Term | Definition |
Force | A push or pull exerted on an object |
Friction | Force that two surfaces exert on each other when they rub against each other |
Weight | A measure of the force of gravity acting on an object |
Speed | The distance an object travels per unit of time |
Velocity | Speed in a given direction |
Acceleration | Then rate at which velocity changes |
Sliding Friction | Friction that occurs when one solid surface slides over another |
Rolling Friction | Friction that occurs when an object rolls over a surface |
Static Friction | Friction that acts between objects that are not moving |
Fluid Friction | Friction that occurs as an object moves through a fluid |
Work | work=force * distance in Joules |
Power | power= work/time in Watts |
Gravitational Potential Energy | Energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field; 9.8 |
Energy | The ability to do work or cause change |
Kinetic Energy | Energy that an object has due to its motion |
Altitude | Elevation above sea level |
Weather | The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place |
Atmosphere | The relatively thin layer of gases that form Earth's outermost layer |
Water Vapor | Water in the form of a gas |
Electromagnetic Radiation | The energy transferred through space by electromagnetic waves |
UV Rays | Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths that are shorter than visible light |
Infrared Radiation | Electromagnetic waves that are longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves |
Greenhouse Effect | The trapping of heat near a planet's surface by certain gasses in th eplanet's atmosphere |
Scattering | Reflection of light in all directions |
Optical Telescope | A telescope that uses lenses and mirrors to collect and focus visible light |
Nonoptical Telescope | A telescope that doesn't collect visible light |
Parallax | The apparent change in position of an object when seen from different places |
Lightyear | The distance that light travels in one year, about 9.5 million million kilometers |
Penumbra | The part of the shadow surrounding the darkest part |
Umbra | The darkest part of a shadow |