Physical Science Midterm Study Guide Terms – Flashcards
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Science
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The knowledge obtained by observing natural events and conditions in order to discover facts and formulate laws or principles that can be verified or tested
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Technology
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The application of science for practical purposes
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Law
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A descriptive explanation or equation that reliably predicts events under certain conditions
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Theory
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A system of ideas that explains many related observations and is supported by a large body of evidence acquired through scientific research
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Motion
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An object's change in positioni relative to a reference point
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Frame of Reference
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A system for specifying the precise location of objects in space and time
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Displacement
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The change in position of an object
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Speed
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The distance traveled divided by the time interval during which the motion occurred
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Velocity
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The speed of an object in a particular direction
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Acceleration
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The rate at which velocity changes over time; an object has this if its speed, direction, or both change
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Force
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An action exerted on a body in order to change the body's state of rest or motion; this has magnitude and direction
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Friction
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A force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact
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Static Friction
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The force that resists the initiation of sliding motion between two surfaces that are in contact and at rest
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Kinetic Friction
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The force that opposes the movement of two surfaces that are in contact and are moving over each other
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Inertia
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The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion unless an outside force acts on the object
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Weight
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A measure of the gravitational force exerted on an object
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Free Fall
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The motion of a body when only the force of gravity is acting on it
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Terminal Velocity
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The constant velocity of a falling object when the force of air resistance is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force of gravity
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Projectile Motion
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The curved path that an object follows when thrown, launched, or otherwise projected near the surface of the Earth
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Momentum
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A quantity defined as the product of the mass and velocity of an object
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Work
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The transfer of energy to an object by the application of a force that causes the object to move in the direction of the force
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Power
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A quantity that measures the rate at which work is done or energy is transformed
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Mechanical Advantage
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A quantity that expresses how much a machine multiplies force or distance
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Simple Machine
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One of six basic types of machines, which are the basis for all other forms of machines
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Compound Machine
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A machine made of more than one simple machine
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Energy
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The capacity to do work
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Potential Energy
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The energy that an object has because of the position, shape, or condition of the object
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Kinetic Energy
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The energy of an object due to the object's motion
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Mechanical Energy
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The amount of work an object can do because of the object's kinetic and potential energies
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Efficiency
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A quantity, usually expressed as a percentage, that measures the ratio of useful work output to work input
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Temperature
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A measure of how hot (or cold) something is; specifically, a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in an object
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Thermometer
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An instrument that measures and indicates temperature
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Absolute Zero
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The temperature at which molecular energy is at a minimum (0 K on the Kelvin scale or -273.15 C on the Celcius scale)
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Heat
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The energy transferred between objects that are at different temperatures
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Thermal Conduction
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The transfer of energy as heat through a material
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Convection
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The movement of matter due to differences in density that are caused by temperature variations
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Convection Current
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Any movement of matter that results from differences in density; may be vertical, circular, or cyclical
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Radiation
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the energy that is transferred as electromagnetic waves, such as visible light and infrared waves
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Specific Heat
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the quantity of heat required to raise a unit mass of homogenous material 1 K or 1 C in a specified way given constant pressure or volume
