📚 KS3 CAIE Physics: Vocabulary & Terminology Quick Memorization Guide | KS3 CAIE 物理：词汇术语速记指南
In KS3 CAIE Physics, a robust scientific vocabulary is your toolkit for thinking like a physicist. Being fluent in key terms helps you decode questions, write precise explanations and connect abstract ideas to real phenomena. This guide breaks down essential terminology topic by topic, offering memorization tricks such as root words, vivid associations and short rhymes to lock each word into long-term memory.
在 KS3 CAIE 物理中，扎实的科学词汇是你像物理学家一样思考的利器。熟练运用关键术语能帮你拆解题目、写出准确的解释，并把抽象概念与现实现象联系起来。本指南按主题梳理必背术语，并提供词根联想、生动意象和简短口诀等记忆技巧，让每个单词深深嵌入长期记忆。
1. Forces and Motion Terminology | 力与运动术语
Force – A push or a pull acting on an object, measured in newtons (N). Forces can change an object's speed, direction or shape. Think of a 'force' as something that forces a change to happen.
力 – 作用在物体上的推或拉，单位为牛顿 (N)。力可以改变物体的速度、方向或形状。把 'force' 想象成一种“强行”引起变化的东西。
Friction – A force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. The word starts with 'fric' like 'friction rubs'. Remember: rough surfaces create more friction, like grip on trainers.
摩擦力 – 阻碍两个接触表面相对运动的力。词首 'fric' 类似“摩擦”。记住：粗糙表面产生更大摩擦力，就像运动鞋的抓地力。
Gravity – The force of attraction between any two objects with mass. On Earth, gravity pulls objects towards the centre with an acceleration of about 9.8 m/s². Mnemonic: 'Gravity grabs you downwards'.
重力 – 任何有质量物体之间的吸引力。在地球上，重力把物体拉向地心，加速度约为 9.8 m/s²。口诀：'Gravity 拉着你向下'。
Balanced forces – When forces on an object cancel each other out, resulting in no change in motion. Think of a tug-of-war with equally strong teams – the rope stays still.
平衡力 – 作用在物体上的力相互抵消，运动状态不变。想象势均力敌的拔河比赛——绳子保持静止。
Unbalanced forces – When the net force is not zero, causing acceleration. Like one team pulling harder in tug-of-war; the rope moves that way.
非平衡力 – 合外力不为零，引起加速度。如同拔河时一方更强，绳子就向那一方移动。
Newton's first law – An object stays at rest or moves at a constant velocity unless acted on by an external unbalanced force. Often called the law of inertia. Recall 'inertia resists a change, like you sliding in a bus when it brakes suddenly'.
牛顿第一定律 – 物体保持静止或匀速直线运动状态，除非有外力迫其改变。又称惯性定律。回忆“惯性抗拒变化，就像公交车急刹时你往前滑”。
2. Energy Terminology | 能量术语
Energy stores – Ways energy is held by a system, such as kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, thermal energy, chemical energy and elastic potential energy. Picture energy as money in different bank accounts.
能量储存 – 系统持有能量的方式，比如动能、重力势能、热能、化学能和弹性势能。把能量想象成不同银行账户里的钱。
Kinetic energy – ct. Formula: Ek = ½ m v². The faster or heavier an object, the more kinetic energy it has. 'Kinetic' sounds like 'moving ' – think of a kicking action.
动能 – 物体因运动而具有的能量。公式：Ek = ½ m v²。物体越快、越重，动能越大。'Kinetic' 听起来像“运动的”——想象踢腿动作。
Gravitational potential energy (GPE) – Energy stored due to an object's position in a gravitational field. GPE = m g h. 'Potential' means it has potential to fall and do work.
重力势能 (GPE) – 物体因在引力场中的位置而储存的能量。GPE = m g h。'Potential' 意味着它有下落做功的潜能。
Thermal energy – Energy a substance has because of the random motion of its particles. The hotter the material, the more thermal energy it stores. Associate with 'thermometer'.
