Section 1 Physics Scientific Inquiry, Motion, Force

Question 1

every action has an equal and opposite reaction; if one object exerts force on another object, the second object will exert an equal amount of force on the first object

Answer 1

Newton’s 3rd law

Question 2

an object in motion stays in motion; an object at rest stays at rest; often called the law of inertia; objects resist change

Answer 2

Newton’s 1st law

Question 3

when a net force acts on an object, the object accelerates in the direction of the net force; the bigger the force the bigger the acceleration (directly proportional) ; the bigger the mass the lower the acceleration given the same force (inversely proportional)

Answer 3

Newton’s 2nd law

Question 4

an experiment in which a scientist intentionally changes one quantity and observes how another quantity changes

Answer 4

controlled experiment

Question 5

experiments in which systems are observed as they appear in nature, and researchers do NOT attempt to change them

Answer 5

observational studies

Question 6

observational studies done outside a laboratory setting

Answer 6

field study

Question 7

experiments that take place in a highly controlled, artificial setting

Answer 7

laboratory study

Question 8

the variable that is changed by the experimenter in an experiment (the thing you change on purpose)

Answer 8

independent variable

Question 9

the variable that changes BECAUSE of the independent variable

Answer 9

dependent variable

Question 10

the variable that scientist do not wish to study that either needs to be eliminated or kept constant (does not change)

Answer 10

control variable

Question 11

a model that represents a real object or phenomenon, usually on a smaller scale

Answer 11

physical model

Question 12

a model that can be used to visualize things that cannot be seen, such as atoms

Answer 12

conceptual model

Question 13

a model that describes physical objects or phenomena using mathematical methods (formulas, graphs, Newton’s 2nd law of motion)

Answer 13

mathematical model

Question 14

a model that uses computers to explain and predict complex systems, such as weather patterns and the detailed movements of objects in the solar system (GPS)

Answer 14

computational model

Question 15

positive correlation

Answer 15

direct proportionality

Question 16

negative correlation

Answer 16

inverse proportionality

Question 17

speed

Answer 17

distance traveled per time interval

Question 18

an objects speed and direction

Answer 18

velocity

Question 19

rate at which the velocity (speed and direction) of an object changes with respect to time; occurs when an object speeds up, slows down, or changes direction

Answer 19

acceleration

Question 20

a push or pull

Answer 20

Force

Question 21

the sum of all the forces acting on an object

Answer 21

net force

Question 22

there is no net force and no therefore no acceleration (at rest or moving with constant velocity; car moving 50 mph)

Answer 22

zero net force

Question 23

when all forces acting on an object cancel each other out—the net force is zero

Answer 23

balanced forces

Question 24

there is a net force, so acceleration is possible; anything other than zero

Answer 24

Non-zero net force

Question 25

the tendency to keep the same motion, to remain at rest, or maintain the same velocity; lazy

Answer 25

inertia

Question 26

the measure of the amount of matter in something

Answer 26

mass

Question 27

little; a concise statement based on many experiments or observations

Answer 27

law

Question 28

a thoroughly tested explanation of a group of phenomena; tells the how and why

Answer 28

theory

Question 29

a testable statement; an educated guess

Answer 29

hypothesis