📚 Essential Core English Vocabulary for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry | 数理化学科核心英文词汇汇总
Mastering subject‑specific English vocabulary is a fundamental step for any student pursuing international qualifications such as A‑Levels, IB or AP. In mathematics, physics and chemistry, precise terminology allows you to read questions accurately, follow scientific arguments and write clear, examiner‑friendly answers. Without a firm grip on these core terms, even strong conceptual understanding can be masked by misunderstandings or vague expression.
掌握学科专属的英文词汇，是学习 A‑Level、IB 或 AP 等国际课程的基础环节。在数学、物理和化学中，准确的术语能帮助你读懂题目、跟上科学推理，并写出清晰、受考官青睐的答案。如果对这些核心词汇不熟悉，即便概念理解到位，也可能因为误解或表达含糊而丢分。
1. Why Master Core Vocabulary? | 为什么掌握核心词汇至关重要
In the international classroom, every examination paper, textbook and laboratory manual is written in English. Words like ‘derive’, ‘evaluate’, ‘hence’, ‘state’ and ‘determine’ carry precise meanings that differ from everyday usage. Similarly, terms such as ‘isotope’, ‘torque’ or ‘polynomial’ cannot be guessed from context alone. Building a strong vocabulary reduces cognitive load during tests and boosts confidence in practical write‑ups. It also makes it easier to follow lectures and participate in discussions, bridging the gap between conceptual knowledge and performance.
在国际课堂中，每一份试卷、教材和实验手册都是用英文撰写的。像 ‘derive’（推导）、’evaluate’（求值）、’hence’（因而）、’state’（陈述）和 ‘determine’（测定）这些词汇，在学术语境中的含义与日常用法截然不同。至于 ‘isotope’（同位素）、’torque’（扭矩）或 ‘polynomial’（多项式）等术语，更不可能单凭上下文猜出。扎实的词汇量能减少考试中的认知负担，提升实验报告写作的信心，也让你更容易跟上课堂讲解、参与讨论，从而在概念理解与实际表现之间架起桥梁。
2. Mathematics: Arithmetic & Algebra | 数学核心词汇：算术与代数
Arithmetic and algebra form the language through which all quantitative science is expressed. Familiarity with terms like ‘integer’, ‘coefficient’ and ‘simultaneous equations’ is essential before tackling higher‑level problems in physics or chemistry. The following key terms appear constantly in problem statements and worked solutions.
算术与代数是所有定量科学表达的语言基础。在处理物理或化学的高阶问题之前，必须先熟悉 ‘integer’（整数）、’coefficient’（系数）和 ‘simultaneous equations’（联立方程）等术语。以下核心词汇在题目描述和解答过程中频繁出现。
Variable: A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown or changeable quantity in an expression.
变量：通常用一个字母表示表达式中的未知或可变数量。
Coefficient: The numerical factor multiplying a variable in a term; in 3x², the coefficient is 3.
系数：项中乘以变量的数字因子；在 3x² 中，系数为 3。
Polynomial: An expression consisting of variables and coefficients, involving only addition, subtraction, multiplication and non‑negative integer exponents.
多项式：由变量和系数组成，且仅涉及加法、减法、乘法及非负整数指数的表达式。
Quadratic equation: An equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0.
二次方程：形如 ax² + bx + c = 0 且 a ≠ 0 的方程。
Simultaneous equations: A set of equations involving the same variables, solved together to find a common solution.
联立方程（方程组）：涉及相同变量的一组方程，需联合求解以获得共同解。
Factorisation: The process of breaking an expression into a product of its factors.
因式分解：将表达式拆分为其因式乘积的过程。
3. Mathematics: Geometry & Trigonometry | 数学核心词汇：几何与三角
Geometry and trigonometry provide tools for describing shapes, angles and periodic phenomena. Vocabulary here is heavily visual, but precise terms like ‘hypotenuse’, ‘circumference’ and ‘sine’ must be used correctly in both proof and calculation.
几何与三角学提供了描述形状、角度和周期现象的工具。此处的词汇极具图像性，但无论在证明还是计算中，都必须准确使用 ‘hypotenuse’（斜边）、’circumference’（周长）和 ‘sine’（正弦）等术语。
Hypotenuse: The longest side of a right‑angled triangle, opposite the right angle.
斜边：直角三角形中最长的边，对应直角。
Circumference: The distance around a circle, calculated as 2πr where r is the radius.
