A

Acoustics: The science of the production, transmission, and effects of sound.

Accuracy (n) : Closeness of a measurement to the standard value of that quantity.
Adhesion (n): force of attraction between two unlike materials.
Adiabatic: Any change in which there is no gain or loss of heat.
Amplitude (n): in any periodic motion, the maximum displacement from equilibrium.
Antenna (n): device used to receive or transmit electromagnetic waves.
Antinodes (n(: point of maximum displacement of two superimposed waves.
Archimedes principle (n): object immersed in a fluid has an upward force equal to the weight of the
fluid displaced by the object.
Artificial radioactivity (n): radioactive isotope not found in nature.
Atomic mass unit (adj): unit of mass equal to 1/12 the atomic mass of carbon- 12 nucleus.
Atomic number (n): number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.
Average acceleration (n): acceleration measured over a finite time interval
Average velocity (n): velocity measured over a finite time interval.

Ammeter (n): device to measure electrical current.

Ampere (n): unit of electric current; one ampere is the flow of one coulomb of charge per second.
Angular Velocity (n): the rate of change of angular displacement with time
Antinodes (n(: point of maximum displacement of two superimposed waves.

Atomic Physics: A branch of physics concerned with the structures of the atom, the characteristics of the
electrons and other elementary particles of which the atom is composed,the arrangement of the atoms
energy states, and the processes involved in the radiation of light and x-rays.
Arithmetic (n): the part of mathematics that deals with addition, substraction, multiplication, and division
of number.
Acceleration (n) :(1.)the rate of change of the speed for a moving body that moves along a straight line
(2.) a vector that indicates the rate of change of speed and/or direction of a moving object

Average speed (n): the distance an object moves in a specific amount of time divided by that time.
Angle of rotation (twist/torsion) (n): the angle through which a part of an object such as ashaf or wire is
rotated from its normal position when a torque is applied.
Absorption spectrum (n): The array of absorption lines and absorption bands which results from the
passage of radiant energy from a continuous source through a cooler, selectively absorbing medium.
Air resistance (n): Wind drag giving rise to forces and wear on buildings and other structures.
Alloy (n): a metal that is made by mixing two or more types of metal together
Alternating current, AD (n): An electric current whose direction oscillates.
Ampere (n): The metric unit of measurement for an electric current.
B
Background radiation (n): the natural radiation from radioactive elements and cosmic rays in our
environment.
Beta decay (n): The process in which either an electron or a positron is emitted from a radioactive
nucleus.
Beta particle (n): An electron or a positron.
Breeder reactor (n): A nuclear reactor which produces nuclear fuel as a byproduct of its fission reaction.
Bonding force (n): an attractive force between atoms or molecules, strongest in solids, and less in
liquids.
Balance: 1(n). a situation in which all the different things involved are equal and correct in size, strength.
2 (v). if we balance one thing with another or if several things balance each other, each of the things has
the same weight and strength.
Battery (n): A combination of two or more cells joined to produce an electrical potential difference that is
equal to the sum of the voltages of the individual cells.
Band theory (n): theory explaining electrical conduction in solids.
Battery (n): device that converts chemical to electrical energy consisting of two dissimilar conductors and
an electrolyte.
Beat (v): slow oscillation in amplitude of a complex wave
Bernoullis principle (n): when a fixed quantity of fluid flows, the pressure is decreased when the flow
velocity increases.
Beta decay (n): radioactive decay process in which an electron or positron and neutrino is emitted from
a nucleus.
Beta particle (n): high speed electron emitted by a radioactive nucleus in beta decay.
Binding energy (n): negative of the amount of energy needed to separate a nucleus into individual

nucleons.
Boiling point (n): temperature at which a substance, under normal atmospheric pressure, changes from
a liquid to a vapor state.
Breeder reactor (n): nuclear reactor that converts no fissionable nuclei to fissionable nuclei while
producing energy.
Bubble chamber (n): instrument containing superheated liquid in which the path of ionizing particles is
made visible as trails of tiny bubbles.
Buoyant force (n): upward force on an object immersed in fluid.

C
Calorimeter: device that isolates objects to measure temperature changes do to heat flow.
Candela: unit of luminous intensity.
Capacitance: ratio of charge stored per increase in potential difference.
Capacitor (n): electrical device used to store charge and energy in the electrical field.
Capillary action (adj): rise of liquid in narrow tube due to surface tension.
Carnot efficiency (n): ideal efficiency of heat engine or refrigerator working between two constant
temperatures.
Centripetal force (n): force that causes centripetal acceleration.
Chain reaction (n): nuclear reaction in which neutrons are produced that can cause further reactions.
Charged (v) : object that has an unbalance of positive and negative electrical charges.
Charging by conduction (v): process of charging by touching neutral object to a charged object.
Charging by induction (v): process of charging by bringing neutral object near charged object, then
removing part of resulting separated charge.
Chromatic aberration (n): variation in focal length of lens with wavelength of light.
Circular motion (n): motion with constant radius of curvature caused by acceleration being
perpendicular to velocity. .
Closed isolated system (n) : collection of objects such that neither matter nor energy can enter or leave
the collection.
Closed-pipe resonator (n): cylindrical tube with one end closed and a sound source at other end.
Coefficient of friction (n): ratio of frictional force and the normal force between two forces.
Coefficient of linear expansion (n): change in length divided by original length and by temperature
change.
Coefficient of volume expansion (n): change in volume divided by original volume and by temperature
change.
Coherent waves (n): waves in which all are in step; are in phase.

Cohesive force (n): attractive force between similar substances.

