Download Physics Vocabulary

Physics Vocabulary
5th Grade Term 3
Energy
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energy- the ability to do work or cause change
kinetic- the energy of motion
potential- energy of position or condition
mechanical- energy related to motion of an object or its
potential to move
thermal- energy in the moving particles of an object
chemical- energy in the bonds between atoms
electrical- energy of moving electrical charges
electromagnetic- radiant or wave energy that can travel
through empty space
nuclear- energy in the nucleus of an atom
conservation- law that energy cannot be created or
destroyed, it only changes forms
Force
• force- a push or a pull (measured in newtons)
• friction- a force that opposes motion when two surfaces are in
contact with each other
• magnetism- a force that attracts or repels objects with magnetic
poles
• gravity- a force that pulls together objects with mass
• balanced forces- forces that are equal in size and opposite in
direction which produce no change in motion
• acceleration- any change in the motion of an object, either speed or
direction
• net force- the total result of all the forces acting on an object
• work- the result of applying force to move an object some distance
(measured in joules)
• power- the rate at which work is done (measured in watts)
• engineering- the process of using science knowledge to design a
product that solves a problem
Machines
• machine- a device that makes work easier by changing the
amount of force , the direction of the force, or the distance
over which the force is applied
• load- object to be moved or resistance
• effort- the force used to do work, lift a load
• lever-a bar that turns on a fixed point
• fulcrum (pivot)- the point around which a lever turns
• inclined plane (ramp)- a flat sloped surface
• wedge- an inclined plane that moves, used to separate
objects
• screw- an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder,
creating threads
• pulley- a grooved wheel through which a rope runs
• wheel and axle- two different size round objects that rotate
around an axis
Motion
• motion- change in position
• reference point- a defined position used to determine
motion by comparison
• speed- change in distance over time (units: mph or m/s)
• velocity- speed with direction
• momentum- product of mass and velocity; the force
needed to change the motion of an object
• inertia- tendency for an object to continue moving or stay
at rest
• reaction- a force that is equal and opposite to the action
• scientific law- a statement that is used to explain why
something happens in nature