周长（圆周）：绕圆一周的距离，计算公式为 2πr，其中 r 为半径。
Tangent: In trigonometry, the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right‑angled triangle; also a line that touches a curve at exactly one point.
正切 / 切线：在三角学中，指直角三角形中对边与邻边的比值；在几何中，指仅与曲线接触于一点的直线。
Bearing: A direction given as an angle measured clockwise from north, usually expressed as three digits.
方位角：从正北方向顺时针测量的角度，通常用三位数字表示。
Symmetry line (line of symmetry): A line such that a shape can be folded along it and both halves match exactly.
对称轴（对称线）：可将图形沿其折叠并使两部分完全重合的直线。
4. Mathematics: Calculus & Statistics | 数学核心词汇：微积分与统计
Calculus describes change and accumulation, while statistics deals with data collection, analysis and interpretation. Terms like ‘derivative’, ‘integral’ and ‘standard deviation’ are deeply embedded in physics and chemistry, from rate equations to error analysis.
微积分描述变化与累积，统计学则涉及数据的收集、分析和解读。从速率方程到误差分析，’derivative’（导数）、’integral’（积分）和 ‘standard deviation’（标准差）等术语深入渗透于物理和化学之中。
Derivative: The rate of change of a function with respect to a variable; denoted as f'(x) or dy/dx.
导数：函数相对于某一变量的变化率；记作 f'(x) 或 dy/dx。
Integral: The area under a curve or the antiderivative of a function; a key concept in accumulating quantities.
积分：曲线下的面积或函数的反导数；是累加量的核心概念。
Limit: The value that a function approaches as the input approaches some value.
极限：当自变量趋近某一值时，趋近的值。
Mean: The arithmetic average of a data set, found by summing all values and dividing by the number of values.
平均值（均数）：数据集的算术平均数，由所有数值之和除以数值个数得到。
Standard deviation: A measure of the spread of data around the mean; a small deviation indicates that data points are close to the mean.
标准差：衡量数据在均值周围分散程度的指标；标准差小表示数据点靠近平均值。
5. Physics: Mechanics & Kinematics | 物理核心词汇：力学与运动学
Mechanics gives us the vocabulary to describe motion, forces and energy. Concepts such as displacement, velocity, acceleration and momentum appear in nearly every physics exam and are the foundation for understanding more complex topics in chemistry, such as kinetic theory.
力学提供了描述运动、力和能量的词汇。位移、速度、加速度和动量等概念几乎出现在每一次物理考试中，也是理解化学动力学理论等更复杂话题的基础。
Displacement: A vector quantity representing the change in position of an object; it has both magnitude and direction.
位移：表示物体位置变化的矢量，既有大小也有方向。
Velocity: The rate of change of displacement; a vector quantity measured in m s⁻¹.
速度：位移对时间的变化率；矢量，单位为 m s⁻¹。
Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity, measured in m s⁻².
加速度：速度对时间的变化率，单位为 m s⁻²。
Momentum: The product of an object’s mass and its velocity, p = mv; conserved in isolated systems.
动量：物体质量与速度的乘积，p = mv；孤立系统中动量守恒。
Impulse: The change in momentum caused by a force acting over a time interval; equal to force multiplied by time.
冲量：力在一段时间间隔内作用引起的动量变化；等于力乘以时间。
Work done: Energy transferred when a force moves an object through a distance in the direction of the force.
做功：力使物体沿力的方向移动一定距离时所传递的能量。
6. Physics: Electricity & Magnetism | 物理核心词汇：电学与磁学
Electric and magnetic phenomena are described with a precise set of terms that link easily to chemical concepts such as electrolysis and redox potentials. Understanding the difference between ‘current’ and ‘charge’, or between ‘voltage’ and ‘potential difference’, is vital.
电与磁现象用一套精确的术语来描述，这些术语与电解、氧化还原电位等化学概念紧密相连。分清 ‘current’（电流）与 ‘charge’（电荷），’voltage’（电压）与 ‘potential difference’（电势差）至关重要。
Electric charge: A fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field; unit: coulomb (C).
电荷：物质的一种基本属性，使其在电磁场中受力；单位：库仑 (C)。
Current: The rate of flow of electric charge; measured in amperes (A).
电流：电荷流动的速率；单位为安培 (A)。
Voltage (Potential difference): The energy transferred per unit charge between two points; unit: volt (V).
