IGCSE PHYSICS DEFINITION
# NAME DEFINITION Formula
𝒎
1 Density Mass per unit volume. Unit= kg/m3 ρ= 𝑽
Scalar Quantity that has only magnitude (size). Example,
distance, speed, mass
Vector Quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Example, displacement, velocity, force, weight,
momentum
Speed. Rate of change in distance unit: V= d/t
Unit = m/s
Velocity Rate of change in displacement. V= d/t
Unit= m/s
Acceleration Rate of change in velocity a=(v-u)/t
Unit= m/s2
Deceleration Negative acceleration or decrease in velocity m/s2
Rate of change of velocity.
Average speed Total distance / Total time
Unit= m/s
Stopping distance Distance covered when driver think about applying
brakes till car is stopped.
Stopping =thinking distance + braking distance
Thinking distance Distance travelled in the time it takes the driver to
react. (reaction time of driver)
Braking distance The distance travelled when brakes are applied till
car is stopped.
Gravitational Force of gravity per unit mass.
field strength Unit= m/s² OR N/kg
Free fall Motion under only gravitational force and no air
resistance, so constant acceleration as 9.8 m/s2
Weight Force due to gravitational field, so it is the product of w= mg
mass and acceleration due to gravity ( 9.8m/s2).
Work done Product of force and distance moved in direction of W= Fd
force. OR change in energy. W= 𝝙E
Unit= Joules or Nm
One Joule: One Joule refers to the work done by a force of 1
Newton, when it displaces a body through 1m in the J= Nm
direction of the force applied
Renewable Type of energy that never runs out. Easily
energy replenished. Energy from the sun, wind, etc.
resources:
Non-renewable Type of energy that runs out. Not easily replenished.
energy: Energy from fossil fuels, natural gas
Kinetic energy Energy due to movement. Unit= J 𝟏
K.E=𝟐 mv2
Gravitational Energy store in the object due to change in height in GPE= mgh
potential energy gravitational field energy
Chemical energy The energy stored in the bonds of chemical
compounds is called as the chemical energy.
Electrostatic It refers to the potential energy of a system of
energy separated electric charges
Elastic (Strain • Strain energy is the energy stored in an object due to •
energy) its deformation.
Internal • The energy of a thermodynamic system is its •
(Thermal) energy internal energy. It is the energy associated with the
random, disordered motion of molecules
Elastic potential Energy store in the object due to change in shape.
energy
Conservation of Energy cannot be created and destroyed but it can
energy transfer from one form to another forms.
Efficiency Ratio of useful power/energy output over the total
power/ energy input.
Newton’s second It states that, for a body of constant mass "m" and F= ma
law: net force "F", we can state that F = ma, where F ( net
force) and a (acceleration)/ Both are vector
quantities.
Friction: Friction is the force between two surfaces that may
resist motion and produce heating.
Drag force It is force acting in a direction that is opposite to the
relative motion of the object moving with respect to
the surrounding fluid. Fluid refers to liquids and
gases
Momentum The product of mass and the velocity. Amount of p= mv
motion in a body Unit= kgm/s
Force Is the rate of change in the momentum ∆𝒑
F=
𝒕
Principle of Total momentum before collision is equal to the
momentum total momentum after collision without the external
force act on the system
Impulse Change in momentum OR the product of force and I = 𝝙p= F t
time duration of collision Unit= kgm/s
Moment or Turning The product of force and perpendicular distance moment= Fd
effect of Force from pivot. Unit= Nm
Principle of The total anti clockwise moment is equal to the total F 1 d 1= F 2 d 2
moment clockwise moment about the pivot.
Condition for 1. No resultant force (resultant force=0)
equilibrium 2. No resultant moment(resultant moment=0)
Centre of gravity Centre of gravity is the single point which whole
weight of object act
Centre of mass Centre of mass is the single point which whole mass
is concentrated
Circular motion: Circular motion is the movement of an object along
the circumference of a circle or the rotation of an
object along a circular path.
Centripetal force F=
𝐦𝐯𝟐
𝐫
Pressure Force per unit area. P= 𝑨
𝑭
Unit= Pascal ( Pa= N/m2 )
P= ρgh
THERMAL
Brownian It is the random movement of larger particles, due to
motion: their collision with faster moving, smaller particles.
Absolute scale of
temperature:
Absolute zero Absolute zero is the temperature at which molecules
has the lowest energy. This temperature
corresponds to -273.15 °C ( 0 K ) on a Celsius
temperature scale. Lowest possible temperature.
State Boyle's law: For a fixed mass of a gas at constant temperature, PV= constant
the volume varies inversely as the pressure.
