1

PHYSICAL TERMINOLOGY
TF025 : Engineering Physics Semester II

Chapter 1 : Geometrical Optics

1. Laws of reflection : Hukum-hukum pantulan.
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
Sudut tuju = sudut pantulan.

The incident ray, reflected ray and the

normal are all lie in the same plane.
Sinar tuju, sinar pantulan dan garis normal,
semuanya terletak pada satah yang sama.

2. Laws of refraction : Hukum-hukum pembiasan.

The incident and refracted rays are on
the opposite sides of the normal at the
point of incidence, and all three lie in
the same plane.
Sinar tuju dan sinar terbias berada pada
bahagian yang bertentangangaris normal dan
ketiga-tiganya terletak pada satah yang sama.

ni sin(i) = nr sin(r) or known as Snells

law.

Chapter 2 : Physical Optics

1. Coherence : Koheren.
Coherent waves are waves that have the
same frequency and fixed phase difference.
Gelombang-gelombang koheren adalah gelombanggelombang yang mempunyai frekuensi yang sama
dan perbezaan fasa yang tetap.

2. Conditions of interference : Syarat2 interferen.

The sources must be coherent.
Sumber-sumber mestilah koheren.

The superposition principle must be

applied.
Prinsip superposisi perlu dipatuhi.

3. Condition of constructive interference :

The overlapped waves must be in phase.
Gelombang-gelombang yang bertindih mestilah
sefasa.

4. Condition of destructive interference :

The overlapped waves must be anti
phase.
Gelombang-gelombang yang bertindih mestilah
beranti-fasa.

5. Diffraction : Pembiasan.
Diffraction refers to the spreading or
bending of waves over geometrical region
as they pass through an obstacle or an
aperture whose size of which are
comparable to its wavelength.
Pembelauan merujuk kepada sebaran atau belokan
gelombang melampaui kawasan geometri ketika
ianya melepasi satu halangan atau satu celah
dengan saiz yang sebanding dengan jarak
gelombang.

Chapter 3 : Electrostatics
1. Coulombs law : Hukum Coulomb.
Two point charges repel or attract one
another with a force which is directly
proportional to the product of the
magnitude of the charges and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance
between them.
Dua cas titik akan menolak atau menarik satu sama
lain dengan satu magnitude daya yang berkadar
terus dengan hasil darab magnitude cas-cas tersebut
dan berkadar songsang dengan kuasa dua jarak
antara mereka.

2. Electric field : Medan elektrik.

Electric field refers to the region around a
stationary charged body where the
electrostatic force can be experienced.
Medan electrik merujuk kepada kawasan di sekitar
satu cas pegun di mana daya elektrostatik boleh
dialami.

3. Electric field strength : Kekuatan medan eletrik

Electric field strength refers to the strength
of electrostatic force per unit test charge.
Kekuatan medan elektrik merujuk kepada kekuatan
daya elektrostatik bagi setiap unit cas uji.

4. Electric potential : Keupayaan elektrik.

Electric potential refers to the work
performed to bring a unit electric charge
from infinity to a point in an electric field.
Keupayaan elektrik merujuk kepada kerja yang
dilakukan untuk membawa satu unit cas dari infiniti
ke satu titik di dalam medan elektrik.

5. Equipotential surface : Prmukaan sekeupayaan.

An equipotential surface is a set of points
which have the same magnitude of electric
potential.
Permukaan sekeupayaan adalah satu set titik-titik
yang mempunyai magnitude keupayaan elektrik
yang sama.

Chapter 4 : Capacitor & dielectric

1. Capacitance : Kapasitans.
Capacitance measures the magnitude of
charge which has accumulated on each
capacitors plate per unit voltage across it.
Kapasitans mengukur magnitude cas yang
dikumpulkan pada setiap plat kapasitor per unit
voltan merentasinya.

