Physics Vocabulary

verb to make something louder or stronger

adjective having been made louder or stronger

• The sound was amplified using state-of-the-art audio equipment.
• I amplified the music so we could hear it better.
• I cranked up the volume and amplified the bass for a better beat.
• His anger was amplified by the stressful situation he was in.

noun the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole

• Astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects and phenomena.
• I love looking at the stars and learning about astronomy.
• Astronomy is like studying the secrets of the universe.
• Exploring the depths of astronomy is like unraveling the mysteries of existence.

verb to make or become weaker or less intense

• The doctor prescribed medication to attenuate the patient's symptoms.
• Taking a break can help attenuate your stress levels.
• I need to find a way to attenuate this drama in my life.
• His apology did little to attenuate the damage caused by his actions.

noun A line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line

• The boundary between the two countries is clearly marked by a fence.
• Let's not cross the boundary of their property, we don't want to upset them.
• I can't believe she crossed that boundary, it's so disrespectful.
• There is a fine boundary between honesty and rudeness, be careful not to cross it.

noun A stream of electrons emitted by the negative electrode in a vacuum tube or cathode-ray tube.

• The cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube that uses a cathode ray to produce images on a screen.
• I learned about cathode rays in my science class, they're pretty cool.
• I zapped that bug with a cathode ray gun!
• His words hit me like a cathode ray, leaving a lasting impact.

adjective describing or relating to the circumference of a circle or other rounded figure

• The circumferential measurement of the circle was calculated to be 10 meters.
• I walked around the circumferential path of the park for exercise.
• Let's take a shortcut through the circumferential route to save time.
• The circumferential nature of the problem required a comprehensive solution.

verb to separate into pieces or components

adverb in a manner that causes separation or disintegration

• The machine started to come apart after years of heavy use.
• I tried to fix the bookshelf but it just kept coming apart.
• Man, that party was so wild, I thought I was going to come apart!
• Her emotions were so overwhelming, she felt like she was going to come apart at the seams.

noun a person who is slow to understand things, not very intelligent

adjective describes something that is closely compacted together, having parts that are close together

• The forest was so dense that it was difficult to see more than a few feet ahead.
• The traffic in the city was so dense that it took me twice as long to get to work.
• The party was so dense, I could barely move around to talk to anyone.
• The author's writing style is quite dense, making it challenging for some readers to follow.

verb Moving or falling downward

adjective Going or coming down

adverb In a descending manner

• The airplane began descending towards the airport.
• We are descending to the lower level now.
• Let's descend down to the basement for a while.
• As the sun set, a sense of darkness was descending upon the town.

verb to break or fall apart into small pieces; to decay or deteriorate

adjective in the process of breaking or falling apart; decaying

• The ancient manuscript is disintegrating due to years of neglect and improper storage.
• My old sneakers are disintegrating, I need to buy a new pair soon.
• The party was so wild, I felt like I was disintegrating by the end of the night.
• The team's chemistry is disintegrating as tensions rise among the members.

verb to make or become longer, typically in a linear direction

• The scientist used a special technique to elongate the DNA strands for analysis.
• I need to elongate this shirt before I can wear it again.
• I'm going to elongate my break by a few minutes.
• The road seemed to elongate before them as they drove through the desert.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case 'elongated' describes something that has been lengthened or stretched out

• The elongated shape of the building made it stand out among the rest of the structures in the city.
• Her elongated fingers made it easy for her to reach the top shelf without any help.
• I can't believe how elongated his story became after he kept adding more details to it.
• The elongated wait for the results felt like an eternity to the anxious students.

verb to surround or close off on all sides

adjective surrounding or closing off on all sides

• The architect designed a beautiful garden with an enclosing wall for privacy.
• I'm enclosing the documents you requested in this email.
• Make sure you're enclosing all the necessary info in your application.
• Her love was like an enclosing warmth that surrounded him wherever he went.

adjective an adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'fixed' is describing something that is repaired or set in place.

• The technician successfully fixed the broken computer.
• I finally fixed my car after it broke down last week.
• I'll have that leak fixed in no time.
• She fixed her gaze on the horizon, lost in thought.

noun a temperature at which a liquid changes into a solid when cooled

• The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius.
• You better bundle up, it's getting close to the freezing point outside.
• I can't believe how cold it is, we're way past the freezing point!
• Their relationship was at its freezing point, with no warmth or affection between them.

adjective showing hesitation or uncertainty

• The halting progress of the construction project has caused delays in the overall timeline.
• The halting traffic on the highway made me late for work.
• The halting WiFi connection is driving me crazy.
• His halting speech revealed his nervousness during the presentation.

noun an act of lifting or pulling with great effort

verb to lift or haul with great effort

• The sailors had to heave the heavy anchor out of the water.
• He had to heave the box up the stairs all by himself.
• She heaved her lunch after the roller coaster ride.
• His heart heaved with emotion as he watched his daughter walk down the aisle.

