2/11/25, 5:37 PM AQA AS Physics Definitions (2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (elaborated) get it 100% accurate!! Flashca…
AQA AS Physics Definitions (2025)
comprehensive questions and verified answers
(elaborated) get it 100% accurate!!
Save
Terms in this set (81)
the charge to mass ratio or charge in coulombs
Specific charge
divided by the mass in kilograms
a nucleus with the same number of protons but
Isotope
different number of neutrons
a particle that experiences the strong nuclear force.
Hadron Composite particles made of either qqq (baryons)
or q anti-q (baryon)
Antimatter Particles with the same mass but opposite charge
the emission of electrons from metal surfaces by
Photoelectric effect
light of an appropriate frequency
a discrete packet/quantum of electromagnetic
Photon
energy
the minimum energy required for an electron to
Work function
escape from the surface of the metal
the minimum frequency of a photon required to
Threshold frequency
release electrons from the surface of a metal
the energy given to an electron when it passes
Electron volt
through a potential difference of 1 V
Allowed/discrete energy of an atom or electron in
Energy Level
an atom
https://quizlet.com/1004522676/aqa-as-physics-definitions-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-elaborated-get-it-100-accurate-fl… 1/6
, 2/11/25, 5:37 PM AQA AS Physics Definitions (2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (elaborated) get it 100% accurate!! Flashca…
Ionisation energy of an the minimum energy required to remove an electron
atom from an atom in its ground state
the energy required to move an electron from a
Excitation energy
lower energy level to a higher energy level
the characteristic wavelengths of light produced by
Line spectra
individual excited atoms
direction of oscillation is parallel to the direction of
Longitudinal waves wave travel. Wave travels with series compressions
and rarefactions.
direction of oscillation is perpendicular to the
Transverse waves
direction of wave travel with peaks and troughs.
a transverse wave, consisting of a changing
Electromagnetic wave magnetic field at right angles to a changing electric
field
the maximum displacement from the equilibrium
Amplitude
position
Frequency the number of oscillations per second
the shortest distance between two consecutive
Wavelength
particles in a wave which are in phase
Wave speed the speed of energy transfer through the medium
Diffraction is the spreading out of a wave as it
Diffraction
passes through an aperture/around an obstacle.
electromagnetic waves where the oscillations are in
Polarised waves one direction only that is 90° to the direction of
wave travel
electromagnetic waves where the oscillations are in
Unpolarised waves
many directions
the absolute refractive index of the substance is the
Refractive index speed of light in a vacuum divided by the speed of
light in the substance, n = Vc/Vs
the angle of incidence on a boundary between two
Critical angle
media when the angle of refraction is 90°
https://quizlet.com/1004522676/aqa-as-physics-definitions-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-elaborated-get-it-100-accurate-fl… 2/6
AQA AS Physics Definitions (2025)
comprehensive questions and verified answers
(elaborated) get it 100% accurate!!
Save
Terms in this set (81)
the charge to mass ratio or charge in coulombs
Specific charge
divided by the mass in kilograms
a nucleus with the same number of protons but
Isotope
different number of neutrons
a particle that experiences the strong nuclear force.
Hadron Composite particles made of either qqq (baryons)
or q anti-q (baryon)
Antimatter Particles with the same mass but opposite charge
the emission of electrons from metal surfaces by
Photoelectric effect
light of an appropriate frequency
a discrete packet/quantum of electromagnetic
Photon
energy
the minimum energy required for an electron to
Work function
escape from the surface of the metal
the minimum frequency of a photon required to
Threshold frequency
release electrons from the surface of a metal
the energy given to an electron when it passes
Electron volt
through a potential difference of 1 V
Allowed/discrete energy of an atom or electron in
Energy Level
an atom
https://quizlet.com/1004522676/aqa-as-physics-definitions-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-elaborated-get-it-100-accurate-fl… 1/6
, 2/11/25, 5:37 PM AQA AS Physics Definitions (2025) comprehensive questions and verified answers (elaborated) get it 100% accurate!! Flashca…
Ionisation energy of an the minimum energy required to remove an electron
atom from an atom in its ground state
the energy required to move an electron from a
Excitation energy
lower energy level to a higher energy level
the characteristic wavelengths of light produced by
Line spectra
individual excited atoms
direction of oscillation is parallel to the direction of
Longitudinal waves wave travel. Wave travels with series compressions
and rarefactions.
direction of oscillation is perpendicular to the
Transverse waves
direction of wave travel with peaks and troughs.
a transverse wave, consisting of a changing
Electromagnetic wave magnetic field at right angles to a changing electric
field
the maximum displacement from the equilibrium
Amplitude
position
Frequency the number of oscillations per second
the shortest distance between two consecutive
Wavelength
particles in a wave which are in phase
Wave speed the speed of energy transfer through the medium
Diffraction is the spreading out of a wave as it
Diffraction
passes through an aperture/around an obstacle.
electromagnetic waves where the oscillations are in
Polarised waves one direction only that is 90° to the direction of
wave travel
electromagnetic waves where the oscillations are in
Unpolarised waves
many directions
the absolute refractive index of the substance is the
Refractive index speed of light in a vacuum divided by the speed of
light in the substance, n = Vc/Vs
the angle of incidence on a boundary between two
Critical angle
media when the angle of refraction is 90°
https://quizlet.com/1004522676/aqa-as-physics-definitions-2025-comprehensive-questions-and-verified-answers-elaborated-get-it-100-accurate-fl… 2/6