📚 CIE IGCSE Physics: Vocabulary & Terminology Quick Memory Guide | CIE IGCSE 物理：词汇术语速记指南
Mastering physics is not just about solving equations — it begins with a clear understanding of the language. In the CIE IGCSE Physics course (Year 11), you will encounter hundreds of precise scientific terms. Confusing ‘mass’ with ‘weight’ or ‘speed’ with ‘velocity’ can cost you marks in definitions and explanations. This guide breaks down essential terminology, offers memory techniques, and organises key terms by topic to help you learn faster and retain longer.
掌握物理不仅仅是解方程——它始于对语言的清晰理解。在 CIE IGCSE 物理课程（11 年级）中，你会遇到数百个精确的科学术语。混淆 ‘mass’ 和 ‘weight’ 或者 ‘speed’ 和 ‘velocity’ 可能导致你在定义和解释题中丢分。本指南分解基本术语，提供记忆技巧，并按主题整理关键词汇，帮助你学得更快、记得更久。
1. Why Terminology Matters | 为什么术语如此重要
In IGCSE Physics, examiners often test your ability to state definitions precisely. A term like ‘momentum’ carries a specific meaning: the product of an object’s mass and its velocity. Simply saying ‘how much motion it has’ will not earn the mark. Understanding terminology also helps you decode questions — if a problem mentions ‘resultant force’, you immediately know it links to acceleration via F = ma.
在 IGCSE 物理中，考官经常测试你准确陈述定义的能力。像 ‘momentum’ 这样的术语有特定的含义：物体的质量与其速度的乘积。简单地说 ‘它有多少运动’ 不会得分。理解术语还能帮你解读题目——如果一个问题提到 ‘resultant force’（合力），你立刻知道它通过 F = ma 与加速度相关联。
Terminology builds a mental framework. When you revise, each word acts as a retrieval cue. For example, ‘specific heat capacity’ triggers the equation ΔQ = mcΔθ and its experimental setup. The stronger your word-concept links, the faster you recall information under exam pressure.
术语构建了一个心理框架。复习时，每个词像一个检索线索。例如，’specific heat capacity’（比热容）会触发方程 ΔQ = mcΔθ 及其实验装置。你的词汇-概念联系越强，考试压力下信息回忆就越快。
2. Root-Word and Affix Decoding | 词根词缀解码法
Many physics terms are built from Latin or Greek roots. Once you learn common prefixes and suffixes, you can guess the meaning of unfamiliar words. For instance, ‘therm-‘ relates to heat (thermal, thermometer), ‘photo-‘ relates to light (photon, photoelectric), and ‘electro-‘ relates to electricity. The suffix ‘-meter’ means a measuring instrument, and ‘-ion’ often indicates a process or state (radiation, conduction).
许多物理术语由拉丁语或希腊语词根构成。一旦学会常见的前缀和后缀，你就能猜测生词的含义。例如，’therm-‘ 与热有关（thermal, thermometer），’photo-‘ 与光有关（photon, photoelectric），’electro-‘ 与电有关。后缀 ‘-meter’ 表示测量仪器，’-ion’ 常表示过程或状态（radiation, conduction）。
Break down a complex term: ‘spectrophotometer’ = ‘spectro-‘ (spectrum) + ‘photo-‘ (light) + ‘-meter’ (measuring tool). Instantly you know it’s a device that measures light across a spectrum. Use this word-building skill to tackle tricky spellings and meanings, especially for ‘electromagnetic’, ‘thermionic’, or ‘semiconductor’.
