VCE Physical Education - Biomechanics

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from VCE Physical Education Unit 3 focusing on biomechanics and movement skills.

Biomechanics

The science that studies living things from a mechanical perspective, focusing on forces and their effects on living bodies.

Impulse

The change in momentum of an object resulting from a force applied over a time period.

Equilibrium

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced, resulting in no net movement.

Angular Velocity

The rate of change of angular displacement of a body over time, typically measured in degrees per second.

Torque

The measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis.

Newton's First Law of Motion

A body will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force acting upon it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Linear Momentum

A measure of the amount of motion an object has; calculated as mass multiplied by velocity.

Projectile Motion

The motion of an object thrown into the air, subject only to the forces of gravity and air resistance.

Mechanical Advantage

The ratio of the force produced by a machine to the applied force.

Centre of Gravity

The point in a body where the weight is evenly distributed in all directions.

Friction

The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another.

Angular Momentum

The quantity of rotation of a body, influenced by its moment of inertia and angular velocity.

Stability

The ability of an object to maintain equilibrium, resisting changes in its position.

Speed

The distance traveled per unit of time, having only magnitude.

Velocity

The rate of change of position with direction; it includes both magnitude and direction.

Equilibrium

A state where all forces acting on a body balance out, resulting in no net force.

Applied Force

A force that is applied to an object by a person or another object.

What is the moment of inertia?

The moment of inertia is a measure of an object's resistance to rotational motion, depending on the mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation.

How does moment of inertia affect rotational dynamics?

A larger moment of inertia means that more torque is required to change the rotational speed of an object.

What factors influence the moment of inertia of an object?

The moment of inertia is influenced by the object's mass, shape, and the distance of the mass from the axis of rotation.

What is the formula for calculating moment of inertia for a solid cylinder?

The moment of inertia (I) for a solid cylinder rotating about its central axis is given by I = (1/2) m r², where m is the mass and r is the radius.

What is the difference between the moment of inertia and mass?

While mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, moment of inertia relates to how this mass is distributed in relation to a rotational axis.