Physics Definitions Essay

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WELSH JOINT EDUCATION COMMITTEE CYD-BWYLLGOR ADDYSG CYMRU General Certificate of Education Tystysgrif Addysg Gyffredinol PHYSICS TERMS, DEFINITIONS & UNITS This document is issued by the WJEC to assist teachers with the preparation of candidates for the GCE examination in PHYSICS. It consists of the definitions of terms from the current AS/A specification. The definitions were produced by the Principal Examiners for PH1, 2, 4 and 5 working as a team. It is acknowledged that there will always be disagreement on precise definitions, but the aim has been to produce wording which is accessible to students while preserving a fair level of rigor. Suggestions for improvements and the identification of omissions are welcome and should be addressed to me at the WJEC. The rationale for the production of this document is to help students towards an understanding of the basic vocabulary of Physics, without which clear explanations are impossible. It will also of course aid the students in revision for their unit tests, as knowledge of terms, definitions and units is examined in every paper. The stimulus for its production was an awarding meeting at which a large number of papers was seen, in which candidates had lost many marks for inadequate knowledge of definitions. Gareth Kelly Examinations Officer for Science/Physics & Electronics WJEC, 245 Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YX 029 2026 5081 (direct line) gareth.kelly@wjec.co.uk September 2003. Physics Terms Definitions and Units page 2 PH1 Ref 3.1.1(c) Scalar Vector The moment (or torque) of a force. Item Definition A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude only. A vector is a quantity that has magnitude and direction. The turning effect of a force (or moment or torque) about a point is defined as the force x the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of action of the force, i.e. moment = F × d.
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