分解一个复杂术语：’spectrophotometer’ = ‘spectro-‘（光谱）+ ‘photo-‘（光）+ ‘-meter’（测量工具）。你立刻就知道它是一种测量光谱中光的设备。利用这种构词技巧来应对棘手的拼写和含义，尤其是对于 ‘electromagnetic’、’thermionic’ 或 ‘semiconductor’ 这类词。
| Prefix/Suffix | Meaning | Example |
| kilo- | thousand | kilogram (1000 g) |
| milli- | thousandth | millimetre (0.001 m) |
| micro- | millionth | microwave |
| -scope | viewing instrument | oscilloscope |
中文对照：前缀/后缀 | 含义 | 示例；kilo- 千；milli- 千分之一；micro- 百万分之一；-scope 观测仪。用这个表格快速扩大你的物理词汇量。
3. Association and Mnemonic Devices | 联想法与记忆术
Create vivid mental images to link terms with their definitions. For ‘conduction’, imagine particles vibrating and passing energy along like a chain of people passing buckets. For ‘convection’, picture a lava lamp — heated fluid rises, cools, and sinks. The sillier the image, the better it sticks. Use acronyms for sequences: to remember the electromagnetic spectrum order, ‘Raging Martians Invade Venus Using X-ray Guns’ for Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma.
创造生动的心理图像，将术语与其定义联系起来。对于 ‘conduction’（传导），想象粒子振动并像一排人传递水桶一样传递能量。对于 ‘convection’（对流），想象熔岩灯——受热流体上升，冷却，下沉。图像越荒诞，越容易记住。用首字母缩略词记序列：要记住电磁波谱顺序，’Raging Martians Invade Venus Using X-ray Guns’ 对应 Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma。
For equations, turn symbols into a story: F = ma becomes ‘Force is Mass times Acceleration — a Fat Man Accelerates.’ For ‘V = IR’, think ‘Very Important Relation’ or ‘Voltage Is current times Resistance’. Linking abstract symbols to everyday phrases reduces anxiety and speeds up recall during exams.
对于方程，把符号变成故事：F = ma 变成 ‘Force is Mass times Acceleration —— 一个胖男人加速 (Fat Man Accelerates)’。对于 ‘V = IR’，想成 ‘Very Important Relation（非常重要的关系）’ 或 ‘Voltage Is current times Resistance’。将抽象符号与日常短语联系起来可以减轻焦虑，在考试时加快回忆速度。
Word association works powerfully: ‘latent’ sounds like ‘late’ — during a change of state, temperature arrives ‘late’ because energy is hidden. ‘Specific’ can mean ‘per unit mass’, so specific heat capacity is the heat per unit mass per degree Celsius. These hooks turn definitions into easy-to-retrieve nuggets.
词语联想非常有效：’latent’ 听起来像 ‘late（迟到）’——在状态变化时，温度 ‘迟到’ 了，因为能量被隐藏。’Specific’ 可以表示 ‘每单位质量’，所以比热容是每单位质量每摄氏度的热量。这些挂钩将定义变成容易提取的块。
4. Visual Mapping: Diagrams and Concept Trees | 图表与概念树形图
Organise terms visually into topic clusters. Draw a central bubble ‘Forces’ and branch out to ‘contact’ and ‘non-contact’, then sub-branches for friction, tension, gravitational, electrostatic. Write key equations next to each term. This spatial arrangement exploits your brain’s natural mapping ability, making revision more effective than reading linear notes.
将术语视觉化地组织成主题集群。画一个中心气泡 ‘Forces（力）’，分支到 ‘contact（接触力）’ 和 ‘non-contact（非接触力）’，再细分到摩擦、张力、引力、静电力。在每个术语旁边写上关键方程。这种空间布局利用大脑的自然绘图能力，比阅读线性笔记更有效。
Use colour coding: red for energy terms (kinetic, potential, thermal), blue for wave terms (frequency, wavelength, amplitude), green for electricity (current, voltage, resistance). When you see a word in your mind, you’ll recall its colour category, which triggers the associated concepts. This technique is especially helpful for the ‘General Physics’ and ‘Waves’ sections.
使用颜色编码：红色表示能量术语（动能、势能、热能），蓝色表示波动术语（频率、波长、振幅），绿色表示电学（电流、电压、电阻）。当你在脑海中看到一个词，就会想起它的颜色类别，进而触发相关概念。这种方法对 ‘普通物理’ 和 ‘波动’ 部分特别有用。
Create flashcards with a term on one side and its definition, equation, and a simple sketch on the other. For ‘transverse wave’, draw a wave with arrows perpendicular to travel direction. The act of drawing cements the meaning far better than passive reading. Review your visual maps regularly, even redrawing them from memory.
