Physical Science: Glossary
276 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
All words in this topic
Grade 1
movement
From Grade 1
changing place or position
Learn it in: What is movement (Grade 1), Movement (Grade 4)
position
From Grade 1
where something is
Learn it in: What is movement (Grade 1), Shadow changes (Grade 4)
bounce
From Grade 1
to spring back after hitting something
Learn it in: Moving objects (Grade 1), Changing direction (Grade 2)
roll
From Grade 1
to move by turning over and over
Learn it in: Moving objects (Grade 1), Wheels and axles (Grade 2)
spin
From Grade 1
to turn around and around
Learn it in: Moving objects (Grade 1), Day and night (Grade 1)
force
From Grade 1
a push or a pull
Learn it in: Pushes (Grade 1), Everyday examples of forces (Grade 1), Pushes and pulls (Grade 2)
push
From Grade 1
to press something to make it move away
Learn it in: Pushes (Grade 1), Pushes and pulls (Grade 2)
pull
From Grade 1
to draw something closer to us
Learn it in: Pulls (Grade 1), Pushes and pulls (Grade 2)
fast
From Grade 1
moving a long way in a short time
Learn it in: Fast and slow movement (Grade 1), Changing speed (Grade 2)
slow
From Grade 1
moving a short way in a long time
Learn it in: Fast and slow movement (Grade 1), Changing speed (Grade 2)
speed
From Grade 1
how fast something moves
Learn it in: Fast and slow movement (Grade 1), Changing speed (Grade 2), Speed (Grade 6)
direction
From Grade 1
the way something is going
Learn it in: Changing direction (Grade 1), Pushes and pulls (Grade 2), Changing direction (Grade 2)
turn
From Grade 1
to change direction
Learn it in: Changing direction (Grade 1), Changing direction (Grade 2)
friction
From Grade 1
the rubbing force that slows moving things
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1), Friction (Grade 2), Friction (Grade 3)
grip
From Grade 1
how well something holds
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1), Friction (Grade 2), Friction (Grade 3)
slippery
From Grade 1
so smooth that things slide
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1)
surface
From Grade 1
the top of something
Learn it in: Movement on different surfaces (Grade 1), Leaf functions (Grade 3)
fall
From Grade 1
to drop to the ground
Learn it in: Everyday examples of forces (Grade 1), Gravity (Grade 3)
gravity
From Grade 1
the force that pulls things down towards the ground
Learn it in: Everyday examples of forces (Grade 1), Gravity (Grade 3), The Moon (Grade 4)
source
From Grade 1
where something comes from
Learn it in: What is light (Grade 1), Sources of sound (Grade 1), Water sources (Grade 2)
firefly
From Grade 1
a small insect that makes its own light
Learn it in: Natural light sources (Grade 1)
star
From Grade 1
a very far-away Sun in the night sky
Learn it in: Natural light sources (Grade 1), The Sun (Grade 4), The Sun as a star (Grade 5)
artificial
From Grade 1
made by people
Learn it in: Artificial light sources (Grade 1), Sources of light (Grade 2), Light sources (Grade 4)
battery
From Grade 1
a small power store inside a torch
Learn it in: Artificial light sources (Grade 1), Everyday energy uses (Grade 2), Cells and batteries (Grade 4)
reflect
From Grade 1
to bounce light back
Learn it in: Light and darkness (Grade 1), Keeping our school clean (Grade 1), Sources of light (Grade 2)
block
From Grade 1
to stop something from passing
Learn it in: Shadows (Grade 1), Light and shadows (Grade 2), Light travelling in straight lines (Grade 4)
opaque
From Grade 1
not letting light through
Learn it in: Shadows (Grade 1), Light and shadows (Grade 2), Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2)
shadow
From Grade 1
a dark shape made when an object blocks light
Learn it in: Shadows (Grade 1), Light and shadows (Grade 2), Shadows (Grade 4)
ear
From Grade 1
the part of the body for hearing
Learn it in: What is sound (Grade 1), Vibrations (Grade 2)
vibrate
From Grade 1
to shake back and forth quickly
Learn it in: What is sound (Grade 1), Vibrations (Grade 2), Sound production (Grade 4)