电压（电势差）：两点间单位电荷所传递的能量；单位：伏特 (V)。
Resistance: Opposition to the flow of current; measured in ohms (Ω).
电阻：对电流流动的阻碍作用；单位为欧姆 (Ω)。
Magnetic flux density: A measure of the strength of a magnetic field; often symbolised as B, unit: tesla (T).
磁通密度：磁场强度的度量；常用 B 表示，单位：特斯拉 (T)。
7. Physics: Waves & Optics | 物理核心词汇：波与光学
Wave terminology repeats across physics and chemistry — for instance, when discussing the electromagnetic spectrum, atomic absorption spectra or spectroscopy. ‘Wavelength’, ‘frequency’ and ‘amplitude’ are also fundamental in describing sound and light phenomena.
波的术语在物理和化学中重复出现——例如在讨论电磁波谱、原子吸收光谱或光谱学时。’wavelength’（波长）、’frequency’（频率）和 ‘amplitude’（振幅）也是描述声与光现象的基础。
Wavelength: The distance between two successive crests or troughs of a wave; often denoted by λ.
波长：波的两个连续波峰或波谷之间的距离；通常用 λ 表示。
Frequency: The number of complete wave cycles passing a point per unit time; unit: hertz (Hz).
频率：单位时间内通过某点的完整波形数；单位：赫兹 (Hz)。
Amplitude: The maximum displacement from the rest position of a wave; indicates the wave’s energy.
振幅：波离开平衡位置的最大位移；反映波的能量。
Refraction: The change in direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another due to a change in speed.
折射：波因传播速度改变而从一种介质进入另一种介质时方向发生改变的现象。
Diffraction: The spreading of waves as they pass through a gap or around an obstacle.
衍射：波通过狭缝或绕过障碍物时发生扩散的现象。
8. Chemistry: Atomic Structure & Periodic Table | 化学核心词汇：原子结构与周期表
Atomic structure is the gateway to all chemical reasoning. Terms like ‘isotope’, ‘orbital’ and ‘ionisation energy’ appear early in any course and underpin bonding, reactivity and spectroscopy.
原子结构是所有化学推理的入口。’isotope’（同位素）、’orbital’（轨道）和 ‘ionisation energy’（电离能）等术语在任何课程的早期就会出现，并支撑着化学键、反应性和光谱学。
Atom: The smallest unit of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element.
原子：保留元素化学性质的最小单位。
Isotope: Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
同位素：质子数相同但中子数不同的同种元素的原子。
Atomic orbital: A region around the nucleus where there is a high probability of finding an electron; s, p, d, f are shape designations.
原子轨道：原子核周围电子出现概率较高的区域；用 s, p, d, f 标示形状。
First ionisation energy: The energy required to remove one mole of the most loosely held electrons from one mole of gaseous atoms to form one mole of gaseous ions.
第一电离能：从一摩尔气态原子中移除最外层的一摩尔电子形成一摩尔气态离子所需的能量。
Electronegativity: The ability of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons towards itself in a covalent bond.
电负性：原子在共价键中吸引成键电子对的能力。
9. Chemistry: Chemical Bonding & Reactions | 化学核心词汇：化学键与反应
Bonding vocabulary describes how atoms combine, while reaction vocabulary explains how substances transform. Misinterpreting ‘exothermic’ as ‘spontaneous’ or ‘catalyst’ as ‘reactant’ can cost marks. The terms below are essential for explaining structure and energy changes.
化学键词汇描述原子如何结合，反应词汇则解释物质如何变化。将 ‘exothermic’（放热）误解为 ‘spontaneous’（自发），或将 ‘catalyst’（催化剂）混同于 ‘reactant’（反应物），都可能导致失分。以下术语对于解释结构与能量变化不可或忘。
Ionic bond: The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, typically formed between a metal and a non‑metal.
离子键：带相反电荷离子之间的静电吸引力，通常在金属与非金属之间形成。
Covalent bond: A shared pair of electrons between two atoms, often between non‑metals.
共价键：两个原子间共享的一对电子，常见于非金属之间。
Activation energy: The minimum energy that colliding particles must have for a reaction to occur.
活化能：碰撞粒子发生反应必须具有的最低能量。
Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being chemically consumed itself.
催化剂：能提高反应速率而自身在化学上不被消耗的物质。
Exothermic reaction: A reaction that releases heat energy to the surroundings; ΔH is negative.