Compton Effect (n): interaction of photons, usually X rays, with electrons in matter resulting in increased
wavelength of X rays and kinetic energy of electrons.
Concave lens (n): lens thinner in center than edges; a diverging lens.
Concave mirror (n): converging mirror, one with center of curvature on reflecting side of mirror.
Conduction band (n): energies of charge carries in a solid such that the carries are free to move.
Conductor (n): materials through which charged particles move readily; or heat flow readily.
Conserved properties (n): property that is the same before and after an interaction.
Constant acceleration (n): acceleration that does not change in time.
Constant velocity (n): velocity that does not change in time.
Constructive interference (n): superposition of waves resulting in a combined wave with amplitude
larger than the component waves.
Convection (n): heat transfer by means of motion of fluid.
Conventional current (n): motion of positive electrical current.
Converging lens (n): lens that causes light rays to converge; usually a convex lens.
Convex lens (n): lens that is thicker in the center than at edges.
Convex mirror (n): diverging mirror. Center of curvature is on side opposite reflecting side of mirror.
Coulomb (n): unit of electrical charge. Charge caused by flow of one ampere for one second.
Crest of wave (n): high point of wave motion.
Critical angle (adj): minimum angle of incidence that produces total internal reflection.
Crystal lattice (n): structure of solid consisting of regular arrangement of atoms.
Capacitor (n): An electric component that has an appreciable capacitance. It consists of at least one pair
of conductors, or of a conductor plus semiconductor.
Chain reaction (n): When one event triggers other similar events, which in turn trigger others, and so on.
Coulomb (n): The metric unit of measure of electric charge.
Chemical cell (or cell) (n): A device that uses chemical reactions to produce a difference in electric
potential which can give rise to a current.
Circular motion (n): the motion in which a body moves around a circle.
Component vector (n): a vector that is part of vectors adding to give a single resultant (or net) vector.
Contact force (n): the force of repulsion that occurs when molecules or atoms of matter are pressed
together. The contact force is always perpendicular to the surface.
Continuous spectrum (n): A radiation spectrum which is continuously distributed over a frequency
region without being broken up into lines or brands.
Calibrate (v): If you calibrate an instrument or tool, you adjust it or mark it so that you can use it to
measure something accurately.

Conservation of energy (n): In every interaction of any kind, the total energy afterward is equal to the
total energy before, even when energy changes forms during the interaction.
Conduction (n): the transfer of heat by molecular vibrations, molecule to molecule; most effective in
solids. Even more effective in metals, where free electrons help carry the energy.
Convection (n): the transfer of heat by a current of moving fluid such as air or water.
D
De Broglie wavelength (n): length of de Broglie wave of particle; Plancks constant divided by
momentum of particle.
Decibel 9n): unit of sound level.
Destructive interference (n): superposition of waves resulting in a combined wave with zero amplitude.
Diffraction (n): bending of waves around object in their path.
Diffraction grating (n): material containing many parallel lines very closely spaced that produces a light
spectrum by interference.
Diffuse reflection (n): reflection of light into many directions by rough object. .
Diode (n): electrical device permitting only one way current flow.
Dispersion of light (n): variation with wavelength of speed of light through matter resulting in separation
of light into spectrum.
Displacement (v): change in position. A vector quantity.
Dissonance (n): two or more sounds that, when together, sound unpleasant.
Distance (n): separation between two points. A scalar quantity.
Diverging lens (n): lens that causes light rays to spread apart or diverge; usually a concave lens.
Doppler shift (n): change in wavelength due to relative motion of source and detector.
Dynamics (n): study of motion of particles acted on by forces.
Deceleration (n): a negative value for the acceleration, meaning the objects speed is decreasing.
Dense (adj): a large amount in a small area.
Detector (n): an instrument used to find or measure things.
Dialectical unity (n): the unity basing on the philosophical system of asserting truth by resolving the
differences that exist between factors in a particular situation.
Direct current, DC (n): An electric current that moves in only one direction.
E
Effective current (n): DC current that would produce the same heating effects.
Effective voltage (n): DC potential difference that would produce the same heating effects.
Efficiency (n): ratio of output work to input work.

Effort force (n): force extended on a machine.

Elastic collision 9n): interaction between two objects in which the total energy is the same before and
after the interaction.
Elasticity (n): ability of object to original shape after deforming forces are removed.
Electrical circuit (n): continuous path through which electrical charges can flow.
Electrical current (n): flow of charged particles.
Electrical field (n): property of space around a charged object that causes forces on other charged
objects.
Electric field lines (n): lines representing the direction of electric field.
Electric field strength (n): ratio of force exerted by field on a tiny test charge to that change.
Electric generator (n): device converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Electric potential (n): ratio of electric potential energy to charge.
Electric potential difference (n): difference in electric potential between two points.
Electric potential energy (n): energy of a charged body in an electrical field.
Electromagnet (n): device that uses an electric current to produce a concentrated magnetic field.
Electromagnetic force (n): one of fundamental forces due to electric charges, both static and moving.
Electromagnetic induction (n): production of electric field or current due to change in magnetic flux.
Electromagnetic radiation (n): energy carried by electromagnetic waves throughout space.
Electromagnetic waves: (n) : wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that move at
speed of light through space.
Electromotive force (n): potential difference produced by electromagnetic induction.
Electron (n): subatomic particle of small mass and negative charge found in every atom.
Electron cloud (n): region of high probability of finding an electron around an atom.
Electron diffraction (n): effects on electrons due to wave-like interference of electrons with matter.
Electron gas model (n): description of current flow through conductors.
Electroscope (n): device to detect electric charges.
Electrostatics (n) : study of properties and results of electric charges at rest.
Elementary charge (n): magnitude of the charge of an electron. 1.602 *10^ -19
Emission spectrum (n): spectrum produced by radiation from excited atoms.
Energy (v): non-material property capable of causing changes in matter.
Energy levels (n): amounts of energy an electron in an atom may have.
Entropy (n): measure of disorder in a system; ratio of heat added to temperature..
Equilibrium (n): condition in which net force is equal to zero. Condition in which net torque on object is
zero.
Equivalent resistance (n): single resistance that could replace several resistors.
Evaporation (n): change from liquid to vapor state.

Excited state (n): energy level of atom higher than ground state.
External forces (n): forces exerted from outside a system.