2. Dielectric constant : Pemalar dielektrik.

Dielectric constant refers to the ratio of
capacitance of a capacitor within dielectric
material to the capacitance of the capacitor
without dielectric material.
Pemalar dielektrik merujuk kepada nisbah
kapasitans satu kapasitor dengan bahan dielektrik
terhadap kapasitans tanpa bahan dielektrik.

3. Time constant : Pemalar masa.

Time constant refers to the time taken for
the charge to reach 63% of the maximum
value when charging, or 37% of the
maximum value when discharging.
Pemalar masa merujuk kepada masa yang diambil
untuk cas mencapai 63% nilai maksimumnya ketika
pengecasan, atau 37% dari nilai maksimumnya
ketika penyahcasan.

Chapter 5 : Electric Current & DC

1. Ohms law : Hukum Ohm.
At a given temperature, the current
flowing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference
between across the ends of the
conductor.
Pada suhu ditetapkan, arus yang mengalir melalui
satu konduktor adalah berkadar terus dengan beza
keupayaan merentasi kedua-dua hujung konduktor
tersebut.

2. Resistivity : Kerintangan.
A measure of a materials ability to oppose
the flow of an electric current.
Satu ukuran kebolehan satu bahan untuk menentang
aliran arus elektrik.

3. Temperature coefficient of resistivity :

The change of resistivity per unit original
resistivity per unit change of temperature.
Perubahan kerintangan per unit kerintangan asal per
unit perubahan suhu.

4. Electromotive force : Daya gerak elektrik.

The amount of energy in the cell per unit
charge passing through the circuit.
Satu amaun tenaga di dalam sel per unit cas yang
melalui litar.

5. Kirchhoffs laws : Hukum2 Kirchhoff.

The algebraic sum of the currents at a
junction of a circuit is zero, since electric
charges do not stay at the junction.
Hasil tambah algebra arus pada satu simpang
satu litar adalah sifarkerana cas tidak boleh
tinggal pada simpang tersebut.

The algebraic sum of e.m.f.s within any

closed circuit is equal to the sum of the
voltage drops.
Hasil tambah algebra d.g.e di dalam sebarang
litar tertutup adalah sama dengan hasil tambah
algebra kejatuhan voltannya.

Chapter 6 : Magnetic field

1. Magnetic field : Medan magnet.
A three dimensional region around a
magnetic body or a current-currying
conductor where a force can be
experienced.
Satu ruang tida dimensi di sekitar satu jasad
bermagnet atau satu konduktor-pembawa-arus di
mana satu daya dapat dialami.

2. 1 Ampere :
The direct electric current which when
flowing through two parallel infinitely long
straight conductors of negligible circular
cross-section, placed one meter apart in
free space, will produce a force of
magnitude 2 x 10-7 N on every meter of
their lengths.
Nilai satu arus terus apabila mengalir menerusi dua
konduktor lurus selari dengan panjang tak terhingga
dan luas keratin rentas diabaikan terletak sejauh 1
-7
meter dan menghasilkan satu daya bernilai 2 x 10 N
bagi setiap meter panjang konduktor tersebut.

Chapter 7 : Electromagnetic Induction

1. Magnetic flux : Flux magnet.
The magnetic flux through a surface is the
component of magnetic field passing
through that surface.
Flux magnet melalui satu permukaan adalah
komponen medan medan magnet yang memasuki
permukaan tersebut.

2. Faradays law : Hukum Faraday.

The magnitude of the e.m.f. induced in a
circuit is directly proportional to the rate of
change of magnetic flux linkage through
the circuit.
Magnitud d.g.e. aruhan di dalam satu litar adalah
berkadar terus dengan kadar perubahan flux magnet
satu litar.

3. Lenzs law : Hukum Lenz.

The induced current flow in such a
direction that is opposes the change that
produces it.
Arus aruhan akan mengalir pada satu arah yang
dapat menentang perubahan yang
menghasilkannya.

4. Self-induction : Swa-inductans.
The property of a circuit or component
which can induce an e.m.f. in the circuit or
component itself.
Sifat satu litar atau komponen di mana ia mampu
mengaruhkan d.g.e. di dalam litar atau komponen itu
sendiri.

