Paper 1 physics key words Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is power?
The rate of energy transfer or the rate of doing work.
Power is a fundamental concept in physics, often measured in watts.
Define specific heat capacity.
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
Specific heat capacity varies among different substances.
What is specific latent heat?
The amount of energy required to change the state of 1 kilogram of a substance without changing its temperature.
This concept is crucial in understanding phase changes such as melting and boiling.
Define kinetic energy.
The energy an object has due to its motion.
Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.
What is gravitational potential energy?
The energy stored in an object due to its position in a gravitational field.
It can be calculated using the formula PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height.
Define elastic potential energy.
The energy stored in a spring or elastic object when it is stretched or compressed.
Elastic potential energy is given by the formula PE = 1/2 kx², where k is the spring constant and x is the displacement from equilibrium.
What is current?
The flow of electric charge.
Current is measured in amperes (A).
Define potential difference.
The energy transferred per unit charge.
Also known as voltage, measured in volts (V).
What is resistance?
A measure of how much a component opposes the flow of current.
Resistance is measured in ohms (Ω).
Define charge.
The amount of electricity carried by a particle or object.
Charge can be positive or negative, measured in coulombs (C).
What is electrical power?
The rate at which electrical energy is transferred in a circuit.
Electrical power can be calculated using the formula P = IV, where I is current and V is voltage.
Define density.
The mass per unit volume of a substance.
Density is usually measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
What is internal energy?
The total kinetic and potential energy of the particles in a substance.
Internal energy is a key concept in thermodynamics.
Define pressure.
The force per unit area acting on a surface.
Pressure is measured in pascals (Pa).
What is half-life?
The time it takes for the activity of a radioactive substance to decrease by half.
Half-life is a critical concept in nuclear physics and radiology.
Define activity in the context of radioactivity.
The number of nuclear decays per second from a radioactive source.
Activity is measured in becquerels (Bq).
What are isotopes?
Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Isotopes can have different physical properties and stability.
