Physics

Items

• lithosphere

  The rigid outer layer of Earth, comprising the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
• logarithm

  The exponent by which a base number is raised to produce a given number. In science, used to compress wide-ranging data (e.g., pH scale, decibels).
• logic

  The systematic study of valid reasoning and principles of inference; foundational in mathematics, computer science, and scientific methodology.
• longitudinal

  Describes waves in which particle motion is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, such as sound waves in air.
• macroscopic

  Describes objects or phenomena that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, as opposed to microscopic.
• magnet

  An object or material that produces a magnetic field and can attract ferromagnetic materials like iron.
• magnetism

  Magnetism is the component of electromagnetism that involves magnets, magnetic fields, and magnetic forces
• magnitude

  The size or quantity of a physical value, often referring to scalar quantities like brightness, force, or vector length.
• malleable

  Describes materials that can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without breaking; a property of many metals.
• manometer

  A device used to measure pressure, typically consisting of a U-shaped tube containing liquid.
• maser

  A device that amplifies or generates coherent microwave radiation, similar to a laser but at longer wavelengths.
• mass

  A measure of the amount of matter in an object; it determines an object’s inertia and is measured in kilograms (kg).
• mathematics

  The abstract science of number, quantity, shape, space, and their relationships, used as a fundamental tool in scientific analysis.
• matrix

  A rectangular array of numbers, symbols, or expressions arranged in rows and columns, used in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
• matter

  Anything that has mass and occupies space; it exists in various states such as solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
• maximum

  The greatest value in a set or function; often refers to peak energy, amplitude, or measurement in physics and math.
• mean

  The average value of a data set, calculated as the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
• measurement

  The process of quantifying physical properties using standard units (e.g., meters, seconds, kilograms).
• mechanical energy

  The sum of kinetic and potential energy in a system; the energy associated with the motion and position of objects.
• mechanics

  The branch of physics concerned with the behavior of physical bodies under the influence of forces or displacements.
• medium

  A material or substance through which a wave travels (e.g., air for sound, glass for light).
• meson

  A subatomic particle made of one quark and one antiquark, bound by the strong force; they are unstable and exist in high-energy environments.
• metal

  A class of elements characterized by high electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, ductility, and a tendency to lose electrons to form positive ions.
• meteorite

  A fragment of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives passage through Earth’s atmosphere and impacts the surface.
• method

  A systematic procedure or approach used in scientific investigation, experimentation, or problem- solving.