放热反应：向周围环境释放热能的反应；ΔH 为负值。
Equilibrium: A state in a reversible reaction where the rates of the forward and backward reactions are equal and the concentrations of reactants and products remain constant.
化学平衡：可逆反应中，正反应与逆反应速率相等，反应物和生成物浓度保持不变的状态。
10. Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Basics | 化学核心词汇：有机化学基础
Organic chemistry has its own extensive vocabulary based on functional groups, homologues and isomers. Even at an introductory level, being able to interpret terms like ‘alkene’, ‘carboxylic acid’ or ‘electrophile’ is key to answering synthesis and mechanism questions.
有机化学拥有以官能团、同系物和异构体为基础的庞大词汇体系。即使在入门阶段，能解读 ‘alkene’（烯烃）、’carboxylic acid’（羧酸）或 ‘electrophile’（亲电体）等术语，也是回答合成与机理题的关键。
Functional group: An atom or group of atoms that gives a molecule its characteristic chemical properties; e.g. –OH, –COOH, –NH₂.
官能团：赋予分子特征化学性质的原子或原子团；如 –OH、–COOH、–NH₂。
Homologous series: A family of organic compounds with the same general formula and functional group, where each successive member differs by a CH₂ unit.
同系列（同系物）：具有相同通式和官能团的一系列有机化合物，相邻成员相差一个 CH₂ 单元。
Isomer: Compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements or spatial orientations.
异构体：分子式相同但结构排列或空间取向不同的化合物。
Electrophile: An electron‑deficient species that is attracted to electron‑rich regions and accepts an electron pair.
亲电体（亲电试剂）：缺电子物种，受富电子区域吸引并接受电子对。
Addition polymerisation: The process in which small alkene monomers join together by breaking their double bonds to form a long polymer chain.
加成聚合：烯烃小分子单体通过打开双键连接成长聚合物链的过程。
11. Commonly Confused Terms in Exams | 考试中的常见易混词汇
Certain terms appear similar but carry very different meanings across maths, physics and chemistry. A sound understanding of these distinctions prevents systematic errors. Pay close attention to precision: ‘accuracy’ is not ‘precision’, ‘molarity’ is not ‘molality’, and ‘extensive property’ is not the same as ‘intensive property’.
有些术语在数学、物理和化学中看似相似，但含义迥异。清晰理解这些区别可避免系统性错误。要特别注意精确用语：’accuracy’（准确度）不是 ‘precision’（精密度），’molarity’（摩尔浓度）不是 ‘molality’（质量摩尔浓度），’extensive property’（广度性质）也不同于 ‘intensive property’（强度性质）。
Accuracy vs Precision: Accuracy reflects how close a measurement is to the true value; precision reflects the repeatability of measurements regardless of their closeness to the true value.
准确度 与 精密度：准确度反映测量值与真值的接近程度；精密度反映测量的可重复性，无论其是否接近真值。
Molarity vs Molality: Molarity is the number of moles of solute per litre of solution (mol dm⁻³); molality is moles of solute per kilogram of solvent (mol kg⁻¹).
摩尔浓度 与 质量摩尔浓度：摩尔浓度是每升溶液中溶质的物质的量 (mol dm⁻³)；质量摩尔浓度是每千克溶剂中溶质的物质的量 (mol kg⁻¹)。
Endothermic vs Exothermic: Endothermic reactions absorb energy from the surroundings (ΔH positive); exothermic reactions release energy to the surroundings (ΔH negative).
吸热 与 放热：吸热反应从周围环境吸收能量（ΔH 正值）；放热反应向周围释放能量（ΔH 负值）。
Solubility vs Concentration: Solubility is the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature; concentration is the amount of solute present in a given volume of solution.
溶解度 与 浓度：溶解度是在特定温度下，定量的溶剂中能够溶解溶质的最大量；浓度是给定体积溶液中存在的溶质的量。
Systematic error vs Random error: Systematic error causes readings to be consistently offset from the true value; random error causes fluctuations that are equally likely to be above or below the true value.
系统误差 与 随机误差：系统误差导致读数始终偏离真值；随机误差引起的波动以同等概率高于或低于真值。
Polymerisation vs Hydrolysis: Polymerisation joins monomers into a polymer; hydrolysis breaks a polymer into monomers by the addition of water.
聚合 与 水解：聚合反应将单体连接成聚合物；水解反应通过加水将聚合物分解为单体。
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