verb to expose to radiation or emit radiation

• The medical device is used to irradiate cancer cells.
• The sun can really irradiate your skin if you're not careful.
• Don't stay out too long or you'll get irradiated by the sun.
• His smile seemed to irradiate the room with warmth and joy.

noun a large, strong, pocketknife

verb to perform a dive in which the body is bent at the waist and the legs are brought up over the head

• The diver executed a perfect jackknife off the high diving board.
• I tried to do a jackknife off the pool edge but ended up belly flopping instead.
• That guy just did a sick jackknife off the cliff!
• The company's profits took a jackknife dive after the scandal was exposed.

noun the state or quality of being near or close in space or relationship

• The nearness of the airport to the city center makes it convenient for travelers.
• I love the nearness of the park to my house, it's great for evening walks.
• I can't stand the nearness of my annoying neighbor, always in my business.
• The nearness of success can sometimes be deceiving, requiring perseverance to reach it.

noun an obstruction or blockage

verb to obstruct or block

• The dentist explained how the food particles can occlude the small spaces between teeth.
• Make sure to brush your teeth properly to prevent any food from occluding your teeth.
• I hate when popcorn kernels occlude my teeth!
• His stubbornness occludes him from seeing the truth.

adjective Hanging down loosely or swinging freely, usually in a way that is attractive or graceful

• The pendulous chandelier swayed gently in the breeze.
• Her earrings were so big and pendulous, they kept hitting her cheeks.
• Those pendulous curtains are so outdated, we need to get rid of them.
• The weight of his guilt hung over him like a pendulous cloud.

noun the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.

• The perigee is the point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.
• The satellite will be closest to the earth at perigee.
• When the moon is at perigee, it looks huge in the sky!
• Reaching the perigee of his career, he was at the peak of success.

noun a tiny opening in the skin or a surface

verb to read or study carefully or intently

• She used a magnifying glass to examine every pore on the skin sample.
• I can't believe how big the pores on my nose are!
• Her skincare routine really helps minimize her pores.
• He pored over the details of the contract before signing it.

verb to drive, impel, or cause to move forward or onward

adjective having the ability to propel or move forward

• The new engine design is propelling the spacecraft towards its destination at a faster speed.
• The new engine is really propelling the car forward on the highway.
• That new workout supplement is propelling my gains in the gym!
• Her passion for art is propelling her career to new heights.

noun the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them

• The study aimed to investigate the relationship between perception and reality.
• In reality, she's actually a really nice person once you get to know her.
• Dude, reality TV shows are so addicting, I can't stop watching them.
• Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between dreams and reality.

noun the act of rotating or the state of being rotated

verb to turn or move in a circle or around an axis

• The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours.
• Make sure to rotate the mattress every few months to keep it in good condition.
• I'll rotate the crops in the garden to ensure they all get enough sunlight.
• It's important to rotate your study habits to keep your mind engaged and refreshed.

adjective able to be seen or visible

• The details of the report are clearly seeable on the screen.
• I don't see anything seeable in this messy room.
• I can't see anything seeable in this dark room, it's a total mess.
• The truth of the matter is not always seeable at first glance.

noun the act of moving or changing position

verb to move or change position

adjective changing or varying

• The company is currently in the process of shifting its focus towards sustainability.
• I heard they're shifting the meeting to next week instead.
• She's always shifting blame onto others for her mistakes.
• The political landscape is constantly shifting, making it hard to predict outcomes.

verb to move or shift from one place to another, typically in a forceful or abrupt manner

• The train was shunted to a different platform due to a technical issue.
• They shunted me to a different department without any explanation.
• I got shunted to the back of the line at the grocery store.
• Her feelings were shunted aside in favor of more pressing matters.

noun a gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions

verb to send a signal

• The traffic light turned red, signaling us to stop.
• I waved my hand as a signal for them to come over.
• I gave him the signal to start the race.
• Her sudden silence was a signal that something was wrong.

verb to make or become stiff or rigid

• The metal rods are designed to stiffen the structure and prevent any bending.
• If you don't want the cake to collapse, you need to let it cool and stiffen before adding the frosting.
• I could feel my muscles stiffen up after that intense workout.
• His resolve only seemed to stiffen in the face of adversity.

noun the quality or state of being substantial; substantial character or nature

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The substantiality of the evidence presented in court convinced the jury of the defendant's guilt.
• I was amazed by the substantiality of the meal they served at the restaurant.
• I can't believe the substantiality of the discount I got on these shoes!
• The substantiality of her love for him was evident in the way she cared for him during his illness.

adjective describing something that continues at full strength or intensity without weakening

