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SAT Natural Sciences - Physics

Here you will learn some English words related to physics, such as "sonar", "prism", "diffuse", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Vocabulary for Natural Sciences
amplitude
amplitude
[noun]

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

Ex: In physics, amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position. 
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acoustic
acoustic
[Adjective]

relating to the science of studying sounds or the way people hear things

Ex: The researchers conducted acoustic experiments to understand how sound waves travel through different materials. 
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sonar
sonar
[noun]

a technology that uses sound waves to detect objects underwater or measure distances underwater

Ex: The submarine navigates using sonar to map the ocean floor and detect potential obstacles. 
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prism
prism
[noun]

a solid geometric shape, typically with a triangular base and rectangular sides, that refracts light into its component colors or alters the path of light

Ex: The light passing through the prism refracted into a spectrum of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. 
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infrared
infrared
[noun]

electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than visible light, used for applications such as thermal imaging and remote sensing

Ex: The infrared emitted by warm objects can be detected by specialized cameras to create thermal images. 
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ultraviolet

a type of electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelengths than visible light, often associated with sunlight and used in various applications

Ex: Protect your skin from ultraviolet rays by wearing sunscreen. 
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fluorescence

the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation

Ex: Fluorescence is commonly seen in certain minerals that emit a glowing light under ultraviolet (UV) light. 
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spectrometer

a scientific instrument used to measure and analyze the properties of light over a specific range of wavelengths

Ex: The scientist used a spectrometer to analyze the composition of the unknown substance based on its light absorption. 
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photon
photon
[noun]

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

Ex: Photons are the quanta of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays. 
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to refract

(of physics) to change the direction of light, sound, or energy when it passes through something

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diffraction

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: Diffraction of light produces patterns of alternating dark and bright regions when it encounters a narrow slit or passes through an obstacle. 
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transmittance

the fraction or percentage of light or electromagnetic radiation that passes through a substance or medium

Ex: The transmittance of the glass allowed most of the sunlight to pass through into the room. 
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molar absorptivity

a measure of how strongly a substance absorbs light at a particular wavelength

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absorption spectrum

a range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by a substance, typically represented as a graph showing absorption intensity versus wavelength

Ex: Scientists use an absorption spectrum to identify chemical elements and compounds by analyzing the specific wavelengths of light they absorb. 
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thermodynamics

the branch of physical science that deals with the relationships between heat, work, and energy, particularly the principles governing the conversion of various forms of energy

Ex: The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another. 
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thermostat

an instrument that automatically controls the temperature of a room, machine, etc.

Ex: The thermostat regulates the temperature in the house, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency. 
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calorimeter

a device used to measure the heat released or absorbed during a chemical reaction or physical change, typically by measuring temperature changes in a surrounding medium

Ex: Chemists use a calorimeter to determine the heat of combustion of a substance by measuring the temperature change in water surrounding a reaction vessel. 
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thermometer

a tool designed to measure the temperature of the surrounding air or environment

Ex: The meteorologist placed the thermometer in the shaded shelter to get an accurate air temperature reading. 
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microchip
microchip
[noun]

a small piece of material that is a semiconductor, used to make an integrated circuit

Ex: The computer’s performance improved after upgrading its microchip. 
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wavelength

the distance between a point on a wave of energy and a similar point on the next wave

Ex: In physics, wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks (or troughs) of a wave. 
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relativity

a theory that explains the relationship between motion, space, and time

Ex: Relativity explains why GPS satellites must adjust their clocks for Earth's gravity. 
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antimatter

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

Ex: Antimatter is composed of antiparticles, which have the same mass as their corresponding particles but opposite electric charge. 
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congelation

the process of solidification or freezing, typically of a liquid or a substance turning into a solid state due to a decrease in temperature

Ex: The congelation of water into ice occurs when temperatures drop below freezing point. 
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to solidify

to transform from a liquid or flexible state into a stable, firm, or compact form

Ex: As the temperature dropped, the melted wax began to solidify, forming candles with a smooth surface. 
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to liquefy

to change from a solid state and become fluid or liquid

Ex: As the temperature rose, the snow on the ground started to liquefy. 
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subatomic
subatomic
[Adjective]

relating to particles or forces that exist within atoms, including particles smaller than atoms themselves or the interactions between these particles

Ex: Subatomic particles interact through fundamental forces, such as electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces. 
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neutrino
neutrino
[noun]

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

Ex: Neutrinos are subatomic particles with very little mass. 
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nanoscale
nanoscale
[Adjective]

extremely small, typically between 1 and 100 billionths of a meter, where materials show unique properties

Ex: The nanoscale structure of materials can change how they conduct electricity. 
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metrology
metrology
[noun]

the scientific study of measurement, including the development of measurement standards and techniques

Ex: Metrology laboratories test and certify measuring instruments. 
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biophysicist

a scientist who applies principles and methods of physics to study biological systems and phenomena, aiming to understand life processes at the molecular and cellular levels

Ex: The biophysicist used computational modeling to simulate protein folding dynamics in cells. 
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diffuse
diffuse
[Adjective]

describing light that spreads evenly from a broad source or surface, creating soft illumination without harsh shadows

Ex: The room was softly lit with diffuse light from the ceiling fixture. 
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spent fuel

used nuclear fuel that is no longer efficient for producing energy in a reactor

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pressure gradient

the rate at which pressure changes over a certain distance in a particular direction

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wave number

the spatial frequency of a wave, representing the number of wavelengths per unit distance

Ex: The wave number of a light wave in vacuum is calculated as the inverse of its wavelength. 
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boson
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: Photons, particles of light, are examples of bosons that carry the electromagnetic force. 
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collider
collider
[noun]

a type of particle accelerator where two opposing beams of particles are directed to collide with each other at high speeds, allowing scientists to study fundamental particles and forces

Ex: The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world's largest and most powerful collider, used to explore particle physics. 
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dipole
dipole
[noun]

a simple type of antenna made of two metal rods, connected in the middle, that is half the wavelength of the signal it transmits or receives

Ex: The radio station uses a dipole antenna to broadcast signals over a wide area. 
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lepton
lepton
[noun]

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

Ex: Leptons are elementary particles that include electrons, muons, tau particles, and their associated neutrinos. 
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