制作抽认卡，一面写术语，另一面写定义、方程和简单示意图。对于 ‘transverse wave（横波）’，画一个波，箭头垂直于传播方向。绘制的过程远比被动阅读更能巩固含义。定期复习你的视觉导图，甚至凭记忆重新绘制。
5. Mechanics: Core Terms Demystified | 力学核心术语解密
Speed vs Velocity: Speed is a scalar quantity — how fast an object moves, e.g., 30 m/s. Velocity is a vector — speed in a given direction, e.g., 30 m/s north. If direction changes, velocity changes even if speed remains the same.
速率与速度：速率是标量——物体运动多快，如 30 m/s。速度是矢量——在给定方向上的速率，如 30 m/s 向北。如果方向改变，即使速率不变，速度也会改变。
Mass vs Weight: Mass is the amount of matter (kg, scalar) and does not change with location. Weight is the gravitational force on that mass (N, vector), calculated by W = mg. On the Moon, your mass stays constant but your weight decreases because g is smaller.
质量与重量：质量是物质的量（千克，标量），不随位置改变。重量是作用在该质量上的重力（牛顿，矢量），由 W = mg 计算。在月球上，你的质量不变，但重量减小，因为 g 较小。
Resultant Force: The single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on an object combined. Directly linked to acceleration via Newton’s second law: F = ma. If resultant force is zero, the object is in equilibrium (stationary or constant velocity).
合力：一个单独的力，其作用效果与作用在物体上的所有力合起来相同。通过牛顿第二定律直接与加速度关联：F = ma。如果合力为零，物体处于平衡状态（静止或匀速运动）。
Momentum: p = mv (kg m/s). In a closed system, total momentum before collision equals total momentum after (conservation). Impulse is change in momentum, Ft = Δp. These are heavily examined, so master the word-to-equation link.
动量：p = mv（千克米/秒）。在一个封闭系统中，碰撞前总动量等于碰撞后总动量（守恒）。冲量是动量的变化量，Ft = Δp。这些考查频繁，务必掌握词与方程的对应关系。
6. Thermal Physics: Vocabulary for Heat and Energy | 热学：热量与能量术语
Temperature vs Heat: Temperature (K or °C) measures the average kinetic energy of particles. Heat (J) is the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter object to a cooler one. An object does not ‘contain heat’; it contains internal energy.
温度与热量：温度（K 或 °C）测量粒子的平均动能。热量（J）是从较热物体到较冷物体的热能转移。物体不 ‘包含热量’；它包含内能。
Specific Heat Capacity (c): Energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C. ΔQ = mcΔθ. Water has a high c (4200 J/kg°C), so it heats up and cools down slowly — ideal for cooling systems.
比热容 (c)：将 1 千克物质温度升高 1°C 所需的能量。 ΔQ = mcΔθ。水具有高比热容 (4200 J/kg°C)，因此加热和冷却都很慢——非常适合冷却系统。
Specific Latent Heat (L): Energy required to change the state of 1 kg of substance without temperature change. Latent heat of fusion (solid ↔ liquid) and vaporisation (liquid ↔ gas). During melting, energy breaks bonds but does not increase kinetic energy, so temperature stays constant.
比潜热 (L)：在不改变温度的情况下，改变 1 千克物质状态所需的能量。熔化潜热（固态 ↔ 液态）和汽化潜热（液态 ↔ 气态）。在熔化过程中，能量破坏键但不增加动能，因此温度保持恒定。
Conduction, Convection, Radiation: Conduction is energy transfer through a solid by particle vibration (metals are good conductors due to free electrons). Convection occurs in fluids — hot, less dense fluid rises. Radiation is transfer by infrared electromagnetic waves, can travel through vacuum.
