This is
a vocabulary list for Unit 4,which we study in the Autumn term of the Upper
Sixth form.
We suggest that you translate each of these vital Physics words into your own language. If the translation is not sensible, check that you have found the Physics meaning. This meaning may be different from the everyday meaning. We have tried to include most of the more unusual words that are used in the first term of the Upper Sixth Form.
Angular (as in 'angular speed')
Omega (as in w)
Weightlessness
Is proportional to
Frequency
Period
Degrees (as a unit of angle)
Maximum
Mechanical
Pendulum
Spring; oscillating (as in 'oscillating spring')
Amplitude
Stiffness
System (as in 'the equations to describe the Earth-Moon system')
Sensor (as in ' using a motion sensor attached to a computer')
Vibrations
Generating (as in 'a machine for generating waves')
Transmission; transmits (as in 'how does a wave transmit energy?')
Interface (as in 'the interface between two media')
Loudspeaker
Phenomena
Visible
Demonstrate
Outline (as in 'give an outline of the experiment to...')
Spectrum
Electromagnetic (as in 'electromagnetic spectrum')
Wavelength
Frequency
Phase (as in 'her homework has gone out of phase with the lessons')
Order of magnitude (as in 'the charge on the electron is 10-19 C, to the nearest order of magnitude')
Interpret (as in 'how can we interpret this result graphically')
Plane (as in 'these three lines are all in the same plane') (not 'plain')
Property (as in 'colour is a property of light')
Conservation (as in 'conservation of energy')
Inverse square law (as in 1/r2)
Intensity (as in 'intensity of a sound, or a light beam')
Ray
Incident (as in 'the incident ray' and 'the angle of incidence')
Normal (as in 'normal to a surface')
Principle (as in 'the principle on which this works is...)
Illustrate (as in 'using a ball bearing to illustrate Newton's laws')
Definition
Stationary
Microwaves
Vibration
Generator (as in 'vibration generator')
Diffraction
Grating
Width
Relative (as in 'the relative widths of the two slits are ...')
Slit (as in 'the width of that slit is...')
Constructive
Destructive
Interference
Order (as in 'second order')
Distribution
Pattern
Circular
Typical (as in 'the typical height of a person is...')
Proof
Model (as in 'lines with arrows produce a useful model of a magnetic field')
Concept
Discharge (as in 'discharge of a charged metal object')
Laser
Level (as in 'moving a stone to a higher level')
Emission
Absorption
Electron
Dual (as in 'this is a dual purpose tool')
Vacuum
Atom
Analogy
Optical (as in 'the optical spectrum is interesting; the ultra violet spectrum is not')
Shift (as in 'we must shift this stone over there')
Star
Galaxy
Universe
Uncertainty
Density
Expansion
Contraction
(If you actually think that this list has been any use to you, please let us know. Then we will make a list for the other Units of the A-level syllabus)