Physics Definitions Flashcards
Resultant
A single vector having the same effect as two or more vectors together.
Norma force
The force or the component of a force which a surface exerts on an object in contact with it, and which is perpendicular to the surface.
Frictional force
The force that opposes the motion of an object and which acts parallel to the surface.
Static frictional force
The force that opposes the tendency of motion of a stationary object relative to a surface.
Kinetic frictional force
The force that opposes the motion of a moving object relative to a surface.
Newton’s first law of motion
A body will remain in its state of rest or motion at constant velocity unless a non-zero resultant/net force acts on it.
Inertia
The resistance of an object to any change in its state of motion.
Newton’s second law of motion
When a resultant/net force acts on an object, the object will accelerate in the direction of the force at an acceleration directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
Newton’s third law of motion
When object A exerts a force on object B, object B simultaneously exerts an oppositely directed force of equal magnitude on object A.
Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Each particle in the universe attracts every other particle with a gravitational force that is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres.
Weight
The gravitational force, in newtons, exerted by the earth on an object.
Mass
The amount of matter in a body measured in kilograms.
Weightlessness
The sensation experienced when all contact forces are removed.
Contact force
A force exerted by one object on another object that it is in contact with.
Tension
Force exerted by an object that can stretch, such as string, spring, rope or wire.