P1V1=P2V2
Thermal Thermal expansion is the expansion of an object
expansion: under the influence of heat
Melting point It is the temperature at which a solid changes into a
liquid
Boiling point It is the temperature at which a liquid changes into a
gas, without a rise in temperature.
Evaporation: It is the temperature at which a liquid changes into a
gas, over a range of temperatures
Good thermal Substances that allow the heat energy to flow
conductors through them easily are called as good thermal
conductors. They have free electrons
Bad thermal Substances that do not allow the heat energy to flow
conductors through them easily are called as good thermal
(thermal insulators. They don’t have free elcetrons
insulators):
Specific heat Heat energy that is required to change the E= mcΔ T
capacity temperature 1 Celsius for 1 kg of mass. Unit: J/kgC or
J/kgK
Thermal capacity Is the heat energy per unit temperature that require E=cΔT
to change temperature 1 Celsius Unit: J/C or
J/K
Conduction Transfer of energy through the movement of
particles. By free electrons, by vibration of lattice,
electrons hitting molecules and transferring energy.
.Convection Convection is a process of heat transfer involving
density differences within molecules of the same
fluid , in which the warmer and less dense portions
rise up, while the more dense and the heavier ones
sink down.
Radiation Transferring of heat by infrared radiation. Radiation
refers to the process of transmission or emission of
energy in the form of waves that can travel through
vacuum, meaning they do not require any medium.
Hooke’s law Extension in the spring is directly proportion to the F=k x
force/load applied, within the limit of propotonality. x = l - lo
Proportional Final point that the object will obey Hooke’s law.
limit
Elastic limit Is the point where is the maximum extent to which
an object can stretch without the permanent
deformation and when it beyond elastic limit, it
cannot return to original shape when removed force.
Spring constant Force per unit extension. K=F/x
Unit depends on unit of Fand x
Spring constant tells us how hard the spring is.
WAVES
Wave motion: Wave motion is the transfer of energy from one
place to another, without transferring matter.
Wave front: Wave front is the imaginary line joining all the crests
on a wave.
Transverse wave A transverse wave is a wave in which the direction of
vibration of particles is at perpendicular to the
direction of propagation.
They have crest and trough.
Examples include: electromagnetic radiation, water
waves and seismic S-waves (secondary).
Longitudinal For a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration of
wave particles is parallel to the direction of propagation.
They have compression and rarefaction.
Examples, sound waves and seismic P-waves
(primary).
Time Period(T) Time taken for ONE complete oscillation.
Frequency(f) Number of oscillation per second. f = 1/T
Frequency is the number of vibrations passing
through a point per unit time.
Wavelength(𝝺) Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive v=fλ
crests, two consecutive troughs or between any two
points in phase. Unit=m
Amplitude Distance between rest position and crest or trough
of wave. Amplitude represents the carrying energy
of wave. Unit=m
Compressions : These are high pressure regions on a pressure wave(
longitudinal wave)
Rarefactions: These are low pressure regions on a pressure wave
(longitudinal wave)
Analogue signal Continuous range of signal. Represented by sine
wave
Digital signal Discreet signals, only two values. Represented by
square wave
LIGHT
Reflection Reflection of wave is bouncing back of wave, wave
strike the obstacle, so it reflect to cause the direction
changed, but the speed, wavelength and frequency
are constant.
Law of reflection Angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection i=r
Incident ray, reflected ray and normal line lie in
same plane.
Refraction Refraction of wave is the bending of wave, wave
travel from one medium to other medium, so the
speed and wavelength changed but constant
frequency.
Snell’s law Ratio of sin of incident angle and sin of refracted 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐢
n = 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐫
angle is a constant (refractive index)
Diffraction Diffraction of wave is the spreading out of wave
when it passes through the gap or obstacle, so the
speed, wavelength and frequency of wave are
constant, shape changes.
Angle of It is the angle between the incident ray and the
incidence normal.
Angle of It is the angle between the reflected ray and the
reflection normal.
Angle of It is the angle between the refracted ray and the
refraction normal.
Normal A normal is a perpendicular line drawn to a surface ,
at the exact point where the incident ray hits the
surface
Critical angle (c) Critical angle is that angle of incidence , for which n = 1/ sin c
the angle of refraction is 90˚
Total internal Total internal reflection is when all light rays are
reflection only totally internally reflected. This happens when
the angle of incidence is greater than the critical
angle.
It happen when the wave travel from denser
medium to less dense medium.
Optical fiber An optical fibre is a fibre that is made of silica or
plastic , with a diameter just slightly greater than a
human hair. It is by nature flexible and transparent
Refractive index Refractive index is a measure of the bending of light n = c/v
ray when light changes medium. It is the ratio of the
velocity of light in a vacuum to its velocity in a 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐢
n = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐫
specified medium.
