Physics Terminology: Essential Physics Terminology Part-5. More than 150 Terms (from T to Z)

Physics Terminology: Essential Physics Terminology Part-5

Physics Terminology

Physics terminology refers to the specialised words and expressions used to describe physical concepts, phenomena, measurements, processes, and laws. These terms provide a precise and standardised language that scientists, students, engineers and researchers use to communicate ideas clearly and accurately.

Because physics deals with the fundamental behaviour of matter, energy, space and time, its vocabulary needs to be exact. Terms such as force, momentum, entropy, frequency, wavelength, resistance, and quantum state each carry specific scientific meanings that differ from their everyday usage. Misunderstanding or misusing these terms can lead to incorrect conclusions or confusion.

Physics terminology is often derived from Latin, Greek, or the names of scientists who made significant contributions-for example, joule, newton, tesla, and curie. Many terms are also linked to mathematical representations, units of measurement or experimental observations.

A good grasp of physics terms helps in:

Understanding textbooks, lectures and scientific papers
Solving numerical and conceptual problems
Describing experiments and results accurately
Connecting theories with real-world applications
Communicating clearly in academic, research or technical settings

Overall, physics terminology forms the foundation of effective learning and communication in the subject. Developing familiarity with these terms enables better comprehension of concepts and strengthens one’s ability to apply physics in practical and advanced contexts.

Physics Terminology: More than 150 Terms (from T to Z)

Here are more than 150 terms (from T to Z)

Physics Terminology (T)

Temperature– A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.
Tensile Stress– Stress produced when a material is stretched by a force.
Tension– The pulling force transmitted through a string, cable, or similar object.
Terminal Velocity– The constant speed reached by a falling object when air resistance balances weight.
Tesla (T)– The SI unit of magnetic flux density.
Thermal Conductivity– A measure of how well a material conducts heat.
Thermal Energy– The internal energy of a system due to the motion of its particles.
Thermal Expansion– The increase in size of a material when its temperature rises.
Thermal Equilibrium– A state where no heat flows between objects in contact because their temperatures are equal.
Thermal Radiation– Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a body due to its temperature.
Thermal Resistance– A material’s opposition to heat flow.
Thermodynamics– The branch of physics dealing with heat, work, and energy transformations.
Thermoelectric Effect– The conversion between temperature differences and electric voltage.
Thermometer– An instrument for measuring temperature.
Thermonuclear Fusion– The merging of atomic nuclei at extremely high temperatures, releasing energy.
Thermoplastic– A material that becomes soft when heated and solid when cooled.
Thermosphere– The upper layer of the Earth’s atmosphere where temperature increases with height.
Thin Film Interference– Interference caused when light reflects off the two surfaces of a thin layer.
Thomson Scattering– The elastic scattering of electromagnetic radiation by a free charged particle.
Thrust– A force that propels an object forward, often used in rocketry.
Time Dilation– The effect in relativity where time appears to pass slower for a moving or gravitationally influenced observer.
Torque– A measure of the turning effect of a force on an object.
Total Internal Reflection– Reflection of light entirely back into a medium when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
Transducer– A device that converts one form of energy into another, such as sound to electrical signals.
Transformer– A device that changes the voltage of alternating current using magnetic induction.
Translational Motion– Motion in which all parts of an object move the same distance in the same direction.
Transparency– The property of a material allowing light to pass through with minimal absorption.
Transverse Wave– A wave where particle motion is perpendicular to wave direction, e.g., light waves.
Travelling Wave– A wave that moves away from its source, carrying energy from one place to another.
Tritium– A radioactive isotope of hydrogen with two neutrons and one proton.
Trough– The lowest point on a transverse wave.
Tuning Fork– A device that produces a specific pitch when struck, used for sound experiments.
Turbulence– Irregular or chaotic fluid motion involving vortices and eddies.
Twin Paradox– A thought experiment in relativity involving different ageing of twins due to relative motion.
Two-Dimensional Motion– Movement occurring in a plane, involving both x and y directions.
Tachyon (Hypothetical)– A particle proposed to travel faster than light, not observed in reality.
Tachometer– A device used to measure rotational speed.
Tangential Velocity– Velocity of an object moving along a curved path, directed along the tangent.
Tau Particle– A heavier cousin of the electron, part of the lepton family.
Telecommunication Wave– Electromagnetic waves used in long-distance communication systems.
Telescope– An optical instrument used to observe distant objects by collecting light.
Thermionic Emission– Release of electrons from a heated material.
Thermal Neutron– A neutron in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings, moving slowly.
Thomson Model– An early atomic model proposing electrons embedded in a positive sphere.
Total Energy– The sum of all forms of energy in a system.
Track Detector– A device used to detect and record the paths of charged particles.
Transistor– A semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals.
Transition State– A temporary high-energy state during a physical or chemical change.
Triplet State– A quantum state with two unpaired electrons having parallel spins.
Tunnelling Microscope– A device that uses quantum tunnelling to produce atomic-scale images.