5. Mutual-inductance : Induktans saling.

The property of an electric circuit or
component that causes an e.m.f. to be
generated it as a result of a change in the
current flowing through a neighboring
circuit with it is magnetically linked.
Sifat satu litar elektrik atau komponen yang
menyebabkan d.g.e. disebabkan perubahan arus
yang mengalir pada litar berhampiran yang
berhubung secara magnetik.

Chapter 8 : Alternating Current

1. Alternating current : Arus ulang alik.
A type of current whose magnitude and
direction change periodically.
Sejenis arus dengan magnitude dan arahnya berubah
secara berkala.

2. R.M.S. Voltage : Voltan p.m.k.d.

The magnitude of the steady DC voltage
which produced the same power in a
resistor as the mean power produced by
the alternating current.
Magnitud voltan DC mantap yang menghasilkan nilai
kuasa yang sama di dalam beban sepertimana kuasa
purata yang dihasilkan oleh AC.

3. R.M.S. Current : Arus p.m.k.d.

The magnitude of the steady direct current
which produced the same power in a
resistor as the mean power produced by
the alternating current.
Magnitud arus DC mantap yang menghasilkan nilai
kuasa yang sama di dalam beban sepertimana kuasa
purata yang dihasilkan oleh AC.

4. Capacitive reactance : Reaktans kapasitif.

The property of a circuit containing
capacitance makes up its impedance.
Sifat satu litar yang mengandungi kapasitans yang
menghasilkan impedance.

5. Inductive reactance : Reaktans induktif.

The property of a circuit containing
inductance makes up its impedance.
Sifat satu litar yang mengandungi inductans yang
menghasilkan impedance.

6. Impedance : Impedance.
The quantity that measures the opposition
to the passage of a current in an AC circuit.
Satu kuantiti yang mengukur rintangan kepada aliran
arus dalam litar AC.

Chapter 9 : Quantization of light

1. Planck quantum theory : Teori kuantum Plank.
Energy is emitted in quanta, each of which
has an energy equals to hf.
Tenaga dipancarkan dalam bentuk kuanta, setiap
satunya mempunyai nilai tenaga bersamaan hf.

2. Photon : Foton.
A particle with zero rest mass consisting a
quantum of electromagnetic radiation.
Satu zarah tanpa jisim yang mengandungi satu
kuantum sinaran elektromagnetik.

3. Threshold frequency : Frekuensi ambang.

The minimum frequency of an incident light
which would remove electron from a metal
surface.
Nilai frekuensi minimum sinar tuju yang mampu
untuk mengeluarkan elektron dari satu permukaan
logam.

4. Work function : Fungsi kerja.

Minimum energy needed to release an
electron from the atom of a metal.
Tenaga minimum yang diperlukan untuk melepaskan
satu elektron daripada satu atom logam.

5. Stopping potential : Leupayaan penghenti.

The minimum reverse potential difference
needed to stop the motion of electrons.
Nilai beza keupayaan songsang minimumyang
diperlukan untuk menghentikan pergerakan elektronelektron.

Chapter 10 : Wave-Particle Duality

1. Wave-particle duality : Kedualan zarah-gelomb.
The phenomenon where under certain
circumstances a particle exhibits wave
properties, and under other conditions a
wave exhibits properties of particle.
Satu fenomena di mana dalam satu keadaan satu
zarah mempamerkan sifat-sifat gelombang, dan
dalam satu keadaan lain satu gelombang
mempamerkan sifat-sifat zarah.

Chapter 11 : Bohrs Model of Hydrogen Atom

1. Bohrs postulates : Postulat2 Bohr.
In hydrogen atom, the electron revolves
in circular non-radiating orbits around
the nucleus.
Dalam atom hidrogen, elektron bergerak di
dalam orbit bulat tanpa menyinar mengelilingi
nucleus.

