Newtons Laws of Motion

Question 1

Force

Answer 1

A push or pull acting on an object that can cause it to change its velocity (speed or direction), shape, or position. Measured in newtons (N).

Question 2

Contact Force

Answer 2

A force that occurs when two objects are physically touching. Examples include friction, tension, and normal force.

Question 3

Non-contact Force

Answer 3

A force exerted without physical contact between objects, such as gravitational, magnetic, and electrostatic forces.

Question 4

Balanced Force

Answer 4

Forces acting on an object that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in the object’s motion.

Question 5

Unbalanced Force

Answer 5

Forces acting on an object that are not equal, causing a change in the object’s motion, speed, or direction.

Question 6

Equilibrium

Answer 6

A state in which the net force acting on an object is zero, resulting in no acceleration. Objects in equilibrium may be at rest or moving at constant velocity.

Question 7

SI unit for force

Answer 7

Newton (N)

Question 8

SI unit for mass

Answer 8

Kilogram (kg)

Question 9

SI unit for weight

Answer 9

Newton (N), since weight is the force due to gravity acting on an object’s mass.

Question 10

Newtons First law and example

Answer 10

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion at constant velocity, unless acted upon by an external force. Example: A book on a table remains stationary unless pushed.

Question 11

Newtons Second law and example

Answer 11

The acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting upon it and its mass, described by the equation
𝐹 =𝑚𝑎
. Example: Pushing a shopping cart—more force is needed to accelerate a heavier cart.

Question 12

Newtons Third law and example

Answer 12

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Example: When you jump off a boat, the boat moves backward.

Question 13

Define Work

Answer 13

Work is a measure of the energy expended by a force in moving an object a certain distance in the direction of that force measured in joules (J)

Question 14

Define kinetic Energy

Answer 14

The energy an object possesses due to its motion. Calculated as KE = 1/2 x mv^2 where m is mass and v is velocity

Question 15

Define gravitational potential energy

Answer 15

The energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field, typically relative to the Earth. Calculated as PE = mgh where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration and h is height

Question 16

Define momentum

Answer 16

The product of an object’s mass and velocity, representing the quantity of motion an object has. Calculated as p = mv where m is mass and v is velocity