📚 SQA Physics Vocabulary & Terminology Quick Reference Guide | SQA 物理词汇术语速记指南
Welcome to your essential Year 11 SQA Physics terminology quick reference. This guide breaks down the most commonly examined vocabulary, provides clear definitions, memory aids and paired English-Chinese explanations. Mastering these terms will sharpen your understanding and boost your exam confidence.
欢迎使用这份为 Year 11 SQA 物理课程准备的必备术语速记指南。本指南拆解了最常考的核心词汇，提供清晰定义、记忆技巧和英中对照释义。掌握这些术语能加深理解，提升考试自信。
1. Scalars and Vectors | 标量与矢量
Scalar quantity – a physical quantity that has magnitude (size) only. Common examples include distance, speed, mass, time and energy. No direction is involved.
标量 – 只有大小（量值）而没有方向的物理量。常见例子有距离、速率、质量、时间与能量。
Vector quantity – a physical quantity that possesses both magnitude and direction. Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force and momentum are all vectors.
矢量（向量） – 同时具有大小和方向的物理量。位移、速度、加速度、力和动量都是矢量。
Resultant vector – the single vector that produces the same effect as two or more original vectors combined. It is found by vector addition (tip-to-tail or parallelogram method).
合矢量（合量） – 与两个或多个原始矢量共同作用效果相同的单个矢量，可通过矢量加法（三角形法或平行四边形法）求得。
A handy comparison table can keep scalars and vectors straight in your mind.
记住一个简单对比表可以帮你分清标量与矢量。
| Scalar Examples | Vector Examples |
|---|---|
| Distance | Displacement |
| Speed | Velocity |
| Mass | Weight (force) |
| Energy | Momentum |
2. Motion Graphs and Kinematics | 运动图像与运动学
Displacement–time graph – the gradient of a displacement–time graph gives velocity. A straight line indicates constant velocity; a curve shows acceleration. A horizontal line means the object is stationary.
位移–时间图像 – 图像的斜率表示速度。直线代表匀速，曲线表示有加速度，水平线代表物体静止。
Velocity–time graph – the gradient gives acceleration, and the area under the graph between two times gives the displacement. A horizontal line represents constant velocity; a sloping line shows uniform acceleration.
速度–时间图像 – 斜率表示加速度，图像与时间轴围成的面积表示位移。水平线代表匀速，斜线表示匀加速。
Kinematics equations – these three equations link displacement (s), initial velocity (u), final velocity (v), acceleration (a) and time (t). They only apply when acceleration is constant.
运动学方程 – 以下三个方程联系了位移 (s)、初速度 (u)、末速度 (v)、加速度 (a) 和时间 (t)。仅适用于加速度恒定的情况。
v = u + a t
s = u t + ½ a t2
v2 = u2 + 2 a s
Acceleration a = Δv / Δt. The direction of acceleration is the same as the direction of the net force.
加速度定义为速度的变化率：a = Δv / Δt。加速度方向与合外力方向相同。
3. Forces and Newton's Laws | 力与牛顿定律
Free-body diagram (force diagram) – a simplified sketch showing an object as a dot or box with all the external forces acting on it drawn as arrows. It helps visualise the net force.
隔离体图（受力分析图） – 将物体简化为一个点或方框，用箭头标出所有作用其上的外力，便于找出合力。
Newton's First Law (law of inertia) – an object stays at rest or moves with constant velocity in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.
牛顿第一定律（惯性定律） – 物体在不受外力或所受外力平衡时，将保持静止或匀速直线运动状态。
Newton's Second Law – its acceleration a: F = m a. The acceleration is in the direction of the resultant force.
牛顿第二定律 – 作用在物体上的合外力 F 等于物体的质量 m 乘以加速度 a：F = m a，加速度方向与合外力方向一致。
Newton's Third Law – for every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force. These forces act on different objects and are of the same type.
牛顿第三定律 – 每一个作用力都有一个大小相等、方向相反的反作用力。这两个力作用在不同物体上且是同种性质的力。
Weight W = m g, where g is the gravitational field strength (9.8 N/kg on Earth's surface). Weight is a force measured in newtons, not mass.
重量 W = m g，其中 g 为重力场强度（地球表面约为 9.8 N/kg）。重量是力，单位为牛顿，与质量不同。
4. Momentum and Impulse | 动量与冲量
Momentum p – the product of an object' m v. Momentum is a vector quantity with the same direction as velocity. Its unit is kg m s-1.
动量 p – 物体质量与速度的乘积：p = m v。动量是矢量，方向与速度相同。单位为 kg m s-1。
Impulse – Δt. Impulse is equal to the change in momentum (Δp). The unit is N s, equivalent to kg m s-1.
冲量 – 力与作用时间的乘积：冲量 = F Δt。冲量等于动量的变化量 (Δp)。单位为 N s，等同于 kg m s-1。
Conservation of momentum – in the absence of external forces, the total momentum of a system before a collision equals the total momentum after the collision. This principle is key for solving explosion and collision problems.