• The spread of the virus continued unabated despite strict lockdown measures.
• The party raged on unabated until the early hours of the morning.
• The drama between them has been going on unabated for weeks now.
• Her passion for music burns unabated in her heart.

adjective describing something that moves or operates in one direction only

• The unidirectional flow of traffic on the highway ensures smooth movement of vehicles.
• The unidirectional arrow on the sign means you can only go one way.
• Dude, don't be unidirectional in your thinking, consider all options.
• Their relationship was unidirectional, with one person always giving and the other always taking.

noun a substance that is easily vaporized at a relatively low temperature

adjective liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse

• The stock market is known for being volatile, with prices constantly fluctuating.
• Her mood can be quite volatile, so it's best to approach her with caution.
• The situation at the party got really volatile, so we decided to leave early.
• Their relationship was like a volatile chemical reaction, with sparks flying constantly.

noun the disturbed air left behind a moving airplane or the waves left behind a moving boat

verb to hold a vigil beside the body of someone who has died

• She set multiple alarms to ensure she would wake up on time for the important meeting.
• I'll call you to wake you up for the breakfast tomorrow.
• I need a strong coffee to wake me up in the morning.
• The shocking news served as a wake-up call for the community to address the issue.

noun the geometric property of a rigid object of being non-superposable on its mirror image; handedness

• The study of chirality in molecules is crucial in understanding their biological activity.
• I learned in chemistry class that chirality refers to the asymmetry in molecules.
• Dude, did you know that chirality is like the left and right hands being mirror images of each other?
• His decision to take a different path in life showed a chirality in his mindset compared to his peers.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

conjunction a word that connects words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence

interjection a word or phrase that expresses a strong emotion or sentiment

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• The company's stock price continued to sink like a stone after the disappointing earnings report.
• I knew I was in trouble when I saw my grades start to sink like a stone.
• Her chances of winning the race began to sink like a stone as soon as she fell behind.
• His hopes of getting a promotion started to sink like a stone when he missed the deadline.

noun a vast region of space that contains very few galaxies or stars

• Scientists recently discovered a supervoid in the universe, a vast region with very few galaxies.
• Did you hear about that supervoid they found in space? It's crazy!
• That supervoid is like a huge empty space in the universe.
• Her mind felt like a supervoid, empty of any thoughts or emotions.

noun a structure or object that is ring-shaped

adjective relating to or shaped like a ring

• The annular eclipse was visible from certain parts of the world.
• Did you see the cool annular eclipse yesterday?
• That annular eclipse was lit!
• The annular design of the building symbolizes unity and continuity.

noun a combining form meaning 'colorless' or 'lacking color', used in the formation of compound words

• Achromatopsia is a rare visual disorder characterized by the inability to see color.
• I heard that achromatopsia makes it hard to see colors properly.
• My friend's achromatopsia makes him see the world in black and white.
• His achromatous view of the situation lacked any emotional depth.

adverb relating to or caused by actinic rays or light

• The actinically induced skin damage was evident on the patient's face.
• Her face looked so red and burned from the actinically exposure.
• I forgot to put on sunscreen and now I'm all actinically fried.
• The harsh criticism acted on him actinically, leaving emotional scars.

noun the quality or state of being additive, especially in the context of mathematics or chemistry

• The principle of additivity states that the total value is the sum of its parts.
• If you want to double the recipe, just remember the additivity rule and double all the ingredients.
• Dude, it's like additivity is the key to making the perfect mix for your music playlist.
• In life, sometimes additivity can lead to greater success when you combine different skills and experiences.

adverb in a direction away from the radial axis or center

• The cells in the organism are arranged adradially around the central axis.
• The petals of the flower are all spread out adradially.
• The branches of the tree grow adradially, giving it a cool, unique shape.
• Her thoughts seemed to scatter adradially, making it hard to focus on one thing at a time.

noun the property of certain crystals or other substances of exhibiting different physical properties along different axes

• The aeolotropy of the material was carefully studied by the researchers.
• I heard that the aeolotropy of the fabric affects its durability.
• I don't really understand the whole aeolotropy thing, can you explain it in simpler terms?
• The aeolotropy of her emotions made it difficult to predict how she would react.

adjective relating to or having the form of a gas or vapor

• The aeriform substance quickly dissipated into the atmosphere.
• I could see the aeriform gas floating in the air.
• Don't breathe in that aeriform stuff, it's toxic.
• Her ideas were like aeriform wisps, ethereal and hard to grasp.

noun a device or technique used in spacecraft to reduce speed by using the atmosphere's drag

verb to slow down a spacecraft by using aerodynamic drag

• The spacecraft used an aerobrake maneuver to slow down and enter orbit around the planet.
• The ship did an aerobrake thing to slow down and get into orbit.
• The rocket did some aerobrake stuff to slow down and go into orbit.
• Using humor as an aerobrake, he gently slowed down the tense situation.