Particle Attraction, Forces and Gravity

What is a particle?

An individual unit in a system that can have properties such as position, velocity, mass, size and colour.

What is a force?

A push or pull that can change an object's motion.

What is gravity?

An attractive force between objects that have mass.

What does the equation F = m × a mean?

Force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.

What does F represent in F = m × a?

Force, measured in newtons (N).

What does m represent in F = m × a?

Mass, measured in kilograms (kg).

What does a represent in F = m × a?

Acceleration, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).

How do you calculate acceleration from force and mass?

Divide the force by the mass: a = F / m.

What happens to acceleration if mass increases while force stays the same?

Acceleration decreases.

What is particle attraction?

A simulation behaviour in which particles exert attractive forces on one another.

What is net force?

The overall force after all forces acting on an object are combined.

How do forces in opposite directions combine?

They subtract, and the net force points towards the stronger force.

How can gravity be simulated in a simple animation?

Increase the object's downward velocity over time, then update its position.

Why does a falling object speed up?

Gravity causes downward acceleration.

In the usual Canvas coordinate system, which direction is positive y?

Downwards.

What does velocityY = velocityY + gravity do?

It increases vertical velocity by the gravity amount each update.

What does y = y + velocityY do?

It updates the object's vertical position using its vertical velocity.

How can an object bounce and eventually settle in a simulation?

Reverse or reduce its velocity at a collision and apply energy loss or damping.