ADITED BY MVUBU ( TERMS & DEFINITIONS) GRADE 12

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

GRADE 12

IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS PER TOPIC

TOPIC BY TOPIC
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PAPER 1: PHYSICS

NEWTON'S LAWS AND APPLICATION OF NEWTON'S LAWS

Normal force (N) The force or the component of a force which a surface exerts on
an object with which it is in contact, and which is perpendicular
to the surface.
Frictional force (f) The force that opposes the motion of an object and which acts
parallel to the surface.
Static frictional force The force that opposes the tendency of motion of a stationary
(fs) object relative to a surface.
kinetic frictional The force that opposes the motion of a moving object relative to
force(fk), a surface.

NEWTON'S FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD LAWS OF MOTION

Newton's first law of A body will remain in its state of rest or motion at constant
motion velocity unless a non-zero resultant/net force acts on it.
Newton's second law When a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will
of motion accelerate in the direction of the force at an acceleration directly
proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass
of the object.
Newton's third law of When object A exerts a force on object B, object B
motion SIMULTANEOUSLY exerts an oppositely directed force of equal
magnitude on object A.

NEWTON'S LAW OF UNIVERSAL GRAVITATION

Newton's Law of Each body in the universe attracts every other body with a force
Universal Gravitation that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
their centres.
Weight The gravitational force, in newton (N), exerted on an object.
Mass The amount of matter in a body measured in kilogram (kg).
Weightlessness The sensation experienced when all contact forces are removed
i.e. no external objects touch one's body.

MOMENTUM AND IMPULSE

Momentum The product of an object's mass and its velocity.

Newton's second law The resultant/net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of
of motion in terms of change of momentum of the object in the direction of the
momentum resultant/net force.
Impulse The product of the resultant/net force acting on an object and

1
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

the time the resultant/net force acts on the object.

Closed/Isolated A system on which the resultant/net external force is zero.
system (in Physics)
The principle of The total linear momentum of a closed system remains constant
conservation of linear (is conserved).
momentum

VERTICAL PROJECTILE MOTION IN ONE DIMENSION (1D)

A projectile An object upon which the only force acting is the force of gravity.

WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

The work done on an The work done on an object by a constant force F where F Δx
object by a constant cos θ F is the magnitude of the force, Δx the magnitude of the
force F displacement and θ the angle between the force and the
displacement

The work-energy The net/total work done on an object is equal to the change in
theorem the object's kinetic energy OR the work done on an object by a
resultant/net force is equal to the change in the object's kinetic
energy.
Conservative force A force for which the work done in moving an object between
two points is independent of the path taken.
Non-conservative A force for which the work done in moving an object between
force two points depends on the path taken.
The principle of The total mechanical energy (sum of gravitational potential
conservation of energy and kinetic energy) in an isolated system remains
mechanical energy constant.
Power The rate at which work is done or energy is expended.

DOPPLER EFFECT

Doppler effect The change in frequency (or pitch) of the sound detected by
a listener because the sound source and the listener have
different velocities relative to the medium of sound propagation.

ELECTROSTATICS

Coulomb's law The magnitude of the electrostatic force exerted by one point
charge (Q1) on another point charge (Q2) is directly proportional
to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance (r) between them
Electric field A region of space in which an electric charge experiences a
force.
Electric field at a The electric field at a point is the electrostatic force

2
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

point experienced per unit positive charge placed at that point.

ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Ohm's law The potential difference across a conductor is directly

proportional to the current in the conductor at constant
temperature.
Power The rate at which work is done.
Internal resistance The resistance between the terminals of a real battery.

ELECTRODYNAMICS

rms for an alternating The rms value of AC is the DC potential difference/current which
voltage or an dissipates the same amount of energy as AC.
alternating current

OPTICAL PHENOMENA AND PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

Photoelectric effect The process whereby electrons are ejected from a metal surface
when light of suitable frequency is incident on that surface.
Threshold frequency The minimum frequency of light needed to emit electrons from a
(fO) certain metal surface.
Work function (WO) The minimum energy that an electron in the metal needs to be
emitted from the metal surface.
Atomic absorption An atomic absorption spectrum is formed when certain
spectrum frequencies of electromagnetic radiation passes through a
medium, e.g. a cold gas, is absorbed.
Atomic emission An atomic emission spectrum is formed when certain
spectrum frequencies of electromagnetic radiation are emitted due to an
atom's electrons making a transition from a high-energy state to
a lower energy state.