传导、对流、辐射：传导是通过固体中粒子振动的能量传递（金属因自由电子而成为良导体）。对流发生在流体中——热、密度较低的流体上升。辐射是通过红外电磁波传递，可在真空中传播。
7. Waves: Essential Terminology for Oscillations and Optics | 波学：振动与光学核心术语
Transverse vs Longitudinal: In transverse waves, oscillations are perpendicular to energy travel (e.g., light, water ripples). In longitudinal waves, oscillations are parallel to energy travel (e.g., sound). Compressions and rarefactions are regions of high and low pressure in longitudinal waves.
横波与纵波：在横波中，振动与能量传播方向垂直（如光、水波）。在纵波中，振动与能量传播方向平行（如声音）。压缩和稀疏是纵波中高压和低压的区域。
Frequency (f), Wavelength (λ), Amplitude: Frequency is the number of complete oscillations per second (Hz). Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in phase (m). Amplitude is the maximum displacement from rest position (m). Wave speed v = fλ.
频率 (f)、波长 (λ)、振幅：频率是每秒完整振动的次数（Hz）。波长是两相邻同相位点之间的距离（m）。振幅是从平衡位置的最大位移（m）。波速 v = fλ。
Refraction: Bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to change in speed. Light bends towards normal when entering a denser medium. Key term: refractive index n = sin i / sin r. Remember ‘towards normal means slowing down’.
折射：光从一种介质进入另一种介质时因速度变化而发生的弯曲。进入更密的介质时光线向法线弯曲。关键术语：折射率 n = sin i / sin r。记住 ‘向法线弯曲意味着减速’。
Diffraction: Spreading of waves around obstacles or through gaps. Most obvious when gap size is comparable to wavelength. That’s why you can hear around corners (sound waves have long wavelengths) but not see around corners (light has very short wavelengths).
衍射：波绕过障碍物或穿过缝隙时的扩散。当缝隙大小与波长相近时最明显。这就是为什么你能听到墙角的声音（声波波长长）而看不到墙角后面的东西（光波波长短）。
8. Electricity: Current, Voltage, and Resistance | 电学：电流、电压与电阻
Current (I): Rate of flow of charge. I = Q/t (A). In metals, it is a flow of electrons from negative to positive. Conventional current flows from positive to negative. Do not mix up the two in explanation questions.
电流 (I)：电荷流动的速率。 I = Q/t (A)。在金属中，它是电子从负极到正极的流动。约定电流从正极流向负极。不要在解释题中混淆这两个概念。
Voltage (V) / Potential Difference: Energy transferred per unit charge between two points. V = W/Q. Often described as the ‘push’ that drives current through a circuit. Measured in volts (J/C).
电压 (V) / 电势差：两点之间每单位电荷转移的能量。 V = W/Q。常被描述为推动电流通过电路的 ‘推力’。单位是伏特（J/C）。
Resistance (R): Opposition to current flow. R = V/I (Ω). Resistors in series add directly; in parallel, total resistance decreases. Ohm’s Law: V = IR for a conductor at constant temperature. Key term: Ohmic conductor — graph is a straight line through origin.
电阻 (R)：对电流的阻碍。R = V/I (Ω)。串联电阻直接相加；并联时总电阻减小。欧姆定律：在恒温下导体的 V = IR。关键术语：欧姆导体——图像为过原点的直线。
Electromotive Force (e.m.f.): Not a force, but the energy supplied by a source per unit charge passing through it. Measure in volts. Distinguish from terminal p.d. — terminal p.d. is less than e.m.f. when current flows due to internal resistance.
电动势 (e.m.f.)：不是力，而是电源每单位电荷通过时提供的能量。单位伏特。区分端电压——由于内阻，有电流时端电压小于电动势。
9. Magnetism and Electromagnetism: Field-Related Terms | 磁学与电磁：场相关术语
Magnetic Field: Region around a magnet where a magnetic force can be felt. Field lines run from north to south. Stronger where lines are closer. Know the pattern for a bar magnet, two like poles, and two unlike poles.
