Forces and their interactions (5.1) (M) Flashcards
Define a scalar quantity
a quantity that magnitude (size) only
Define a vector quantity
a quantity that has magnitude (size) and an associated direction
How may a vector quantity be represented
A vector quantity may be represented by an arrow.
The length of the arrow represents the magnitude, and the direction of the arrow the direction of the vector quantity
note: the size/length of an arrow will represent the force e.g. 100N = 10cm, 250N = 25cm i.e. must be scale-drawings
Define 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 forces
What is a contact force?
when the objects are physically touching
What is a non-contact force?
when the objects are physically separated
4 needed
What are examples of contact forces?
- friction
- air resistance
- tension
- normal contact force (i.e. object lying on surface)
3 needed
What are examples of non-contact forces?
- gravitational force
- electrostatic force
- magnetic force
anything with a field is a non-contact force
Force is a (…) quantity
vector
How would you describe the forces in an object sliding down a slope?
Two objects sliding past each other experience friction forces.
What is weight?
the force acting on an object due to gravity
What is the force of gravity close to the Earth is due to?
the gravitational field around the Earth
What does the weight of an object depend on?
the gravitational field strength at the point where the object is
and mass of object
The weight of an object may be considered to act at a single point. What is this referred to as?
the centre of mass
What is the centre of mass?
the single point at 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 is weight measured?
using a calibrated spring-balance (a newtonmeter)
What is the resultant force?
A single force that has the same effect as all the original forces combined (acting together)
- A number of forces acting on an object may be replaced by a single force*
- e.g. 100N to the right and 60N to the left, may be replaced by a resultant force of 40N to the right*
A force (thrust) is acting 100N to the right of the car, making it move, air resistance is creating a force of 20N to the left and friction a force of 10N to the left. Describe what happens?
A resultant force of 70N acts to the right, making the car accelerate
4 marks
How do you describe it when opposite forces are equal?
The forces are balanced. It is in equilibrium. The resultant force is 0. The object will not move.
Describe resolution of forces (resolving forces)
A single force that can be resolved into two components acting at right angles to each other.
In resolution of forces (ie. resolving forces), the two component forces together have the (…) effect as the single force
same
Draw a vector diagram to illustrate a resolution of forces (resolving force) from a single force of 5N at 37oC
only can know length of horizontal/vertical component once drawn and measured with ruler