IGCSE Physics Key Definitions For 0625 AND 0972 

Electricity and Magnetism

• Define Magnetic poles: Magnetic poles are the regions on the ends of a magnet  , where there are the magnetic field lines that either emerge from it, or are directed towards it. 
• Define Magnets: Magnets  are  materials that can produce their  own magnetic fields and hence are able to attract magnetic substances towards them.
• Define Magnetic materials: Magnetic materials are  substances  that get attracted towards a magnet 
• Define Domains: Magnetic domains are  regions within a magnetic material in which the magnetisation  is present  in a uniform direction
• Domain: A domain is a region inside of a material where groups of magnetic moments naturally align in the same direction.
• Define induced magnetism: When a magnetic substance is brought close to a magnet, it stays attracted to the magnet  as long as it is not pulled away from the magnet's magnetic field.  So, we say that the magnetism is induced in the magnetic material as long as it is in the  magnets magnetic field.
• Define Temporary magnets: Temporary magnets are made up of soft ion and stay magnetised for some time. 
• Define Permanent magnets:Permanent magnets retain  their magnetic properties even  in the absence of an inducing field or current
• Define Electromagnets: Electromagnets are magnets in which their  magnetic field is produced due to  an electric current. They  usually have iron cores and lose their magnetism when the electric current through them is stopped.
• Define Magnetic field:It is the  region around a magnetic material within which the force of magnetism acts on magnetic materials.
• Define Bar magnets:  Bar magnets that  are rectangular in shape  and have permanent magnetic properties and are made from the ferromagnetic substances
• Define Magnetic field lines: Magnetic field lines are imaginary lines around the magnet and their direction is always from  the North to South pole  of the magnet These are more concentrated towards the poles and never overlap each other
• Define Compass: A compass  has  a  magnetic  needle that always points  in the North-South direction. The red painted part of it indicates North. Hence is used to find direction while navigating or even to find the direction of magnetic field lines , if placed near a permanent magnet.
• Define Iron filings:These are small shavings of a ferromagnetic material

4.2 Electrical quantities

• Define Electric charge: An electric charge is a  basic physical property that causes objects to feel  attracted  or repelled towards  each  other
• Define Positive charge: A positive charge exists  when the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons .
• Electric Field:An   electric field as a region in which an electric charge experiences a force
• Define Negative charge: A  negative  charge exists  when the number of protons is less than  the number of electrons .
• Define Electrostatic charge:  Electrostatic charge is a charge that is developed  on ungrounded or insulating surfaces, as a result of either a deficiency or  an excess of electrons .
• Define A point charge: A point charge is a hypothetical charge located at a single point in space .It only exists in theory and cannot be measured.
• Define A conducting sphere:A conducting sphere is a sphere that has the  charge  present only on its  surface 
• Define  Electrical conductors: Electrical conductors are substances or material that allow electricity to flow through them .
• Define Electrical insulators:Electrical conductors are substances or material that  do not allow electricity to flow through them .
• Define Electric current: An Electrical current is defined as the rate at which the charge flows.
• Define Conventional current:  Conventional current  assumes that current flows out of the positive terminal, through the circuit and into the negative terminal of the source. 
• Define Ammeter:It is an instrument to measure the electric current
• Define Direct current: Direct current is the one-directional flow of electric charge
• Define Alternating current: An alternating current is an electric current that  periodically reverses it's  direction and changes it's magnitude continuously with time 
• Define Electromotive force: It is the electrical work done by a source in moving a unit charge around a complete circuit
• Define Potential difference: It is  the work done by a unit charge passing through a component
• Define Electrical power: It is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.
• Define Kilowatt-hour (kWh):  It is a unit of energy and this term tells us that  one kilowatt (1 kW) of power is spent  in  one hour (1 h) of time

Topic 1: IGCSE Physics Motion / Forces and Energy Definitions

Topic 2:  IGCSE Physics Thermal Physics Definitions

Topic 3: IGCSE Physics Waves  Definitions

  Topic 4: IGCSE Physics  Space  Physics  Definitions