Refractive index is inversely proportional to
n = 1/sin c
wavelength of wave.
Converging lens A converging lens is a lens that allows all the
parallel rays of light passing through it, to converge
at a point.
Diverging lens: A diverging lens is a lens that causes the parallel
rays of light incident on it to diverge and form a
virtual image.
Virtual image: Virtual image is the image that cannot be projected
on the screen.
A virtual image is an image formed by rays of
light that do not actually meet to form that image. A
virtual image is formed when diverging rays are
extrapolated backwards and does not form a visible
projection on a screen
Real image: A real image is an image formed by rays of light
actually meeting at a point to form that image.
Is the image that can projected on screen.
Principal axis Imaginary line that connects optical center and
principal focus of a lens
Optical center(O) Center of the lens
Focal length(f) Focal length of lens is the distance between the
principle focal point and the centre of lens. (OF)
Principle focus(F) Principle focus of lens is a point, after passing
through lens, all parallel light rays meet together.
Dispersion of The splitting of white light into its colours when it is
light incident on a prism due to refraction, is called as
dispersion of light
Spectrum: A band of colours formed as a result of dispersion is
called as a spectrum.
Monochromatic
light: The visible light of a single frequency is described as
monochromatic.
Electromagnetic An electromagnetic spectrum consists of a range of
spectrum all types of electromagnetic radiations.
MAGNETISM
Magnetic poles Magnetic poles are the regions on the ends of a
magnet, where there are the magnetic field lines that
either emerge from it, or are directed towards it.
Magnets Magnets are materials that can produce their own
magnetic fields and hence are able to attract
magnetic substances towards them.
Magnetic Magnetic materials are substances that get
materials attracted towards a magnet
Domains Magnetic domains are regions within a magnetic
material in which the magnetisation is present in a
uniform direction
Induced When a magnetic substance is brought close to a
magnetism: magnet, it stays attracted to the magnet as long as it
is not pulled away from the magnet's magnetic
field. So, we say that the magnetism is induced in the
magnetic material as long as it is in the magnets
magnetic field
Temporary Temporary magnets are made up of soft ion and
magnets: stay magnetized for some time.
Permanent Permanent magnets retain their magnetic
magnets properties even in the absence of an inducing field
or current
Electromagnets are magnets in which their magnetic
Electromagnet field is produced due to an electric current.
They usually have iron cores and lose their
magnetism when the electric current through them
is stopped.
Magnetic field It is the region around a magnetic material within
which the magnetic force acts on magnetic materials.
Magnetic field Magnetic field lines are imaginary lines around the
lines magnet and their direction is always from the North
to South pole of the magnet These are more
concentrated towards the poles and never
overlap each other
Electromagnetic Electromagnetic induction is the induced
induction current/e.m.f./voltage when the conductor interact
with the magnetic field
Faraday’s law Faraday’s law is the induced e.m.f. Is directly
proportion to the rate of change in magnetic field.
Lenz’s law Lenz’s law is the direction of induced current will
oppose to the direction of change in magnetic that
produce the induced current.
ELECTRICITY
Law of Like chares repel
electrostatic Unlike charges attract
Electric charge An electric charge is a basic physical property that
causes objects to feel attracted or
repelled towards each other
Electric Field: An electric field as a region in which a point charge
experiences an electric force.
Electrostatic Electrostatic charge is a charge that is developed as a
charge: result of either a deficiency or an excess of electrons
Point charge: A point charge is a hypothetical charge located at a
single point in space .It only exists in theory and
cannot be measured.
Electrical Electrical conductors are substances or material that
conductors allow electricity to flow through them. They have
free electrons.
Electrical Electrical conductors are substances or material
insulators: that do not allow electricity to flow through them .
They don’t have free electrons.
Electric current An Electrical current is the rate at which the charge I = Q/t
flows. Unit= A
Conventional Conventional current assumes that current flows
current out of the positive terminal, through the circuit and
into the negative terminal of the source.
Direct current Direct current is the one-directional flow of electric
charge
Alternating An alternating current is an electric current
current that reverses it's direction and changes it's
magnitude continuously with time.
Electromotive It is the electrical work done by a source in moving a Emf=W/Q
force(EMF) unit charge around a complete circuit W=workdone
Potential It is the work done by a unit charge passing through V= W/Q
difference: a component Unit= V
Electrical power: It is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred Unit=Watt(W)
by an electric circuit
P= VI P = I2 R P = V2/R
Kilowatt-hour It is a unit of energy and this term tells us that one Power in kW
(kwh): kilowatt (1 kw) of power is spent in one hour (1 h) Time in
of time Hours
E(kWh) = P(kW) * t (h)
Ohm’s law Potential difference and current are directly V=IR
proportional to each other, provided that
temperature remains constant.