instrument
From Grade 1
something used to make music
Learn it in: Sources of sound (Grade 1), Weather instruments (Grade 2)
pitch
From Grade 1
how high or low a sound is
Learn it in: Sources of sound (Grade 1), Sources of sound (Grade 2), Pitch (Grade 4)
loud
From Grade 1
with a lot of sound
Learn it in: Loud and soft sounds (Grade 1), Sources of sound (Grade 2)
noise
From Grade 1
unwanted or too loud sound
Learn it in: Loud and soft sounds (Grade 1), Noise pollution (Grade 4)
volume
From Grade 1
how loud or soft a sound is
Learn it in: Loud and soft sounds (Grade 1), Liquid materials (Grade 2), Sound and distance (Grade 2)
earwax
From Grade 1
the sticky stuff that protects the ear
Learn it in: Protecting our hearing (Grade 1)
volume control
From Grade 1
a button that makes sound louder or softer
Learn it in: Protecting our hearing (Grade 1)
Grade 2
distance
From Grade 2
how far something travels
Learn it in: Changing speed (Grade 2), Sound and distance (Grade 2), Shadow changes (Grade 4)
effort
From Grade 2
the push or pull you use
Learn it in: Sloping surfaces (Grade 2), Levers (Grade 2), Levers (Grade 4)
ramp
From Grade 2
a sloping surface that links a low place to a high place
Learn it in: Sloping surfaces (Grade 2), Inclined planes (Grade 4)
axle
From Grade 2
the rod the wheel turns on
Learn it in: Wheels and axles (Grade 2), Wheels and axles (Grade 4)
simple machine
From Grade 2
a tool that makes work easier
Learn it in: Wheels and axles (Grade 2), Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Mechanical advantage introduction (Grade 4)
wheel
From Grade 2
a round object that turns
Learn it in: Wheels and axles (Grade 2), Wheels and axles (Grade 4)
lever
From Grade 2
a bar that turns on a point
Learn it in: Levers (Grade 2), Movement (Grade 4), Levers (Grade 4)
load
From Grade 2
the thing being moved
Learn it in: Levers (Grade 2), Materials and structures (Grade 3), Structures (Grade 4)
pulley
From Grade 2
a wheel with a rope that lifts loads
Learn it in: Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Pulleys (Grade 4)
tool
From Grade 2
something used to do a job
Learn it in: Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Tools and technology (Grade 2)
wedge
From Grade 2
a pointed piece that splits or cuts
Learn it in: Simple machines in everyday life (Grade 2), Inclined planes (Grade 4)
light source
From Grade 2
something that gives out light
Learn it in: Sources of light (Grade 2), Light sources (Grade 4)
length
From Grade 2
how long something is
Learn it in: Light and shadows (Grade 2), Shadow changes (Grade 4)
translucent
From Grade 2
lets some light through, but we cannot see clearly
Learn it in: Transparent and opaque materials (Grade 2), Translucent materials (Grade 4), Light (Grade 6)
vibration
From Grade 2
a quick back-and-forth movement
Learn it in: Vibrations (Grade 2), Sound energy (Grade 5), Sound vibrations (Grade 6)
echo
From Grade 2
a sound that bounces back
Learn it in: Sound and distance (Grade 2), Sound absorption (Grade 4), Sound propagation (Grade 6)
electricity
From Grade 2
a form of energy that moves through wires
Learn it in: Everyday energy uses (Grade 2), Electrical safety (Grade 2), Electricity in everyday life (Grade 4)
energy
From Grade 2
what makes things happen or work
Learn it in: Everyday energy uses (Grade 2), Producers (Grade 3), Interactions among body systems (Grade 5)
fuel
From Grade 2
something burned to give energy
Learn it in: Everyday energy uses (Grade 2), What is energy? (Grade 5)
renewable
From Grade 2
able to be used again and again, like sunshine
Learn it in: Energy conservation (Grade 2), Electrical energy sources (Grade 4), Natural resources (Grade 4)
Grade 3
newton
From Grade 3
the unit of force
Learn it in: Forces (Grade 3), Contact forces (Grade 5), Forces (Grade 6)
air resistance
From Grade 3
air pushing back on a moving object
Learn it in: Contact forces (Grade 3), Air resistance (Grade 6)
contact force
From Grade 3
