L2: Forces - Terms & Definitions

Question 1

Acceleration

Answer 1

Change in Velocity

Question 2

Coefficient of Friction

Answer 2

The coefficient of friction is a dimensionless value that represents the ratio of the force of friction between two objects to the normal force pressing them together.

Question 3

Contact Force

Answer 3

The force between objects that are physically touching.

Fluid Contact Forces = Air & water

Question 4

Deformation

Answer 4

Change in Shape due to an applied force

Question 5

Dynamic Friction

Answer 5

Resistance to motion between two objects, that are moving relative to each other

Question 6

Dynamography

Answer 6

Measuring and Recording of Forces and Pressure exerted by muscles

Question 7

External Force

Answer 7

A force applied to an object outside a system

Question 8

Force

Answer 8

A push or pull that creates a change

Question 9

Force Platform

Answer 9

A force platform is a measurement device used to quantify ground reaction forces generated by a body standing or moving on it, often used in biomechanics and gait analysis.

Question 10

Free-Body Diagram

Answer 10

A free-body diagram is a simplified illustration used in physics to show all the forces acting on an isolated object or system, representing their directions and magnitudes.

Question 11

Friction

Answer 11

A resistive force that opposes motion

Question 12

Gravitational Acceleration

Answer 12

Gravitational acceleration is the rate at which an object accelerates toward the Earth due to the force of gravity, typically measured as 9.8 m/s² near the Earth’s surface.

Question 13

Gravity

Answer 13

Gravity is the natural force of attraction that pulls objects with mass toward each other, most notably causing objects to fall toward the Earth.

Question 14

Ground Reaction Force

Answer 14

Ground reaction force is the force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it, equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force the body applies to the ground.

Question 15

Impulse

Answer 15

Impulse is the product of force and the time interval over which it is applied, resulting in a change in an object’s momentum.

Question 16

Internal Force

Answer 16

Impulse is the product of force and the time interval over which it is applied, resulting in a change in an object’s momentum.

Question 17

Load Cell

Answer 17

A load cell is a transducer that converts a force into an electrical signal, commonly used to measure weight or load.

Question 18

Mass

Answer 18

Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms or grams, and is independent of gravity.

Question 19

Noncontact Force

Answer 19

Noncontact force is a force that acts on an object without physical contact, such as gravitational, magnetic, or electrostatic forces.

Question 20

Reaction (Normal) Force

Answer 20

Reaction (normal) force is the perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it, balancing the object’s weight and preventing it from passing through the surface.

Question 21

Static Friction

Answer 21

Static friction is the force that resists the initiation of motion between two objects in contact that are at rest relative to each other.

Question 22

Strain Gauge

Answer 22

A strain gauge is a sensor that measures the amount of strain or deformation in an object by detecting changes in electrical resistance when the object is stretched or compressed.

Question 23

Vector

Answer 23

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction, typically used to represent physical quantities like velocity, force, or displacement.

Question 24

Weight

Answer 24

Weight is the force exerted on an object due to gravity, calculated as the product of its mass and the gravitational acceleration.