动量守恒 – 在没有外力的情况下，系统碰撞前的总动量等于碰撞后的总动量。这一原理是解决爆炸与碰撞问题的关键。
Elastic collision – both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. Inelastic collision – momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is not (some energy is converted to heat or deformation).
弹性碰撞 – 动量和动能都守恒。非弹性碰撞 – 动量守恒，但动能不守恒（部分能量转化为热能或物体的形变）。
5. Work, Energy and Power | 功、能与功率
Work done W – e: W = F d cosθ. When the force is parallel to the displacement, W = F d. Unit: joule (J).
功 W – 力使物体沿力的方向发生位移时所做的能量转移：W = F d cosθ。当力与位移方向平行时，W = F d。单位为焦耳 (J)。
Kinetic energy Ek – the energy an object possesses due to its motion: Ek = ½ m v2. A mass moving faster stores more kinetic energy.
动能 Ek – 物体由于运动而拥有的能量：Ek = ½ m v2。质量一定时，速度越大，动能越大。
Gravitational potential energy Ep – the energy stored in an object due to its height above a reference level: Ep = m g h. Lifting an object increases its potential energy.
重力势能 Ep – 物体因被举高而储存的能量：Ep = m g h。举起物体时势能增加。
Power P – s done or energy is transferred: P = W / t or P = E / t. Unit: watt (W), where 1 W = 1 J s-1.
功率 P – 做功或能量转移的速率：P = W / t 或 P = E / t。单位是瓦特 (W)，1 W = 1 J s-1。
Efficiency – the ratio of useful output energy (or power) to total input energy. Often expressed as a percentage. No real machine is 100 % efficient due to friction and heat losses.
效率 – 有用输出能量（或功率）与总输入能量之比，常用百分比表示。由于摩擦和热损失，实际机器的效率不可能达到 100%。
6. Electric Charge, Current and Voltage | 电荷、电流与电压
Electric charge Q – ience a force in an electric field. Measured in coulombs (C). Electron charge = −1.60 × 10-19 C.
电荷 Q – 物质的一种基本属性，使物质在电场中受力。单位为库仑 (C)。电子所带电荷为 −1.60 × 10-19 C。
Electric current I – e rate of flow of charge: I = Q / t. Current is measured in amperes (A), where 1 A = 1 C s-1. Conventional current direction is from positive to negative.
电流 I – 电荷流动的速率：I = Q / t。单位为安培 (A)，1 A = 1 C s-1。习惯上电流方向为正电荷移动的方向。
Potential difference (voltage) V – nergy transferred per unit charge: V = W / Q. It is measured in volts (V), and 1 V = 1 J C-1. The p.d. drives current around a circuit.
电势差（电压）V – 单位电荷转移的能量：V = W / Q。单位为伏特 (V)，1 V = 1 J C-1。电压推动电荷在电路中流动。
Electromotive force (e.m.f.) – the total energy supplied to each coulomb of charge by the source. Despite the name, it is a voltage, not a force.
电动势 (e.m.f.) – 电源向每库仑电荷提供的总能量。虽然名称中有“力”，但它实际上是电压，不是力。
7. Resistance, Ohm's Law and Circuit Rules | 电阻、欧姆定律与电路
Resistance R – nt: R = V / I. Unit: ohm (Ω). A high resistance means a small current for a given voltage.
电阻 R – 衡量元件对电流阻碍作用的大小：R = V / I。单位为欧姆 (Ω)。给定电压下，电阻越大电流越小。
Ohm's Law – for a metallic conductor at constant temperature, the current through it is directly proportional to the potential difference across it (V ∝ I). An ohmic conductor has a straight-line V–I graph through the origin.
欧姆定律 – 对温度不变的金属导体，通过它的电流与它两端的电压成正比 (V ∝ I)。欧姆导体的 V–I 图像是一条过原点的直线。
Series circuits – the current is the same at all points. The total resistance is the sum of individual resistances: Rtotal = R1 + R2 + ... . The supply voltage is shared across components.
串联电路 – 各处电流相等。总电阻为各个电阻之和：Rtotal = R1 + R2 + ... 。电源电压分配在各个元件上。
Parallel circuits – the total current splits across branches; the voltage across each branch is the same. The total resistance is calculated using 1/Rtotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... .
并联电路 – 干路电流在各支路分流，各支路两端电压相等。总电阻由 1/Rtotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... 求得。
Variable resistors and sensors – components such as thermistors (resistance decreases with temperature rise) and LDRs (resistance decreases with light intensity) allow circuits to respond to the environment.
可变电阻与传感器 – 热敏电阻（温度升高电阻减小）和光敏电阻 LDR（光照增强电阻减小）等可使电路对周围环境作出反应。
8. Waves: Key Properties and Types | 波：关键性质与类型
Frequency f – the number of complete waves that pass a point per second. Measured in hertz (Hz). Period T – the time for one complete wave, T = 1/f.
