Energy and Force Definitions

Quiz 10/19

Collision

A forceful impact between two or more objects

Energy

The quantitative property transferred to a body or physical system

Law of Conservation of Energy

The total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time

Kinetic energy

The energy an object or particle possesses due to its motion

Potential energy

The stored energy that an object or system possesses due to its relative location

Energy transfer

The movement of energy from one place or object to another

Sound energy

A form of energy produced when a force causes an object or substance to vibrate

Thermal (heat) energy

The total kinetic energy of the random motion of atoms and molecules inside a system

Contact force

Any force that occurs when two perceivable objects physically touch each other

Non-contact force

A push or pull that acts on an object without any physical touch

Deformation

Any change in shape, size, or form an object, material, or continuous body caused by external forces.

Gravity

A fundamental force of nature that draws objects with mass toward each other

Newton (N)

The standard unit of force

Balanced forces

Two or more forces acting on an object that are equal in size and opposite in direction

Unbalanced forces

A net force acting on an object that does not equal 0

Net force

The sum of all individual forces acting on an object