General Engineering and Applied Sciences - Physics 1

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to forces, motion, and energy principles in physics.

Force

Anything that causes a change in velocity.

Net Force

The vector sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Equilibrium

A condition where the net force on an object is zero, resulting in constant velocity.

Contact Forces

Forces that involve physical contact between two objects.

Field Forces

Forces that act through empty space without physical contact.

Law of Inertia

An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion continues in motion with constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its velocity.

Acceleration

The effect of a net force; directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to mass.

Work

A method of transferring energy to a system by applying force causing a displacement.

Mechanical Energy

The sum of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy in a system.

Kinetic Energy (KE)

The energy possessed by a body due to its motion.

Potential Energy (PE)

The energy possessed by a body due to its position or configuration.

Gravitational Potential Energy (GPE)

The potential energy associated with the height of an object in a gravitational field.

Elastic Potential Energy (EPE)

The potential energy stored in a spring when it is compressed or stretched.

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

The principle stating that the total mechanical energy of a system remains constant if only conservative forces are acting.

Tension

The force exerted along a string or rope when it is pulled tight.

Energy

This is the property of a body or a system of bodies by virtue of which work can be done

scalar

Energy is a _____ quantity

B

Which of the following is the reaction force to the gravitational force acting on your body as you sit in your desk chair?

A. The normal force exerted by the chair

B. The force you exert downward on the seat of the chair

C. The upward force exerted by the ground to the chair

D. None of these

C

Which of the following statements is always true?

A. The object moves in the direction of the force.

B. The acceleration is in the same direction as the velocity.

C. The acceleration is in the same direction as the force.

D. The velocity of the object increases.

A

An object experiences no acceleration. Which of the following cannot be true for the object?

A. A single force acts on the object.

B. No forces act on the object.

C. Forces act on the object, but the forces cancel.

D. The net force is always zero.

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.

D

A body moving in a uniform circular motion

A. Has a constant speed

B. has a changing velocity

C. Is accelerating

D. All answers are correct

Newton’s First Law of Motion

In the absence of external forces, an object at rest remains at rest and an object in motion continues in motion with a constant velocity.