Physics Terminology (U)

Ultrasonic Waves– Sound waves with frequencies above the human hearing range (above 20 kHz).
Ultraviolet Radiation– Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays.
Uncertainty Principle– A quantum principle stating that position and momentum cannot both be known exactly at the same time.
Unified Field Theory– A theoretical framework aiming to combine all fundamental forces into one set of laws.
Unification (Physics)– The process of linking separate physical theories into a single, coherent model.
Uniform Circular Motion– Movement in a circle at constant speed, with changing direction.
Uniform Motion– Motion at a constant speed in a straight line.
Universe– The totality of space, time, matter, and energy.
Upthrust– The upward force exerted by a fluid on an object immersed in it (also called buoyant force).
Uranium– A radioactive element used as fuel in nuclear reactors and weapons.
Ultracold Matter– Matter cooled near absolute zero to exhibit quantum behaviour.
Ultrarelativistic Particles– Particles moving at speeds close to the speed of light.
Umklapp Process– A scattering process in crystals affecting thermal and electrical conductivity.
Unbalanced Force– A net force that changes the motion of an object.
Universal Constant– A physical constant that is the same everywhere, such as the gravitational constant.
Universal Gravitation– Newton’s law stating that all masses attract each other with a force.
Upper Atmosphere Physics– The study of ionisation, radiation, and particle behaviour in high-altitude layers.
Uplink (Signal Transmission)– The sending of signals from Earth to a satellite or spacecraft.
Ultracapacitor– A high-capacity capacitor used for rapid energy storage and release.
Ultrahigh Vacuum– A vacuum environment with extremely low pressure, used in advanced experiments.

Physics Terminology (V)

Vacuum– A space with no matter, or extremely low pressure compared to the atmosphere.
Vacuum Energy– The underlying energy present in empty space due to quantum fluctuations.
Vacuum Tube– An electronic device that controls the flow of electrons in a vacuum.
Valence Band– The highest energy band in a solid that is normally filled with electrons.
Van der Waals Forces– Weak attractive forces between molecules due to temporary dipoles.
Van de Graaff Generator– A device that produces high voltages using a moving belt to accumulate charge.
Vector– A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as force or velocity.
Vector Field– A field that assigns a vector to every point in space, like a magnetic field.
Velocity– The rate of change of displacement with respect to time, with direction.
Velocity-Time Graph– A graph showing how velocity varies over time.
Vibration– Repeated oscillations around an equilibrium position.
Virtual Image– An image formed by rays that appear to meet when extended backwards, not formed on a screen.
Vapour Pressure– The pressure exerted by a vapour in equilibrium with its liquid or solid phase.
Viscosity– The internal resistance of a fluid to flow.
Volt (V)– The SI unit of electric potential difference.
Voltage– The work done per unit charge to move a charge between two points.
Volume– The amount of three-dimensional space occupied by a substance or object.
Vortex– A region in a fluid where the flow revolves around an axis.
Vorticity– A measure of the local spinning motion of a fluid.
VUV (Vacuum Ultraviolet)– Ultraviolet radiation that is strongly absorbed by air and typically studied in a vacuum.

Physics Terminology (W)

W Boson– A fundamental particle that mediates the weak nuclear force.
Wavelength– The distance between two consecutive points in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest.
Wave-Particle Duality– The concept that particles like electrons and photons show both wave and particle behaviour.
Wave Function– A mathematical description of the quantum state of a particle.
Wavefront– A surface connecting points of a wave that are in phase.
Waveguide– A structure that directs and confines waves, such as microwaves or light.
Watt (W)– The SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second.
Weak Nuclear Force– A fundamental force responsible for beta decay and neutrino interactions.
Weber (Wb)– The SI unit of magnetic flux.
Weight– The force due to gravity acting on an object’s mass.
White Dwarf– A dense stellar remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel.
White Light– Light that contains all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum.
Work– The energy transferred when a force moves an object over a distance.
Work Function– The minimum energy needed to remove an electron from a material’s surface.
Wave Equation– A mathematical equation describing the propagation of waves through a medium.
Wave Interference– The phenomenon where two or more waves superpose to form a new wave pattern.
Wave Medium– The material or field through which a mechanical wave travels.
Wave Reflection– The bouncing back of a wave when it hits a boundary.
Wave Refraction– The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another.
Wien’s Law– A principle that relates the temperature of a black body to the wavelength at which it emits most strongly.

Physics Terminology (X)

