vector
a quantity that has two characteristics: magnitude and direction
applied
a force that is applied to one object by another by touching it
net force
the combination of all forces acting on an object at one time
velocity
speed with a direction
kinetic
energy in motion
transformation
the conversion of energy from one form to another
energy
the ability to do work or cause change
friction
the force that resists the motion of two surfaces that are touching
transfer
the movement of energy from one object/location to another
magnetism
the type of force that can attract and repel objects with a magnetic material in them
gravity
an attractive force that exists between all objects and is determined by mass and distance
Newton’s Third Law
for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Newton’s Second Law
an object’s acceleration is determined by its mass and the force applied to it
Newton’s First Law
an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an outside force
acceleration
any change in velocity (speeding up, slowing down, changing direction)
inertia
the tendency of an object to resist changes to its motion
momentum
a measure of how difficult it is to stop a moving object, determined by mass and velocity
scalar
a quantity that has only one characteristic - magnitude
potential
stored energy
normal
the force that opposes gravity and holds objects up
speed
the rate at which distance changes compared to time
Law of Conservation of Energy
energy can never be created nor destroyed - only transferred and transformed
Law of Conservation of Momentum
in the absence of outside forces, momentum is conserved in a collision (the momentum before the collision = the momentum after the collision)
Gravitational Potential Energy
energy an object or substance has because of its position - determined by mass and height
Elastic Potential Energy
Energy that is stored in objects that are stretched or compressed by the application of a force
Nuclear Energy
Energy stored in the nucleus of an atom; energy is released when nuclei join together or split apart
Chemical Energy
Energy stored in the chemical bonds between atoms; energy is released when chemical reactions occur
Examples: energy stored in food, gasoline, coal, wood, and batteries
Electric Energy
Energy that an electric current carries through the movement of electrons
Sound Energy
The movement of energy through a substance, caused by vibrations and transmitted by waves; cannot travel through a vacuum
Radiant Energy
Energy that electromagnetic waves (light waves, microwaves, radio waves, etc.) carry; can travel through a vacuum; also known as light energy
Thermal Energy
Energy due to the motion of the atoms and molecules that make up a substance; also known as heat
Mechanical Energy
The total energy of an object or group of objects determined by its position and motion; an object’s combined potential and kinetic energy