a force that needs touching
Learn it in: Contact forces (Grade 3), Forces (Grade 6)
resistance
From Grade 3
a force that slows movement
Learn it in: Contact forces (Grade 3), Conductors (Grade 6)
water resistance
From Grade 3
water pushing back on a moving object
Learn it in: Contact forces (Grade 3)
weight
From Grade 3
the pull of gravity on an object
Learn it in: Gravity (Grade 3), Gravity (Grade 5), Gravity (Grade 6)
field
From Grade 3
the space around a magnet where its force acts
Learn it in: Magnetic forces (Grade 3)
magnetic force
From Grade 3
the force a magnet exerts
Learn it in: Magnetic forces (Grade 3), Non-contact forces (Grade 5)
non-contact force
From Grade 3
a force that works without touching
Learn it in: Magnetic forces (Grade 3)
steel
From Grade 3
a mix of iron and other materials
Learn it in: Magnetic materials (Grade 3), Materials for construction (Grade 4)
compass
From Grade 3
a tool with a magnetic needle that shows direction
Learn it in: Magnetic poles (Grade 3), Magnetic fields introduction (Grade 6)
pole
From Grade 3
an end of a magnet where the force is strongest
Learn it in: Magnetic poles (Grade 3), Magnets (Grade 6)
attract
From Grade 3
to pull together
Learn it in: Attraction and repulsion (Grade 3), Non-contact forces (Grade 5), Magnets (Grade 6)
repel
From Grade 3
to push apart
Learn it in: Attraction and repulsion (Grade 3), Non-contact forces (Grade 5), Magnets (Grade 6)
extension
From Grade 3
how much longer a spring gets
Learn it in: Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3)
spring balance
From Grade 3
a tool that measures force
Learn it in: Measuring simple effects of forces (Grade 3), Contact forces (Grade 5)
Grade 4
ray
From Grade 4
a line showing the path of light
Learn it in: Light travelling in straight lines (Grade 4)
reflection
From Grade 4
light bouncing off a surface
Learn it in: Reflection (Grade 4), Light energy (Grade 5), Reflection (Grade 6)
lens
From Grade 4
a curved transparent piece that bends light
Learn it in: Transparent materials (Grade 4), Refraction introduction (Grade 6)
diffuse
From Grade 4
soft, spread-out light
Learn it in: Translucent materials (Grade 4), Gases (Grade 6)
frosted
From Grade 4
having a rough surface that blurs light
Learn it in: Translucent materials (Grade 4)
amplitude
From Grade 4
the size of a vibration
Learn it in: Vibrations (Grade 4), Sound vibrations (Grade 6)
frequency
From Grade 4
how many vibrations per second
Learn it in: Vibrations (Grade 4), Sound vibrations (Grade 6)
medium
From Grade 4
a material that carries sound
Learn it in: Sound travelling through materials (Grade 4), Sound energy (Grade 5), Refraction introduction (Grade 6)
vacuum
From Grade 4
a space with no matter
Learn it in: Sound travelling through materials (Grade 4), Sound propagation (Grade 6)
tension
From Grade 4
how tight a string is
Learn it in: Pitch (Grade 4), Contact forces (Grade 5), Forces acting on structures (Grade 5)
insulator
From Grade 4
a material that blocks sound or heat
Learn it in: Sound absorption (Grade 4), Conductors and insulators (Grade 4), Materials for construction (Grade 4)
percussion
From Grade 4
instruments that are struck or shaken
Learn it in: Musical instruments (Grade 4)
resonance
From Grade 4
a strong sound from matching vibration
Learn it in: Musical instruments (Grade 4)
mains
From Grade 4
the electricity supply from sockets
Learn it in: Electricity in everyday life (Grade 4)
fossil fuel
From Grade 4
coal, oil or gas
Learn it in: Electrical energy sources (Grade 4), Energy applications (Grade 5), Climate change (Grade 6)
generator
From Grade 4
a machine that makes electricity
Learn it in: Electrical energy sources (Grade 4)
solar cell
From Grade 4
a device that turns sunlight into electricity
Learn it in: Electrical energy sources (Grade 4)
circuit
From Grade 4
a complete path for electricity
Learn it in: Simple circuit components (Grade 4), Electrical energy (Grade 5), Simple circuits (Grade 6)
component
From Grade 4
a part of a circuit