In hydrogen, the electron is able to orbit

around the nucleus in certain allowed
discrete orbits.
Dalam atom hidrogen,elektron mampu
mengorbit mengelilingi nucleus dalam orbit
diskrit tertentu yang dibenarkan.

The emission or absorption of radiation

occurs only when an electron jumps
from one orbit to another.
Penyinaran dan penyerapan sinaran berlaku
hanya apabila elektron melompat dari satu orbit
ke orbit yang lain.

2. Bohrs radius : Jejari Bohr.

The orbit with the smallest radius.
Orbit dengan jejari terkecil.

3. Bohrs energy level : Aras tenaga Bohr.

A definite fixed energy that s system can
have.
Satu nilai tenaga tetap yang boleh dipunyai oleh satu
sistem.

4. Ground state energy : tenaga keadaan asas.

The minimum energy possessed by the
electron.
Tenaga minimum yang dipunyai oleh satu elektron.

5. Excitation energy : Tenaga pengujaan.

The energy required by the electron to
move up from the ground level to any
excitation level.
Tenaga yang diperlukan oleh elektron untuk
melompat dari aras tenaga asas kepada aras
tenaga pengujaan (aras tenaga lebih tinggi).

6. Ionization energy : Tenaga pengionan.

The energy required by the electron to
escape completely from the attraction of
the nucleus.

4. Mass defect : Kecacatan jisim.

The difference between the sum of masses
of the components and the mass of a
nucleus.
Perbezaan di antara jumlah jisim-jisim komponen
dengan jisim nucleus.

5. Binding energy : Tenaga pengikatan.

The energy required to separate
completely all the nucleons in the nucleus.
Tenaga yang diperlukan untuk memisahkan
sepenuhnya semua nukleon di dalam satu nucleus.

Tenaga yang diperlukan oleh elektron untuk

bebas sepenuhnya daripada tarikan nucleus.

Chapter 14 : Nuclear Reactions

7. Line series (spectrum) : Garis siri.
The distribution of energy over a range
frequencies of a particular source.
Satu agihan tenaga melampauan julat frekuensi
satu sumber tertentu.

Chapter 12 : X-Ray
1. Moseleys law : Hukum Moseley.
The frequencies of the lines in X-ray
spectra of the elements are related to
the atomic numbers of the elements.
Frekuensi-frekuensi dalam sinar-X garis unsurunsur adalah berkait dengan nombor atom
unsur-unsur tersebut.

Chapter 13 : Nucleus
1. Proton number : Nombor proton.
The number of protons in a nucleus.
Bilangan proton di dalam nucleus.

2. Nucleon number : Nombor nukleon.

The sum of proton and neutron.

1. Conservation of charge : Keabadian cas.

The total amount of charge of the system is
conserved.
Jumlah cas satu sistem adalah terabadi.

2. Conservation of nucleon number :

The total amount of nucleon number of the
system is conserved.
Jumlah bilangan nukleon satu sistem adalah
terabadi.

Chapter 15 : Radioactivity
1. Decay law : Hukum pereputan.
The decay rate is directly proportional to
the number of atoms present at that
instant.
Kadar reputan adalah berkadar terus dengan
bilangan atom yang ada pada sesuatu ketika.

2. Activity : Keaktifan.
The disintegrations per second by
radioactive nucleus.
Pereputan per saat oleh nucleus radioaktif.

Jumlah proton dan neutron.

3. Isotopes : Isotop.
Atoms of the same element whose nuclei
contain the same number of protons but
mass number differ.
Atom-atom satu unsur yang sama dengan
nukluesnya mempunyai nombor proton yang
sama tetapi nombor jisim berbeza.

3. Decay constant : Pemalar reputan.

The probability that a nucleus decay in a
unit of time (the speed of radioactive
decay).
Kebarangkalian satu nucleus utk mereput per unit
masa (kelajuan reputan radioaktif).

4. Half-life : Separa hayat.

The time taken for half of the initial
number of radioactive elements to undergo
decay.
Masa yang diambil untuk setengah bilangan asal
unsure radioaktif untuk mereput.

