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physics unit 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| equation | a statement that the values of two math expressions are equal (indicated by the sign =). |
| law | A rule describing a relationship that always works in the same way under the same conditions. |
| frequency | the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. |
| oscillition | movement back and forth at a regular speed |
| wave period | the time it takes to complete one cycle. |
| amplitude | the distance from the resting position to the top of a crest or to the bottom of a trough. |
| geocentrism | the belief that the Earth is at the center of the Universe. |
| heliocentrism | the belief that the Sun is at the center of the Universe |
| acceleration | the rate at which velocity changes over time. |
| centripetal force | Any force that keeps an object moving in a circle. |
| velocity | a speed in a specific direction. |
| terminal velocity | the final, maximum velocity of the following object. |
| force | a push or pull’ something that changes the motion of an object. |
| friction | A force that resists the motion between two surfaces in contact. |
| energy | The ability to do work or to cause a change. |
| theory | a well-tested explanation of a phenomenon that is consistent with all available evidence. |
| inertia | the resistance of an object to a change in speed or direction of its motion. |
| joule | a unit used to measure energy and work |
| kinetic energy | the energy of motion. |
| newtons first law of energy | energy is neither created nor destroyed but transformed and transferred from one form to another. |
| newtons first law of motion | a law stating that the acceleration of an object increases with increased force, and decreases with increasing mass. |
| newtons second law of motion | a law stating that the acceleration of an object increases with increased force, and decreases with increasing mass. |
| law of conservative momentum | the amount of momentum does not change in a system as long as there is no outside force acting on that system. |
| momentum | a measure of mass in motion. |
| motion | a change of position over time. |
| vector | a quantity that has both size and direction. |
| relative motion | the idea that the observation of motion depends on the observer. |
| newtons third law of motion | a law stating that every time one object exerts a force on another object, the second object exerts a force that is equal in size and opposite in direction back on the first object. |
| frequency of a wave | the number of waves that pass a fixed point in unit time |