Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Science > Mechanics > Flashcards

Mechanics Flashcards

1
Q

What is a scalar?

A

A physical quantity which has magnitude only

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Simple examples of scalar quantities are…

A

Length
Mass
Time
Temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a vector?

A

A physical quantity which has both magnitude and direction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Resultant?

A

Single vector which has the same effect as all the component vectors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Maximum resultant?

A

•When two vectors act in the same direction
•Angle between them is 0
—Resultant is the sum of the magnitudes of the two vectors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Minimum resultant

A
  • When two vectors act in opposite direction
  • Angle between them is 180
  • Resultant is therefore the difference of the magnitudes of the vectors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How is position measured?

A

Relative to a reference point

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Is position a vector or a scalar and why?

A

It is a vector since it has magnitude and direction in relation to the reference point

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the si unit for position

A

Metre (m)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is distance?

A

The length of the path taken

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Distance;scalar or vector?

A

Scalar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Displacement?

A

A body’s change of position

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why is displacement a vector?

A

•One must know the distance from the reference point and the new position as well as the direction in which the body has moved

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Speed?

A

Rate of change of distance moved

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Speed;vector or scalar?

A

A scalar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is instantaneous speed?

A

The speed at a particular moment

17
Q

Velocity?

A

The rate of change of position

18
Q

Is velocity a vector or scalar

A

Vector

19
Q

Instantaneous velocity?

A

Velocity at a particular moment

•Magnitude is equal to instantaneous speed but this also contains the object is moving at that instant

20
Q

Acceleration?

A

Rate of change of velocity

21
Q

Acceleration;vector or scalar?

A

Vector

22
Q

What does the gradient of a position vs time graph tell uss?

A

The velocity

23
Q

Why should the graph be a straight line for the position vs time?

A

Because the velocity is constant and gradient must be constant

24
Q

What gives the gradient at a particular point on a increasing velocity position vs time graph

A

The gradient of a tangent drawn

25
Q

What does the gradient of a tangent drawn give?

A

The instantaneous velocity at that point

26
Q

What does the gradient of a velocity vs time graph give?

A

The acceleration of a moving object

27
Q

What does the area under the velocity vs time graph give?

A

Displacement

28
Q

What are equations of motion for?

A

Bodies moving at a constant acceleration and in a straight line

29
Q

What is delta x

A

Displacement

Science (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions