Physics Definitions Terminology Lexicon Glossary - Reference
Basic Physics Terminology For Science Students ↓
Absolute Zero or cypher on the absolute temperature scale is the lowest temperature theoretically possible in addition to is equal to -273.15°C or -459.67°F.
Adiabatic process is a procedure inwards which no rut enters or leaves a system. An adiabatic expansion results inwards cooling of a gas whereas an adiabatic compression has the opposite effect.
Advection is a procedure of transfer of atmospheric properties past times horizontal displace inwards the atmosphere.
Alpha Decay is a radioactive disintegration procedure inwards which the parent nucleus decays spontaneously into an alpha particle in addition to a miss nucleus.
Alpha particle is the nucleus of a helium atom carrying a positive accuse of 2e.
Alternating current is an electrical electric flow that periodically reverses its management inwards the circuit, amongst a frequency independent of the constants of the circuit.
Amplitude, is the peak value of an alternating quantity inwards either the positive or negative management in addition to is especially applied to the illustration of a sinusoidal vibration.
Angstrom is the unit of measurement of wavelength of light. 1 Angstrom = 10-8 cm. There is a bigger unit of measurement for measuring the wavelength of infrared light; it is called a milli-micron in addition to is equal to 10-7 cm. Micron = 10-4 cm, is a nonetheless bigger unit.
Angular displacement: The angle through which a point, business or trunk is rotated, inwards a specific management in addition to virtually a specified axis.
Angular velocity is the charge per unit of measurement at which a trunk rotates virtually an axis, expressed inwards radians per second. It is a vector quantity equal to the linear velocity divided past times the radius.
Anion is an ion that carries a negative accuse in addition to inwards electrolysis moves towards the anode.
Anode is the positive electrode of an electrolytic cell, discharge tube, valve or a rectifier.
Antenna is the term used inwards scientific in addition to technical literature for "aerial". It was originally an American term.
Astigmatism refers to defect of an optical icon inwards which the rays passing through the lens focus inwards dissimilar planes. It is caused due to odd curvatures of cornea or aberration inwards the lens.
Atomic number is the lay out of protons contained inwards the nucleus of an atom or the lay out of electrons revolving around the nucleus.
Atomic energy is liberated past times the disintegration of atom. Elements similar uranium, etc., tin live disintegrated to release atomic energy. 'The liberate energy released inwards the fission of a unmarried atom of uranium is virtually 1 one one m thousand times the liberate energy released per atom of the combustion of a fuel similar coal.
Atomic pile is a nuclear chain reactor.
Atomic Volume is the volumes inwards the company solid set down of 1 mole of an element.
Atomic Weight is the weight of an atom of hydrogen taken equally the standard; the respective weights of the atoms of all other substances arc expressed inwards price of it. So, when it is stated that the atomic weight of Fe is 56, it is meant that the atom of Fe is 56 times equally heavy equally the atom of hydrogen.
Aurora is an intermittent electrical discharge occurring inwards the rarefied upper atmosphere.
Blackbody is the trunk whose surface absorbs all radiations incident on it in addition to therefore neither reflects nor transmits whatever radiation.
Boiling point is the temperature of a liquid at which visible evaporation occurs throughout the volume of the liquid in addition to at which the vapour pressure level of the liquid equals the external atmospheric pressure. It is the temperature at which liquid in addition to vapour tin be together inwards equilibrium at a given pressure.
Bomb Calorimeter is a device used for measuring the rut evolved past times the combustion of a fuel.
Bond energy is the liberate energy required to intermission a chemic bond betwixt 2 atoms inwards a molecule. The bond liberate energy depends on the type of atoms in addition to on the nature of the molecule.
Boyle's law If a given mass of a gas is compressed at constant temperature the production of the pressure level in addition to book remains' constant.
Breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor inwards which to a greater extent than fissile cloth is produced than is consumed.
Brownian movement is the unceasing in addition to irregular displace of pocket-size particles (about 1 cm inwards diameter) when held inwards suspension inwards a liquid.
Buoyancy: Archimedes' regulation states that if a trunk is wholly or partly immersed inwards a fluid, it experiences an upward forcefulness equal to the weight of the fluid which would fill upwardly the infinite occupied past times the immersed business office of the body.
Byte is a fixed lay out of "bits" (now almost e'er 8 bits) that tin live handled in addition to stored equally a unmarried unit of measurement inwards a computer.
Calibration is the conclusion of the absolute values of arbitrary indications of an instrument.
Calorie is the unit of measurement of heat. It is the amount of rut required to heighten the temperature of 1 gram of H2O through 1°C.
Chain reaction is a serial of nuclear transformations initiated past times a unmarried nuclear fission.
Charge is a holding of some elementary, particles that causes them to exert forcefulness on 1 another.
Charles' Law (Also known equally Gay-Lussac's Law): The book of a fixed mass of whatever gas increases for each marker rising inwards temperature past times - a constant fraction of the book at 0°C to 100°C, the pressure level beingness constant.
Critical temperature is the temperature higher upwardly which a marrow tin be solely inwards its gaseous solid set down in addition to cannot live liquified regardless of the magnitude of pressure level exerted on it. In metallurgy, it is the temperature at which a metallic or alloy begins to alter during heating or cooling.
Density is the mass pet unit of measurement book of a substance. In SI units, it is measured inwards kg/m3.
Dew point is the highest temperature a surface may receive got inwards social club that dew may condense on the surface from a humid atmosphere.
Dielectric is a marrow that is capable of sustaining an electrical stress i.e. an insulator.
Diffusion is the procedure past times which fluids in addition to solids mix intimately amongst 1 some other due to the kinetic motions of the particles.
Diode is whatever electronic device amongst solely 2 electrodes. Diodes arc normally used equally rectifiers.
Elasticity is the holding of a trunk or marrow past times which it tends to resume its master copy size in addition to shape later beingness subjected to deforming forces.
Electret is a slice of company thing which retains a permanent electron polarisation similar a permanent magnet.
Electrosmosis is the passage of an electrolyte through a membrane or porous segmentation nether the influence of an electrical current.
Emission is the liberation of electrons or electromagnetic radiations from the surface of a company or liquid, normally electrons from a metal.
Equilibrium: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 organization of coplanar forces is inwards equilibrium when the algebraic sums of the resolved parts of the forces inwards whatever 2 directions are both cypher in addition to the algebraic amount of the moments of the forces virtually whatever dot inwards their plane is zero.
Escape velocity is the velocity that ‘a projectile infinite probe etc., must attain inwards order' to escape the gravitational champaign of a planet or the moon. It depends on the mass in addition to diameter of the planet. The escape velocity is virtually 11200 m/sec. for the Earth.
Fatigue is the progressive decrease of a holding due to repeated stress.
Ferromagnetism is a holding of sure enough company substances that, having a large positive magnetic susceptibility, are capable of beingness magnetised past times weak magnetic fields. The main ferromagnetic elements are iron, cobalt in addition to nickel.
Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a marrow volition furnish sufficient inflammable vapour to ignite upon the application of a pocket-size flame.
Fluid is a collective term embracing liquids in addition to gases.
Fluorescence is the absorption of radiant liberate energy past times a substance, instantly followed past times its remission inwards the shape of visible low-cal of a greater wavelength.
Freezing mixture is a mixture of H2O ice amongst tabular array salt in addition to so equally to lower melting dot of H2O ice in addition to go along other bodies cooler for longer time.
Fuse is a device to forestall unduly high electrical flow from passing through an electrical circuit past times breaking contact.
Fusion is the alter of the solid set down of a marrow from company to liquid which occurs at a definite temperature at a given applied pressure.
Gamma rays arc electromagnetic radiations emitted spontaneously past times sure enough radioactive substances inwards the procedure of a nuclear transition.
Gauss's theorem is full electrical flux acting normal to whatever shut surface drawn inwards an electrical champaign is equal to the full accuse of electricity within the shut surface.
Generator is a machine for converting mechanical liberate energy into electrical energy.
Heat exchanger is a device for transferring rut from 1 fluid to some other without the fluids coming inwards contact. Its role is either to regulate the temperatures of the fluids for optimum efficiency of some process, or to brand utilisation of rut that would otherwise live wasted.
Hook-up is a temporary connective betwixt electrical or electronic circuits or a temporary communications channel.
Horse Power is the practical unit of measurement of power—the mightiness of an agent which tin function at the charge per unit of measurement of 550 foot-pounds per 2nd or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute. MP = 746, watts.
Hypermetropia is a defect of oculus inwards which close objects arc non distinctly visible. This is likewise called long-sightedness.
Ice point is the temperature of equilibrium of H2O ice in addition to H2O at measure pressure.
Incandescence is the emission of visible radiations from a marrow at high temperature.
Incandescent lamp is an electrical light inwards which low-cal is produced past times the heating lawsuit of a filament of carbon, osmium or tungsten.
