List of definitions and laws
, Definitions/Laws/Principles
A LEVEL PHYSICS
1 Radian The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of length
equal to the radius of the circle.
2 Angular Ratio of the length of arc, subtended at the circumference of the
displacement circle, and the radius of the circle.
3 Angular speed Angle subtended at the centre of the circle by an object moving at
the circumference of the circle in unit time.
4 Centripetal It is the resultant force acting on an object moving in a circular path
Force at constant speed; always towards the centre of the circle and
perpendicular to the velocity of the object.
5 Newton’s law The gravitational force between two point masses is proportional to
of gravitation the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square
of their separation.
6 Gravitational A region of space in which a mass experiences a force.
field
7 Gravitational The gravitational force exerted per unit mass on a small test mass
field strength placed at that point
8 Line of force Represents the direction of the force exerted on a small test mass in
of a a gravitational field.
gravitational
field
9 Geostationary An orbit in which a geostationary satellite always stays above the
orbits same point on the surface of a planet.
10 Potential ability to do work as a result of the position/shape, etc. of an object.
energy
11 Gravitational Gravitational potential energy at a point is defined as the work done
potential in bringing a test mass from infinity to the point.
energy
12 Gravitational work done in bringing a unit test mass from infinity to the point.
potential
13 Kepler's 3rd The square of the period of the orbit is proportional to the cube of
law the radius of the orbit.
14 Escape speed The minimum initial speed a mass must have so that it escapes the
gravitational field of a planet/star/, etc. to infinity.
15 Displacement Shortest distance of the object from equilibrium position.
(in SHM)
16 Amplitude (in Maximum displacement of the object from the equilibrium position.
SHM)
17 Frequency (in Number of oscillations completed per unit time.
SHM)
18 Period (in Time to complete one oscillation.
SHM)
Talha Ahmed 1 A2 Level Physics
, Definitions/Laws/Principles
A LEVEL PHYSICS
1 Radian The angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc of length
equal to the radius of the circle.
2 Angular Ratio of the length of arc, subtended at the circumference of the
displacement circle, and the radius of the circle.
3 Angular speed Angle subtended at the centre of the circle by an object moving at
the circumference of the circle in unit time.
4 Centripetal It is the resultant force acting on an object moving in a circular path
Force at constant speed; always towards the centre of the circle and
perpendicular to the velocity of the object.
5 Newton’s law The gravitational force between two point masses is proportional to
of gravitation the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square
of their separation.
6 Gravitational A region of space in which a mass experiences a force.
field
7 Gravitational The gravitational force exerted per unit mass on a small test mass
field strength placed at that point
8 Line of force Represents the direction of the force exerted on a small test mass in
of a a gravitational field.
gravitational
field
9 Geostationary An orbit in which a geostationary satellite always stays above the
orbits same point on the surface of a planet.
10 Potential ability to do work as a result of the position/shape, etc. of an object.
energy
11 Gravitational Gravitational potential energy at a point is defined as the work done
potential in bringing a test mass from infinity to the point.
energy
12 Gravitational work done in bringing a unit test mass from infinity to the point.
potential
13 Kepler's 3rd The square of the period of the orbit is proportional to the cube of
law the radius of the orbit.
14 Escape speed The minimum initial speed a mass must have so that it escapes the
gravitational field of a planet/star/, etc. to infinity.
15 Displacement Shortest distance of the object from equilibrium position.
(in SHM)
16 Amplitude (in Maximum displacement of the object from the equilibrium position.
SHM)
17 Frequency (in Number of oscillations completed per unit time.
SHM)
18 Period (in Time to complete one oscillation.
SHM)
Talha Ahmed 1 A2 Level Physics