X-Axis– The horizontal reference line on a graph used to plot physical quantities.
X-Radiation– Another term for X-rays, high-energy electromagnetic waves used in imaging and analysis.
X-Rays– Electromagnetic waves with very short wavelengths, used in medicine and material studies.
X-Band– A segment of the microwave spectrum used in radar and satellite communication.
Xenon– A noble gas used in ion propulsion, lighting, and specialised detectors.
Xenon Flash Lamp– A device that produces intense, short bursts of light using xenon gas.
X-Ray Crystallography– A technique to determine crystal structures using X-ray diffraction.
X-Ray Diffraction– The bending of X-rays as they interact with a crystal lattice.
X-Ray Fluorescence– Emission of secondary X-rays from a material when excited by high-energy radiation.
X-Ray Telescope– An instrument used to observe high-energy astronomical phenomena.
Xenon Detector– A detector using xenon gas to measure ionising radiation.
Xenon Plasma Thruster– A propulsion system for spacecraft that uses ionised xenon gas.
X-Component (Vector)– The horizontal part of a vector in component form.
X-Coordinate– The horizontal position of a point in a two-dimensional plane.
X-Ray Photon– A photon with energy in the X-ray portion of the spectrum.
X-Ray Imaging– The use of X-rays to produce internal images of objects or bodies.
X-Ray Scattering– The deflection of X-rays after interacting with matter.
X-Ray Emission Spectrum– The range of X-ray wavelengths emitted from an atom or material.
X-Ray Binary– A star system emitting X-rays due to matter falling onto a compact object.
Xenon Flash– A high-intensity light pulse produced using ionised xenon gas in lamps.

Physics Terminology (Y)

Y-Axis– The vertical reference line on a graph used to plot values against the x-axis.
Yield Strength– The amount of stress at which a material begins to deform permanently.
Young’s Modulus– A measure of the stiffness of a material, defined as stress over strain.
Young’s Double-Slit Experiment– A demonstration of light’s wave nature using interference patterns.
Ytterbium– A rare-earth element used in fibre optics, lasers, and atomic clocks.
Yttrium– A metallic element used in superconductors, lasers, and phosphors.
Yellow Dwarf– A medium-sized star like the Sun in the main sequence stage.
Y-Junction (Electronics)– A three-way connection in circuits or waveguides.
Yield Point– The point at which a material stops behaving elastically and begins to deform plastically.
Yagi-Uda Antenna– A directional antenna used for radio, television, and communication systems.
Ytterbium Laser– A solid-state laser using ytterbium ions as the active medium.
Yukawa Potential– A mathematical model describing the force between subatomic particles.
Y-Component (Vector)– The vertical component of a vector in two or three dimensions.
Young-Laplace Equation– A relation describing the pressure difference across a curved surface.
Ytterbium Clock– An optical atomic clock with extremely high precision based on ytterbium atoms.
Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO)– A high-temperature superconducting material.
Yield Ratio– The ratio of the yield strength to the tensile strength of a material.
Ytron (Historical Term)– An outdated proposed name for certain subatomic particles.
Yagi Antenna Array– A set of elements arranged to increase gain and directivity in signals.
Ytterbium-Doped Fibre– Optical fibre enhanced with ytterbium ions for high-power lasers and amplifiers.

Physics Terminology (Z)

Z-Axis– The third axis in a three-dimensional coordinate system, perpendicular to both x and y.
Zeeman Effect– The splitting of spectral lines in the presence of a magnetic field.
Zenith– The point in the sky directly above an observer, used in astronomy and atmospheric physics.
Zero-Point Energy– The lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical system can have.
Zinc Oxide (ZnO)– A semiconductor material used in electronics and optoelectronics.
Zodiacal Light– Faint sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust in the inner Solar System.
Zone of Total Internal Reflection– The region where light reflects entirely within a medium at certain angles.
Zonal Flow– A large-scale atmospheric or fluid flow aligned with lines of latitude or confinement.
Z Boson– A neutral particle that mediates the weak nuclear force.
Zeta Potential– The electric potential at the boundary layer of particles in a fluid.
Zigzag Lattice– A structural arrangement studied in solid-state physics.
Zinc Blende Structure– A type of crystal structure found in certain semiconductors.
Zeno Paradox– A philosophical problem related to motion, often discussed in theoretical physics.
Zettajoule– A unit of energy equal to 10²¹ joules.
Zinc Sulphide (ZnS)– A phosphorescent material used in luminescent and detector technology.
Zone Axis (Crystallography)– A direction in a crystal lattice that aligns with multiple crystal planes.
Z-Pinch– A plasma confinement method using electric current to generate compressing magnetic fields.
Zener Diode– A semiconductor device that allows current to flow in reverse when a set voltage is reached.
Zettahertz (ZHz)– A unit of frequency equal to 10²¹ hertz.
Zonal Harmonics– Solutions to certain physical problems involving spherical symmetry, such as gravitational fields.

Conclusion

Physics terminology is not just vocabulary – it is the backbone of understanding and communicating scientific ideas with clarity and precision. Each term represents a well-defined concept, law, measurement, or phenomenon, helping to eliminate ambiguity and foster accurate interpretation across education, research, and application.

From classical mechanics and thermodynamics to quantum theory and astrophysics, mastery of terminology allows learners and professionals to:

Grasp complex ideas more easily
Connect theory with real-world observations
Interpret scientific data correctly
Communicate findings with consistency and confidence
Build a strong foundation for advanced study or research

In essence, physics terminology serves as the universal language of the physical sciences. Whether used in classrooms, laboratories, engineering fields, or space research, these terms empower individuals to explore, explain and expand our understanding of the universe.

Go to Essential Physics Terminology Part-1 ( A to E)

Go to Essential Physics Terminology Part-2 (F to I)

Go to Essential Physics Terminology Part-3 (J to O)

Go to Essential Physics Terminology Part-4 (P to S)

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