A-level Mechanics and Thermal Physics Glossary 

The temperature at which all molecular motion is zero - zero Kelvin
The rate of change of velocity = change in v / time
9.81 ms-2
the ______ of a v/t graph gives the distanced travelled
The number of C-12 atoms in 12g of Carbon-12
equal to the molar gas constant (R) divided by the Avagadro constant (L)
the position within any object through which all its weight can be considered to act.  The point within any object where its mass can be replaced by a particle of equal mass to the object.
The principle that describes how energy and momentum are not created or destroyed
Forces that all act in one plane (as if acting on the surface of a flat piece of paper)
Two equal turning forces sharing a common pivot
The vector distance an object has moved away from any fixed position
A collision in which kinetic energy is conserved
The capacity to do work
Forces and moments that are balanced are said to be in _____
Measured in Newtons - it is related to the acceleration required to change the motion of any object considering its mass
The ______ of a v/t graph gives the acceleration
The gain or loss of energy due to height
Q = mcq  - what is Q?
A gas which obeys Boyles Law - pV is a constant
In projectile motion problems the horizontal and the vertical motion are considered to be _______ and only linked by time
A collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved
1/2 m v2
the m in 1/2 m v2
The constant obtained from the ideal gas equation = pV/T
If we weigh out the atomic or molecular mass of any element we have obtained a ______ of that substance
The magnitude of a turning force = Force x perpendicular distance to pivot
Mass x velocity - the rate of change of this = Force
Acceleration that changes in time - so SUVAT equations can not be applied
The rate of conversion of energy - measured in Joules
The magnitude of a Force spread over an area
Motion of any object when freely moving in a gravitational field with independent horizontal and vertical motion
A force or velocity is said to be ______ when we calculate its effective magnitude in any chosen direction
the rms velocity of gas molecules - which averages the molecular motion in 3 dimensions
Any quantity that has a magnitude - but no direction
The c in Q = mcq  - related to a substance's change of heat per unit mass when its temperature is altered
The energy required to change a substance from one state to another (eg. Melting or freezing)
The scalar quantity giving the magnitude of velocity = s/t
Q = mcq  - what is q ?
The top speed of any object - when the frictional forces balance the driving forces
The turning action of a force (usually when an object is being rotated around a central pivot)
Acceleration that does not change in time - and so SUVAT equations can be applied
Any quantity that has a both magnitude and direction
The rate of change of distance in any given direction
The amount of space a substance occupies
The gain or loss of mechanical energy = to the energy changed

 

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