Forces and their interactions Flashcards
What is a scalar quantity?
A quantity that only has a magnitude.
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 the 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 2 categories that all forcers can be split into?
- Contact forces (objects touching).
- Non-contact forces (objects separated).
Give 3 examples of contact forces
- Friction.
- Air resistance.
- Tension.
Give 3 examples of non-contact forces
- Gravitational forces.
- Electrostatic forces.
- Magnetic forces.
Is force a vector or a scalar quantity?
- Vector.
- It has a both magnitude and associated direction.
Give 3 examples of vector quantities
- Velocity.
- Displacement.
- Force.
Give examples of scalar quantities
- Temperature.
- Time.
- 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.
- The gravitational field strength at the given position in the field.
What is the unit used for weight?
Newton (N).
What is the unit for gravitational field strength?
N/kg
What is meant by an object’s centre of mass?
The single point where an object’s weight can be considered to act through.
What piece of equipment can be used to measure an object’s weight?
A calibrated spring-balance or newtonmeter.
What is the name given to the single force that is equivalent to all other forces acting on a given object?
The resultant force.
