physics midterm

Physics

The study of matter energy motion and forces

Life Sciences

Sciences that study living organisms

Physical Sciences

Sciences that study nonliving systems

Mathematics

The language used to describe scientific relationships

Scientific Method

A process used to study natural phenomena

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess

Fact

An observation agreed upon by many observers

Scientific Law

A rule tested repeatedly without contradiction

Scientific Theory

A well tested explanation of natural phenomena

Science

A way of discovering facts about the natural world

Technology

The application of science to solve problems

Force

A push or a pull

Net Force

The total force acting on an object

Vector Quantity

A quantity with magnitude and direction

Scalar Quantity

A quantity with magnitude only

Inertia

Resistance to changes in motion

Newton First Law

Motion continues unless acted on by a net force

Mechanical Equilibrium

Net force equals zero

Static Equilibrium

Object is at rest with no net force

Dynamic Equilibrium

Object moves at constant velocity

Support Force

Upward force from a surface

Mass

Amount of matter in an object

Weight

Force of gravity on an object

Parallel Vectors

Vectors in the same or opposite direction

Perpendicular Vectors

Vectors at right angles

Resultant Vector

Single vector representing combined vectors

Motion

A change in position

Speed

How fast an object moves

Velocity

Speed with direction

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity

Free Fall

Motion caused only by gravity

Air Resistance

Friction acting through air

Newton Second Law

Acceleration depends on force and mass

Friction

Force opposing motion between surfaces

Free Body Diagram

Diagram showing all forces on an object

Terminal Speed

Speed reached when forces balance

Newton Third Law

Every action has an equal opposite reaction

Action Reaction Pair

Two forces acting on different objects

Internal Forces

Forces within a system

External Forces

Forces acting on a system from outside

Momentum

Quantity of motion

Impulse

Change in momentum over time

Conservation of Momentum

Momentum stays constant without external forces

Elastic Collision

Objects bounce without permanent deformation

Inelastic Collision

Objects deform or lose energy

Perfectly Inelastic Collision

Objects stick together

Work

Energy transferred by force

Power

Rate of doing work

Energy

Ability to do work

Mechanical Energy

Kinetic plus potential energy

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion

Potential Energy

Stored energy

Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

Machine

Device that changes force or direction

Mechanical Advantage

Force multiplication of a machine

Efficiency

Useful output compared to input

Rotation

Spinning around an internal axis

Revolution

Movement around an external axis

Axis

Line of rotation

Tangential Speed

Linear speed in circular motion

Rotational Speed

Number of rotations per time

Centripetal Force

Force toward the center

Centrifugal Force

Apparent outward effect of inertia

Rotational Inertia

Resistance to rotational motion

Torque

Turning effect of a force

Center of Mass

Point where mass is balanced

Center of Gravity

Point where weight is balanced

Angular Momentum

Rotational momentum

Conservation of Angular Momentum

Angular momentum stays constant