Electric current (n): A flow of charged particles.

Eradiation effect (n): the effect to eradiate of some substances.
Efficiency (n): the ratio of work a system does to the energy it uses
Emission spectrum (n): Electromagnetic spectrum produced when radiations from any emitting source,
exited by any various forms of energy, are dispersed.
Electrode (n): a small piece of metal that takes an electric current to or from a source of power or a piece
of equipment.
Electrolysis (n): the process of passing an electric current through a substance in
order to produce chemical changes in the substance.
Electrolyte (n): a substance, usually a liquid, which electricity can pass through.
Equilibrium (n): a balance between several different forces, groups, or aspects of a situation.
Electric dipole (n): A positive and an equal negative charge separated by a short distance.
Electric field lines (n): Imaginary lines used to visualize the electric force field in the region around a
charged particle of object.
Electric force field (n): the electric influence around a charged particle.
Electric potential (n): The potential energy per unit of charge of a particle due to the electric field.
Electrical circuit (n): A connected, conducting path for electrons between points of different electric
potential.
Electrical conductor (n): A medium in which charges can easily move.
Electrical induction (n): The process of separating charge on an object by bringing it near another
charged body.
Electrical insulator (n): A material that wont ordinarily carry an electric current; a nonconductor.
Electrical potential energy (n): The potential energy a charged particle has due to the presence of an
electric field. Its metric units are joules.

Electrical resistance (n): The opposition to the flow of charge through matter.
Electroscope (n): A device used to detect the presence of an electric charge.
F
Farad (n): unit of capacitance. One coulomb per volt.
Ferromagnetic materials (n): materials in which large internal magnetic fields are generated by
cooperative action of electrons.
First harmonic (n): in music, the fundamental frequency.
First law of thermodynamics (n): change in internal or thermal energy is equal to heat added and work
done on system. Same as law of conservation of energy.
Fluid (n): material that flows, i.e. liquids, gases, and plasmas.
Force (n): agent that results in accelerating or deforming an object.
Frame of reference (n): coordinate system used to define motion.
Fraunhofer lines (n): absorption lines in the suns spectrum due to gases in the solar atmosphere.
Frequency (n): number of occurrences per unit time.
Friction (n): force opposing relative motion of two objects is in contact.
Fundamental particles (n): those particles (i.e. quarks and leptons) of which all materials are
composed.
Fundamental tone (n): lowest frequency sound produced by a musical instrument.
Fundamental units (n): set of units on which a measurement system is based ( i.e. meter, second,
kilogram, ampere, candela).
Fuse (n): metal safety device in an electric circuit that melts to stop current flow when current is too
large.
Fusion (n): combination of two nuclei into one with release of energy.
Force (n): a push or pull on an object.
Fluid Mechanics: The science concerned with fluids, either at rest or in motion, and dealing with
pressures, velocities, and accelerations in the fluid, including fluid deformation and compression or
expansion.

G
Galvanometer (n): device used to measure very small currents.
Gamma decay (n): process by which a nucleus emits a gamma ray.
Gamma particle (n): high energy photon emitted by a radioactive nucleus.
Gas (n): state of matter that expands to fill container.
Geiger-Mueller tube (n): device used to detect radiation using its ability to ionize matter.

Gluon 9n): carrier of strong nuclear force.

Gravitational field (n): distortion of space due to the presence of mass.
Gravitational force (n): attraction between two objects due to their mass.
Gravitational mass (n): ratio of gravitational force to objects acceleration.
Gravitational potential energy (n): change of energy of object when moved in a gravitational field.
Graviton (n): particle that carries the gravitational force. Not yet observed.
Ground state (n): lowest energy level of an electron in an atom.
Grounding (v): process of connecting a charged object to Earth to remove objects unbalanced charge.
Gamma emission (n): The process in which a nucleon of a radioactive nucleus moves to a lower-energy
state and emits gamma ray.
Gamma ray (n): A high-energy photon, released when a proton or a neutron moves to a lower-energy
state in a nucleus.
General relativity theory (n): the theory of Einstein which generalizes special relativityto no inertial
frames of reference and incorporates gravitation, and in which events take place in a curved place.
Gravitation (n): the mutual attraction between all masses in the universe. Also known as gravitational
attraction.
Gravitational constant (n): the constant of proportionality in Newtons law of gravitation, equal to the
gravitational force between any two particles times the square of the distance between them, divided by
the product of their masses.
Gravity (n): the gravitational attraction at the surface of a planet or other celestial body.

H
Half-life (n): length of time for half of a sample of radioactive material to decay.
Harmonics (n): frequencies produced by musical instrument that are multiples of fundamental tone.
Heat (n): quantity of energy transferred from one object to another because of a difference in
temperature.
Heat engine (n): device that converts thermal energy to mechanical energy.
Heat of fusion (n): quantity of energy needed to change a unit mass of a substance from solid to liquid
state at the melting point.
Heat of vaporization (n): quantity of energy needed to change a unit mass of a substance from liquid to
gaseous state at the boiling point.
Heisenberg uncertainty principle (n): the more accurately one determines the position of a particle, the
less accurately the momentum can be known, and vice versa.
Hertz (n): unit of frequency equal to one event or cycle per second.

Hole (n): absence of an electron in a semiconductor.

