Biomechanics Flashcards
Define force?
Forces are pushes or pulls which enable us to start or stop moving, change direction or maintain balance
Describe characteristics of forces(3)
Vector (magnitude and direction)
Point of application
Line of application
What are the 2 types of body forces?
Tensile and Compressive forces
Define Tensile forces
Pulling forces acting on the ends of an internal structure eg muscles onto tendons onto bones
Define compressive forces
Pushing force acting on the ends of an internal structure eg bones onto cartilage onto bones
Define external force
A force that acts on an object as a result of its interactions with the surrounding environment
What can be used to represent all the external forces on a body/object
A free body diagram
What are the two external forces
Contact and non contact
What are contact forces (with examples)
When objects touch each other eg friction, air or water resistance
What are non contact forces (with examples)
When forces are applied without objects touching eg gravity, electromagnetic forces
Define concurrent forces
Forces that act through the same point but not on the same line (from different directions)
Define weight
The force of gravity acting on an object
Describe centre of gravity
The point through which the reluctant force of gravity acts on a body and entire weight of body is balanced
What is Newton’s 1st Law?
A body will remain at rest or uniformed velocity unless an external unbalanced force acts upon it
What is Newton’s 2nd Law?
A body’s acceleration is directly proportional to the amount of external force applied
