Physics MidTerm Vocab Study Guide 2023 Flashcards
model
a pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object
system
a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study
hypothesis
an explanation that is based on prior scientific research or observations
controlled experiment
an experiment that tests only one factor at a time
accuracy
how close a measurement is to the correct quantity
precision
measure of exactness
significant figures
digits known to be certain
frame of reference
a system for specifying the precise location of objects in space and time
displacement
the change in position of an object
average velocity
the total displacement divided by the time interval during which the displacement occurred
instantaneous velocity
the velocity of an object at some instant or at a specific point in the object’s path
acceleration
the rate at which velocity changes over time
free fall
the motion of a body when only gravity is acting on it
scalar
a physical quantity that has magnitude but no direction
vector
a physical quantity that has magnitude and direction
resultant
a vector that represents the sum of two or more vectors
components of a vector
the projections of a vector along the axes of a coordinate system
projectile motion
the motion an object exhibits when it is thrown or launched
force
an action exerted on an object that may change the objects that may change the object’s state of rest or motion
inertia
the tendency of an object to resist change in motion
net force
the sum of forces acting on an object
equilibrium
the state in which the net force is zero
weight
the gravitational force exerted on an object
normal force
the force acting on an object in a direction perpendicular to the surface the object is on
static friction
force between two objects in contact and at rest
kinetic friction
force between two objects in contact and in morion
coefficient of friction
ratio of magnitude of the force of friction between two objects in contact to the magnitude of the normal force