热能 – 物质因粒子随机运动而具有的能量。物体温度越高，储存的热能越多。联系 'thermometer'（温度计）记忆。
Energy transfer – Movement of energy from one store to another. Four main pathways: by heating, by working mechanically, by working electrically, and by radiation. Use the mnemonic 'Hulk Eats Raw Meat' – Heating, Electrical, Radiation, Mechanical.
能量转移 – 能量从一个储存转移到另一个的过程。四种主要途径：加热、机械做功、电流做功和辐射。用口诀“Heat， Electrical， Radiation， Mechanical”——首字母 H E R M 意象“赫尔墨斯”。
Law of conservation of energy – Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted. The total energy in a closed system remains constant. Remember: 'Energy never vanishes, it just changes its address'.
能量守恒定律 – 能量不能被创造或消灭，只能转移或转化。封闭系统总能量保持不变。记住：“能量永不消失，只是换个地址”。
3. Electricity and Circuits Terminology | 电与电路术语
Current – The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes (A). In a wire, it is the movement of electrons. Think of current as a river of charge: 'current' and 'currant' (flow).
电流 – 电荷的流动，单位为安培 (A)。在导线中是电子的定向移动。把电流想象成电荷的河流：'current' 和“流水”曲流。
Voltage (potential difference) – The 'push' that drives charge around a circuit, measured in volts (V). It is like the height of a water slide – the higher the voltage, the bigger the push. 'Volt' sounds like 'bolt' of energy.
电压（电势差） – 驱动电荷在电路中流动的“推力”，单位为伏特 (V)。就像水滑梯的高度——电压越高，推力越大。'Volt' 听起来像能量的“bolt（闪电）”。
Resistance – A measure of how hard it is for current to flow, measured in ohms (Ω). Components like resistors add resistance. Rhyme: 'Resistance fights the flow, the higher it goes, the less current will show'.
电阻 – 衡量电流流动难易程度的物理量，单位为欧姆 (Ω)。电阻器这类元件会增加电阻。顺口溜：“电阻阻电流，越高流越小”。
Series circuit – d-to-end, giving only one path for current. If one component breaks, all go out. Remember: 'series = single loop, like beads on a string'.
串联电路 – 元件首尾相接，电流只有一条通路。一个元件损坏，全部停止工作。记忆：“串联就像串珠，同线同命运”。
Parallel circuit – A circuit where components are on separate branches, giving multiple paths for current. If one branch breaks, others keep working. 'Parallel' means 'side by side'. Picture parallel running tracks.
并联电路 – 元件位于独立支路，电流有多条路径。一条支路断开，其他支路仍工作。'Parallel' 意为“并行”。想象并排的跑道。
4. Waves and Sound Terminology | 波与声音术语
Wavelength – The distance from one peak of a wave to the next peak, symbol λ (lambda), measured in metres (m). Long wavelength means low wave frequency. Think 'wave length' – literally the length of one complete wave.
波长 – 从一个波峰到下一个波峰的距离，符号 λ，单位为米 (m)。波长长意味着频率低。直译为“波的长度”。
Frequency – passing a point per second, measured in hertz (Hz). High frequency = high pitch in sound. 'Frequent' means often – more waves per second are more frequent waves.
频率 – 每秒通过某点的完整波数，单位为赫兹 (Hz)。高频声音音调高。'Frequent' 意为频繁——每秒更多波就是更频繁的波。
Amplitude – ion, related to loudness in sound or brightness in light. Taller amplitude = louder sound. 'Ample' means large – large amplitude, large energy.
振幅 – 波偏离平衡位置的最大位移，对应声音的响度或光的亮度。振幅越大，声音越响。'Ample' 意为充足——大振幅，大能量。
Wave speed – wave travels, wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f λ). For water waves, toss a stone – ripples spread at a certain speed.
波速 – 波传播的快慢，波速 = 频率 × 波长 (v = f λ)。如投石入水，波纹以一定速度扩散。
Reflection of waves – The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a barrier, such as an echo of sound. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Remember: 'Wave meets wall, bounces back like a ball'.
