Video Notes: Force, Friction, and Acceleration

Vocabulary flashcards covering applied forward force, friction, mass, net force, acceleration, and Newton's second law as applied to a cart.

Net force

The vector sum of all forces acting on an object; in this setup, net force = F − f (forward force minus friction).

Friction (f)

The resistive force that opposes motion between contacting surfaces; opposes the forward motion.

Forward force (F)

The applied force pushing the cart in the forward direction.

Mass (m)

The amount of matter in the cart; determines how much acceleration results from a given net force (via F_net = m a).

Acceleration (a)

The rate of change of velocity; for this cart a = (F − f)/m (Newton's second law).

Newton's second law

F_net = m a; the net force on an object equals its mass times acceleration.

Direction convention

Forward direction is positive; friction acts in the opposite (negative) direction.