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P2 Glossary AW
Glossary of key words for P2- Living for the Future (Energy Resources)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Alpha particles | Radioactive particles which are helium nuclei- helium atoms without the electrons (they have a positive charge). |
| Alternating current | An electric current that is not a one-way flow. |
| Asteroid | Composed of rock or metallic material orbiting the Sun in region between Mars and Jupiter. |
| Beta particles | Particles given off by some radioactive materials (they have a negative charge). |
| Big bang | The event believed by many scientists to have been the start of the Universe. |
| Biomass | Waste wood and other materials which are burned in power stations. |
| Black hole | A region of space form which nothing, not even light, can escape. |
| Carbon footprint | The total amount of greenhouse gases given off by a person in a given time. |
| Centripetal force | Force acting on a body, travelling in a circle, which acts toward the centre of the circle and keeps the body moving in a circle. |
| Comets | Lumps of rock and ice found in space- some orbit the Sun. |
| Conductors | Materials which transfer thermal energy easily; electrical conductors allow electricity to flow through them. |
| Constellation | A group of stars that has been given a name by astronomers because they seem to be close together when seen from Earth; members of a constellation may actually be many light years away from each others. |
| Direct current | An electric current that flows in one direction only. |
| Dynamo | A device that converts energy in movement into energy in electricity. |
| Efficiency | Ratio of useful energy output to total energy input; can be expressed as a percentage. |
| Elliptical orbit | A path that follows and elipse-which looks a bit like a flattened circle. |
| Galaxy | A group made of billions of stars. |
| Gamma rays | Ionising electromagnetic waves that are radioactive and dangerous to human health- but useful in killing cancer cells. |
| Global warming | The increase in the Earth’s temperature due to increases in carbon dioxide levels. |
| Greenhouse gas | Any of the gases whose absorption of infrared radiation from the Earth’s surface is responsible for the greenhouse effect, e.g. carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour. |
| Joule | A unit of energy. |
| Kilowatt | 1000 watts. |
| Kilowatt hour | Unit of electricity equal to 3 600 000J |
| Light emitting diode(LED) | A very small light in electric circuits that uses very little energy. |
| Light year | A unit of distance equal to the distance light travels through space in one year. |
| Meteors | Bright flashes in the sky caused by rocks burning in the Earth’s atmosphere. |
| Multiplexing | Combination of multiple signals into one signal transmitted over a shared medium. |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration- the organisation in the United States responsible for the space programme. |
| National Grid | Network that carries electricity from power stations across the country (it uses cables, transformers and pylons). |
| Near Earth object | Asteroid, comet or large meteor whose orbit crosses Earth’s orbit. |
| Non-renewable energy | Energy which is used up at a faster rate than it can be replaced e.g. fossil fuels. |
| Nucleus | Central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons. |
| Payback time | The time it takes for the original cost outlay to be recovered in savings. |
| Photocell | A device which converts light into electricity. |
| Plutonium | A radioactive metal often formed as a bi-product from a nuclear power station- sometimes used as a nuclear fuel. |
| p-n Junction | The boundary between two special types of silicon in a photocell and other electronic components. |
| Power | The rate that a system transfers energy, power is usually measured in watts (W). |
| Probe | Unmanned space vehicle designed to travel beyond Earth’s orbit. |
| Radiation | Thermal energy transfer which occurs when something hotter than its surroundings radiates heat from its surface. |
| Radioactive | Material which gives out radiation. |
| Red shift | When lines in a spectrum are redder than expected- if an object has a red shift it is moving away from us. |
| Renewable energy | Energy that can be replenished at the same rate that it is used up e.g. biofuels. |
| Satellite | A body orbiting around a larger body; communications satellites orbit the Earth to relay television and telephone signals. |
| Solar cells | Devices which convert the Sun’s energy into electricity. |
| Solar System | The collection of planets and other objects orbiting around the Sun. |
| Star | Bright object in the sky which is lit by energy from nuclear reactions. |
| Turbine | Device for generating electricity- the turbine moves through a magnetic field and electricity is generated. |
| Universe | The whole of space. |
| Uranium | A radioactive metal used in nuclear power stations. |
| Watt | A unit of power, 1 watt equals 1 joule of energy being transferred per second. |
Created by:
Brimsham
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