PHYSICAL FORMULAE
TF025 : Engineering Physics Semester II
Chapter 1 : Geometrical Optics
1. Mirror equation :

Chapter 2 : Physical Optics

1. Youngs double slits :
...bright fringes
...dark fringes

f = focal length of mirror.

u = object distance.
v = image distance.
r = radius of curvature of mirror.
2. Magnification of image :

m = order (m = 0 for central bright, 1st

dark).
= wavelength of light.
D = distance slits-screen.
d = slits separation.
2. Thin film (bubble) :

hi = image size (height).

ho = object size (height).

...reflective
...non-reflective

3. Snells equation :

ni = refractive index of incident area.

i = incident angle.
nr = refractive index of refracted area.
r = refracted angle.

n = refractive index of thin film.

t = thickness of thin film.
m = order.
3. Thin film (coating) :
...reflective
...non-reflective

4. Refraction of single glass surface :

4. Air wedge :

...bright fringes

r = radius of curvature of glass.

5. Lens makers equation :

f = focal length of lens.

n2 = refractive index of lens.
n1 = refractive index of surrounding.
r1 = radius of curvature of 1st surface.
r2 = radius of curvature of 2nd surface.
6. Lens formula :

...dark fringes

t = thickness of air.
m = order (m = 0 for 1st bright, 1st
dark).
5. Single slit :

a = slit width.
= angle of individual dark fringe
from centre.
m = order (m = 1 for 1st dark).
y = distance of individual dark fringe
from centre.
8

6. Difftaction grating :

6. Relationship E-V :

d = slit separation.
= angle of individual bright fringe
from centre.
m = order (m = 1 for 1st bright).
N = number of slits per unit length.

Chapter 3 : Electrostatics

7. Relationship U-V :

8. Potential difference between point a

and b :

Va = electric potential at point a.

Vb = electric potential at point b.

1. Electrostatic force :
...single force

Chapter 4 : Capacitor & Dielectrics

...resultant force

1. Capacitance (in the making) :

Q = magnitude of point charge.
q = magnitude of test charge.
r = distance between Q-q.
A = plates area.
d = plates separation.

2. Electric field strength :

...single field

2. Capacitance (in use) :

...resultant field

r = distance between Q to specified

point.
3. Electric potential :
...single potential

Q = fully charge can be stored in

capacitor.
V = potential difference across
capacitor.
3. Energy stored in charged capacitor :

...total potential

r = distance between Q to specified

point.
4. Electric potential energy :

4. Time constant :
R = resistance of resistor.

...single energy
...total energy

r = distance between Q-q.

5. Relationship F-E :
9

5. Charging process :

2. Resistance (in the making) :

= resistivity (material).
I = Current flows through capacitor
(associates t).
Io = Maximum (initial) current flows
through capacitor.
t = time interval.
Q = Charge stored in capacitor
(associates t).
Qo = Maximum (fully) charge stored in
capacitor.
6. Discharging process :

Q = Charge remaining in capacitor

(associates t).
7. Capacitors in series :

l = length of resistor.
A = cross sectional area of resistor.
3. Ohms law (temperature constant):

V = potential difference across

resistor.
I = current flows through resistor.
R = resistance of resistor.
4. Resistance (temperature changes) :

R = final resistance (associates T)

Ro = initial resistance (associates To)
= temperature coefficient of
resistivity.
T = final temperature.
To = initial temperature.
5. Electrical energy :

8. Capacitors in parallel :

V = voltage supplied.
I = current flows.
t = time consume.
6. Electrical power :

7. Electromotive force :
Chapter 5 : Electric Current & DC
1. DC Current :

I = current flows in circuit and cell.

R = resistance of circuit.
r = internal resistance of cell.
8. Resistors in series :

Q = charge flows in circuit.

t = time interval.

10

9. Resistors in parallel :

Chapter 7 : Electromagnetic induction :

1. Magnetic flux :

= angle between direction of B and

normal A.