波的反射 – 波遇到障碍物反弹回来的现象，比如回声。入射角等于反射角。想象：“波遇墙，像球弹回”。
5. Light and Optics Terminology | 光与光学术语
Reflection – Bouncing of light off a surface. Smooth surfaces give clear reflections; rough surfaces scatter light. 'Re-flect' – think of a mirror reflecting your face back.
反射 – 光从表面弹回的现象。光滑表面形成清晰反射，粗糙表面散射光。'Re-flect'（重新折返）——镜子把你的面容反射回来。
Refraction – Bending of light when it passes from one transparent medium to another (e.g. air to glass) due to change in speed. 'Fract' as in 'fracture' – light path fractures and bends. Remember the pencil appearing bent in water.
折射 – 光从一种透明介质进入另一种（如空气到玻璃）时因速度改变而弯曲的现象。词根 'fract' 意为断裂——光线路径弯曲。想象水中的铅笔看起来折弯了。
Lens – A curved piece of glass or plastic that refracts light. Convex lenses converge light to a focal point (used in magnifying glasses). Concave lenses diverge light. 'Lens' looks like 'lends' – it lends direction to light.
透镜 – 弯曲的玻璃或塑料，能折射光线。凸透镜将光线会聚到焦点（用于放大镜），凹透镜发散光线。'Lens' 像 'lends'，给光指引方向。
Dispersion – Splitting white light into the colours of the spectrum (rainbow) using a prism. Each colour has a different wavelength and refracts by a slightly different amount. 'Disperse' means to spread out – light disperses into colours.
色散 – 用棱镜将白光分解成光谱（彩虹色）的现象。不同颜色的波长不同，折射程度略有差异。'Disperse' 意为散开——光散成七彩。
6. Matter and Density Terminology | 物质与密度术语
Mass – Amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg). Mass stays the same everywhere, unlike weight. 'Mass' sounds like 'massive' – more mass, more matter.
质量 – 物体所含物质的多少，单位为千克 (kg)。质量在任何地方都不变，与重量不同。'Mass' 类似“块头大”——质量越大物质越多。
Weight – W = m g), measured in newtons (N). On the Moon you weigh less, but your mass is unchanged. 'Weight' depends on the 'weight' of gravity's pull.
重量 – 重力作用在物体上的力，重量 = 质量 × 引力场强度 (W = m g)，单位为牛顿 (N)。月球上你重量变小，但质量不变。'Weight' 取决于重力的“轻重” pull。
Density – me (ρ = m / V), measured in kg/m³ or g/cm³. Dense objects feel heavy for their size. Think 'dense = tightly packed people in a room'. Lead is dense, cork is not.
密度 – 单位体积的质量，密度 = 质量／体积 (ρ = m / V)，单位 kg/m³ 或 g/cm³。密度大的物体在同体积下更沉。联想“密度就像房间里挤满了人”——越挤越密。铅密度大，软木密度小。
States of matter – r, particles close but can move. Gas: no fixed shape or volume, particles far apart moving fast. Use the hand mnemonic: solid = fist (rigid), liquid = cupped hand (adaptable), gas = open hand (free).
物质状态 – 固态、液态、气态。固态：形状体积固定，粒子紧密规则排列。液态：体积固定但形状随容器，粒子靠近但可移动。气态：无固定形状体积，粒子彼此远离快速运动。用手助记：固 = 握拳（坚固），液 = 捧手（适应），气 = 张手（自由）。
7. Heat and Temperature Terminology | 热与温度术语
Temperature – A measure of how hot or cold an object is, measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Kelvin (K). It tells us the average kinetic energy of particles. 'Temp' is short for temperature; think of a temporary energy measure.
温度 – 衡量物体冷热程度的物理量，单位为摄氏度 (°C) 或开尔文 (K)。它表示粒子平均动能。'Temp' 是温度缩写；想象一种“临时”能量指标。
Thermal conduction – Transfer of heat through a solid without movement of the material itself, by particles vibrating and passing energy. Metals are good conductors. 'Conduct' as in music conductor – leads energy through.