Incidence angle is the angle betwixt the ray blast a reflecting or refracting surface in addition to the normal to the surface at the dot of incidence.
Inertia is holding of thing past times which it resists alter inwards its solid set down of residual or inwards its management of motion.
Intensity is the charge per unit of measurement of liberate energy transfer per unit of measurement surface area normal to the management of propagation at whatever given point.
Ion is electrically charged atom or grouping of atoms.
Isothermal is a business joining all points on a graph that check to the same temperature.
Isothermal process is a procedure that occurs at a constant temperature.
Isotopes arc atoms of an chemical element having the same atomic lay out exactly dissimilar atomic weights.
Jet engine is aero-engine deriving its thrust from the high velocity of the gases it ejects.
Joule is the unit of measurement of function or energy. It is equal to 107 ergs. It is the liberate energy consumed inwards 1 2nd inwards an electrical circuit through which a electrical flow liberate energy of 1 ampere is flowing against a potential difference of 1 volt.
Joule's effect is the liberation of rut past times the passage of a electrical flow through an electrical conductor, due to its resistance.
Kilowatt-hour is a unit of measurement of liberate energy equivalent to the liberate energy produced when mightiness of 1 kilowatt is expended for 1 hour.
Kinetic energy is the liberate energy possessed past times a particle or trunk past times virtue of its motion.
Laminar flow is steady flow inwards which the fluid moves inwards parallel layers or laminae, the velocities of the fluid particles within each lamina non beingness necessarily equal.
Laser is a source of intense mono-chromatic coherent radiations inwards the visible, ultraviolet in addition to infrared regions of the spectrum.
Latent heat is the quantity of rut required to convert 1 gm of a marrow from 1 shape into another. The unit of measurement is calories per grim.
Lightning is a disruptive discharge of electricity betwixt a charged cloud in addition to the footing or betwixt 2 clouds. It is caused when the difference of potentials betwixt a cloud in addition to footing or betwixt 2 clouds becomes in addition to so large that electricity passes across the gap.
Lightning conductor is a conductor of electricity installed inwards a construction to salve it from damage. It neutralises the electrical accuse of the clouds coming inwards its contact or carries it to the earth.
Light Year is the distance low-cal travels inwards 1 hateful solar year, at the speed of 1,86,000 miles per second. It is equal to 5,880,000,000 miles. It is used equally a unit of measurement for measuring stellar distances.
Magnetic circuit is the completely shut path described past times a given laid of lines of magnetic flux.
Magnetic field is the field, of forcefulness surrounding a magnetic pole or a electrical flow flowing through a conductor, inwards which at that topographic point is a magnetic flux.
Mariner's Compass is an apparatus for determining direction, graduated to call for 33 directions. The "N" dot on the dial indicates N pole in addition to the "S" point, due south pole.
Mechanical equivalent of heat (Joule's Constant) is the ratio of amount of function done in addition to the quantity of rut produced inwards a mechanical work. It is a constant.
Modulus of Elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain for a trunk obeying Hooke's law.
Molecular weight is the amount of the atomic weights of all the atoms contained inwards a molecule.
Momentum is the production of the mass in addition to the velocity of the particle. It is a vector quantity directed through the particle inwards the management of motion.
Myopia is a defect of vision blurring distant objects. Also called shortsightedness. It is corrected past times the utilisation of concave lenses.
Negative electron is an electron amongst a negative accuse equally opposed to the positively charged electron or positron.
Neutron is an uncomplicated particle having cypher accuse in addition to a residual mass of 1.674 x 10-27 kg, that is a flora of the atomic nucleus.
Newton is the SI unit of measurement of force, defined equally the forcefulness that provides a mass of 1 kilogramme amongst an acceleration of 1 metre per 2nd per second.
Nuclear fission is splitting upwardly of a heavy atom (e.g., uranium inwards 2 or to a greater extent than novel atoms) amongst enormous release of energy.
Nuclear chain reaction occurs inwards radioactive elements charging the nuclei of atoms in addition to yielding atoms of dissimilar elements or isotopes of the master copy elements.
Nucleon is the collective term for a "proton" or "neutron" i.e., for a ingredient of an atomic nucleus.
Ohm is the SI unit of measurement of electrical resistance, defined equally the resistance betwixt 2 points on a conductor through which a electrical flow of 1 ampere flows equally a outcome of a potential difference of 1 volt applied betwixt the points, the conductor non beingness a source of electromagnetic force.
Ohm's Law states that the electrical electric flow inwards whatever conductor is proportional to the potential difference betwixt its ends, other factors remaining constant.
