IB Physics SL Definitions
(2023)
Precision - Answer-A measurement is said to be precise if it has little random errors
Accuracy - Answer-A measurement
... [Show More] is said to be accurate if it has little systematic errors
Random Errors - Answer-A random error, is an error which affects a reading at random.
Systematic Errors - Answer-A systematic error, is an error which occurs at each
reading.
Sig Figs (x or /) - Answer-use least # of sig figs
Sig Figs (+ or -) - Answer-use least # of decimal places
Scalar - Answer-A scalar quantity has only magnitude.
Ex. Length, Area, Volume, Speed, Mass.
Vector - Answer-A vector quantity has both direction and magnitude.
Ex. Displacement, Velocity, Force
Displacement (Topic 2) - Answer-the change in position of an object, as a vector
(magnitude and direction)
unit: meters
Speed - Answer-how far an object travels in a given time; rate of change of distance, a
scalar
unit: ms⁻¹
Velocity - Answer-speed in a particular direction, a vector
unit: ms⁻¹
Acceleration - Answer-rate of change of velocity (with time), a vector
unit: ms⁻²
Frictional force - Answer-the force placed on a moving object opposite its direction of
motion due to the inherent roughness of all surfaces
units: newtons (N)
Normal force - Answer-the force on an object perpendicular to the surface it rests on
utilized in order to account for the body's lack of movement
units: newtons (N)
Coefficient of friction - Answer-the coefficient that determines the amount of friction.
This varies tremendously based on the surfaces in contact. There are no units for the
coefficient of either static or kinetic friction
Newton's First Law of Motion - Answer-an object at rest or in motion will stay at rest or
in motion unless acted upon by an external unbalanced net force
Transitional Equilibrium - Answer-When the net force on an object is zero in all
directions (i.e no linear acceleration)
Newton's Second Law of Motion - Answer-The net (or resultant) force acting on a body
is equal to the product of its mass and its acceleration.
F=ma
Linear Momentum - Answer-The product of mass and velocity. A vector
units: kgms⁻¹
Impulse (2) - Answer-The change in momentum. A vector
unit: kgms⁻²
also product of Force and time
unit: Ns
Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum - Answer-The momentum of an isolated
system remains constant. (i.e no external force acting)
Newton's Third Law of Motion - Answer-For every action on one object there is an equal
but opposite reaction
Work - Answer-when a force moves an object in the direction of the force
unit: Joules (J)
Power - Answer-The rate of doing work (rate at which work is being performed
unit: Watt or Joule/second (W or Js⁻¹)
Kinetic Energy - Answer-energy an object has as a result of its motion
unit: Joules (J)
Gravitational Potential Energy - Answer-energy that is stored in an object by its height
unit: Joules (J)
Principle of Conservation of Energy - Answer-Energy is never created nor destroyed. It
changes from one form to another.
Elastic Collision - Answer-KE and momentum conserved - no mechanical energy lost
ex: pool balls, ideal gas particles
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