click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Forces and Motion
Force and Motion Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
force | a push or pull on an object |
balanced force | equal forces cancel each other out; no motion |
unbalanced force | unequal forces do not cancel each other out; object moves |
acceleration | the rate of change in velocity |
speed | the rate of distance over time |
velocity | an object's distance over time in a given direction |
net force | the sum of forces acting on an object |
mass | the amount of matter in an object |
weight | the measure of the force of gravity on an object |
x-axis | axis on a graph where time is plotted |
y-axis | axis on a graph where distance or speed is plotted |
gravity | force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth |
motion | the change in an object's position |
reference point | stationary object by which motion can be judged |
position | an object's location |
momentum | the amount of motion taking place; mass x velocity |
Newton's 1st Law | Objects have a tendency to remain in their current position. |
Newton's 2nd Law | The force required to move an object is dependent upon the mass and acceleration |
Newton's 3rd Law | For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction |
friction | a force of resistance between two objects in contact with each other. |
static friction | friction of an object that is not moving; the hardest type of friction to overcome |
sliding friction | friction between two objects sliding past each other; moving furniture |
Newton | unit of force |
Joule | unit of work |
Watt | unit of power |
compound machine | a machine made of 2 or more simple machines |
simple machine | a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force |
work | the transfer of energy with a force that causes an object to move a certain distance |
power | the rate of the amount of work done over a period of time |
mechanical advantage | the factor by which a machine multiplies force |
input force | the amount of force put into a task |
output force | the amount of force that is actually applied to a task |
wedge | Made of two inclined planes put together; used to split, separate, or go under |
inclined plane | A straight slanted surface which reduces the effort by increasing the distance |
pulley | Uses grooved wheels and a rope, belt or chain |
lever | A stiff rod that rotates around a pivot point; Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 |
screw | An inclined plane that wraps around a shaft |
wheel and axle | simple machine consisting of a wheel and a cylindrical shaft that goes through it. |