Tree Biology & Mechanics: Mechanics

Question 1

study of forces and their effects on bodies at rest or in motion.

Answer 1

Mechanics

Question 2

the study of the action of forces on living trees.

Answer 2

Biomechanics

Question 3

a general term used to indicate the magnitude of a force, bending moment, torque, or pressure applied to a substance or material.

Answer 3

Load

Question 4

any action or influence causing an object to accelerate/decelerate. Calculated as mass multiplied by acceleration. Is a vector quantity.

Answer 4

Force

Question 5

the force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth.

Answer 5

Gravity

Question 6

the point toward or from which a force acts; the resultant point of aggregate forces.

Answer 6

Center of force

Question 7

the distance between the applied force (or center of force) and the point where the object will bend or rotate.

Answer 7

Lever arm

Question 8

wind resistance

Answer 8

Drag

Question 9

in mechanics, the action of forces to squeeze, crush, or push together any material or substance.

Answer 9

Compression

Question 10

the length of a straight line through the center of a circle.

Answer 10

Diameter

Question 11

a force per unit area

Answer 11

Stress

Question 12

the action of forces to stretch or pull apart any material or substance.

Answer 12

Tension

Question 13

the movement or failure of materials, especially laminar material such as wood, by sliding side by side.

Answer 13

Shear

Question 14

the action of twisting or being twisted.

Answer 14

Torsion

Question 15

an imaginary plane where there is neither tension nor compression.

Answer 15

Neutral plane

Question 16

the remaining solid wood around a cavity or internal wood decay.

Answer 16

Shell wall

Question 17

distance from the center to the perimeter of a circle. One half of diameter

Answer 17

Radius

Question 18

motion created by the forces of wind or rigging operations may be reduced through branch movement.

Answer 18

Mass damping