Physics Dictionary: Terms A–Z

Physics Dictionary is an offline physics glossary of 705 physics terms from A to Z, each explained in clear, plain English.
Look up the meaning of any term, from aberration to the zeroth law of thermodynamics, with its symbol, SI unit and key formula.

Every entry gives a short definition written for students, and every entry ends with "See also" links to related terms, so one definition leads naturally to the next. 300 entries include a typeset formula and 259 show the symbol and SI unit of the quantity.

What you will find

• A–Z Dictionary: 23 letter pages, each with a filter box, so you can find any physics term in seconds
• Browse by Topic: the physics terms of each field gathered on one page: Mechanics (169 terms); Oscillations, Waves and Sound (64); Heat and Thermodynamics (93); Electricity and Magnetism (174); Light and Optics (110); Modern Physics (147); and Measurement and Math Tools (49)
• 14 key drawings on the topic pages: uniform circular motion, a free-body diagram on an incline, a transverse wave, a standing wave, isothermal and adiabatic curves, a heat engine, series and parallel circuits, the magnetic field of a wire, a lens ray diagram, total internal reflection, hydrogen energy levels, the electromagnetic spectrum, accuracy and precision, and vector addition
• SI Units and Constants: the 7 SI base units and their defining constants, the 22 derived units with special names, 24 physical constants with CODATA 2022 values from NIST, and 16 common non-SI units
• SI Prefixes and Greek Letters: all 24 prefixes from quecto to quetta, and the Greek alphabet with the quantities each letter usually stands for

Examples of terms in the dictionary
• Mechanics: acceleration, centripetal force, moment of inertia, torque, Bernoulli's principle, escape speed
• Waves and heat: amplitude, Doppler effect, resonance, entropy, specific heat capacity, latent heat
• Electricity and magnetism: capacitance, electromotive force, impedance, magnetic flux, Lenz's law
• Light and modern physics: index of refraction, focal length, photoelectric effect, half-life, quantum number

Features
• 705 physics definitions in plain language, with every symbol explained
• Symbols, SI units and formulas typeset to stay sharp on any screen
• Sign conventions noted where textbooks differ
• Search the whole dictionary from the home screen, plus a filter on every letter page
• Dark mode
• Works offline, no account needed
• Available in 8 languages: English, Español, Português, Français, Deutsch, العربية, हिन्दी and Bahasa Indonesia. In every language, terms can be found by their English or translated name, which also makes the app a handy English physics vocabulary list

Who it is for
• High school students who meet a new physics term in class or in a textbook
• College and university students in introductory physics
• Students reading physics in a second language who need the English term next to their own
• Teachers and tutors who want a reliable physics glossary to point students to
• Useful when revising for school physics, AP, A-level or IB exams and introductory university physics

Physics Dictionary is an independent study aid. Definitions, units and constants are checked against the OpenStax University Physics textbooks, the NIST CODATA 2022 values and the SI Brochure. It is not affiliated with any exam board, textbook publisher or standards body.