BVP CET key terms

An expression showing how a physical quantity is built from the base dimensions mass, length, time, current, temperature, amount of substance and luminous intensity. It is used to check equation consistency and convert units.

Motion of an object launched into the air that moves only under gravity after release, following a parabolic path when air resistance is ignored. Horizontal and vertical motions are analysed separately.

The velocity of one body measured from the frame of another moving body, found by vector subtraction of the two velocities. It explains river-boat and rain-man problems.

A dimensionless ratio between the limiting or kinetic friction force and the normal reaction pressing two surfaces together. Its value depends on the pair of surfaces in contact.

Statement that the net work done by all forces on a body equals the change in its kinetic energy. It links force, displacement and speed without needing time.

Principle that total angular momentum of an isolated system stays constant when no external torque acts. It explains why a spinning skater speeds up when pulling the arms inward.

A measure of a body's resistance to change in rotational motion, equal to the sum of mass times squared distance from the axis. It depends on mass distribution and chosen axis.

The ratio of longitudinal stress to longitudinal strain within the elastic limit of a solid. It measures stiffness: a larger value means the material stretches less under the same load.

The apparent change in frequency of a wave when source and observer move relative to each other. Approaching motion raises pitch; receding motion lowers it.

The condition where a sound wave reflected inside an open or closed pipe forms a standing wave matching a natural frequency. Closed pipes support only odd harmonics; open pipes support all harmonics.

Two rules for electrical circuits: the junction rule states that currents entering a node equal those leaving, and the loop rule states that potential drops around a closed loop sum to zero.

The number of magnetic field lines crossing a surface, calculated as field strength times area times the cosine of the angle between field and surface normal. Its unit is the weber.

Emission of electrons from a metal surface when light above a threshold frequency strikes it. It shows light carries energy in discrete quanta and that electron energy depends on frequency, not intensity.

The time in which half the nuclei of a radioactive sample decay. After n half-lives the remaining fraction is one over two raised to n.

The idea that one mole contains Avogadro's number of particles, approximately 6.022 times ten to the twenty-three. It converts between mass, particle count and gas volume at standard conditions.

Concentration expressed as moles of solute dissolved per litre of solution. It changes with temperature because solution volume expands or contracts.

Concentration expressed as gram-equivalents of solute per litre of solution. It depends on the reaction context because equivalent weight varies with the number of electrons or protons exchanged.

The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. It can be found from percentage composition and may differ from the molecular formula.

Rule predicting that a system at equilibrium shifts to oppose any change imposed on it, such as altered concentration, pressure or temperature. It guides industrial yield optimisation.

A number obtained from the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations, each raised to its stoichiometric coefficient, at equilibrium. Its value varies only with temperature.

A solution that resists large pH change when small amounts of acid or base are added, usually made from a weak acid with its conjugate base. It works best near the acid's pKa.

The mixing of atomic orbitals of similar energy to form new equivalent orbitals that give observed molecular shapes. Common types are sp, sp2 and sp3, predicting linear, trigonal planar and tetrahedral geometry.

One of several equivalent Lewis representations of a molecule in which electrons are delocalised. The real structure is a hybrid, more stable than any single contributing form.

Guideline stating that when a hydrogen halide adds to an unsymmetrical alkene, the hydrogen attaches to the carbon already holding more hydrogens. It follows from carbocation stability.

The systematic set of rules for naming organic and inorganic compounds so that each structure has one unambiguous name. It selects the longest chain, principal functional group and lowest locants.

The value a function approaches as its input approaches a given point, whether or not the function is defined there. Limits underlie continuity and differentiation.

A property of a function whose value at a point equals the limit there and whose graph has no break, jump or hole. Differentiability requires continuity but continuity does not require differentiability.

The instantaneous rate at which a function changes with respect to its variable, equal to the limit of the difference quotient. Geometrically it gives the slope of the tangent.

The limit of a sum of areas of thin rectangles under a curve between two limits, interpreted as signed area. It is evaluated using the fundamental theorem of calculus.

An equation containing derivatives of an unknown function. Its order is the highest derivative present and its solution is a family of functions satisfying the relation.

Counting methods: permutations count arrangements where order matters, while combinations count selections where order does not. Formulas use factorials and the binomial coefficient.

A formula expanding a binomial power as a sum of terms involving binomial coefficients. It gives any chosen term and is used for approximations and identities.

A number between zero and one measuring how likely an outcome is, equal to favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. Conditional probability updates it given extra information.

A curve obtained by intersecting a cone with a plane: circle, parabola, ellipse or hyperbola. Each has a standard equation with eccentricity defining its shape.

A scalar obtained by multiplying magnitudes of two vectors and the cosine of the angle between them. It is zero for perpendicular vectors and gives projection and work.

The movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration. It generates osmotic pressure and drives water uptake in roots.

Shrinkage of the protoplast away from the cell wall when a plant cell loses water in a hypertonic solution. It demonstrates the semipermeable nature of the plasma membrane.

The upward force created as water evaporates from leaf surfaces, drawing a continuous water column through xylem. Cohesion and adhesion keep the column unbroken.

The tendency of genes on the same chromosome to be inherited together, with recombination occurring through crossing over between them. Recombination frequency estimates their distance.

The characteristic proportion of phenotypes in offspring predicted by Mendel's laws, such as 3:1 in a monohybrid cross and 9:3:3:1 in a dihybrid cross. It assumes independent assortment and dominance.

The condition in which allele and genotype frequencies in a population stay constant across generations when no evolution acts. Deviations indicate selection, drift, mutation or migration.