3
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PAPER 2: CHEMISTRY

REPRESENTING CHEMICAL CHANGE

Molar volume of 1 mole of any gas occupies 22,4 dm3 at 0 °C (273 K) and 1
gases atmosphere (101,3 kPa).
Dipole-dipole forces Forces between two polar molecules
Induced dipole forces Forces between non-polar molecules
or London forces
Hydrogen bonding Forces between molecules in which hydrogen is covalently
bonded to nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine – a special case of
dipole-dipole forces

INTERMOLECULAR FORCES

Intermolecular forces An attraction between molecules

Interatomic An electrostatic force of attraction between atoms due to the
(intramolecular) sharing or transfer of electrons
forces
Boiling point The temperature at which the vapour pressure of a substance
equals atmospheric pressure. The stronger the intermolecular
forces, the higher the boiling point.
Melting point The temperature at which the solid and liquid phases of a
substance are at equilibrium. The stronger the intermolecular
forces, the higher the melting point.
Vapour pressure The pressure exerted by a vapour at equilibrium with its liquid in
a closed system. The stronger the intermolecular forces, the
lower the vapour pressure.

ORGANIC MOLECULES

Organic molecules Molecules containing carbon atoms.

Molecular formula A chemical formula that indicates the type of atoms and the
correct number of each in a molecule.
Structural formula A structural formula of a compound shows which atoms are
attached to which within the molecule. Atoms are represented
by their chemical symbols and lines are used to represent ALL
the bonds that hold the atoms together.
Condensed structural This notation shows the way in which atoms are bonded
formula together in the molecule, but DOES NOT SHOW ALL bond
lines.
Hydrocarbon Organic compounds that consist of hydrogen and carbon only.
Homologous series A series of organic compounds that can be described by the

4
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

same general formula OR in which one member differs from the

next with a CH2 group.
Saturated Compounds in which there are no multiple bonds between
compounds C atoms in their hydrocarbon chains.
Unsaturated Compounds with one or more multiple bonds between C atoms
compounds in their hydrocarbon chains.
Functional group A bond or an atom or a group of atoms that determine(s) the
physical and chemical properties of a group of organic
compounds.
Alkanes Only C-H and C-C single bonds.
Alkenes Carbon-carbon double bond.
Alkynes Carbon-carbon triple bond.
Haloalkanes (X = F, Cℓ, Br, I) Halogen atom bonded to a saturated C atom.
Alcohols Hydroxyl group bonded to a saturated C atom.
Aldehydes Formyl group.
Ketones Carbonyl group bonded to two C atoms.
Carboxylic acids Carboxyl group.
Esters
Structural isomer Organic molecules with the same molecular formula, but
different structural formulae.
Chain isomers Same molecular formula, but different types of chains, e.g.
butane and 2-methylpropane.
Positional isomers Same molecular formula, but different positions of the side
chain, substituents or functional groups on the parent chain, e.g.
1-choropropane and 2-chloropropane or but-2-ene and but-1-
ene.
Functional isomers Same molecular formula, but different functional groups, e.g.
methyl methanoate and ethanoic acid.
Hydrohalogenation The addition of a hydrogen halide to an alkene.
Halogenation The reaction of a halogen (Br2, Cℓ2) with a compound.
Hydration The addition of water to a compound.
Hydrogenation The addition of hydrogen to an alkene.
Dehydrohalogenatio The elimination of hydrogen and a halogen from a haloalkane.
n of haloalkanes
Dehydration of Elimination of water from an alcohol.
alcohols
Cracking of alkanes The chemical process in which longer chain hydrocarbon
molecules are broken down to shorter more useful molecules.
Hydrolysis The reaction of a compound with water.
Macromolecule A molecule that consists of a large number of atoms.
Polymer A large molecule composed of smaller monomer units covalently
bonded to each other in a repeating pattern.
Monomer Small organic molecules that can be covalently bonded to each
other in a repeating pattern.
Polymerisation A chemical reaction in which monomer molecules join to form a

5
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

polymer.
Addition A reaction in which small molecules join to form very large
polymerisation molecules by adding on double bonds.
Addition polymer A polymer formed when monomers (usually containing a double
bond) combine through an addition reaction.
Condensation Molecules of two monomers with different functional
polymerisation groups undergo condensation reactions with the loss of small
molecules, usually water.
Condensation A polymer formed by two monomers with different functional
polymer groups that are linked together in a condensation reaction in
which a small molecule, usually water, is lost.

