Fundamentals of Physics: Variables, Forces, and Fields

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Fundamentals of Physics: Variables, Forces, and Fields notes.

Independent variable

A variable whose variation does not depend on that of another.

Dependent variable

A variable whose value depends on that of another.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Volume

The amount of space that a substance or object occupies.

Water displacement

The pushing aside of water when an object is placed in it.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance.

Frame of Reference

A set of criteria or stated values in relation to which measurements or judgments can be made.

Force

A push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object.

Balanced force

Forces that are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion.

Unbalanced force

Forces that are not equal and opposite, resulting in a change in motion.

Inertia

The resistance of any physical object to any change in its state of motion.

Static friction

Friction that acts on objects that are not in motion.

Kinetic friction

Friction that acts on objects in motion.

Drag (fluid friction)

The force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid.

Net force

The overall force acting on an object.

Gravity

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

Free fall

The motion of a body falling freely under the influence of gravity alone.

Orbit

The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon.

Electric charge

A fundamental property of matter that can be positive or negative.

Static electricity

The build-up of electric charge on the surface of objects.

Electrical conductor

A material that allows the flow of electric charge.

Insulator

A material that does not allow the flow of electric charge.

Semiconductor

A material with electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.

Electrical field

A field around a charged particle where another charged particle experiences a force.

Magnet

An object that produces a magnetic field.

Magnetic pole

The region where the magnetic force exerted by a magnet is the strongest.

Magnetic force

The force of attraction or repulsion generated by moving or spinning electric charges.

Magnetic field

The region around a magnet where magnetic materials are influenced.

Electromagnet

A type of magnet where the magnetic field is produced by an electric current.

Solenoid

A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when carrying an electric current.

Electromagnetic induction

The generation of an electromotive force across a conductor exposed to a changing magnetic field.

Transformer

A device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through electromagnetic induction.

Electric generator

A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Electrostatic fields - attraction/repulsion

The force between electrically charged objects that causes them to attract or repel each other.