Hookes law (n): deformation of an object is proportional to force causing it.
Huygens wavelets (n): model of spreading of waves in which each point on wave front is source of
circular or spherical waves.
Hydraulic system (n): machines using fluids to transmit energy.
Heat: energy moving by conduction.
Harmonic oscillation (n): (1). any physical system that is bound to a position of stable
equilibrium by a restoring force or torque proportional to the linear or angular displacement
from this position. (2) Anything which has equations of motion that are the same as the system in the
mechanics definition.
I
Illuminance (n): rate at which electromagnetic wave energy falls on a surface.
Illuminated object (n): object on which light falls.
Image (n): reproduction of object formed with lenses or mirrors.
Impulse (n): product of force and time interval over which it acts.
Impulse-momentum theorem (n): impulse given to an object is equal to its change in momentum.
Incandescent body (n): object that emits light because of its high temperature.
Incident wave (n): wave that strikes a boundary where it is either reflected or refracted.
Incoherent light (n): light consisting of waves that are not in step.
Index of refraction (n): ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to its speed in a material.
Inelastic collision (n): collision in which some of the kinetic energy is changed into another form.
Inertia (n): tendency of object not to change its motion.
Inertial mass (n): ratio of net force exerted on object to its acceleration.
Initial velocity (n): velocity of object at time t=0.
Instantaneous acceleration (n): acceleration at a specific time; slope of tangent to velocity- time graph.
Instantaneous position (n): position of an object at specific time.
Instantaneous velocity (n): slope of the tangent to position- time graph.
Insulator (n): material through which the flow of electrical charge carriers or heat is greatly reduced.
Interference fringes (n): pattern of dark and light bands from interference of light waves.
Interference of waves (n): displacements of two or more waves, producing either large or smaller
waves.
Internal forces (n): forces between objects within a system.
Ionizing radiation (n): particles or waves that can remove electrons from atoms, molecules, or atoms in
a solid.
Isolated system (n): a collection of objects not acted upon by external forces into which energy neither

enters nor leaves.

Isotope (n): atomic nuclei having same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Infrared ray(n): a ray of infrared radiation.
Intrinsic property (n): a property of a substance that is not seriously affected by impurities or
imperfection in the crystal structure.
Inertia (n): the resistance of matter to any change in its velocity.
Inertial mass (n): the ratio of force to acceleration when a net force acts on a body.
Instantaneous speed (n): the rate of travel that matter has at a particular instant in
time (or at particular point in space).
Internal energy (n): the energy stored within a matter in the forms of kinetic and
potential energies of its molecules or atoms, including the mass itself through E = mc2
Isolated system (n): a system which is isolated so that it can not exchange matter or
energy with its surroundings and can therefore attain a state of thermodynamic equilibrium.
J
Joule (n): SI unit of energy equal to one Newton-meter.
Joule heating (n): increase in temperature of electrical conductor due to conversion of electrical to
thermal energy.

K
Kelvin temperature scale (n): scale with 0 K= absolute zero and 273.16 K = triple point of water.
Keplers laws (n): three laws of motion of bodies attracted together by the gravitational force.
Kilogram (n): SI unit of mass.
Kilowatt hour (n): amount of energy equal to 3.6 x 10 6 J. Usually used in electrical measurement.
Kinematics (n): study of motion of objects without regard to the causes of this motion.
Kinetic energy (n): energy of object due to its motion.
Kinetic-molecular energy (n): description of matter as being made up of extremely small particles in
constant motion.
Kinetic energy (n): the energy of motion of a body. A measure of a moving bodys
ability to do work, related to its mass and speed through the relation 2
02
1 mv .

L
Laser (n) : devise that produces coherent light by stimulated emission of radiation.
Laser- induced fusion (n): proposed method of creating nuclear fusion by using heating caused by
intense laser beams to squeeze matter together.
Law of conservation of energy (n): in a closed, isolated system, the total momentum is constant.
Law of reflection (n): angle of incidence of a wave is equal to the angle of reflection.
Law of universal gravitation (n): gravitational force between two objects depends directly on the
product of their masses and inversely on the square of their separation.
Lens (n): optical device designed to converge or diverge light. .
Lenzs law (n): magnetic field generated by an induced current opposes the change in field that caused
the current.
Lever arm (n): component of the displacement of the force from the axis of rotation in the axis of
rotation in the direction perpendicular to the force.
Light (n): electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nm that is visible.
Linear accelerator (n): device to accelerate subatomic particles by applying successive electric field. .
Liquid 9n): materials that have fixed volume but whose shape depends on the container. .
Longitudinal waves (n): wave in which direction of disturbance is the same as the direction of travel of
wave.
Loudness (n): physiological measure of amplitude of a sound wave; heard on pitch and tone color as
well as amplitude.
Lumen (n): unit of luminous flux.
Luminance intensity (n): measure of light emitted by source in candelas; luminous flux divided by 4pie.
Luminous flux (n): flow of light from source measured in lumens.
Luminous object (n): object that emits light, as opposed to one that reflects light.
Lux (n): unit of luminous flux; one lumen per square meter.
Laser (n): an active electron device that converts input power into a very narrow,
intense beam of coherent visible or infrared light; the input power excites the atoms of an
optical resonator to a higher energy level, and the resonator forces the excited atoms to
radiate in phase. Derived from light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
Line spectrum (n): 1. A spectrum of radiation in which the quantity being studied, such
as frequency or energy, takes on discrete values. 2. Conventionally, the spectra of atoms, ions, and
certain molecules of substance in
the gaseous phase at low pressures, distinguished from band spectra of molecules, which
consist of a pattern of closely spaced spectral lines which could not resolved by early
spectroscope.

M
Magnetic field (n): space around a magnet throughout which magnetic force exists.
Magnification (n): ratio of size of an optical image to the size of the object.
Mass number (n): number of nucleons ( protons plus neutrons) in the nucleus of an atom.
Mass spectrometer (n): device used to measure the mass of atoms or molecules.
Matter wave (n): wave-like properties of particles such as electrons.
Mechanical energy (n): sum of potential and kinetic energy.
Mechanical resonance (n): condition at which natural oscillation frequency equals frequency of driving
force; amplitude of oscillatory motion at a maximum.
Mechanical wave (n): wave consisting of periodic motion of matter; e.g. sound wave or water wave as
opposed to electromagnetic wave.
Melting point (n): temperature at which substance changes from solid to liquid state.
Meson: medium mass subatomic particle consisting of combination of a quark and antiquary
Meter (n): SI unit of length.
Moderator (n): material used to decrease speed of neutrons in nuclear reactor.
Momentum (n): product of objects mass and velocity.
Monochromatic light (n): light of a single wavelength.
Mutual inductance (n): measures the amount of overlap between the magnetic flux produced in one coil
and that which passes through a second coil, thus the amount of EMP induced in a secondary coil by the
varying flux in the primary coil.
Myopia (n): defect of eye, commonly called nearsightedness, in which distant objects focus in front of the
retina.
Massive (n): being large in size, quantity or extent.
Mass (n): a quantitative measure of a bodys resistance to being accelerated; equal
to the inverse of the ratio of the bodys acceleration to the acceleration of a standard
mass under otherwise identical conditions.
Mechanics (n): 1. In the original sense, the study of the behavior of physical systems
under the action of forces.
2. More broadly, the branch of physics which seeks to formulate general rules for
predicting the behavior of a physical system under the influence of any type of interaction
with the environment.
Macro world (n): the world of study concerning with things of large size and scope.
Micro world (n): the world of study concerning with things of very small in size and
scope.

