IGCSE PHYSICS | TOP SCORES MADE SIMPLE |
TRUSTED TEST SOLUTIONS!
a.c generator Answer: A device, such as a dynamo, used to generate alternating
current (a.c)
acceleration Answer: The rate of change of an object's velocity
acceleration due to gravity Answer: The acceleration of an object falling freely
under gravity
activity Answer: The rate at which nuclei decay in a sample of a radioactive
substance
air Resistence Answer: The frictional force on an object moving through air
alpha decay Answer: The decay of a radioactive nucleus by emission of an a-
particle
alpha particle (a-particle) Answer: A particle of two protons and two neutrons
emitted by an atomic nucleus during radioactive decay
alternating current (a.c) Answer: Electric current that flows first one way, then the
other, in a circuit
ammeter Answer: A meter for measuring electric current
amp, ampere (A) Answer: The SI unit of electric current
amplitude Answer: The greatest height of a wave above its undisturbed level
angle of incidence Answer: The angle between an incident ray and the normal to
the surface at the point where it meets a surface
1
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,angle of reflection Answer: The angle between a reflected ray and the normal to the
surface at the point where it meets a surface
angle of refraction Answer: The angle between a refracted ray and the normal to
the surface at the point where it passes from one material to another
average speed Answer: Speed calculated from total distance travelled divided by
total time taken
axis Answer: The line passing through the centre of the lens, perpendicular to its
surface
background radiation Answer: The radiation from the environment to which we are
exposed all the time
barometer Answer: An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure
battery Answer: Two or more electrical cells connected together in series; the word
may also be sued to mean a single cell
becquerel (Bq Answer: The SI unit of activity; 1 Bq = one decay per second
beta decay Answer: The decay of a radioactive nucleus by emission of a beta
particle
beta particle Answer: A particle (an electron) emitted by an atomic nucleus during
radioactive decay
biomass fuel Answer: A material, recently living, used as a fuel
boiling point Answer: The temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas (at
constant pressure)
Boyle's law Answer: The law that relates the pressure and volume of a fixed mass
of gas
brownian motion Answer: The motion of small particles suspended in a liquid or
gas, caused by molecular bombardment
2
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, cc Answer: A device that provides a voltage in a circuit by means of a chemical
reaction
centre of mass Answer: The point at which the mass of an object can be
considered to be concentrated
chemical energy Answer: Energy stored in chemical substances and which can be
released in a chemical reaction
circuit breaker Answer: A safety device that automatically switches off a circuit
when the current becomes too high
commutator Answer: A device used to allow current to flow to and from the coil of a
d.c. motor or generator
compression Answer: A region of a sound wave where the particles are pushed
close together
conduction Answer: The transfer of heat energy or electrical energy through a
material without the material itself moving
conductor Answer: A substance that transmits heat or allows an electric current to
pass through it
contaminated Answer: When an object has acquired some unwanted radioactive
substance
convection Answer: The transfer of heat energy through a material by movement of
the material itself
converging lens Answer: A lens that causes rays of light parallel to the axis to
converge at the principal focus
corkscrew rule Answer: The rule used to determine the direction of the magnetic
field around an electric current
coulomb (C) Answer: The SI unit of electric charge; 1 C = 1 A s
3
APPHIA - Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
TRUSTED TEST SOLUTIONS!
a.c generator Answer: A device, such as a dynamo, used to generate alternating
current (a.c)
acceleration Answer: The rate of change of an object's velocity
acceleration due to gravity Answer: The acceleration of an object falling freely
under gravity
activity Answer: The rate at which nuclei decay in a sample of a radioactive
substance
air Resistence Answer: The frictional force on an object moving through air
alpha decay Answer: The decay of a radioactive nucleus by emission of an a-
particle
alpha particle (a-particle) Answer: A particle of two protons and two neutrons
emitted by an atomic nucleus during radioactive decay
alternating current (a.c) Answer: Electric current that flows first one way, then the
other, in a circuit
ammeter Answer: A meter for measuring electric current
amp, ampere (A) Answer: The SI unit of electric current
amplitude Answer: The greatest height of a wave above its undisturbed level
angle of incidence Answer: The angle between an incident ray and the normal to
the surface at the point where it meets a surface
1
APPHIA - Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
,angle of reflection Answer: The angle between a reflected ray and the normal to the
surface at the point where it meets a surface
angle of refraction Answer: The angle between a refracted ray and the normal to
the surface at the point where it passes from one material to another
average speed Answer: Speed calculated from total distance travelled divided by
total time taken
axis Answer: The line passing through the centre of the lens, perpendicular to its
surface
background radiation Answer: The radiation from the environment to which we are
exposed all the time
barometer Answer: An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure
battery Answer: Two or more electrical cells connected together in series; the word
may also be sued to mean a single cell
becquerel (Bq Answer: The SI unit of activity; 1 Bq = one decay per second
beta decay Answer: The decay of a radioactive nucleus by emission of a beta
particle
beta particle Answer: A particle (an electron) emitted by an atomic nucleus during
radioactive decay
biomass fuel Answer: A material, recently living, used as a fuel
boiling point Answer: The temperature at which a liquid changes to a gas (at
constant pressure)
Boyle's law Answer: The law that relates the pressure and volume of a fixed mass
of gas
brownian motion Answer: The motion of small particles suspended in a liquid or
gas, caused by molecular bombardment
2
APPHIA - Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
, cc Answer: A device that provides a voltage in a circuit by means of a chemical
reaction
centre of mass Answer: The point at which the mass of an object can be
considered to be concentrated
chemical energy Answer: Energy stored in chemical substances and which can be
released in a chemical reaction
circuit breaker Answer: A safety device that automatically switches off a circuit
when the current becomes too high
commutator Answer: A device used to allow current to flow to and from the coil of a
d.c. motor or generator
compression Answer: A region of a sound wave where the particles are pushed
close together
conduction Answer: The transfer of heat energy or electrical energy through a
material without the material itself moving
conductor Answer: A substance that transmits heat or allows an electric current to
pass through it
contaminated Answer: When an object has acquired some unwanted radioactive
substance
convection Answer: The transfer of heat energy through a material by movement of
the material itself
converging lens Answer: A lens that causes rays of light parallel to the axis to
converge at the principal focus
corkscrew rule Answer: The rule used to determine the direction of the magnetic
field around an electric current
coulomb (C) Answer: The SI unit of electric charge; 1 C = 1 A s
3
APPHIA - Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
