Forces, Electricity, and Magnetism

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering gravity, electric charge, static electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic forces based on lecture notes.

Gravity

The force of attraction between objects due to their mass; a pulling force.

Acceleration Due to Gravity on Earth

$$g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2$$

Weight

The amount of gravity pulling on an object's mass. It decreases on the Moon because the pull of the Moon's gravity is less.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object. It does not change on the Moon because it is not based on gravity.

Variables Affecting Gravity

Mass and distance.

Ways to Increase Gravity Between Two Objects

1. Decrease the distance between the objects (move them closer together); 2. Increase the mass of the object(s).

Magnet

Any material that attracts iron and materials that contain iron.

Factors Affecting Magnetic Force

The strength of the magnets and the distance between them.

Magnetic Field Strength

More field lines mean that the magnetic field is stronger, whereas less field lines mean that the field is weaker

Attracting Magnetic Field Lines

Magnetic field lines that connect together between opposite poles (North and South).

Repelling Magnetic Field Lines

Magnetic field lines that push away from each other between like poles (such as North and North).

Electric Force

The force between charged objects.

Subatomic Particles

Electrons are negative, protons are positive, and neutrons are neutral (no charge).

Electric Charge Attraction

The force pulling two opposite electric charges ($+\text{ and }-$) toward each other.

Electric Charge Repulsion

The force pushing two like electric charges ($+\text{ and }+$ or $-\text{ and }-$) away from each other.

Factors Affecting Electric Force

The amount of charge and the distance between the objects.

Friction (Charging Method)

The transfer of electrons from one uncharged object to another by rubbing the objects together.

Conduction (Contact Charging)

The transfer of electrons from one object to another by direct contact (touching).

Induction (Charging Method)

A method of redistributing the charge on an object by means of the electric field of another object, where the objects have no direct contact (not touching).

Polarization (Charging Method)

The process through which electrons are attracted to or repelled by an external electric field, causing the electrons to move within their own atoms.

Static Electricity

A buildup of charges on an object.

Conductors

Materials that allow electricity to flow freely (for example, metals).

Insulators

Materials that do not allow electricity to flow freely (for example, wood and plastics).

Law of Conservation of Charge

Charges are neither created nor destroyed.

Static Discharge

The loss of static electricity as electric charges transfer from one object to another.

Lightning

The static discharge of static electricity built up in the clouds and Earth.

Electromagnetism

The relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Electromagnet

A magnet created by wrapping a coil of wire with a current around a ferromagnetic core.

Solenoid

A coil of wire around an iron core with an electric current running through it.

Ways to Increase Electromagnet Strength

1. Increase the electric current running through the solenoid; 2. Add more loops or wire to the solenoid; 3. Wind the coils of wire closer together; 4. Use a core that is more magnetic than iron.