Optical Centre is a dot on the surface of a lens where the optical axis intersects the surface.
Paramagnetism is the holding of substances that receive got a positive magnetic susceptibility.
Partial pressure is the pressure level of a gas inwards a mixture of gases occupying a fixed book of the pressure level that the gas would exert if it has lone occupied the full volume.
Pascal's principle states that pressure level applied at whatever dot of a fluid at residual is transmitted without loss to all other parts of the fluid.
Pauli's Exclusion Principle is the regulation that no 2 fermions tin be inwards identical quantum states, therefore no 2 electrons inwards an atom tin live identical inwards their quantum numbers.
Persistence of vision is the impression of an icon on the retina for an instant later its withdrawal. Successive images gain an impression of continuity. The regulation is used inwards cinema.
Presbyopia is a defect of vision inwards which objects are non clearly visible due to weakening of oculus muscles inwards old age. It is overcome past times the utilisation of suitable lenses inwards the same frame.
Proton is a positive hydrogen ion; it is 1836 times heavier than electron.
Pyrometer is an musical instrument used for measuring high temperatures.
Quantum Theory is a theory which is based on Planck's radiations law. The concept of discontinuity of liberate energy was introduced. According to this theory, changes of liberate energy inwards atoms in addition to molecules occur solely inwards discrete quantities, each an integral multiple of a key quantity. The key quantity is mostly referred to equally quantum.
Quartz is a double refracting crystal, optically uniaxial in addition to positive in addition to rotating the plane of polarization to the left or right according to the variety, in addition to to a dissimilar extent for dissimilar colours.
Radiation is transmission of rut without whatever carrier inwards between, e.g., transmission of rut from Sun to the earth's atmosphere.
Radioactivity is the phenomenon of spontaneous disintegration of unstable- atomic nuclei to give to a greater extent than stable production nuclei. It is normally associated amongst the emission of alpha, beta in addition to gamma rays.
Radio frequency is electromagnetic radiations inwards the frequency band iii kilohertz to 300 gigahertz.
Radiography is the production of photographs of the internal construction of bodies, opaque to visible light,. past times the radiations from X rays or past times gamma rays from radioactive substances.
Raman effect is the phenomenon of scattering of low-cal when monochromatic low-cal passes through a transparent medium.
Reactor is an apparatus for generation of atomic energy.
Rectifier is a device for converting an alternating electrical flow into a straight one.
Refraction is a divergence of low-cal passing from 1 medium into another.
Saturated Vapour is a vapour which is inwards dynamic equilibrium amongst its liquid at a given temperature. It tin therefore concur no to a greater extent than marrow inwards the gaseous stage unless the temperature is raised.
Scalar quantity agency quantity which has solely magnitude in addition to no direction, e.g., mass, length, etc.
Scattering is the deflection of low-cal liberate energy past times fine particles of liquid, company or gaseous thing from the main management of a beam.
Short circuit is the straight flow of electrical flow betwixt 2 points of dissimilar potential.
Specific heat is the quantity of rut required to heighten the temperature of 1 grain of marrow past times 1 marker centigrade.
Static electricity (frictional electricity) is the electricity generated past times friction.
Storage battery (accumulator) is a jail cellphone which is charged to shop electricity past times chemic reaction.
Telemetry is a agency of making measure inwards which the measured quantity is distance from the recording apparatus in addition to the information is sent over a detail telecommunications organization from the measuring seat to the recording position.
Total internal reflection is the phenomenon inwards which low-cal when transversing from an optically denser to an optically rarer medium strikes the mutual surface of the 2 media at such an angle that it is reflected completely inwards the quondam medium.
Transmutation of elements is alter of 1 chemic clement into another.
Ultimate strength is the limited stress at which a cloth completely fractures or breaks downwards or crushes.
Ultrasonic Means audio waves of high frequency (12,000 Cycles per 2nd in addition to higher) inaudible to human ear.
Ultraviolet rays are invisible electromagnetic rays of wavelength less than 3,000 angstrom.
Unsaturated vapour is a vapour at a sure enough temperature that does non comprise the maximum amount of the marrow inwards the gaseous phase.
Velocity is the charge per unit of measurement of alter of seat of a trunk inwards a given fourth dimension inwards a definite direction.
Viscosity is the holding of a liquid attention to resist the relative displace within its layers.
Voltage is the electromotive forcefulness inwards electricity.
Valency is the combining mightiness of an chemical element amongst honor to hydrogen (e.g., inwards water, H2O, oxygen has a valency of 2).
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