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GCSE EdExcel P1 keywords
Keywords for Edexcel Core GCSE Physics
38
Physics
10th Grade
05/10/2013

Additional Physics Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Describe
Definition
Use a sentence to link together ideas
Term
Geocentric
Definition
A theory where everything orbits the earth (contradicted by Galileo’s observations)
Term
Heliocentric
Definition
A theory where everything orbits the sun (confirmed by Galileo’s observations)
Term
New planets
Definition
Planets recently discovered orbiting distant stars due to the ‘wobble’ of the star’s orbit
Term
Milky way
Definition
The galaxy (collection of billions of stars) which contains our sun and the solar system
Term
Solar system
Definition
The sun and 8 planets (pluto is no longer considered a planet)
Term
Galileo’s observations
Definition
He saw objects that were orbiting Jupiter – sometimes he could see 4 and other times he could only see 2 or 3 – they were the moons of Jupiter.
Term
Galileo’s conclusions
Definition
If something orbited Jupiter that meant that not everything orbited the Earth – hence the geocentric theory was incorrect
Term
Visible light
Definition
Electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. Can be split up into the colours of the rainbow using a prism.
Term
Naked-eye
Definition
Observations of space made without a telescope, very little detail can be seen and the only way to record them is by drawing a picture
Term
Reflecting telescope
Definition
A telescope that uses a mirror to collect the light. It can collect more light than a refracting telescope because a mirror can be made larger than a lens and capture more light
Term
Refracting telescope
Definition
A telescope that uses an objective lens (convex) to collect light. A disadvantage is that the colours of the light can be affected by the lens which is known as chromatic aberration.
Term
Photography
Definition
A camera can be attached to a telescope – this allows a permanent record to be made of observations allowing the astronomer to take more time looking at the object and writing conclusions.
Term
Focal length
Definition
The distance from a convex lens to where the light rays are focussed on a single point. It can be measured by using a screen to project an image of a distant object and moving the screen until the image becomes clear.
Term
Converging lens
Definition
A lens that refracts light onto a single point. The distance to the point is known as the focal length.
Term
Eyepiece
Definition
A convex lens found in both reflecting and refracting telescopes which has the job of magnifying the image.
Term
Magnify
Definition
To make bigger
Term
Image
Definition
Can be ‘real’ (upside down) or ‘virtual’ (right way up – ‘erect’)
Term
Objective lens
Definition
The lens at the front of the telescope which has the job of collecting the light.
Term
Primary mirror
Definition
The concave mirror at the back of the reflecting telescope which collects the light and focuses it to a point.
Term
Secondary mirror
Definition
This reflects the light onto the eyepiece lens.
Term
Refraction
Definition
When a wave changes direction because it has changed speed as it crosses the boundary between two materials.
Term
Boundary
Definition
The point where two materials meet e.g. glass and air.
Term
Real image
Definition
An ‘inverted’ image (upside down) formed by a convex lens – it forms on the opposite side of the lens to the object being observed.
Term
Virtual image
Definition
An ‘erect’ image (right way up) formed by a convex lens which forms on the same side of the lens as the object being observed.
Term
Reflection
Definition
When a wave reflects (bounces off) the boundary between two materials (the angle of reflection and incidence are always the same)
Term
How reflecting telescope works
Definition
Light is gathered by the primary mirror and reflected on the secondary mirror which reflects the light onto the eyepiece lens which magnifies the image.
Term
How refracting telescope works
Definition
Light is gathered by the objective lens and refracted, the image is magnified by the eyepiece lens.
Term
Wave
Definition
able to transfer energy and information but NOT matter, can be transverse or longitudinal.
Term
Frequency
Definition
How many waves per second – measured in Hertz (Hz)
Term
Wavelength
Definition
How long the wave is from the top of one wave (crest) to the top of the next wave (measured in metres (m)).
Term
Amplitude
Definition
How ‘tall’ the wave is from the centre line (equilibrium line) to the top of the crest.
Term
Wave speed
Definition
How fast the wave moves, calculated from frequency x wavelength.
Term
Longitudinal
Definition
A wave where the oscillations (vibrations) are PARALLEL to the direction of wave travel
Term
Transverse
Definition
A wave where the oscillations (vibrations) are AT RIGHT ANGLES to the direction of wave travel
Term
Herschel’s experiment
Definition
When he split white light with a prism he observed that red light had a greater heating effect than violet, so he put a thermometer into the space where he could see no light next to the red light and found that there was even greater heating – he concluded there must be an invisible light there (‘infrared’ light)
Term
Ritter’s experiment
Definition
When he split white light with a prism he observed that violet made photographic paper turn black faster than red light, so he put some photographic paper into the space where he could see no light next to the violet light and found that there was an even faster colour change – he concluded there must be an invisible light there (‘ultraviolet’ light)
Term
Electromagnetic waves
Definition
Made up of oscillating magnetic and electric fields, they are TRANSVERSE and all travel at the same speed IN A VACUUM (speed of light)
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