physics chapter 2 Flashcards
What is the Cartesian coordinate system?
The Cartesian coordinate system uses perpendicular axes to define points in 2D (x, y) or 3D (x, y, z) space, where each axis represents a dimension.
How do you add vectors using the head-to-tail rule?
Place the tail of the second vector at the head of the first vector. The resultant is a vector from the tail of the first vector to the head of the second.
Define a resultant vector.
A resultant vector is a single vector that represents the combined effect of two or more vectors
How do you resolve a vector into rectangular components?
Split the vector into two perpendicular components using the formulas:
Horizontal component: A x =Acosθ
Vertical component: A y=Asinθ
What is a unit vector?
A vector with a magnitude of 1, is used to indicate direction.
What is the scalar product (dot product) of two vectors?
The scalar product of two vectors is given by A⋅B=ABcosθ, resulting in a scalar quantity.
state a property of the scalar product.
A: The scalar product is commutative, meaning A⋅B=B⋅A.
What is the vector product (cross product) of two vectors?
The vector product of two vectors is given by A×B=ABsinθn resulting in a vector perpendicular to both A
and B.
State a property of the vector product.
The vector product is anti-commutative, meaning A×B=−(B×A).
What is equilibrium?
A: Equilibrium occurs when an object experiences no net force or torque, either remaining at rest (static) or moving at constant velocity (dynamic).
How is torque related to vector products?
A: Torque is the vector product of the position vector (r) and force (F), given by τ=r×F.
What is the second condition of equilibrium?
A: The sum of all torques acting on a body must be zero:
Στ=0.
What is the first condition of equilibrium?
A: The sum of all forces acting on a body must be zero:
ΣF=0.
Why do you spread your legs on a bumpy bus to maintain balance?
A: Spreading your legs increases your base of support and lowers your center of gravity, helping you maintain equilibrium and prevent falling.
What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?
A: A scalar quantity has only magnitude (e.g., mass, temperature), while a vector quantity has both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).