Potential divider A potential divider splits the potential of a power 𝐑𝟏 𝐕
=𝐕𝟏
source between two components. 𝐑𝟐 𝟐
𝐑𝟏
Vout = (𝐑 )𝐕𝐢𝐧
𝟏 +𝐑 𝟐
NUCLEAR
Radioactive decay Radioactive decay is the random process (and
spontaneous process) that unstable nuclei will decay
to emit the nuclear radiation (alpha, beta and
gamma)
Random process of radioactive decay is the same
probability of decay for each nucleus, so we don’t
know which nucleus will decay.
Background Background radiation is the small amount of nuclear
radiation radiation in surrounding because of radioactive
sources in environment.
Ionization Ionization of nuclear radiation happen when the
nuclear radiation interact with the other atom and
causing the electrons lost, so the atom became
charge.
Half life Half life of radioactive material is the time taken that
cause the activity/ mass/nuclei to reduce for a half
of original value.
Activity Activity is the rate of nuclei decay, it is measured in
becqurel(Bq)
Isotopes Atoms of the same element, that contains same
number of protons, but different number of
nuetrons.
Fission reaction The splitting of a large unstable nuclei into two
smaller nuclei, when a neutron hits the nuclei. Large
of amount of energy released.
Some of the mass is converted to energy.
Fusion reaction When two small nuclei join to form one heavier
nucleus, large amount of energy is released.
Requires high temperature.
SPACE
Rotation of Earth The circular movement of the Earth about its own
axis is called as the rotation of the Earth.
Stars: Stars are massive , self-luminous celestial objects,
made of Hydrogen and Helium
Protostars: A protostar is a young star. .It is formed as a result of
accretion in the nebula.
Stable stars: In every star, there is the gas pressure that exerts an
outward force from the centre and at the same time ,
there is gravity that is pulling the atoms of Hydrogen
and Helium inwards. When the outward pushing
force balances the gravitational force, we call the
star as a stable [Link] of a stable star is the
Sun.
Sun The Sun is a very bright, luminous, celestial and a
stable star, situated in the spiral arm of the Milky
Way galaxy and at the centre of the Solar System.
Galaxy The word galaxy encompasses billions of stars along
with their solar systems,gas and dust held by their
gravity. There are more than a hundred billion
galaxies in the universe.
Milky way Milky way is a spiral galaxy that includes our solar
system. It has billions of stars, including our Sun.
Diameter of milky way= 1 * 10^5 light year
Light-year: One light-year is the distance traveled by light in one 1 light year=
year in space. 9.5 * 1015m
Supernova Supernova is a powerful and luminous stellar
explosion, that happens when a star has reached the
end of its [Link]: Kepler's Supernova
Nebula Nebula is a Latin word for fog or [Link] consists of
interstellar clouds consisting of Helium, Cosmic
Dust, ionised gases, hydrogen as well as molecular
clouds. [There are in all 5 different types of Nebulae,
namely;emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, dark
nebulae, planetary nebulae, and supernova
remnants.
Black hole A black hole is a region in the space, in which the
effect of gravity is so strong, that it lets nothing
escape out f it, not even [Link] region appears to
be black and circular.[ There are approximately 100
billion super massive black holes]
Redshift Redshift is a phenomenon in which the spectrum of
an astronomical object gets displaced towards the
longer( red) wavelength.
Cosmic Cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) is
microwave the leftover of the cosmic radiation after the big
background bang.
radiation
(CMBR):
Hubble constant Hubble constant is the ratio of the speed at which Ho= v/d
Ho the galaxy is moving away from the Earth to its Unit: s-1
distance from the Earth
Average orbital v = 2(pi)R /T where r is the average radius of the m/s or Km/h
speed orbit and T is the orbital period
Solar system Solar system is a single term that includes eight
planets and their moons in orbit round the sun. Also
included in the solar system are the smaller bodies
such as the comets., asteroids, and the meteoroids.
Orbital distance Orbital distance is the term that tells us the time
taken by one object to revolve around the other.
Orbital duration( Orbital duration is the time taken by one object to
Orbital time) completely orbit around the other.
Gravitational Gravitational field strength is a term that indicates
field strength: the amount of gravitational force that is exerted per
unit mass at a particular [Link] has a symbol "g"
Accretion disc These are structures that surround the celestial
objects such as the stars and the black [Link]
structures are made of gas, plasma and dust
Don’t use v=d/t if Equation of motion (when velocity is not constant)
speed is changing
V=d/t
To be used only,
when speed is
constant
Transformer equations ( only to be used when
efficiency is 100% )
Temperature conversion:
PREFIX TABLE
Memorize it!!!
