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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 |