Physics

Items

• focus

  The point where rays or waves meet after reflection or refraction, or where they appear to diverge from in optics.
• force

  A physical influence that causes an object to accelerate; defined in physics as mass times acceleration (𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎).
• formula

  A mathematical expression that represents a relationship between variables or quantities in scientific contexts.
• fraction

  A part of a whole, often used in calculations and data analysis (e.g., mass fraction, mole fraction).
• frame

  A reference system or coordinate system used to describe the position and motion of objects (e.g., inertial frame, reference frame).
• free-fall

  The motion of an object under the influence of gravity only, with no other forces (like air resistance) acting on it.
• freeze

  The process of a liquid turning into a solid due to a decrease in temperature, also called solidification.
• frequency

  The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time; in physics, often refers to the number of wave cycles per second (measured in hertz, Hz).
• friction

  A force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact, converting kinetic energy into heat.
• fringe

  In optics, a pattern of alternating dark and light bands resulting from the interference of light waves.
• fulcrum

  The pivot point around which a lever rotates or balances.
• function

  A relationship or rule that assigns an output to each input; used in mathematics and systems analysis.
• fundamental

  Basic or essential; in science, refers to elementary components or principles, such as fundamental particles or forces.
• fusion

  A nuclear reaction in which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy (e.g., hydrogen fusion in the sun).
• galaxy

  A massive system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity, such as the Milky Way.
• galvanometer

  An instrument for detecting and measuring small electric currents using the deflection of a needle.
• gamma ray

  High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from radioactive decay or nuclear reactions; has the shortest wavelength in the EM spectrum.
• gas

  A state of matter characterized by indefinite shape and volume, with particles that move freely and spread out to fill a container.
• general

  In science, refers to broad or widely applicable principles or laws rather than specific cases.
• geometry

  A branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, and solids.
• geosphere

  The solid parts of Earth, including rocks, minerals, and landforms, distinct from the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
• geostationary

  Describes a satellite orbiting Earth at the equator at the same rate as Earth’s rotation, appearing stationary from the ground.
• gluon

  A fundamental particle that acts as the exchange particle (boson) for the strong nuclear force between quarks.
• gradient

  A rate of change or slope in a physical quantity (e.g., temperature gradient, pressure gradient, or concentration gradient).
• grating

  An optical component with a regular pattern that diffracts light into several beams, used for measuring wavelengths.