topic 5 - forces: forces and their interactions Flashcards
What is a scalar quantity?
A quantity which only has a magnitude (size).
What is a vector quantity?
A quantity which has a magnitude (size) and associated direction.
What symbol can a vector quantity be represented by?
An arrow.
With a vector quantity, what does the length of the arrow represent?
The magnitude.
With a vector quantity, what does the direction of the arrow represent?
The direction of the quantity.
Give 2 examples of scalar quantities.
Speed, distance, mass, temperature, time.
Give 2 examples of vector quantities.
Force, velocity, displacement, acceleration, momentum.
What is a force?
A push or pull that acts on an object due to its interaction with another object.
What are the 2 types of forces?
Contact and non-contact forces.
What is a contact force?
When two objects have to be touching for a force to act.
What is a non-contact force?
When two objects do not need to be touching for the force to act.
Give 2 examples of contact forces.
Friction, air resistance, tension and normal contact force.
Give 2 examples of non-contact forces.
Gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force.
What type of quantity is force?
Vector.
When two objects interact, how many objects does the force act on?
Both objects.