Mechanics: The branch of physics which seeks to formulate general rules for predicting
the behavior of a physical system under the influence of any type of interaction with its
environment.
N
n-type semiconductor (n): semiconductor in which current is carried by electrons.
Net force (n): vector sum of forces on object.
Neutral (adj): object that has no net electric charge. .
Neutron (n): subatomic particle with no charge and mass slightly greater than that of proton; type of
nucleon.
Newton (n): SI unit of force.
Newtons law of motion (n): laws relating force and acceleration.
Node (n): point where disturbances caused by two or more waves result in no displacement.
Normal force (n): force perpendicular to surface.
Nuclear equation (n): equation representing a nuclear reaction.
Nuclear fission (n): reaction in which large nucleus splits into two parts, often approximately equal in
mass.
Nuclear fusion (n): reaction in which two nuclei are combined into one.
Nuclear reaction (n): reaction involving the strong force in which the number of protons or neutrons in a
nucleus changes.
Nuclear reactor (n): device in which nuclear fusion is used to generate electricity.
Nuclear transmutation (n): change of one nucleus into another as the result of a nuclear reaction.
Nucleon (n): either a proton or a neutron.
Nuclide (n): nucleus of an isotope.
Net force (n): the resultant force when more than one force acts on an object; the total
force that causes acceleration.
Net or resultant vector (n): the single vector that by itself describes the addition of two
or more vectors
Nuclear fission (n): The splitting of a nucleus.
Nuclear fusion (n): The building of a larger nucleus from a smaller ones.
Nuclear reactor (n): A device using nuclear fission to generate heat that may be used to
generate electric power.
Nucleus (n): The tiny center of an atom composed of protons and neutrons (thus having
a positive charge) and containing almost all of the atoms mass.

Nuclear Physics: The study of the characteristics, behavior, and internal structure of the
atomic nucleus.
O
Object (n): source of diverging light rays; either luminous or illuminated.
Octave (n): interval between two frequencies with a ratio of two to one.
Ohm (n): SI unit of resistance; one volt per ampere.
Ohms law (n): resistance of object is constant, independent of voltage across it.
Open- pipe resonator (n): cylindrical tube with both ends closed and a sound source at one end.
Opposing sides/factors (n): those factors that are opposite to each other.
Orbit (n): 1. any closed path followed by a particle or body, such as the orbit of a
celestial body under the influence of gravity, the elliptical path followed by electrons in
the Bohr theory, or the paths followed by particles in a circular particle accelerator. 2. any path
followed by a particle, such as helical paths of particles in a magnetic
field, or the parabolic path of a comet.
Ohm (n): The metric unit of electrical resistance; 1 volt per amp.
Optics: The study of phenomena associated with the generation, transmission, and
detection of electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range extending from the long-wave
edge of the x-ray region to the short-wave edge of the radio region, and the science of light.
P
p-type semiconductor (n): semiconductor in which conduction is the result of motion of holes.
Pair production (n): formation of particle and antiparticle from gamma rays.
Parabolic mirror (n): mirror the shape of a parabolic of revolution that has no spherical aberration.
Parallel circuit (n): circuit in which there are two or more paths for current flow.
Parallel connection (n): connection of two or more electrical devices between two points to provide
more than one current path.
Pascal (n): SI unit of pressure; one neutron per square meter.
Pascals principle (n): pressure applied to a fluid is transmitted undiminished throughout it.
Period: time needed to repeat one complete cycle of motion.
Periodic motion (n): motion that repeats itself at regular intervals of time.
Photoelectric effect (n): election of electrons from surface of metal exposed to electromagnetic
radiation.
Photon (n): quantum of electromagnetic waves; particle aspect of these waves.
Piezoelectricity (n): electric potential produced by deforming material.

Pigment (n): colored material that absorbs certain colors and transmits or reflects others.
Pitch (n): perceived sound characteristics equivalent to frequency.
Plancks constant (n): ratio of energy of photon to its frequency.
Plane mirror (n): flat, smooth surface that reflects light regularly.
Point object (n): object idealized as so small to be located at only one position.
Polarized light (n): light in which electric fields are all in same plane.
Position (n): separation between object and a reference point.
Position- time graph (n): graph of objects motion that shows how its position depends on clock reading,
or time.
Positron (n): antiparticle equivalent of electron.
Potential difference (n): difference in electric potential between two points.
Potential energy (n): energy of object due to its position or state.
Potentiometer 9n): electrical device with variable resistance; rheostat.
Power (n): rate of doing work; rate of energy conversion.
Precision (n): degree of exactness in a measurement.
Pressure(n): force per unit area.
Primary coil (n): transformer coil that, when connected to voltage source, creates varying magnetic flux.
Primary light colors (n): red, green, or blue light.
Primary pigment (n): yellow, green, or magenta light.
Principal axis (n): line connecting center of curvature of spherical mirror with its geometric vertex. Line
perpendicular to plane of lens passing through its center.
Principle of superposition (n): displacement due to two or more forces is equal to vector sum of
forces.
Projectiles (n): motion of objects given initial velocity that then move only under force of gravity.
Proton (n): subatomic particle with positive charge that is nucleus of hydrogen atom.
Photo-electricity (n): the electrical phenomena taking place under the influence of
electromagnetic radiation.
Phase (n): a particular stage in a process; or a sate of a matter.
Penetration power: the ability that a particle can pass through s potential barrier, that is,
through a finite region in which the particles potential energy is greater than its total energy.
Pressure (n): a type of stress which is exerted uniformly in all directions; its measure
is the force exerted per unit of area.
Principle of equivalence (n): In general gravity, the principle that the observable local
effects of a gravitational field are distinguishable from those arising from acceleration of the
frame of reference. Also known as Einsteins equivalency principle

