Physics

Items

• independent

  A variable or factor that is not affected by others in an experiment; the input or cause in a causal relationship.
• index

  A numerical value used to describe a ratio or property, such as the refractive index (ratio of light speed in vacuum to in a material).
• indicate

  To point out or show; in science, to reveal a measurement, behavior, or pattern.
• inductance

  A property of a conductor or coil that causes it to oppose changes in current by inducing a voltage (measured in henrys, H).
• inertia

  The resistance of an object to a change in its state of motion; more mass means more inertia.
• infinite

  Without limits or end; used in math and theoretical physics to describe unbounded quantities or systems.
• infinitesimal

  An extremely small quantity that approaches zero but is not zero; used in calculus and theoretical analysis.
• infrared

  Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves; associated with heat.
• initial

  The starting state of a system or object before a process begins (e.g., initial velocity, initial position).
• instantaneous

  Occurring or measured at a specific moment in time; used in physics to describe quantities like instantaneous speed.
• insulator

  A material that resists the flow of electric current or heat (e.g., rubber, glass).
• integer

  A whole number (positive, negative, or zero) without fractions or decimals.
• integral

  In calculus, the sum of infinitely small quantities; used to calculate areas, volumes, and accumulated values.
• integrate

  To perform integration; in science, also used generally to mean combining parts into a whole.
• intensity

  The power transferred per unit area, often used in reference to light, sound, or radiation.
• interact

  To act upon or influence one another; in physics, refers to forces and fields between particles or bodies.
• interference

  The phenomenon where two or more waves overlap, producing regions of reinforcement or cancellation.
• interferometer

  A device that uses interference of light waves to make precise measurements of distance, index, or other changes.
• internal energy

  The total energy contained within a system due to the motion and interactions of its particles.
• intersect

  To meet or cross at a point; in geometry, lines or curves that intersect share a common point.
• intersection

  The set of points or elements that two or more sets have in common; in physics or math, often where graphs meet.
• interval

  A range between two values (e.g., time interval, frequency interval).
• inverse

  Opposite in effect or direction; in math, refers to a reciprocal or a function that reverses another.
• inviscid

  Describes an ideal fluid with no viscosity (internal resistance to flow), used in fluid dynamics modeling.
• ion

  An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.