physics term 3 flash cards

Force

A push or a pull that can change the motion, direction, speed, or shape of an object.

Magnitude of a force

How strong the force is.

Contact forces

Forces that act when two objects are physically touching, such as friction and tension.

Non-contact forces

Forces that act without objects physically touching, such as gravitational and magnetic forces.

Frictional force

A force that opposes the motion of an object when two surfaces are in contact.

Electric cell

A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy, having a positive and negative terminal.

Voltage

The energy transferred per unit of charge, measured in volts (V).

Current

The rate at which electric charge flows through a circuit, measured in amperes (A).

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current in a circuit, measured in ohms (Ω).

Series circuit

A circuit with components connected one after another in a single path, where current is the same everywhere.

Parallel circuit

A circuit with components connected on separate branches, allowing current to have multiple paths to follow.