Term | Definition |
Force | A push, pull, or change of shape |
Air resistance | The friction of air molecules hitting a moving object |
Friction | The force of two objects touching |
Contact forces | A force where there needs to be contact for it to have an effect |
Gram | Unit for measuring mass (g) |
Kilogram | 1000 grams (kg) |
Gravity | The force of attraction between two masses |
Magnetism | The force of attraction due to magnetic fields |
Mass | The amount of matter an object contains |
Weight | The force of gravity on an object |
Newton | The unit of force (N) |
Non-contact force | A force that can act on something from a distance |
Static electricity | A force due to electric fields |
Upthrust | A force that pushes things up in liquids and gases |
Water resistance | The friction of water molecules hitting a moving object |
Drag | See air and water resistance |
Compress | To squash or make smaller |
Elastic | A material that can change back to its original shape when a force is removed |
Elastic limit | The point beyond which a substance is no longer elastic |
Extension | The distance to which a material has been stretched |
Force meter | Instrument to measure force |
Hooke’s Law | The extension of a spring is proportional to the force applied |
Limit of proportionality | Elastic limit |
Plastic | A material that can change shape but does not return to its original shape |
Stretch | To make something longer |
Lubricant | A substance to reduce friction |
Pascal | The unit for pressure (Pa). 1 Pa = 1N/m2 |
Pressure | The amount of force pushing on a certain area |
SI unit | Standard International Unit |
Balanced forces | When two forces are equal and opposite |
Stationary | Not moving |
Unbalanced forces | Forces that are either not equal and/or not opposite |