Force and Motion in One Dimension

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to force and motion in one dimension.

Newton’s first law

An object remains at rest or moves at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net force.

Newton’s second law

Force is equal to mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Resultant force (net force)

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

Equilibrium

A state where the net force acting on an object is zero, resulting in no acceleration.

Acceleration

The rate of change of velocity of an object; can be calculated using the formula a = (v - u) / t.

Force due to gravity (weight)

The weight of an object is the force exerted on it by gravity, calculated as W = mg, where m is mass and g is acceleration due to gravity.

Freefall acceleration

The acceleration of an object due only to gravity, typically approximated as 10 m/s² on Earth.

Normal contact force

The force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it, always acting perpendicular to the surface.

Deceleration

A decrease in speed or negative acceleration; occurs when the net force acting on an object is opposite to its direction of motion.

Air resistance

A type of frictional force that opposes the motion of an object through air.

Driving force

The force that propels an object forward, such as the power of a car's engine.

Tension

The pulling force transmitted along a string, rope, or cable.

Contact force

A force that acts at the point of contact between two objects.

Displacement

A vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a specific direction.

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, typically measured in kilograms.

Kinetic energy

The energy of an object due to its motion, calculated as KE = 1/2 mv².

Potential energy

The energy stored in an object due to its position or configuration, calculated as PE = mgh.

Collision

An interaction in which two or more bodies exert forces on each other for a relatively short time.

Vertical motion

Motion in the up or down direction, affected primarily by gravity.

Trajectory

The path followed by a projectile moving through the air under the influence of gravity.

Freefall

The motion of a body where gravity is the only force acting upon it.

Vertical velocity

The component of velocity that describes how fast and in what direction an object is moving up or down.

Projectile motion

The motion of an object that is thrown into the air and affected only by gravity and air resistance.