Physics: Measurement, Motion, Forces, and Momentum

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental definitions in introductory physics, including measurement methods, kinematics, dynamics, forces, and momentum based on lecture notes.

Precise

When several readings are close together when measuring the same value.

Calibrated

Should agree closely with a standard or agrees when a correction has been applied.

Displacement method

The technique of finding the volume of an irregularly shaped object.

Volume

The space occupied by an object.

Meniscus

Curved upper surface of a liquid.

Immerse

To cover something in a fluid (usually water) so that the object is submerged.

Mass

The quantity of matter a body is composed of; mass causes the object to resist changes in its motion and causes it to have a gravitational attraction for other objects.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume for a substance ($\rho = \frac{m}{V}$).

Weight

The downward force of gravity that acts on an object because of its mass.

Analogue display

A display that has hands (or a needle) and is often not very precise.

Digital display

A display that shows numbers and is often precise.

Plump bob

A mass (usually lead) hanging from a string to define a vertical line.

Oscillation

A repetitive motion or vibration.

Period

The time for one complete oscillation or wave; the time it takes an object to return to its original position.

Speed

The distance travelled by an object per unit of time ($\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{time}}$).

Average speed

The speed calculated from total distance travelled divided by total time taken ($\text{Average Speed} = \frac{\text{total distance travelled}}{\text{total time taken}}$).

Scalar

A quantity that requires only magnitude (e.g., speed, mass).

Vector

A quantity that requires both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity, force).

Velocity

The speed in a given direction ($\text{Velocity} = \frac{\text{displacement}}{\text{time}}$).

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity ($a = \frac{v - u}{t}$).

Deceleration

A negative acceleration.

Uniform acceleration

A constant (steady) acceleration.

Force

A push or pull, exerted by one object on another, which has direction as well as magnitude (size) and has the SI unit of the Newton ($\text{N}$).

Friction

The force that opposes the motion of one material sliding past another.

Air resistance

A force of friction when an object moves through air or water.

Tension

The force in a stretched material.

Thrust

The forward force from an object.

Upthrust

The upward force from a liquid (or gas) that makes something float.

Terminal velocity

The maximum velocity (speed) attainable by an object as it falls through air.

Resultant force

The single force that has the same effect on a body as two or more forces.

Gravity

The force that exists between any two objects with mass, or the force by which Earth is pulling objects towards itself.

Acceleration due to gravity ($g$)

The acceleration caused by the pull of Earth's gravity ($g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2$ or $10\,\text{m/s}^2$).

Gravitational field strength

The gravitational force exerted per unit mass at that point.

Newton's second law of motion

The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration ($F = ma$).

Law of conservation of momentum

When two or more objects act on each other, their total momentum remains constant, provided no external forces are acting.