Learn it in: Simple circuit components (Grade 4), Circuit components (Grade 6)
terminal
From Grade 4
a connection point on a cell or lamp
Learn it in: Simple circuit components (Grade 4)
cell
From Grade 4
a single unit that gives electrical energy
Learn it in: Cells and batteries (Grade 4), Human body organisation (Grade 5), Electrical energy (Grade 5)
voltage
From Grade 4
the push that drives current
Learn it in: Cells and batteries (Grade 4), Electrical energy (Grade 6)
insulation
From Grade 4
a covering that stops electricity escaping
Learn it in: Wires (Grade 4), Heating and cooling (Grade 4), Heat energy (Grade 5)
efficient
From Grade 4
wasting little energy
Learn it in: Lamps (Grade 4), Energy transformation (Grade 5)
switch
From Grade 4
a device that opens or closes a circuit
Learn it in: Switches (Grade 4), Electrical energy (Grade 5), Circuit components (Grade 6)
closed circuit
From Grade 4
a complete loop where current flows
Learn it in: Open and closed circuits (Grade 4), Simple circuits (Grade 6)
current
From Grade 4
the flow of electricity
Learn it in: Open and closed circuits (Grade 4), Electrical energy (Grade 5), Electrical energy (Grade 6)
open circuit
From Grade 4
a loop with a gap, so no current
Learn it in: Open and closed circuits (Grade 4), Simple circuits (Grade 6)
conductor
From Grade 4
a material that lets electricity pass
Learn it in: Conductors and insulators (Grade 4), Properties of matter (Grade 5), Conductors (Grade 6)
test circuit
From Grade 4
a circuit with a gap for testing materials
Learn it in: Conductors and insulators (Grade 4)
electric shock
From Grade 4
a harmful flow of electricity through the body
Learn it in: Electrical safety (Grade 4)
fuse
From Grade 4
a safety part that breaks if the current is too high
Learn it in: Electrical safety (Grade 4), Electrical safety (Grade 6)
Grade 5
joule
From Grade 5
the unit of energy
Learn it in: What is energy? (Grade 5), Forms of energy (Grade 6)
elastic energy
From Grade 5
energy stored in stretched or squashed things
Learn it in: Forms of energy (Grade 5)
kinetic energy
From Grade 5
energy of movement
Learn it in: Forms of energy (Grade 5), Particle movement (Grade 6), Forms of energy (Grade 6)
potential energy
From Grade 5
stored energy due to position or condition
Learn it in: Forms of energy (Grade 5), Forms of energy (Grade 6)
conduction
From Grade 5
heat moving through a solid
Learn it in: Energy transfer (Grade 5), Heat transfer (Grade 6)
convection
From Grade 5
heat moving in a fluid
Learn it in: Energy transfer (Grade 5), Heat transfer (Grade 6)
radiation
From Grade 5
energy travelling as waves
Learn it in: Energy transfer (Grade 5), Heat transfer (Grade 6)
energy chain
From Grade 5
a line showing energy forms in order
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 5)
transformation
From Grade 5
changing from one form to another
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 5), Energy transformation (Grade 6)
wasted energy
From Grade 5
energy not used for the wanted job
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 5), Energy transfer (Grade 6)
refraction
From Grade 5
light bending as it passes between materials
Learn it in: Light energy (Grade 5), Refraction introduction (Grade 6)
conservation of energy
From Grade 5
energy cannot be created or destroyed
Learn it in: Energy conservation (Grade 5), Energy transformation (Grade 6)
efficiency
From Grade 5
how much input energy is useful output
Learn it in: Energy conservation (Grade 5), Energy efficiency (Grade 6)
hydroelectric
From Grade 5
electricity made from moving water
Learn it in: Energy applications (Grade 5), Renewable resources (Grade 6)
solar panel
From Grade 5
a device that turns sunlight into electricity
Learn it in: Energy applications (Grade 5)
wind turbine
From Grade 5
a machine that turns wind into electricity
Learn it in: Energy applications (Grade 5)
lubricant
From Grade 5
a slippery substance that reduces friction
balanced forces
From Grade 5
