General Physics Flashcards (copy)

Force

A push or pull exerted on an object

Coefficient of friction

the ratio of the magnitude of the force of friction between two objects in contact to the magnitude of the normal force with which the objects press against each other

Normal Force (Fn)

The perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion

static friction (fs)

exists between a stationary object and the surface upon which it rests

Free Body Diagram (FBD)

A diagram that shows those forces that act upon an object/body.

net force

The combination of all forces acting on an object

Dynamics

the branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of bodies under the action of forces.

kinetic friction

the force that opposes the movement of two surfaces that are in contact and are moving over each other

gravitational force

an attractive force that acts between any two objects

weight

A measure of the gravitational force exerted on an object.

Friction Force (Ff)

the force exerted by a surface as an object moves across it or makes an effort to move across it

Tension Force (Ft)

The force that is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends

System

A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal.

Mass

the amount of matter in an object

Newton's First Law

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Newton's Second Law

Force equals mass times acceleration

Newton's Third Law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction