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For LAST MINUTE exam preparation
Arranged by TOPIC
Organised according to the LATEST syllabus (CAL-9702)
Compiled from past year papers (4 years/20++ papers)
200++ terms and definitions compiled for AS+A2 in total
Detailed definitions based on Cambridge A Level ma...
AS Terms [1] AS Definition Out
Chapter 1 | Physical Quantities
Physics a fundamental science concerned with the basic principles of the Universe
Physical quantity a feature of something which can be measured consist of a numerical magnitude and a unit
Derived quantity combination of basic quantities and has a unit that is the products and/or quotients of the SI units
Homogeneity technique to check the correctness of an equation or to assist in deriving an equation
Uncertainty half the distance between the smallest adjacent scale markings
Parallax errors a random error due to the angle of view may be different for different readings
Null methods method of obtaining measurement is correct when the deflection of the galvanometer is zero
Precise/High precision the measurements have a small range B1 ON22P21Q1 MJ20P23Q1
Low precision the measurements have a large range B1 ON20P21Q4
Not accurate/Low accuracy (average of the) measurements not close to the true value B1 ON22P21Q1 MJ20P23Q1
Scalar quantity completely specified by a single value with an appropriate unit and has no direction
Vector quantity completely described by a number and appropriate unit plus a direction
Chapter 2 | Kinematics
Displacement distance in a specified direction (from a point) B1 FM19P22Q2
Velocity change in displacement per unit time (taken) B1 MJ22P21Q1 MJ22P23Q3 ON21P23Q3 MJ20P22Q1 MJ19P21Q1
Acceleration change in velocity per unit time (taken) B1 MJ21P23Q2 FM19P22Q2 ON19P22Q2
Chapter 3 | Dynamics
Dynamics the study of motion with regard to its causes such as force and mass
The net force acting on an object the vector sum of all forces acting on the object
a property that specifies how much resistance an object exhibits to changes in its
Mass
velocity or motion due to a force
Inertia the tendency of an object to resist any change in its motion and continue in its original state of motion
(linear) Momentum the product of mass and velocity B1 ON21P21Q2 MJ19P21Q2
Force rate of change of momentum B1 FM21P22Q1 ON20P21Q3
Contact force force experienced by bodies when they are in physical contact with each other
Non-contact force force experienced by bodies when even if they are not in physical contact with each other
Newton's 1st Law of Motion a body continues at (rest or) constant velocity unless acted upon by a resultant force B1 MJ20P23Q2
Newton's 2nd Law of Motion (resultant) force proportional to rate of change of momentum B1 MJ20P21Q2 MJ19P22Q2
force on body A (by body B) is equal (in magnitude) to force on body B (by body A) B1
Newton's 3rd Law of Motion ON19P22Q3
force on body A (by body B) is opposite (in direction) to force on body B (by body A) B1
sum/total momentum before = sum/total momentum after/
Principal Conservation of Momentum sum/total momentum (of a system of objects) is constant/ MJ22P22Q4
if no (resultant) external force/for a closed system A1
Gravitational force the attractive force exerted by the Earth (a planet) on an object
an object moving on a surface or through a viscous medium such as air or water
Friction
encounters resistance as it interacts with its surroundings
Static friction the force that counteracts F and keeps the can from moving acts to the left, opposite the direction of F
Viscosity the degree of internal friction in the fluid
, AS Terms [1] AS Definition Out
Viscous force the viscosity of the fluid induces a frictional force
Terminal speed Fr + B = W
Chapter 4 | Forces, Density and Pressure
Mass the amount of matter that is contained by the object
Weight the force of gravity which acts on an object
The centre of gravity point where (all) the weight (of the object) is taken to act B1 MJ22P21Q2 ON22P22Q3 ON20P23Q2 MJ19P22Q3
force × distance M1
Moment of force/torque MJ21P23Q3 ON20P21Q1
perpendicular distance of (line of action of ) force from the point A1
sum of clockwise moments = sum of anticlockwise moments M1
The principle of moments ON22P23Q3 MJ20P23Q3 ON19P22Q4
about the same point for (an object in rotational) equilibrium A1
The sum of all forces acting on the object must be zero,
Translational equilibrium
so the object has no translational acceleration.
The sum of all torques on the object must be zero,
Rotational equilibrium
so the object has no angular acceleration.
Density mass per unit volume B1 MJ21P21Q1 ON21P21Q1
Pressure the normal force per unit area
any object completely or partially submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a
Archimedes’ principle
force with magnitude equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
Chapter 5 | Work, Energy and Power
Energy the ability to do work or to produce change
Principle of conservation of energy energy can’t be created or destroyed, only transferred from one form into another.
Efficiency measure of the effectiveness of the energy conversion
Kinetic energy the energy a body possesses due to its motion or movement
Potential energy energy stored in a body (mass) as a consequence of its position or state
Work done the product of force and the displacement in the direction of force B1 ON22P22Q1 FM21P22Q2 ON21P23Q2 FM20P22Q3 MJ20P22Q3 ON19P23Q2
Power work (done) per unit time (taken) B1 MJ22P21Q3 ON22P21Q3 ON21P22Q3
Chapter 6 | Deformation of Solids
Strength relates to the maximum force which can be applied to a material without it breaking
Stiffness relates to the resistance which a material offers having its size and/or shape changed
Ductility relates to the ability of the material to be hammered, pressed, bent, rolled, cut or stretched into useful shapes
Toughness not brittle, does not crack easily
Elastic behavior when the external forces on the deformed object are removed, the object tends to return to its original shape and size
Stress force per unit cross-sectional area B1 ON20P21Q4
Strain (no unit) extension per unit original length B1 ON20P21Q4
Tensile capable of being drawn out or stretched
Compressive flatten by pressure; squeeze; press
Shear force applied coplanar with a material cross section
Hooke’s law compression/extension is proportional to force (provided limit of proportionality is not exceeded) B1 ON20P23Q4
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