Vocabulary for Describing Physics and Materials Science
- Force: A push or pull on an object, causing a change in its motion.
- Energy: A property of an object or system that allows it to do work.
- Work: The transfer of energy from one object to another by means of a force.
- Power: The rate at which work is done.
- Waves: Disturbances that propagate through space and matter, transferring energy without the transfer of matter.
- Electromagnetic wave: A wave that is created by the interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
- Light: An electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye.
- Photon: A particle of light.
- Electron: A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.
- Proton: A positively charged particle that is found in the nucleus of an atom.
- Neutron: An electrically neutral particle that is found in the nucleus of an atom.
- Atom: The basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus (made up of protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons.
- Molecule: A group of two or more atoms bonded together.
- Crystal: A solid material in which the atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern.
- Material: A substance or a combination of substances from which objects can be made.
- Metallurgy: The study of metals and the science of metal production and use.
- Polymer: A large molecule made up of repeating units called monomers.
- Composite: A material made up of two or more different materials combined to create a new material with unique properties.
- Nanotechnology: The study and application of materials and systems with structures and properties that emerge at the nanoscale (typically 1-100 nanometers).
- Conductor: A material that allows electricity to flow through it easily.
- Insulator: A material that does not allow electricity to flow through it easily.
- Semiconductor: A material that has electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
- Superconductor: A material that has zero electrical resistance at low temperatures.
- Quantum mechanics: A branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles.
- Relativity: A theory in physics that describes the behavior of objects and systems moving at high speeds, and how space and time are affected by gravity.
- Electromagnetism: The study of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with charged particles.
- Thermodynamics: The study of heat and temperature and how they relate to energy and work.
- Mechanics: The study of motion and its causes, including classical mechanics (the study of the motion of macroscopic objects) and quantum mechanics.
- Optics: The study of light and its interactions with matter, including the behavior of light as it passes through lenses, mirrors, and other optical devices.
- Fluid mechanics: The study of fluids and their behavior, including the study of fluids in motion (such as in a stream or a wind tunnel) and the study of fluids at rest (such as in a tank or a hydraulic system).
- Materials science: The study of the structure, properties, and behavior of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
- Nanotechnology: The study and application of materials and devices with structures and properties that emerge at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.
- Solid state physics: The study of the physical properties of solids, including the behavior of electrons, lattice structures, and defects.
- Nuclear physics: The study of the atomic nucleus and its constituent particles, including the behavior of nuclei under various conditions, such as in nuclear reactors or during nuclear reactions.
- Particle physics: The study of the smallest constituents of matter and energy, including particles such as quarks, leptons, and bosons.
- Astrophysics: The study of the physical properties and behavior of objects and systems in the universe, including stars, galaxies, and black holes.
- Cosmology: The study of the structure, evolution, and ultimate fate of the universe.
- General relativity: A theory of gravity developed by Albert Einstein, which describes the behavior of gravity as a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy.
- Quantum field theory: A framework for describing the behavior of particles and fields in the universe, based on the principles of quantum mechanics.
- Classical mechanics: The study of the motion of macroscopic objects, including the behavior of objects under the influence of forces such as gravity, friction, and tension.
- Electrodynamics: The study of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with charged particles.
- Statistical mechanics: The study of the behavior of large systems of particles, including the distribution of energy and the behavior of systems in thermal equilibrium.
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