磁场：磁体周围能感觉到磁力的区域。磁力线从北极指向南极。线越密处强度越大。了解条形磁铁、两个同极、两个异极的磁场模式。
Electromagnet: A coil of wire (solenoid) with an iron core. Magnetic field strength increases with current, number of turns, and presence of a soft iron core. Soft iron is easily magnetised and demagnetised — perfect for relays, bells, lifting magnets.
电磁铁：带铁芯的线圈（螺线管）。磁场强度随电流、线圈匝数和软铁芯的存在而增加。软铁易于磁化和去磁——非常适合继电器、电铃、起重磁铁。
Electromagnetic Induction: Producing a p.d. across a conductor when it moves in a magnetic field or when a magnetic field changes around it. The induced voltage depends on speed of movement, magnetic field strength, and number of turns. This is the principle of generators.
电磁感应：当导体在磁场中运动或周围磁场变化时，导体两端产生电势差。感应电压取决于运动速度、磁场强度和线圈匝数。这是发电机的原理。
Right-hand Grip Rule & Fleming’s Left-hand Rule: For a current-carrying wire, the grip rule gives the direction of the magnetic field (thumb = current, fingers = field). Fleming’s left-hand rule is for the motor effect: thumb = Force, first finger = Field, second finger = Current (at right angles). Mnemonic: ‘FBI’ (Force, B-field, Current).
右手螺旋定则与弗莱明左手定则：对于载流导线，螺旋定则给出磁场方向（拇指 = 电流，手指 = 磁场）。弗莱明左手定则用于电动机效应：拇指 = 力，食指 = 磁场，中指 = 电流（互相垂直）。助记：’FBI’（Force, B-field, Current）。
10. Atomic Physics: Nuclear Terms and Radioactivity | 原子物理：核术语与放射性
Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons. They have identical chemical properties but different masses. For example, Carbon-12 and Carbon-14.
同位素：质子数相同但中子数不同的同一元素原子。它们化学性质相同但质量不同。例如碳-12 和碳-14。
Radioactive Decay: Random and spontaneous emission of alpha, beta, or gamma radiation from an unstable nucleus. Activity is the rate of decay, measured in becquerels (Bq). Half-life is the time taken for half the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
放射性衰变：不稳定的原子核随机且自发地发射 α、β 或 γ 辐射。活度是衰变的速率，以贝克勒尔 (Bq) 为单位。半衰期是样本中一半放射性原子核衰变所需的时间。
Alpha (α), Beta (β), Gamma (γ): Alpha is a helium nucleus (2p+2n), strongly ionising, can be stopped by paper. Beta is a fast electron, moderately ionising, stopped by a few mm of aluminium. Gamma is electromagnetic wave, weakly ionising, reduced by thick lead or concrete. Remember ‘Alpha Paper, Beta Aluminium, Gamma Lead’.
α、β、γ 射线：α 是氦核 (2p+2n)，电离能力强，可被纸阻挡。β 是高速电子，电离能力中等，被几毫米铝阻挡。γ 是电磁波，电离能力弱，用厚铅或混凝土减弱。记住 ‘Alpha 纸, Beta 铝, Gamma 铅’。
Nuclear Fission vs Fusion: Fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus (e.g., uranium-235) into two lighter nuclei, releasing energy. Fusion is the joining of light nuclei (e.g., hydrogen) to form a heavier nucleus, requiring extremely high temperature and pressure. Both release energy due to mass defect (E = mc²).
核裂变与核聚变：裂变是重核（如铀-235）分裂成两个较轻的核，释放能量。聚变是轻核（如氢）结合形成较重的核，需要极高的温度和压力。两者都因质量亏损释放能量 (E = mc²)。
11. Commonly Confused Pairs: Spot the Difference | 常见混淆术语辨析
Precision vs Accuracy: Precision refers to the consistency of repeated measurements (spread). Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true value. In experiments, you can have precise but inaccurate results if there is a systematic error. Always link these terms to the type of error: random error affects precision, systematic error affects accuracy.