ENERGY AND CHANGE

Heat of reaction (ΔH) The energy absorbed or released in a chemical reaction.

Exothermic reactions Reactions that release energy. ΔH < 0
Endothermic Reactions that absorb energy. ΔH > 0
reactions
Activation energy The minimum energy needed for a reaction to take place.
Activated complex The unstable transition state from reactants to products.

RATE AND EXTENT OF REACTION

Reaction rate The change in concentration of reactants or products per unit

time.
Positive catalyst A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction
without itself undergoing a permanent change.

CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM

Open system An open system continuously interacts with its environment so

that matter and energy can be exchanged with the surroundings.
Closed system A closed system can exchange energy (as heat or work) but not
matter, with its surroundings.
Reversible reaction A reaction is reversible when products can be converted back to
reactants.
Chemical equilibrium It is a dynamic equilibrium when the rate of the forward reaction
equals the rate of the reverse reaction.
Le Chatelier's When the equilibrium in a closed system is disturbed, the
principle system will re-instate a new equilibrium by favouring the reaction
that will oppose the disturbance.

ACIDS AND BASES

Arrhenius theory: An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) /

Acid hydronium ions (H3O+) when it dissolves in water.

6
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Arrhenius theory: A base is a substance that produces hydroxide ions (OH-) when
Base it dissolves in water.
Lowry-Brønsted An acid is a proton (H+ ion) donor
theory: Acid
Lowry-Brønsted A base is a proton (H+ ion) acceptor.
theory: Base
Strong acids Strong acids ionise completely in water to form a high
concentration of H3O+ ions. Examples of strong acids are
hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid.
Strong bases Strong bases dissociate completely in water to form a high
concentration of OH- ions. Examples of strong bases are sodium
hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
Weak acids Weak acids ionise incompletely in water to form a low
concentration of H3O+ ions. Examples of weak acids are
ethanoic acid and oxalic acid.
Weak bases Weak bases dissociate/ionise incompletely in water to form a
low concentration of ions. Examples of weak bases are
ammonia, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium
carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Concentrated Concentrated acids/bases contain a large amount (number of
acids/bases moles) of acid/base in proportion to the volume of water.
Dilute acids/bases Dilute acids/bases contain a small amount (number of moles) of
acid/base in proportion to the volume of water.
Conjugate acid-base When the acid, HA, loses a proton, its conjugate base, A-, is
pairs formed. When the base, A-, accepts a proton, its conjugate acid,
HA, is formed. These two are a conjugate acid-base pair.
Ampholyte/ A substance that can act as either acid or base. Water is a good
Amphiprotic example of an Ampholyte.
Hydrolysis The reaction of a salt with water.
Equivalence point The equivalence point of a titration is the point at which the
acid /base has completely reacted with the base/acid.
Endpoint The endpoint of a titration as the point where the indicator
changes colour.
pH scale A scale of numbers from 0 to 14 used to express the acidity or
alkalinity of a solution.
Kw The equilibrium constant for the ionisation of water or the ionic
product of water or the ionisation constant of water,
Kw = [H3O+][OH-] = 1 x 1014 by 298 K.
Auto-ionisation of The reaction of water with itself to form H3O+ ions and OH- ions.
water

ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS

Galvanic cell A cell in which chemical energy is converted into electrical

energy. A galvanic (voltaic) cell has self-sustaining electrode
reactions.

7
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Electrolytic cell A cell in which electrical energy is converted into chemical

energy.
Oxidation A loss of electrons. An increase in oxidation number.
Reduction A gain of electrons. A decrease in oxidation number
Oxidising agent A substance that is reduced/gains electrons.
Reducing agent A substance that is oxidised/loses electrons.
Anode The electrode where oxidation takes place.
Cathode The electrode where reduction takes place.
Electrolyte A solution/liquid/dissolved substance that conducts electricity
through the movement of ions.
Electrolysis The chemical process in which electrical energy is converted to
chemical energy OR the use of electrical energy to produce a
chemical change.

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Eutrophication The process by which an ecosystem, e.g. a river or dam,

becomes enriched with inorganic plant nutrients, especially
phosphorus and nitrogen, resulting in excessive plant growth. As
plant growth becomes excessive, the amount of dead and
decaying plant material increases rapidly.

8
IMPORTANT TERMS & DEFINITIONS GRADE 12 PHYSICAL SCIENCES