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A level - Physics > Mechanics > Flashcards

Mechanics Flashcards

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1
Q

Scalars

A

Describe only a magnitude.

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2
Q

Vectors

A

Describe magnitude and direction.

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3
Q

Example of scalars

A

Distance, speed, mass, temperature

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4
Q

Example of vectors

A

Displacement, velocity, force/weight, acceleration

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5
Q

When should scale drawings be used?

A

When vectors are at angles other than 90 degrees.

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6
Q

What must be happening for an object to be in equilibrium?

A

The sum of all forces acting on it must be zero.

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7
Q

Moment

A

Moment = Force X Perpendicular distance to line of action of force from the point

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8
Q

Couple

A

A couple is a pair of force within the same plane where the two forces are equal in magnitude but act in opposite directions.

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9
Q

Moment of a couple

A

Force X Perpendicular distance between the lines of action of forces.

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10
Q

Principle of moments

A

For an object in equilibrium, the sum of anticlockwise moments about a pivot is equal to the sum of clockwise moments.

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11
Q

Center of mass

A

The point at which an object’s mass acts.

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12
Q

Uniform

A

its centre of mass will be exactly at its center.

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13
Q

Speed

A

Scalar quantity which describes how quickly an object is travelling

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14
Q

Displacement

A

The overall distance travelled from the starting position.

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15
Q

Velocity

A

The rate of change of displacement.

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16
Q

Acceleration

A

The rate of change of velocity.

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17
Q

Instantaneous velocity

A

The velocity of an object at a specific point in time.

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18
Q

Average velocity.

A

The velocity of an object over a specified time frame.

19
Q

Uniform acceleration

A

Where the acceleration of an object is constant.

20
Q

Acceleration time graphs

A

Represent the change in velocity over time. The area under the graph is change in velocity.

21
Q

Velocity time graphs

A

Represent the change in velocity over time. Therefore the gradient of a VT graph is acceleration. Area is displacement.

22
Q

Displacement time graphs

A

Change in displacement over time, their gradient represents velocity.

23
Q

Free fall

A

Where an object experiences an acceleration of g.

24
Q

Friction

A

The force which opposes the motion of an object. They convert kinetic energy into other forms.

25
Q

Magnitude of air resistance

A

Increases as the speed of the object increases.

26
Q

Lift

A

An upwards force which acts on objects travelling in a fluid. Acts perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow.

27
Q

Terminal speed

A

Occurs where the frictional forces acting on an object and driving forces are equal. No resultant force no acceleration. Object travels at a constant speed.

28
Q

Skydiver terminal speed example

A
  • As they leave the plane, they accelerate as their weight is greater than the air resistance.
  • As the skydiver’s speed increases, the magnitude of air resistance also increases. This continues until the force of weight and air resistance become equal = terminal velocity is reached.
29
Q

Air resistance

A

Affects both the vertical and horizontal components of a projectile’s motion.

30
Q

Newton’s first law

A

An object will remain at rest or travelling at a constant velocity, until it experiences a resultant force.

31
Q

Newton’s second law

A

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the resultant force experienced by an object. F=ma

32
Q

Newton’s third law

A

For each force experienced by an object, the object exerts an equal and opposite force.

33
Q

Free body diagram

A

A diagram which shows all the forces that act upon an object.

34
Q

Momentum

A

The product of mass and velocity of an object.

35
Q

What happens to momentum in any interaction?

A

Momentum is always conserved in any interaction where no external forces act.

36
Q

Impulse

A

The change of momentum.

37
Q

Elastic collision

A

Where both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

38
Q

Inelastic collision

A

Where only momentum is conserved. While kinetic energy is converted into other forms.

39
Q

Work done

A

The force causing a motion multiplied by the distance travelled in the direction of the force.

40
Q

Power

A

The rate of energy transfer.

41
Q

Where can you find the Work done if you can’t use the formula?

A

The area under a force-displacement graph.

42
Q

Efficiency

A

The measure of how efficiently a system transfers energy. Calculated by dividing useful power output by total energy input.

43
Q

Conservation of energy

A

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can be transferred from one form to another.

A level - Physics (7 decks)

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