Forces 1 new version Flashcards
What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?
Scalar quantities have magnitude only, whereas vector quantities have both magnitude and an associated direction.
How might we represent a vector quantity?
With an arrow.
When representing vector quantities with an arrow, what does the length of the arrow represent?
The magnitude.
When representing vector quantities with an arrow, what does the direction of the arrow represent?
The direction of the vector quantity.
List some vector quantities
-velocity
-displacement
-force
-weight
-momentum
-acceleration
List some scalar quantities
-speed
-distance
-time
-length
-mass
-power
-temperature
What is a force?
A push or pull that acts on an object due to the interaction with another object.
What are the two types of forces between objects?
Contact and non-contact
What is the difference between a contact and non-contact force?
Contact - the objects interacting are physically touching.
Non-contact - the objects interacting are physically separated.
Examples of non-contact forces (hint: there are only three!)
-gravitational force
-magnetic force
-electrostatic force
Examples of contact forces
-friction
-air resistance
-normal contact force
-tension (pulling force through a rope)
(-water resistance)
(-lift)
Is force a vector or scalar quantity?
Vector.
Give examples to describe the interaction between pairs of objects which exert a force on each other.
The force of a ground on a box and the force of a box on the ground.
The force of an object on a surface and the force of the surface on the object.
Weight
The force acting on an object due to gravity.
What does the gravitational field around the Earth cause?
The force of gravity close to the Earth.
What two things does the weight of an object depend on?
-The gravitational field strength at the point where the object is
-The mass of the object
What is the formula for weight?
W = mg
What is the unit for weight?
Newtons, N
What is the unit for mass, m?
kg
What is the unit for gravitational field strength, (g)?
N/kg
or m/s²
Centre of mass
A single point through which the weight of an object may be considered to act.
Describe the relationship between the weight and mass of an object.
Directly proportional.
How can we measure the weight of an object?
Using a calibrated spring-balance (a newtonmeter).
If the distance between two objects were to increase, what would happen to the strength of a non-contact force between them?
It would decrease.
How can we find the centre of mass of an irregular object?
By hanging a plumb line from a bung between the arms of a clamp on a clamp stand.
Draw crosses where the plumb line falls on the object.
Repeat hanging the object (we used whiteboards) from different points.
A gravitational force is always what?
Attractive
Acting between all masses
Magnetic force
-Acts between magnetic poles
-Unlike poles attract and like poles repel
Electrostatic force
-Between + and - charges
-Unlike charges attract and like charges repel
How can the interaction between pairs of objects which exert a force on each other be represented?
as vectors
What is displacement as a vector quantity?
It gives the distance travelled and in what direction, for example travelling 50 miles East.
Reaction force
Force exerted in the opposite direction to an action (original )force.
Normal contact force
The reaction force experienced by an object at rest on a surface.
This reaction force is at 90° to the surface, acting upwards in opposition to the weight of an object.
(For example, a box on a table).
Tension force
A pulling force exerted by each end of an object such as a string or rope when it is being stretched.
Friction force
A force that acts in opposition to the pushing force that is trying to change an object’s motion.
It always acts to slow a moving object down.
It converts kinetic energy into heat.
(two objects sliding past each other experience this force e.g. a box sliding down a slope).
Air resistance
A force of friction produced when an object moves through the air.
What is another name for the normal contact force?
-Reaction force
-Normal reaction force
-Normal force