SI system of measurement
Newton's First Law of Motion
Newton's Second Law of Motion	An unbalanced force will cause an acceleration and is defined by F=ma
Newton's Third Law of Motion	For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Normal	A line perpendicular to a surface.
Normal Force
Ohm	Is the unit used to measure resistance.
Ohm's Law	Is the fundamental equation of electricity. The potential difference is equal to the product of current and resistance.
One Dimensional
Parallel Circuit	A circuit in which the current has multiple paths.
Pascal's Principle	Pressure on a fluid is transmitted throughout the fluid equally.
Photons	Is a massless particle composed of pure energy and thus the amount of energy is directly related to the color of light.
Pitch	Frequency is what controls the pitch.
Pneumatics	The study of gases.
Potential Energy	Stored energy in an object.
Power	Is work per unit of time (P=W/t).
Pressure	The force per unit area. The force is perpendicular to the area.
Protons	The positive charged particle in the nucleus of an atom.
Radiation	The transfer of energy by the electromagnetic waves.
Rankin	An absolute temperature scale based on the fehrenheit scale.
Rarefactions	Low pressure regions of a longitudinal wave.
Reflection	The bouncing off of a surface by a light or other wave sources.
Refraction	The bending and changing of velocity as light passes from one substance to another.
Resistance ®	The physical property of a material which impedes the flow of electricity.
Resistivity	Is a fundamental physical property which depends only on the material. Gold has a very low resistivity.
R-Value	A measurement of the insulative ability of a material.
Series Circuit	A circuit which has only one pathway for the flow of electricity.
Snell's Law	ni sin? = nr sin?r
Sound	High and low pressure areas of the longitudinal wave.
Speed
Temperature	The average velocity of the molecules of a material; how hot or cold a substance is.
Torque	A force through a perpendicular distance with one end acting as a pivot point.
Transverse Wave	The amplitude of the wave is perpendicular to the direction of motion.
Trough	The lowest point a transverse wave.
Vector
Velocity
Viscosity	Is the resistance to the flow of the fluid.
Voltage	Is the push of the charged particles refers to also as potential difference. Electrons travel towards the higher potential (voltage) measured in the volt.
Volume	Is a product of length, width, and depth for a cubical imaginary box.
Water Flume	Usually constructed of wood and runs horizontally. It is used to carry water to a mill wheel.
Waterwheel	A wheel on a mill in which the energy of the water causes the wheel to rotate.
Wavelength	The distance from one part of a wave to the next corresponding part of the wave.
Weight	Is the mass of an object times the acceleration of gravity. Therefore if an object is taken to another celestial body its weight will change ie an object on the moon weighs 1/6 of what it weighs on the earth.
Weight Density	Is weight per unit of volume.
Work	A force applied through a parallel distance.