Physics and chemistry

20 Physics and Chemistry Terms with Meanings and Examples

Physics

  1. Force: A push or pull that can change an object’s motion.
  • Example: Gravity is a force that pulls objects towards the Earth.
  1. Velocity: The speed and direction of an object’s motion.
  • Example: The car’s velocity was 60 miles per hour north.
  1. Acceleration: The rate at which an object’s velocity changes.
  • Example: The car accelerated quickly to reach highway speed.
  1. Momentum: The mass of an object times its velocity.
  • Example: A heavy object moving at a high velocity has a large momentum.
  1. Energy: The ability to do work.
  • Example: Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy.
  1. Matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space.
  • Example: Atoms are the building blocks of matter.
  1. Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of a particular element.
  • Example: Hydrogen is the simplest atom.
  1. Element: A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
  • Example: Oxygen is an element.
  1. Compound: A substance composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
  • Example: Water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen.
  1. Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together.
  • Example: A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Chemistry

  1. Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of a particular element.
  • Example: Hydrogen is the simplest atom.
  1. Element: A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
  • Example: Oxygen is an element.
  1. Compound: A substance composed of two or more different elements chemically combined.
  • Example: Water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen.
  1. Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together.
  • Example: A water molecule is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
  1. Chemical Reaction: The process by which substances change into different substances.
  • Example: Burning is a chemical reaction that combines oxygen with a fuel to produce heat and light.
  1. Acid: A substance that produces hydrogen ions in solution.
  • Example: Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid.
  1. Base: A substance that produces hydroxide ions in solution.
  • Example: Sodium hydroxide is a strong base.
  1. pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
  • Example: A pH of 7 is neutral, while a pH below 7 is acidic and a pH above 7 is basic.
  1. Organic Chemistry: The study of carbon-containing compounds.
  • Example: Plastics, carbohydrates, and proteins are examples of organic compounds.
  1. Inorganic Chemistry: The study of non-carbon-containing compounds.
  • Example: Minerals and salts are examples of inorganic compounds.
See also  Pizza Vocabulary

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