Chapter 12 Vocab

Question 1

Define force.

Answer 1

Force is a push or a pull that acts on an object.

Question 2

Define newton

Answer 2

Newton (N) is the SI unit for force, equal to the force that causes a 1-kilogram mass to accelerate at a rate of 1 meter per second squared (1 N = 1kg•m/s2)

Question 3

Define friction

Answer 3

Friction is a force that opposes the motion of objects that touch as they move past each other.

Question 4

Define terminal velocity

Answer 4

Terminal velocity is the constant velocity of a falling object when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity.

Question 5

Define projectile motion

Answer 5

Projectile motion is the curved path of an object in free fall after it is given an initial forward velocity.

Question 6

Define inertia

Answer 6

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist a change in its motion.

Question 7

Define mass

Answer 7

Mass is a measure of the inertia of an object, which depends on the amount of matter the object contains.

Question 8

Define weight

Answer 8

Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object.

Question 9

Define momentum

Answer 9

Momentum is the product of an object’s mass and its velocity.

Question 10

Define electromagnetic force

Answer 10

Electromagnetic force is a force associated with charged particles, which has two aspects, electric force and magnetic force.

Question 11

Define strong nuclear force

Answer 11

Strong nuclear force is the powerful attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

Question 12

Define weak nuclear force

Answer 12

Weak nuclear force is a powerful attractive force that acts over a short range and affects all particles.

Question 13

Define gravitational force

Answer 13

Gravitational force is an attractive force that acts between any two objects.

Question 14

Define centripetal force

Answer 14

Centripetal force is a force that continuously changes the direction of an object to make it move in an orbit.