Essential Science Vocabulary: Physical Science: Physical Laws, Work, and Motion

Whether you want to brush up on biology, study space science, or prep for a physics test, this collection of science vocabulary is for you! Our lists cover essential terms and concepts from all major scientific disciplines.
25 words 1318 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. acceleration
    (physics) a rate of increase of velocity
  2. axle
    a shaft on which a wheel rotates
  3. centripetal
    tending to move toward an area in the middle
  4. deceleration
    (physics) a rate of decrease in velocity
  5. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
  6. friction
    the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
  7. fulcrum
    the pivot about which a lever turns
  8. gravity
    the force of attraction between all masses in the universe
  9. inclined
    at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
  10. inertia
    the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
  11. kinetic energy
    the mechanical energy that a body has by virtue of motion
  12. lever
    a simple machine giving a mechanical advantage on a fulcrum
  13. machine
    a mechanical or electrical device that transmits energy
  14. mass
    the property of a body that causes it to have weight
  15. momentum
    the product of a body's mass and its velocity
  16. motion
    an event that involves a change in the position of something
  17. potential energy
    energy stored by a body or system by virtue of its position
  18. power
    (physics) the rate of doing work
  19. pulley
    a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run
  20. screw
    a simple machine with a threaded cylindrical rod and hole
  21. speed
    distance travelled per unit time
  22. tensile
    of or relating to physical stress or strain
  23. torque
    a twisting force
  24. velocity
    distance traveled per unit time in one direction
  25. wedge
    something solid that can be pushed between two things
Created on Wed Aug 04 10:03:55 EDT 2021 (updated Wed Aug 04 10:54:53 EDT 2021)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.