Prism (n): An optical system consisting of two or more usually plane surfaces of
transparent solid or embedded liquid at an angle with each other. Also known as optical
prism.
Potential energy due to gravity (n): the measure of the potential of gravity to do work
on an object. Near earths surface, gravitys potential energy is equal to mgd, where d is the
distance that the object may fall.
Potential energy (n): energy a body has because a force that acts on a body has the
potential to perform work on that body.
Power (n): the rate of doing work or using energy. Power is the ratio of work done (or
energy used) to the amount of time required to do that work (or to use that energy).
Polar molecule (n): A molecule that, though neutral overall, has positive and negative
areas on its surface
Polarization (n): The shifting of charge in an object when it is exposed to an electric
field. Its atoms or molecules become negatively charged on one side and positively charged
on the other side.
Parent nucleus (n): A nucleus that decays to form a different nucleus which is called the
daughter nucleus.
Positron (n): A particle with the mass of an electron but with an opposite charge to the
electrons charge. The antiparticle of the electron.
Particle physics: The branch of physics concerned with understanding the properties,
behavior, and structure of elementary particles, especially through study of collisions or
decays involving energies of hundreds of MeV or more.
Physics: The science concerned with those aspects of nature which can be understood in
terms of elementary principles and laws.
Plasma Physics: The study of highly ionized gases.
Q
Quantized (n): a quantity that cannot be divided into smaller increments forever, for which there exists a
minimum, quantum increment.
Quantum mechanics (n): study of properties of matter using its wave properties.
Quantum model of atom (n): atomic model in which only probability of locating electron is known.

Quantum number (n): integer ratio of energy to its quantum increment.

Quark )n): basic building block of protons, neutrons, other baryons, and mesons.
Quark model (n): model in which all particles that interact via the strong interaction are composed of two
or three quarks.
Quarks and leptons (n): believed to be the most elementary particles today, the particles
that make up all the other known particles.
Quantity (n): the amount of something that there is or you can measure or count.
Quantum holography (n): A technique for recording and later reconstructing, the
amplitude and phase distribution of a wave disturbance, widely used as a method of threedimensional
optical image formation, the technique is accomplished by recording on a
photographic plate the pattern of interference between coherent light reflected from the object
of interest, and light that comes directly from the same source or is reflected from a mirror.
Quantum mechanics (n): the modern theory of matter, of electromagnetic radiation, and
of interaction between matter and radiation, it differs from classical physics, which it
generalizes and supersedes, mainly in the realm of atomic and subatomic phenomena. Also
known as quantum theory.
R
Radiation (n): electromagnetic waves that carry energy.
Radioactive decay (n): spontaneous change of unstable nuclei into other nuclei.
Radioactive materials (n): materials that undergo radioactive decay.
Range of projectile (n): horizontal distance between launch point of projectile and where it returns to
launch height.
Ray model of light (n): light may be represented by straight line along direction of motion.
Ray optics (n): study of light using ray model.
Rayleigh criterion (n): two optical images are separable if central bright spot of one image falls on first
dark band of second.
Real image (n): optical image at which rays from object converge.
Receiver (n): device that detects electromagnetic waves.
Reference level (n): location at which potential energy is chosen to be zero.
Reference point (n): zero location in a coordinate system or frame of reference.
Refraction (n): change in direction of light ray when passing one medium to another.
Refractive index (n): ratio of speed of light in vacuum to that in the medium.
Resistance (n): ratio of potential difference across device to current through it.

Resistance force (n): force exerted by a machine.

Resistor (n): device designed to have a specific resistance.
Responding variable (n): variable that changes as result of change in manipulated variable.
Rest energy (n) : energy due to mass of object; E= m c2
Resultant (adj) : vector sum of two or more vectors.
Right -hand rules (n): used to find force on current or moving particle in magnetic field; used to find
direction of magnetic field caused by current or of induced EMF.
Rutherfords model of atom (n): nuclear model of atom; essentially all mass in compact, positivelycharged object at center, surrounded by electrons.
Radiation (n): 1. The emission and propagation of waves transmitting energy through
some medium; for example, the emission and propagation of electromagnetic, sound or elastic
waves. 2. The energy transmitted by waves through space or some medium; when unqualified,
usually refers to electromagnetic radiation. Also known as radiant energy. 3. A stream of particles, such
as electrons, protons, neutrons, particles, or high energy
photons, or a mixture of these.
Relative speed (n): the speed of an object with respect to something else
Radioactive nuclei (n): Unstable nuclei that emit either gamma rays or particles in the
act of losing energy to be come more stable.
Relativity: The study of physics theory which recognizes the universal character of the
propagation speed of light and the consequent dependence of space, time, and other
mechanical measurements on the motion of the observer performing the measurements, the
two main divisions are special theory and general theory.
S
Scalar (n): quantity, like distance, that has only a magnitude, or size.
Schematic diagram (n): representation of electric circuit using symbols.
Scientific notation (n): numbers expressed in form M x 10n , where 1< M < 10, and n is an integer.
Scintillation (n): flash of light emitted when substance is struck by radiation.
Second (n): SI unit of time.
Second law of thermodynamics (n): heat flow only from region of high temperature o region of lower
temperature.
Secondary coil (n): transformer coil in which varying EMF is induced.
Secondary light colors (n): yellow, cyan, or magenta light.
Secondary pigment (n): red, green, or blue pigment.

