Ramps Flashcards
What is energy?
The capacity to do work
Why doesn’t a wagon fall through a sidewalk?
The sidewalk pushes up on the wagon to prevent the two objects from occupying the same space at the same time
What are support forces?
Forces acting to prevent two surfaces from occupying the same space at the same time. They are exerted perpendicular to those surfaces.
What is Newton’s Third Law?
For every force that one object exerts on a second object, there is an equal but oppositely directed force from the second object.
Why does a sidewalk perfectly support a wagon?
Both wagon and sidewalk negotiate until the sidewalk perfectly support’s the wagon’s weight.
Is it possible for acceleration and velocity to be in different directions?
Yes. For example, pushing a wagon up a ramp. It is accelerating downwards, yet its velocity is upward.
What is ramp force?
The net force of two separate forces that don’t cancel. It is equal to the slope of the ramp * the weight of the wagon.
Why is it more exhausting to lift a wagon up than lowering it down?
In lifting, you are providing energy to the wagon. In lowering, the wagon is providing energy to you.
Can energy be created or destroyed?
No, it can only be transferred?
What is work? What is negative work?
Work: means of transferring energy
Negative work: taking energy / having work be done on you
What types of energy are there? List two.
Kinetic: motion
Potential: stored in forces (gravitational, elastic, nuclear)
How do you calculate work?
work = force * distance
How do you calculate gravitational potential energy?
gpe = weight * altitude
Why is it easier to pull a wagon up a ramp than to lift it?
The ramp allows you to lift the wagon using a smaller force exerted over a longer distance.
