Chapter 5: Applying Newton's Laws

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, force classifications, equations, and conceptual definitions from Chapter 5 on Applying Newton's Laws.

Tension Force

A pulling force transmitted along the length of a medium such as a rope, cable, or chain, which can pull but cannot push.

Normal Force

The contact force exerted between two touching objects that always acts perpendicular to the contact surface.

Free Body Diagram

A physical diagram that isolates an object and depicts all the external forces acting on that object only.

Contact Force

The single net force between two touching surfaces, which can be resolved into a perpendicular component (the normal force) and a parallel component (friction).

Internal Forces

Forces that act strictly between objects located inside a chosen system, which cancel out and are not considered in Newton's second law for the system as a whole.

External Forces

Forces that act between an object outside of the chosen system and an object inside the system; these are the only forces included in Newton's second law for the system.

Static Friction ($F_{\text{sf}}$)

The frictional force between surfaces that prevents sliding, taking on any magnitude necessary up to a maximum threshold defined by $F_{\text{sf}} \le \mu_s F_N$.

Kinetic Friction ($F_{\text{kf}}$)

The frictional force that opposes relative motion when two surfaces are sliding against each other, calculated as $F_{\text{kf}} = \mu_k F_N$.

Rolling Friction ($F_{\text{rf}}$)

The resistance encountered when an object rolls across a surface, calculated by the relation $F_{\text{rf}} = \mu_r F_N$.

Drag Force ($F_D$)

The resistive force exerted by a fluid on a moving object, modeled by the relationship $F_D = D v^2 + k v$, where $D = \frac{1}{2} \rho A C_D$.

Terminal Velocity

The steady maximum speed reached by a falling object when the upward drag force equals the downward force of gravity, given as $v = \frac{m g}{k}$ for linear drag.

Centripetal Force

The net radial, center-seeking force ($\sum F = \frac{m v^2}{r}$) that maintains an object in uniform circular motion, arising from the vector sum of physical forces such as tension, gravity, or friction.

Centrifugal Force

A fictitious, center-fleeing pseudo-force perceived only by an observer situated inside an accelerating, non-inertial reference frame.

Non-Inertial Reference Frame

A frame of reference undergoing acceleration, wherein fictitious forces (such as centrifugal or Coriolis forces) must be introduced to account for perceived accelerations.

Coriolis "Force"

An apparent deflection observed in a rotating frame of reference; for instance, a projectile directed south toward the equator from the northern hemisphere appears to curve toward the west.

Frictionless Banked Curve Angle ($\theta$)

The inclination angle of a curve designed so that the horizontal component of the normal force supplies the entire centripetal force required to turn without friction, given by $\tan(\theta) = \frac{v^2}{g r}$.

Strong Nuclear Force

The fundamental force of nature possessing a relative strength of $1$ and an effective range of approximately $10^{-15}\,\text{m}$.

Weak Nuclear Force

The fundamental force of nature possessing a relative strength of $10^{-1}$ and an effective range of approximately $10^{-18}\,\text{m}$.

Electromagnetic Force

The fundamental interaction possessing infinite range and a relative strength of $10^{-2}$, responsible for macroscopically observed contact forces like normal force, friction, and tension.

Gravitational Force

The fundamental attractive interaction between masses with infinite range and the weakest relative strength of $10^{-38}$.