Self- inductance (n): induced EMF produced in coil by changing current.

Semiconductor (n): material in which electrical conduction is smaller than that in a conductor, but more
than in insulator.
Series circuit (n): circuit in which electrical current flows through each component, one after another.
Series connection (n): arrangement of electrical devices so that there is only one path through which
current can flow.
Short circuit: (n): low resistance connection between two points, often accidental.
SI (n): internationally agreed -upon method of using the metric system of measurement.
Significant digit (n): reliable digits reported in a measurement.
Simple harmonic motion (n): motion caused by linear restoring that has a period independent of
amplitude of motion.
Simple machine (n): machine consisting of only one lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw, pulley, or wheel
and axle.
Sine (n): the ratio of the opposite side and the hypotenuse.
Sliding friction (n): force between two surfaces in relative motion.
Slope (n): ratio of the vertical separation, or rise to the horizontal separation, or run.
Solid (n): state of matter with fixed volume and shape.
Sound level (n): quantity measuring logarithm of sound intensity in decibels.
Spark chamber (n): device used to detect path of charged subatomic particles by a spark that jumps
along path of ionization created in a gas.
Specific heat (n): thermal energy needs to change temperature of unit mass of substance one Kelvin.
Spectroscope (n): device used to study spectrum of material.
Spectrum (n): collection of wavelengths in electromagnetic spectrum.
Speed (v): ratio of distance traveled to time interval.
Speed of light (n): in vacuum, 2.9979458 * 10^8 m/s.
Spherical aberration (n): inability of spherical mirror to focus all parallel rays to a single point.
Standing wave (n): wave with stationary nodes.
Static friction (n): force that opposes start of motion between two surfaces.
Step- down transformer (n): transformer with output voltage smaller than input voltage.
Step- up transformer (n): transformer with output voltage larger than input voltage.
Stimulated emission (n): emission of photon from excited atom caused by impact fo photon of same
energy.
Strong nuclear force (n): force of very short range that holds neutrons and protons in nucleus together.
Superconductor (n): electrical conductor that has no resistance and low temperatures.
Surface wave (n): wave on surface of liquid with characteristics of both longitudinal and transverse
waves.
Symmetry (n): property that is now charged when operation or reference frame is charged.

Synchrotron (n): device to accelerate particles in which particles move in circular path.
System (n): defined collection of objects.
Strong interaction (n): The short-ranged but extremely strong attractive force between
the nucleons of the nucleus.
Stable atom (n): An atom whose nucleus is stable, that is, un-changing in time (unlessdisrupted
by an external source)
Secular equilibrium (n): whenever the amount of a radioactive isotope remains constant
because nuclei are being added to the isotope at the same rate at which nuclei are
disintegrating.
Semiconductor (n): An electrical insulating material in pure form that takes on the
properties of a conductor when impurity atoms of specific types are introduced in small
amounts.
Simulation (n): an attempt to solve a problem by representing it mathematically, often
using a computer.
Simple oscillator (n): 1. Any physical system that is bound to a position of stable
equilibrium by a restoring force or torque proportional to the linear or angular displacement
from this position. 2. Anything which has equations of motion that are the same as the system in the
mechanics denifition. Also known as Linear oscillator; harmonic oscillator.
Straight-line motion (n): the motion in which an object moves along a straight line.
Stationary (adj): not moving.
Spectrometer (n): 1. A spectroscope that is provided with a calibrated scale either for
measurement of wavelength or for measurement of refractive indices of transparent prism
materials. 2. A spectroscope equipped with a photoelectric photometer to measure radiant
intensities at various wavelengths
Spectroscope (n): An optical instrument consisting of a slit, collimator lens, prism or
grating, and a telescope or objective lens which produces a spectrum for visual observation.
Spectroscopy (n): The branch of Physics concerned with the production, measurement,
and interpretation of electromagnetic spectra arising from either emission or absorption of
radiant energy by various substances.

Spectrum (pl: spectra) (n): 1. A display or plot of intensity of radiation(particles,

photons, or acoustic radiation) as a function of mass, momentum, wavelengths, or related
quantity. 2. The set of frequencies, wavelengths, or related quantities involved in some process; for
example, each element has a characteristic discrete spectrum for emission and absorption of
light. 3. A range of frequencies within which radiation has some specified characteristic, such
as audio-frequency spectrum, ultraviolet spectrum, or radio spectrum.
Scale: a piece of equipment for weighing things.
Spin (n): 1. rotation of a body around its axis. 2. the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary
particle or nucleus which
exists even when the particle is at rest, as distinguished from orbital angular
momentum.
Series circuit (n): An electrical circuit that provides more than one path along which
current can move.
Short circuit (n): A path of too low resistance in an electric circuit, leading to a great
increase in the amount of current in the circuit.
Static charge (n): charge not in motion.
Superconductor (n): An element or compound whose electrical resistance vanishes at
its critical temperature, allowing current to pass without any loss of energy.
Solid-state Physics: The branch of physics centering on the physical properties of solid
materials, it is usually concerned with the properties of crystalline material only, but it is
sometimes extended to include the properties of glasses or polymers.
Spectroscopy: The branch of physics concerned with the production measurement, and
interpretation of electromagnetic spectra arising from either emission ro absorption of radiant
energy by various substances.
Statistical Mechanics: That branch of physics which endeavors to explain and predict
the macroscopic properties and behavior of a system on the basis of the known characteristics
and interactions of the microscopic constituents of the system, usually when the number of
such constituents is very large.

