Key Terms & Concepts for Physics

This document contains a curated list of important keywords, terms, and concepts related to Physics.

Quantum Mechanics

• Quantum computing (1)
• Qubit (2)

General Physics

• Bragg's law (3)
• Young's experiment (4)
• Young–Laplace equation (5)
• Higgs boson (6)
• Elementary particles (7)
• Quantum tunneling (8)
• Josephson effect (9)
• Leidenfrost effect (10)

1. A type of computation that harnesses the collective properties of quantum states, such as superposition, interference, and entanglement, to perform calculations.
2. The basic unit of quantum information—the quantum version of the classical binary bit physically realized with a two-state device.
3. A physical law that gives the angles for coherent scattering of waves from a crystal lattice.
4. An experiment that demonstrates the wave-like nature of light.
5. A nonlinear partial differential equation that describes the capillary pressure difference sustained across the interface between two static fluids, such as water and air, due to the phenomenon of surface tension.
6. An elementary particle in the Standard Model of particle physics.
7. A particle whose substructure is unknown, thus it is not known to be made of other particles.
8. The quantum mechanical phenomenon where a wavefunction can propagate through a potential barrier.
9. A phenomenon that occurs when two superconductors are placed in close proximity, with a thin insulating barrier between them.
10. A physical phenomenon in which a liquid, close to a solid surface that is significantly hotter than the liquid's boiling point, produces an insulating vapor layer that keeps the liquid from boiling rapidly.