第1章物理学とは何かWhat is Physics?原書 p.5–54

accuracy how close a measurement is to the correct value for that measurement

正確さ　測定値が、測ろうとする量の真の値にどれほど近いかを表す性質。

ampere the SI unit for electrical current

アンペア　電流のSI単位。記号はA。

atom smallest and most basic units of matter

原子　元素の性質を担う、物質の基本的な構成単位。

base quantity physical quantity chosen by convention and practical considerations such that all other physical quantities can be expressed as algebraic combinations of them

基本量　ほかの物理量をその組み合わせで表せるよう、約束によって選ばれた物理量。

base unit standard for expressing the measurement of a base quantity within a particular system of units; defined by a particular procedure used to measure the corresponding base quantity

基本単位　単位系で基本量を表すために定めた単位。

classical physics physics, as it developed from the Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century

古典物理学　ルネサンス期から19世紀末までに発展した物理学。古典力学や電磁気学などを含む。

constant a quantity that does not change

定数　値が変化しない量。

conversion factor a ratio expressing how many of one unit are equal to another unit

換算係数　同じ量を異なる単位で表した値の比。単位の換算に使う。

dependent variable the vertical, or y-axis, variable, which changes with (or is dependent on) the value of the independent variable

従属変数　独立変数の値に応じて変化する変数。通常、グラフの縦軸にとる。

derived quantity physical quantity defined using algebraic combinations of base quantities

組立量　基本量の代数的な組み合わせで定義される物理量。

derived units units that are derived by combining the fundamental physical units

組立単位　基本単位を組み合わせて作られる単位。

experiment process involved with testing a hypothesis

実験　条件を設定し、観察や測定によって仮説を検証する過程。

exponential relationship relation between variables in which a constant change in the independent variable is accompanied by change in the dependent variable that is proportional to the value it already had

指数関係　独立変数が一定量増すごとに、従属変数が一定の比で変化する関係。

fundamental physical units the seven fundamental physical units in the SI system of units are length, mass, time, electric current, temperature, amount of a substance, and luminous intensity

SIの基本量と基本単位　基本量は、長さ・質量・時間・電流・熱力学温度・物質量・光度の7つ。それぞれの基本単位は、メートル・キログラム・秒・アンペア・ケルビン・モル・カンデラである。

hypothesis testable statement that describes how something in the natural world works

仮説　自然現象の仕組みについての、検証可能な説明。

independent variable the horizontal, or x-axis, variable, which is not influence by the second variable on the graph, the dependent variable

独立変数　関係を調べる際に値を選ぶ変数。通常、グラフの横軸にとる。

inverse proportionality a relation between two variables expressible by an equation of the form where k stays constant when x and ychange; the special form of inverse relationship that satisfies this equation

反比例　2つの変数の積が一定となる関係。式では y = k/x と表される（k は定数）。

inverse relationship any relation between variables where one variable decreases as the other variable increases

逆の変化をする関係　一方の変数が増すと他方が減る関係。必ずしも反比例とは限らない。

kilogram the SI unit for mass, abbreviated (kg)

キログラム　質量のSI単位。記号はkg。

linear relationships relation between variables that produce a straight line when graphed

一次関係　グラフが直線になる変数間の関係。

log-log plot a plot that uses a logarithmic scale in both axes

両対数グラフ　横軸と縦軸の両方を対数目盛りにしたグラフ。

logarithmic scale a graphing scale in which each major tick on an axis is the previous tick multiplied by some value; minor ticks are often included at intermediate values which are logarithmically spaced

対数目盛り　一定の距離ごとに値が一定の比で増す目盛り。補助目盛りも対数に応じた位置に置かれる。

meter the SI unit for length, abbreviated (m)

メートル　長さのSI単位。記号はm。

method of adding percents calculating the percent uncertainty of a quantity in multiplication or division by adding the percent uncertainties in the quantities being added or divided

相対不確かさの加算　積や商の相対不確かさを、各量の相対不確かさの和で概算する方法。

model system that is analogous to the real system of interest in essential ways but more easily analyzed

モデル　調べたい対象の重要な性質を保ち、解析しやすくした表現や仕組み。

modern physics physics as developed from the twentieth century to the present, involving the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics

現代物理学　20世紀以降に発展した物理学。相対性理論や量子力学を含む。

observation step where a scientist observes a pattern or trend within the natural world

観察　自然現象を調べ、規則性や傾向を捉えること。

order of magnitude the size of a quantity in terms of its power of 10 when expressed in scientific notation

桁の大きさ　量の大きさを、主に10の何乗かで捉えたもの。

physics science aimed at describing the fundamental aspects of our universe—energy, matter, space, motion, and time

物理学　エネルギー・物質・空間・運動・時間など、自然界の基本的な性質と法則を研究する科学。

precision how well repeated measurements generate the same or closely similar results

精密さ　繰り返し測定した値どうしが、どれほどよく一致するかを表す性質。

principle description of nature that is true in many, but not all situations

原理　多くの状況で成り立つ、自然の振る舞いについての基本的な記述。

quadratic relationship relation between variables that can be expressed in the form , which produces a curved line when graphed

二次関係　変数間の関係を二次式で表せること。そのグラフは放物線になる。

quantum mechanics major theory of modern physics which describes the properties and nature of atoms and their subatomic particles

量子力学　原子やそれを構成する粒子などの性質を記述する、現代物理学の基本理論。

science the study or knowledge of how the physical world operates, based on objective evidence determined through observation and experimentation

科学　観察と実験による客観的な証拠に基づき、自然界の仕組みを研究する営み、またはその知識体系。

scientific law pattern in nature that is true in all circumstances studied thus far

科学法則　これまでに調べられた条件のもとで繰り返し確認された、自然現象の規則性。

scientific methods techniques and processes used in the constructing and testing of scientific hypotheses, laws, and theories, and in deciding issues on the basis of experiment and observation

科学的方法　仮説・法則・理論を組み立て、観察や実験に照らして検証するための方法。

scientific notation way of writing numbers that are too large or small to be conveniently written in simple decimal form; the measurement is multiplied by a power of 10, which indicates the number of placeholder zeros in the measurement

科学的記数法　大きな数や小さな数を、係数と10の整数乗の積で表す方法。

second the SI unit for time, abbreviated (s)

秒　時間のSI単位。記号はs。

semi-log plot A plot that uses a logarithmic scale on one axis of the graph and a linear scale on the other axis.

片対数グラフ　一方の軸を対数目盛り、他方を通常の等間隔の目盛りにしたグラフ。

significant figures when writing a number, the digits, or number of digits, that express the precision of a measuring tool used to measure the number

有効数字　測定の精度を反映し、測定値の中で意味を持つ桁。

slope the ratio of the change of a graph on the y axis to the change along the x-axis, the value of m in the equation of a line,

傾き　横軸の変化量に対する縦軸の変化量の比。直線 y = mx + b の m にあたる。

theory explanation of patterns in nature that is supported by much scientific evidence and verified multiple times by various groups of researchers

理論　多くの証拠に支えられ、異なる研究者によって繰り返し検証された、自然現象の説明体系。