Mechanics Flashcards
Scalar
A physical quantity that has magnitude (size) but no direction
Examples of scalars
Time, Mass, Length, Area, Volume, Energy, Charge, Pressure and Temperature
Vector
A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
Examples of vectors
Force, Velocity and Electric Field
Resultant
A single vector that indicates the magnitude and direction of the combined effect of two or more vectors
Cartesian Plane
A flat plane with the x-axis and y-axis as perpendicular reference lines
Resolve
To break up a vector into two perpendicular components
Contact Force
A force exerted by one object on another object that is in contact with it
Tension
Force exerted by an object that can stretch, such as a string, spring, rope or wire
Normal Force
Contact Force exerted by a surface on an object perpendicular to the surface
Force of Gravity
Weight
Friction Force
Contact force exerted by a surface on an object parallel to the surface
and opposite to the direction of motion or attempted motion
Static Friction Force
Friction force exerted on an object when it does not move
Kinetic Friction Force
Friction force exerted on an object when it moves along the surface
Non-Contact Force
Forces exerted by objects that do not touch each other
