Physics Unit - Vocab Quiz Flashcards
energy transformation or conversion
When energy changes from one form to another.
force
Any push or pull that causes an object to move, stop, or change direction. All forces have both direction and magnitude (size).
components
Parts of a system that interact with each other.
interact
Touching, engaging, connecting in some way; having an effect on one another.
contact forces
Forces that occur when objects touch each other. They always come in pairs and in opposite directions.
non-contact forces
(forces that act at a distance)
Forces that occur when objects do not touch each other and act at a distance. They always come in pairs and in opposite directions. Examples: gravity, electricity, magnetism.
weight
Force of gravity on an object.
mass
Amount of matter in an object.
counteract
Forces that are applied to an object in OPPOSITE directions.
reinforce
Forces that are applied to an object in the SAME direction.
free-body diagram
The model of a single object and the forces that act on it.
horizontal force
A force that acts in a direction parallel with the horizon; side to side.
vertical force
A force that is applied in a direction that is perpendicular to the horizon; up and down.
balanced forces
Forces that are equal in strength (length) and cancel each other.
unbalanced forces
Forces that aren’t equal in strength (length) and do NOT cancel each other.
