PHYSICS Flashcards
How is energy transferred?
Electrically
Mechanically
Radioactively
With light
With Sound
Describe a “system”
A system is a word for a single object or a group of objects E.g., air in a piston
What is a “closed system”?
A system in which energy cannot enter or leave. The net change in a closed system is always zero. E.g., a thermos is ‘an isolated system’ - it’s not perfect because it gradually loses heat to the surroundings.
What is a force?
A force is a vector quantity: - it has velocity - and it has direction E.g., a spaceship using thrusters to accelerate (change speed) or it is nudged off course by an asteroid
What is a scalar?
Something that only has magnitude E.g, speed Quantity of apples temperature height
What is a vector?
Something that has direction and speed
What is a contact force?
When objects are actually touching each other
What is an example of a non-contact force?
Gravity
Electrostatic forces
Magnetism
What is gravity?
A force or attraction between massive objects. E.g., the moon’s gravitational pull affects the TIDES.
It is an acceleration: Earth’s gravity is 9.8 m/s/s or rounded to 10 m/s/s/. (also written as m/s^2 (metres per second squared)
What is Newton’s Second Law of Motion?
(unbalanced)
Force = mass x acceleration
[Force is measured in NEWTONS]
[Mass is measured in Kg]
[Acceleration is measured in m/s/s]
What happens when the resultant force is zero?
A system is in equilibrium (no change in speed or direction)
What is the formula for acceleration?
acceleration= change in velocity / change in time taken
What is weight measured in?
NEWTONS
What is mass measured in?
Kg
What is the formula for weight?
Weight (N) = Mass (Kg) x Gravitational Field Strength (N/Kg)