精确度与准确度：精确度指重复测量的一致性（离散度）。准确度是测量值与真值的接近程度。在实验中，若存在系统误差，你可能得到精确但不准确的结果。始终将这些术语与误差类型关联：随机误差影响精确度，系统误差影响准确度。
Scalar vs Vector: Scalars have magnitude only (mass, speed, energy). Vectors have magnitude and direction (velocity, force, displacement). In calculations, vectors must be added using geometry or components. Mistaking a scalar for a vector leads to nonsense in momentum and force questions.
标量与矢量：标量只有大小（质量、速率、能量）。矢量有大小和方向（速度、力、位移）。在计算中，矢量必须用几何或分量法相加。把标量当成矢量会导致动量和力问题中的荒谬答案。
Conductor vs Insulator: Conductors (metals, graphite) allow charge/heat to pass easily due to free electrons. Insulators (plastic, rubber) have tightly bound electrons and resist transfer. In static electricity, insulators can build up and hold charge because electrons cannot flow away.
导体与绝缘体：导体（金属、石墨）因自由电子而允许电荷/热量轻易通过。绝缘体（塑料、橡胶）的电子被紧紧束缚，阻碍传递。在静电中，绝缘体能积聚并保持电荷，因为电子不能流走。
e.m.f. vs Terminal p.d.: e.m.f. is the total energy per unit charge supplied by the cell. Terminal p.d. is the voltage actually available across the terminals when current flows. The difference is due to internal resistance (lost volts). Vₜ = ε – Ir. Understand this terminology deeply for circuit analysis.
电动势与端电压：电动势是电池提供的每单位电荷总能量。端电压是电流流动时接线柱间实际可用的电压。差异来自内阻（损失电压）。Vₜ = ε – Ir。深入理解此术语对电路分析至关重要。
12. Exam-Ready Revision Strategy | 考前复习策略
Start each revision session by testing yourself on 10 terms from a topic. Write definitions without looking. Use the ‘look, cover, write, check’ method. For every term, generate a possible exam sentence: ‘Define…’, ‘Explain the difference between…’. This mirrors how you will use vocabulary on the paper.
每次复习先从自测一个主题的 10 个术语开始。不看笔记写下定义。使用 ‘看、遮、写、查’ 方法。对每个术语，生成一个可能的考题句子：’定义…’，’解释…之间的区别’。这与你将在考卷上使用词汇的方式一致。
Build a personal glossary of 50 tricky terms. Write the English term, its definition in your own words, and a Chinese translation. Add a simple diagram or equation. For example, ‘terminal velocity’ — constant speed reached when air resistance equals weight; 终速。Sketch a falling sphere with balanced arrows. Rewriting and drawing anchors the memory.
构建一个包含 50 个难词的个人词汇表。写下英文术语、用自己的话写的定义、中文翻译。添加简单示意图或方程。例如，’terminal velocity’（终速）——当空气阻力等于重力时达到的恒定速度。画一个带平衡箭头的下落球体。重写和画图能巩固记忆。
Practice past papers and highlight command words alongside scientific terms. ‘Describe’, ‘State’, ‘Calculate’ all require different depths of vocabulary usage. ‘State the principle of conservation of momentum’ expects a precise, short answer — you need the exact wording. Regular practice cements term recall in the exact phrasing examiners expect.
练习历年真题，同时突出指示词和科学术语。’描述’、’陈述’、’计算’ 都需要不同深度的词汇使用。’陈述动量守恒定律’ 期望一个精确、简短的回答——你需要确切的措辞。规律练习能巩固术语回忆，达到考官期望的精确表述。
Finally, teach a friend. Explaining a term aloud forces you to clarify your thoughts. If you can explain ‘electromagnetic induction’ clearly without notes, you truly know it. Use this guide as your daily warm-up — a solid physics vocabulary foundation will open doors to higher marks.
最后，教一个朋友。大声解释一个术语会迫使你理清思路。如果你能不看笔记把 ‘电磁感应’ 解释清楚，你就真正掌握了它。把本指南作为每日热身——扎实的物理词汇基础将为你打开更高分数的大门。
Published by TutorHao | Physics Revision Series | aleveler.com
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