热传导 – 热量通过固体自身不移动的转移方式，靠粒子振动传递能量。金属是良导体。'Conduct' 像乐队指挥，引导能量通过。
Thermal convection – Transfer of heat in liquids and gases by the movement of the fluid itself. Hot fluid rises, cool fluid sinks, creating a convection current. 'Convection' contains 'vection' similar to 'vector' – moving along a path.
热对流 – 热量在液体和气体中通过流体自身的运动来传递。热流体上升，冷流体下沉，形成对流循环。'Convection' 有 'vection'，像矢量移动。
Thermal radiation – Transfer of heat by infrared electromagnetic waves; can travel through a vacuum (from the Sun to Earth). No medium needed. 'Radiate' like sun rays radiating outward.
热辐射 – 通过红外电磁波传递热量；可在真空中传播（如太阳到地球）。无需介质。'Radiate' 如同阳光辐射。
8. Magnetism and Electromagnetism Terminology | 磁与电磁术语
Magnetic pole – The ends of a magnet where the magnetic force is strongest: north-seeking pole and south-seeking pole. Like poles repel, unlike poles attract. 'Pole' like 'polar' – opposites attract.
磁极 – 磁铁上磁力最强的两端：指北极和指南极。同极相斥，异极相吸。'Pole' 像 'polar'，两极相吸。
Magnetic field – The region around a magnet where magnetic forces can be detected. Field lines go from north to south pole. Field is strongest where lines are closest. Picture field lines as invisible elastic bands.
磁场 – 磁铁周围能检测到磁力的区域。磁感线从北极指向南极，线越密场越强。把磁感线想象成看不见的橡皮筋。
Electromagnet – A temporary magnet made by passing electric current through a wire coil wrapped around an iron core. The strength can be changed by varying current or number of coils. 'Electro' + 'magnet' – electricity creates the magnet.
电磁铁 – 给绕在铁芯上的线圈通电产生的临时磁铁。通过改变电流或线圈匝数调节磁力强弱。'Electro（电）' + 'magnet（磁铁）'——电生磁。
9. Space Physics Terminology | 空间物理术语
Orbit – The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet or moon, caused by gravity. The Moon orbits Earth. Think of a ball swung on a string – gravity is the string.
轨道 – 天体因引力作用围绕恒星、行星或月球运行的弯曲路径。月球绕地球运行。想象系在绳子上的球被甩动——引力就是那根绳子。
Solar system – The Sun and all objects gravitationally bound to it: eight planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids and comets. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).
太阳系 – 太阳及其引力束缚的所有天体：八大行星、矮行星、卫星、小行星和彗星。记忆口诀：“水金地火小，木土天海傻”——水星、金星、地球、火星、木星、土星、天王星、海王星。
Galaxy – A huge collection of stars, gas and dust bound by gravity. Our galaxy is the Milky Way. 'Galax' sounds like 'galactic' – think grand, spinning city of stars.
星系 – 由引力约束的大量恒星、气体和尘埃组成的巨大集合。我们所在的星系是银河系。'Galaxy' 像 'galactic'，想象一座旋转的星光之城。
10. Units and Prefixes | 单位与前缀速记
The language of measurement in physics relies on SI units and metric prefixes. Mastering them helps you read data and write correct answers. Below is a quick reference table.
物理测量的语言基于国际单位制 (SI) 和公制前缀。掌握它们有助于读取数据和写出正确答案。下面是一个速查表。
| Quantity / 物理量 | Unit & Symbol / 单位与符号 | Mnemonic / 记忆法 |
|---|---|---|
| Length / 长度 | metre (m) / 米 (m) | Metre like 'meter stick'. / 米尺。 |
| Mass / 质量 | kilogram (kg) / 千克 (kg) | 'Kilo' means thousand; a kilogram is 1000 grams. / kilo 表示千，1 kg = 1000 g。 |
| Time / 时间 | second (s) / 秒 (s) | Simple – think of a stop
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