T
Tangent (n): the ratio of the opposite side and the adjacent side.
Temperature (n): measure of hotness of object on a quantitative scale. In gases, proportional to
average kinetic energy of molecules.
Terminal velocity (n): velocity of falling object reached when force of air resistance equals weight.
Test charge (n): charge used, in principle, to measure electric field.
Thermal energy (n): internal energy. Sum of kinetic and potential energy of random motion of particles
making up object.
Thermal equilibrium (n): state between two or more bodies where temperatures do not change.
Thermal expansion (n): increase of length or volume of object due to change in temperature.
Thermometer (n): device used to measure temperature.
Thermonuclear reaction: nuclear fusion.
Thin- film interference (n): light interference caused by reflection from both front and rear surface of thin
layer of liquid or solid.
Timbre (n): sound quality or tone color; spectrum of sound frequencies that produce a complete wave.
Time interval (n): difference in time between two clock readings.
Tokamak (n): type of fusion reactor.
Tone color (n): timbre or tone quality.
Torque (n): product of force and the lever arm.
Trajectory (n): the path followed by projectile.
Transformer (n): device to transform energy from one electrical circuit to another by means of mutual
inductance between two coils.
Transistor (n): semiconductor device that controls large current by means of small voltage changes.
Translucent (n): material transmitting light without but distorting its path.
Transmutation (n): nuclear change from one element to another.
Transparent (n): material transmitting light without distorting directions of waves.
Transverse waves (n): wave in which disturbance is perpendicular to direction of travel of wave.
Traveling wave (n): moving, periodic disturbance in a medium or field.
Trigonometry (n): branch of math that deals with the relationship among angles and sides of triangles.
Trough of wave (n): low point of wave motion, where displacement is most negative.
Take it for granted (vp): believe that something is true without thinking about it very
much or looking for proof.
Terminal speed (n): the limit to a falling objects speed when air resistance on the object
equals its weight.

Tidal force (n): the stretching or pulling force that acts on an extended body that is
the gravity field of massive object.
Thermal equilibrium (n): property of a system all parts of which have attained a
uniform temperature which is the same as that of the systems surroundings.
Thermodynamics: The branch of physics which seeks to derive, from a few basis
postulates, relations between properties of substances, especially those which are affected by
changes in temperature, and a description of the conversion of energy from one form to
another.
U
Uniform acceleration (n): constant acceleration.
Uniform circular motion (n): motion in a circle of constant radius with constant speed.

V
Valence band (n): in a solid, the range of energies of electrons that are bound to atoms.
Vector quantity (n): quantity having both magnitude (size) and direction.
Vector resolution (n): process of finding the effective value of a component in a given direction.
Velocity (n): ratio of change in position to time interval over which change takes place.
Velocity- time graph (n): plot of velocity of object as a function of time.
Virtual image (n): point from which light rays appear to diverge without actually doing so.
Viscous fluid (n): fluid that creates force that opposes motion of objects through it. The force is
proportional to objects speed.
Volatile liquid (n): liquid that is easily vaporized.
Vector (n): an arrow used to represent a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Velocity (n): a vector that indicates the speed of a moving object together with its
direction of motion.
Vacuum (n):
1. theoretically, a space in which there is no matter. 2. practically, a space in which the pressure is
far bellow normal atmospheric pressure so that the remaining gases do not affect the processes

being carried out in the space. 3. the lowest possible energy state of a system, conceived of as a
polarizable gas of
virtual particles, fluctuating randomly.
Volt (n): The unit of electrical potential

Watt (n): unit of power, one joule per second.

Wavelength (n): distance between corresponding points on two successive waves.
Wave pulse (n): single disturbance moving through a medium or field.
Weak boson: (n) particle that carries or transmits the weak interaction of force.
Weak interaction (n): force involved in beta decay of the neutron and atomic nuclei; one aspect of the
electroweak force.
Weight (n): force of gravity of an object.
Weightlessness(n): object in freefall, on which only the gravitational force acts.
Wilson cloud chamber (n): chamber containing supersaturated vapor through which ionizing radiation
leaves trails of visible droplets.
Work (n): product of force and displacement in the direction of the force.
Work function (n): energy needed to remove an electron from metal.
Work energy theorem (n): work done on object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.
Watt (n): The metric unit of power, equal to 1 joule per second.
Wave mechanics (n): the version of non-relativistic quantum mechanics in which a
system is characterized by a wave function which is a function of the coordinates of all the
particles of the system and time, and obeys a differential equation, the Schrdinger equation;
physical quantities are represented by differential operators which may act on the wave
function, and expectation values of measurement are equal to integrals involving the
corresponding operator and the wave function. Also known as Schrodingers wave
mechanics (n):
Wave packet (n): In wave phenomena, a superposition of waves of differing lengths, so
phased that the resultant amplitude is negligibly small except in a limited portion of space
whose dimensions are the dimensions of the packet. Also known as packet.
Weightlessness (n): the condition whereby an object has no apparent weight relative to
any other object.

Wavelength (n): The distance between two points having the same phase in two
consecutive cycles of a periodic wave, along a line in the direction of propagation.
Weigh (v): if you weigh something, you measure how heavy it is.
Weight(n):
1. the gravitational force with which the earth attracts a body. 2. by extension, the gravitational
force with which a star, planet, or satellite
attracts a nearby body
Work (n): a measure of how productive an applied force is. When a force component
pushes or pulls an object through a distance (or resist its motion through a distance), it has
done work on the object. In the most general sense, work is how energy is transferred from
one body to another body.
wave-particle duality(n): the principle that both matter and electromagnetic radiation
exhibit phenomena in which they behave as particles, the two aspect being associated by de Broglie
relations. Also known as duality principle; wave-corpuscle duality.
X
X ray (n): high- energy photons; high- frequency, short-wavelength electromagnetic waves.
X-ray diffraction (n): A complicated technique using x-rays to "create an image" where no lens to focus
the light rays is available.
X-ray images n): Images such as photographs or computer enhanced images produced by bombarding
a target with x-rays.

Y
Young's modulus (n): A constant of proportionality associated with the change in length of a material
according to its elastic properties
Z
Zero-point energy (n): The lowest energy state of molecular vibration