C2 Level Wordlist - Physics

Here you will learn all the essential words for talking about Physics, collected specifically for level C2 learners.

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C2 Level Wordlist

a scientific idea that all particles are tiny vibrating strings, not point-like dots, and these vibrations create different particles and forces

Ex: Extra dimensions beyond the familiar three space dimensions and one time dimension are required in string theory .

the bending, spreading, and interference of waves as they encounter obstacles or pass through narrow openings, often observed in the behavior of light, sound, or other waves

Ex: X-ray diffraction is a technique that utilizes the diffraction of X-rays to determine the structure of crystalline materials .
quark [noun]

a fundamental particle combining to form protons and neutrons, with fractional electric charge and six flavors

Ex: Quarks possess fractional electric charges , making them a unique class of elementary particles .
lepton [noun]

a fundamental particle with half-integer spin, including electrons and their heavier counterparts, as well as neutrinos

Ex: Leptons are fundamental building blocks of matter and play a crucial role in the particle zoo described by the Standard Model .
hadron [noun]

a tiny particle made up of even smaller parts called quarks, like protons and neutrons

Ex: The study of hadrons is essential for understanding the behavior of quarks within the framework of quantum chromodynamics ( QCD ) .
velocity [noun]

the speed at which something moves in a specific direction

Ex: In physics , velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction .

(physics) the maximum distance a vibrating material, sound wave, etc. such as a pendulum travels from its first position

Ex: The amplitude of an electromagnetic wave determines the intensity of light or electromagnetic radiation .
fermion [noun]

tiny particles that make up matter and have a property called spin, like the building blocks of atoms

Ex: Fermions follow specific rules called Fermi-Dirac statistics , governing how they can occupy quantum states .
boson [noun]

a tiny particle with whole-number spin, such as photons or the Higgs boson, often associated with carrying fundamental forces or giving mass to other particles

Ex: Bosons are named after Satyendra Nath Bose , an Indian physicist who made significant contributions to their statistical behavior .

the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of the circle or the axis of rotation, preventing the object from moving in a straight line

Ex: When a car turns around a curve , the frictional force between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force .

the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the source of the wave, producing a shift in pitch or color

Ex: In astronomy , the Doppler effect helps scientists determine the speed and direction of celestial objects .

the energy possessed by an object due to its motion, defined as one-half the mass of the object multiplied by the square of its velocity, expressed by the equation KE = 0.5 * m * v^2

Ex: As a thrown ball rises and falls , its kinetic energy changes with its speed and position .

(physics) an invisible substance that makes up most of the universe's mass, detectable only through its gravitational effects

Ex: Despite extensive research efforts , the true nature of dark matter remains one of the biggest mysteries in astrophysics .

(physics) matter consisting of elementary particles that are the antiparticles of those of regular matter

Ex: Antimatter is rare in the universe , but small amounts of it can be produced in high-energy particle collisions .
mass [noun]

(physics) the property of matter that gives it weight in a gravitational field and is a measure of its inertia

Ex: Mass is a scalar quantity , meaning it has magnitude but no direction .
quantum [noun]

the smallest possible amount of a particular quantity that cannot be divided any further

Ex:

(physics) the increase in velocity over time

Ex: Objects in free fall have a constant acceleration .
momentum [noun]

the strength of a moving object determined by multiplying how heavy it is by how fast it is going

Ex: The cyclist 's momentum helped him climb the steep hill .
photon [noun]

a fundamental particle of light that carries electromagnetic energy and exhibits both particle-like and wave-like properties

Ex: The dual nature of photons is described by wave-particle duality , a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics .
inertia [noun]

the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion, whether at rest or in uniform motion, and to remain in its current state unless acted upon by an external force

Ex: In space , where there is no air resistance , an object set in motion will continue moving indefinitely due to its inertia .

(physics) the back-and-forth motion of an object between two end points

Ex: Gravitationally bound binary star systems undergo regular orbital oscillations as the pair revolve around their mutual center of mass .

the action or process where a wave, such as light or sound, bounces back from a surface instead of passing through

Ex: The calm lake 's surface served as a perfect mirror , providing a clear reflection of the surrounding mountains .

a theory stating that the exact position and momentum of a particle cannot be measured precisely at the same time

Ex: Measurement precision is limited by the uncertainty principle .
joule [noun]

the unit of energy in the International System of Units

Ex: Solar panels convert sunlight into joules of electrical energy .
neutrino [noun]

a very small, electrically neutral particle that rarely interacts with matter

Ex:

the theory that adds the notion of time to that of a three-dimensional space

Ex: Black holes are regions of space-time where gravity is so intense that not even light can escape .

the process or action of splitting a nucleus into two or more parts resulting in the release of a significant amount of energy

Ex: Uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are commonly used as fuel in nuclear fission reactors .
electromagnetic [adjective]

referring to the combined interaction of electric and magnetic fields, often associated with waves or radiation

Ex: Electromagnetic fields are generated by electric currents and can exert forces on charged particles .

(physics) the reaction in which two nuclei join together and produce energy

Ex: Scientists are researching ways to achieve controlled nuclear fusion on Earth as a potentially limitless and clean source of energy .
thermic [adjective]

relating to or involving the transformation of heat energy

Ex: Solar panels harness thermic energy from sunlight to generate electricity for homes .

the capability of being easily changed or molded into many different things

Ex: The plasticity of clay makes it an ideal material for pottery , as it can be molded into various shapes before firing .