IGCSE Physics Key Definitions Electricity and Magnetism

IGCSE Physics Key Definitions For 0625 AND 0972 

Electricity and Magnetism

igcse-physics-definitions-laws-electricity-and-magnetism 

OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this section, you will be able to :

  • Define key terms for IGCSE Phyiscs for 0625 and 0972 (9-1)  on the topic Electricity and Magnetism
  • Understand how marks have been alloted in the examination questions  for defining various quantities
  • Become extremely confident in defining various terms using the correct scientific vocabulary as per the syllabus requirements for this topic

IGCSE Physics Definitions / Electricity and Magnetism

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  • Magnetic poles

    Regions at the ends of a magnet where magnetic field lines either emerge from or are directed toward the magnet.

  • Magnets

    Materials that produce their own magnetic fields and attract magnetic substances.

  • Magnetic materials

    Substances that get attracted toward a magnet.

  • Domains

    Regions within a magnetic material in which the magnetisation is in a uniform direction.

  • Domain

    A region inside a material where groups of magnetic moments naturally align in the same direction.

  • Induced magnetism

    When a magnetic substance is placed in a magnet’s field, it becomes magnetised and remains attracted while in the field.

  • Temporary magnets

    Made of soft iron; they stay magnetised for some time.

  • Permanent magnets

    Retain magnetic properties even without an inducing field or current.

  • Electromagnets

    Magnets whose magnetic field is produced by an electric current; usually have iron cores and lose magnetism when current stops.

  • Magnetic field

    The region around a magnetic material within which the force of magnetism acts.

  • Bar magnets

    Rectangular permanent magnets made from ferromagnetic substances.

  • Magnetic field lines

    Imaginary lines around a magnet directed from the North to the South pole; densest near the poles and never cross.

  • Compass

    An instrument with a magnetic needle that points North–South; used for navigation and to find field-line directions.

  • Iron filings

    Small shavings of a ferromagnetic material.

  • Electric charge

    A basic physical property that causes objects to attract or repel each other.

  • Positive charge

    Exists when the number of protons exceeds the number of electrons.

  • Electric field

    A region in which an electric charge experiences a force.

  • Negative charge

    Exists when the number of protons is less than the number of electrons.

  • Electrostatic charge

    Charge developed on ungrounded or insulating surfaces due to an excess or deficiency of electrons.

  • Point charge

    A hypothetical charge located at a single point in space; an idealisation used in theory.

  • Conducting sphere

    A sphere in which any excess charge resides on the surface.

  • Electrical conductors

    Materials that allow electricity to flow through them.

  • Electrical insulators

    Materials that do not allow electricity to flow through them.

  • Electric current

    The rate at which charge flows.

  • Conventional current

    Current assumed to flow from the positive terminal, through the circuit, to the negative terminal of the source.

  • Ammeter

    An instrument used to measure electric current.

  • Direct current (DC)

    One-directional flow of electric charge.

  • Alternating current (AC)

    Electric current that periodically reverses direction and continuously changes magnitude with time.

  • Electromotive force (emf)

    Electrical work done per unit charge by a source moving charge around a complete circuit.

  • Potential difference (p.d.)

    Work done per unit charge as it passes through a component.

  • Electrical power

    The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.

  • Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

    A unit of energy: one kilowatt of power used for one hour.

 

 

 

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