forces that are equal and opposite
Learn it in: Balanced and unbalanced forces (Grade 5), Balanced forces (Grade 6), Forces and energy review (Grade 6)
equilibrium
From Grade 5
a state with balanced forces
Learn it in: Balanced and unbalanced forces (Grade 5), Balanced forces (Grade 6)
resultant force
From Grade 5
the single force that replaces all forces
Learn it in: Balanced and unbalanced forces (Grade 5), Balanced forces (Grade 6)
unbalanced forces
From Grade 5
forces that are not equal
Learn it in: Balanced and unbalanced forces (Grade 5), Unbalanced forces (Grade 6)
centre of gravity
From Grade 5
the point where weight seems to act
Learn it in: Strength and stability (Grade 5)
durability
From Grade 5
ability to last without wearing away
Learn it in: Structural materials (Grade 5)
failure point
From Grade 5
where a structure first breaks or bends too much
Learn it in: Testing structures (Grade 5)
load test
From Grade 5
adding weight to see how much it carries
Learn it in: Testing structures (Grade 5)
safety factor
From Grade 5
extra strength built in for safety
Learn it in: Testing structures (Grade 5)
iteration
From Grade 5
one round of design, test and improve
Learn it in: Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Improving designs (Grade 6)
optimise
From Grade 5
to make as good as possible
Learn it in: Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Improving designs (Grade 6)
redesign
From Grade 5
to design again with changes
Learn it in: Engineering improvements (Grade 5), Improving designs (Grade 6)
Grade 6
streamlined
From Grade 6
shaped to reduce resistance
Learn it in: Friction (Grade 6), Air resistance (Grade 6)
terminal velocity
From Grade 6
the steady top speed of a falling object
Learn it in: Air resistance (Grade 6)
distance–time graph
From Grade 6
a graph showing how distance changes with time
Learn it in: Motion (Grade 6)
evaluation
From Grade 6
judging how good the investigation was
Learn it in: Force and motion investigations (Grade 6), Scientific investigation review (Grade 6)
braking distance
From Grade 6
distance a vehicle travels while stopping
Learn it in: Practical applications (Grade 6)
crumple zone
From Grade 6
a part of a car that collapses to absorb impact
Learn it in: Practical applications (Grade 6)
inertia
From Grade 6
the tendency of an object to keep its motion
Learn it in: Practical applications (Grade 6)
short circuit
From Grade 6
a path with very little resistance that can overheat
Learn it in: Simple circuits (Grade 6)
series circuit
From Grade 6
components joined one after another in a single loop
Learn it in: Series circuits (Grade 6)
junction
From Grade 6
where branches split or join
Learn it in: Parallel circuits introduction (Grade 6)
parallel circuit
From Grade 6
components on separate branches
Learn it in: Parallel circuits introduction (Grade 6)
electrical insulation
From Grade 6
covering conductors to protect users
Learn it in: Insulators (Grade 6)
field line
From Grade 6
a line showing the direction of the field
Learn it in: Magnetic fields introduction (Grade 6)
magnetic field
From Grade 6
the region where a magnet’s force acts
Learn it in: Magnetic fields introduction (Grade 6)
magnetosphere
From Grade 6
Earth’s magnetic field in space
Learn it in: Magnetic fields introduction (Grade 6)
circuit breaker
From Grade 6
a switch that trips if current is too high
Learn it in: Electrical safety (Grade 6)
earth wire
From Grade 6
a safety wire that carries fault current away
Learn it in: Electrical safety (Grade 6)
mains electricity
From Grade 6
the high-voltage supply to buildings
Learn it in: Electrical safety (Grade 6)
energy transfer
From Grade 6
moving energy from one place or object to another
Learn it in: Energy transfer (Grade 6), Forces and energy review (Grade 6)
dissipate
From Grade 6
to spread out and become less useful
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 6)
converging
From Grade 6
bending light rays toward each other
Learn it in: Refraction introduction (Grade 6)