National 4 Physics: Dynamics and Space

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the National 4 Physics lecture on Dynamics and Space.

Drag

A resistive force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid (like air).

Lift

The upward force acting on an object in a fluid, which counteracts the weight of the object.

Gravity

The force of attraction between two masses.

Thrust

The force that moves an object forward, produced by engines or motors.

Speed

The distance travelled by an object per unit of time, typically expressed in metres per second (m/s).

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object, measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).

Newton’s First Law of Motion

An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by a net external force.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass, expressed as F = ma.

Satellite

An object that orbits another object in space.

Geostationary Satellite

A satellite that remains fixed over one point on the Earth's surface, typically orbiting at approximately 36,000 km above the Earth.

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, measured in kilograms (kg).

Weight

The force of gravity acting on an object’s mass, measured in newtons (N).

Exoplanet

A planet that orbits a star outside our Solar System.

Light Year

A measure of distance equal to the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers.

Friction

A resistive force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.

Instantaneous Speed

The speed of an object at a specific moment in time.

Average Speed

The total distance travelled divided by the total time taken.

Cosmology

The study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.

Thermal Protection Systems

Systems designed to protect spacecraft from the heat generated during re-entry into a planet's atmosphere.

Period of Orbit

The time taken for a satellite to complete one full orbit around an object.