10. Kirchhoffs laws :

2. Energy stored in inductor :

L = self-inductance.
Chapter 6 : Magnetic Field @ Flux Density
3. Self-inductance :
1. Magnetic field (by CCC) :
...centre of coil
...core of solenoid
...around straight rod

N = number of turns.
I = current flows in CCC.
R = radius of coil.
n = number of turn per unit length.
d = distance between rod to specified
point.

l = length of solenoid.
4. Mutual-inductance :

5. Induced electromotive force :

...relative motion
(magnet bar-coil)

2. Magnetic force :

...mutual circuit
...by moving charge

...moving rod

...by CCC

q = charge.
v = velocity of moving charge.
B = uniform external magnetic field.
l = length of rod.
= angle between direction of B and v
or I.

...rotating rotor

Chapter 8 : Alternating Current

1. AC general equations :
...emf supply
...voltage circuit

3. Total torque (motor) :

...current circuit

A = area of coil.
B = radial magnetic field.

...impedance circuit

o = peak e.m.f. supply.

Vo = peak circuit voltage.
Io = peak circuit current.
= angular velocity.

11

2. Root mean square :

6. RLC circuit :

3. Pure resistor :

7. AC Power :

Vo = peak resistance potential

difference.
Io = peak resistance current.
R = resistance of resistor.
= phase difference between V and
I.
4. Pure inductor :

8. Resonance frequency :

Chapter 9 : Quantization of Light

1. Photon energy :

Vo = peak inductance potential

difference.
Io = peak inductance current.
XL = inductive reactance of inductor.
= phase difference between V and
I.

f = frequency of photon.
ET = total photon energy.
2. Photoelectric effect :

5. Pure capacitor :
E = a photon energy.
Wo = work function of metal.
Kmax = maximum kinetic energy of
electron.
VS = stopping voltage.
Vo = peak capacitance potential
difference.
Io = peak capacitance current.
Xc = capacitive reactance of capacitor.
= phase difference between V and
I.

Chapter 10 : Wave-Particle Duality

1. Duality equation :

p = momentum of an electron.
= de-Broglie wavelength of electron.
12

2. Electron diffraction :

Chapter 12 : X-ray
1. X-ray wavelength :

d = atomic separation.
= glance angle.
m = order.
3. De-Broglie wavelength :

m = mass of electron.
K = kinetic energy of electron.
e = electron charge.
V = voltage supplied.
Chapter 11 : Bohrs Model of Hydrogen Atom

.....bremstrahlung wavelength
.....characteristic wavelength

min = minimum wavelength of X-ray.

c = speed of light.
e = electron charge.
V = voltage.
Ef = final energy level.
Ei = initial energy level.
2. Moseleys equation :

f = X-ray frequency.
Z = atomic number.

1. Electron angular momentum :

3. Braggs equation :
m = mass of electron.
v = electron velocity.
r = radius of allowed orbit.
n = orbit number.

d = atomic separation.
= braggs angle.
m = order.
= X-ray wavelength.

2. Emmision / absorption of energy :

Chapter 13 : Nucleus
Ef = final energy level.
Ei = initial energy level.

1. Mass defect :
.....in kg

3. Radius of hydrogen orbit :

rn = 5.29 x10

-11

.....in a.m.u.

4. Energy level :
.....in eV
.....in J

A =mass number = nucleon no.

Z = atomic number = proton no.
mn = neutron mass.
mp = proton mass.
MN = nucleus mass.
2. Binding energy :
.....in J
.....in eV

c =speed of light.

13

3. Binding energy / nucleon :

.....in J
.....in eV

Chapter 14 : Nuclear Reactions

1. Nuclear energy released :

ma =mass of particle a.
mb =mass of particle b.
MX =mass of nuclide X.
MY =mass of nuclide Y.

Chapter 15 : Radioactivity
1. Activity :

dN =number of decayed elements.

N =number of element at that instant.
=decay constant.
Ao =initial activity of radioactive
element.
2. Number of radioactive element :

No =initial number of radioactive

element.
3. Half-life :

14