频率 f – 每秒通过某点的完整波的个数，单位赫兹 (Hz)。周期 T – 完成一个完整波所需的时间，T = 1/f。
Wavelength λ – the distance between two successive points in phase (e.g. from crest to crest). Amplitude A – the maximum displacement from the rest position.
波长 λ – 两个相邻同相点（如波峰到波峰）之间的距离。振幅 A – 从平衡位置到最大位移处的距离。
Wave speed v – length by the wave equation: v = f λ. For light and radio waves in a vacuum, v = 3.00 × 108 m s-1.
波速 v – 与频率和波长的关系：v = f λ。光和无线电波在真空中的速度约为 3.00 × 108 m s-1。
Transverse wave – vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer (e.g. light, water waves, all electromagnetic waves). Longitudinal wave – vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer (e.g. sound waves).
横波 – 振动方向与能量传递方向垂直（如光、水波、所有电磁波）。纵波 – 振动方向与能量传递方向平行（如声波）。
Diffraction and refraction – diffraction is the spreading of waves around obstacles or through gaps; refraction is the change in wave speed and direction when passing into a different medium.
衍射与折射 – 衍射是波绕过障碍物或穿过狭缝时扩散的现象；折射是波进入不同介质时因速度改变而导致方向变化的现象。
9. Electromagnetic Spectrum | 电磁波谱
The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum consists of seven groups of waves that all travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. In order of increasing frequency (and decreasing wavelength), they are: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays.
电磁波谱包含七类波，在真空中均以光速传播。按频率递增（波长递减）排列为：无线电波、微波、红外线、可见光、紫外线、X射线和伽马射线。
Radio waves – longest wavelength; used for communication (TV, radio). Microwaves – used for satellite communication and cooking (causes water molecules to vibrate).
无线电波 – 波长最长，用于通信（电视、广播）。微波 – 用于卫星通信和加热食物（使水分子振动）。
Infrared – emitted by hot objects; used in thermal imaging and remote controls. Visible light – the only part of the spectrum we can see; colours from red (longest λ) to violet (shortest λ).
红外线 – 热物体发出，用于热成像和遥控器。可见光 – 我们能看见的唯一波段，颜色从红（波长最长）到紫（波长最短）。
Ultraviolet (UV) – can cause skin cancer; used in sterilisation and detecting forged banknotes. X-rays – penetrate soft tissue; used for medical imaging and airport security.
紫外线 (UV) – 可导致皮肤癌，用于杀菌和鉴定假钞。X射线 – 能穿透软组织，用于医学影像和机场安检。
Gamma rays (γ) – highest energy, emitted from radioactive nuclei; used in cancer therapy and to sterilise medical equipment. They are highly penetrating and ionising.
伽马射线 (γ) – 能量最高，由放射性原子核发出；用于癌症治疗和医疗设备消毒。穿透力和电离能力都很强。
10. Radioactivity: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Half-life | 放射性：α、β、γ与半衰期
Activity – the number of nuclear decays per second. Measured in becquerels (Bq). One becquerel equals one decay per second.
放射性活度 – 每秒发生核衰变的次数。单位是贝克勒尔 (Bq)，1 Bq 代表每秒发生一次衰变。
Alpha particle (α) – a helium nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons). It is highly ionising but has low penetrating power (stopped by paper or a few cm of air).
α 粒子 – 氦原子核（两个质子 + 两个中子）。电离能力强但穿透力弱（可被纸张或数厘米空气阻挡）。
Beta particle (β) – a fast-moving electron ejected from the nucleus when a neutron changes into a proton. It has medium penetrating power (stopped by a few mm of aluminium).
β 粒子 – 核内中子转变为质子时发射出的高速电子。穿透力中等（可被几毫米铝板挡住）。
Gamma ray (γ) – an electromagnetic wave with very high frequency. It has low ionising power but very high penetrating power (needs thick lead or concrete to reduce).
γ 射线 – 频率极高的电磁波。电离能力弱，但穿透力极强（需厚铅板或混凝土才能有效阻挡）。
Half-life T½ – the average time taken for half the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay, or for the activity to halve. It is a constant for a given isotope and is used in carbon dating and medical tracers.
半衰期 T½ – 放射性样品中一半原子核发生衰变或活度减半所需的平均时间。对特定同位素是定值，用于碳-14测年和医疗示踪剂。
Nuclear fission and fusion – fission splits a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy; fusion joins light nuclei to form a heavier one, releasing even more energy. The Sun's energy comes from hydrogen fusion.
核裂变与核聚变 – 裂变是将重核分裂为较小原子核，释放能量；聚变则使轻核结合成较重核，释放更大能量。太阳的能量来自氢核聚变。
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