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.
What is an interaction pair?
A pair of forces which are equal and opposite and act of two interactng objects.
