Mechanics Flashcards
Normal Force (N)
The force or the component of a force which a surface exerts on an object with which it is in contact, and which is perpendicular to the surface.
Frictional Force (f)
The force that opposes the motion of an object and which acts parallel to the surface
Static Frictional Force (fs)
The force that opposes the tendency of motion of a stationary object relative to a surface.
Kinetic Frictional Force (fk)
The force that opposes the motion of a moving object relative to a surface.
Newtons first law of motion
A body will remain in its state of rest or motion at constant velocity unless a non-zero resultant/net force acts on it.
Newton’s second law of motion
When a net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force and the acceleration is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
Newton’s third law of motion
When object A exerts a force on object B, object B SIMULTANEOUSLY exerts an oppositely directed force of equal magnitude on object A.
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Each body in the universe attracts every other body with a force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres.
Weight
The gravitational force the Earth exerts on any object on or near its surface.
Explain weightlessness
The property where a body has no force supporting it, meaning that it is in free fall, accelerating downwards with gravitational acceleration