5.1 Forces and interactions Flashcards
What is a scalar quantity?
A quantity that only has magnitude
A quantity that isn’t direction dependent
What is a vector quantity?
A quantity that has both a magnitude and an associated direction
How can a vector quantity be drawn and what does it show?
As an arrow
The length of the arrow represents magnitude
The arrow points in the associated direction
What is a force?
A push or pull acting on an object due to an interaction with another object
What are the two categories that all forces can be split into?
● Contact forces (objects touching)
● Non-contact forces (objects separated)
Give three examples of contact forces
● Friction
● Air resistance
● Tension
Give three examples of non-contact forces
● Gravitational forces
● Electrostatic forces
● Magnetic forces
Is force a vector or scalar quantity?
Vector, it has both a magnitude and an associated direction
Give three examples of vector quantities
● Velocity
● Displacement
● Force
Give three examples of scalar quantities
● Temperature
● Mass
● Speed
(distance, energy)
What is weight?
The force that acts on an object due to gravity and the object’s mass
What quantities does weight depend on?
Weight = mass x gravitational field strength
The object’s mass and gravitational field strength at the given position in the field.
What is the unit used for weight?
Newtons (N)
What is the unit used for gravitational field strength?
N/kg
What is meant by an object’s center of mass?
The single point where an object’s weight appears to act
