Unit 2 Energy and Motion Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on key concepts from Unit 2 Energy and Motion, including definitions of important terms and laws in physics.

Newton's Second Law

States that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Scalar Quantity

A quantity that has magnitude only and no direction, such as distance.

Vector Quantity

A quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as velocity.

Distance

The total ground covered during motion, measured in units like miles or meters.

Displacement

The change in position of an object, defined as the final position minus the initial position.

Speed

The distance traveled per unit of time, without a direction.

Velocity

The displacement of an object per unit of time, including direction.

Constant Velocity

Occurs when an object's speed and direction remain unchanged over time.

Constant Acceleration

A steady change in velocity over time, either increasing or decreasing.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to remain at rest or in motion unless acted upon by a net force.

Balanced Forces

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

Unbalanced Forces

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

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms.

Weight

The force of gravity acting on an object's mass, calculated as mass times the acceleration due to gravity.

Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

A graphical representation of all the forces acting on an object.

Net Force

The overall force acting on an object when all individual forces are combined.

Force of Gravity

The attractive force between two masses, commonly represented as weight.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object, can be caused by a net force acting on the object.

Tension Force

The force transmitted through a string, rope, or wire when it is pulled tight.

Air Resistance

A type of frictional force that opposes the motion of an object through air.

Newton's First Law

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by a net force.

Newton's Second Law Equation

Fnet = ma, where net force is equal to mass times acceleration.

Gravity's Effect on Weight

Weight is dependent on gravity and varies with location but mass remains constant.

Relationship Between Acceleration and Mass

When the net force remains constant, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass.

Slope in Position vs. Time Graphs

Represents velocity; the steeper the slope, the greater the velocity.