Biomechanics Flashcards
Define biomechanics
The study of movement of living things, using the science of mechancis
Define mass
What is it measured in?
Amount of matter in an object
measured in kg
Define weight
What is it measured in?
The force a mass exerts when gravity is taken into account
Measured in newtons.
Give the 2 equations linking mass and weight
weight = mass x g newtons = kg x m/s/s
āgā = gravitational acceleration (9.81m/s/s)
Define scalars
Measures of quantity with no direction
Define vectors
Measures of quantity with direction
Name and describe 4 forces
Compressive = push things together Tensile = pull things apart Shear = 2 surfaces moving across each other Torsional = twisting
State and explain newtons first law
Law of inertia = a body continues in a state of rest or uniform velocity unless acted upon by an external force.
Movement occurs when forces are unequal and there is a resultant force
State and explain newtons second law
Give the equation for force
Law of acceleration = force needed to change the acceleration or direction is proportional to the mass of the object
force = mass x acceleration
Sate and explain newtons third law
Law of reaction = to every action there is an reaction that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
Briefly describe how muscles generate movement.
Muscles generate tensile forces to contract and shorten. This force is transmitted through tendons to bones, which move at the joints.
Muscles can only pull, not push
Briefly describe how to calculate resultant forces
Use SOHCAHTOA
Give the equation for speed
speed = distance / time
Give the equation for velocity
velocity = displacement / time
