Unit 2: Dynamics

What is dynamics?

Dynamics is the study of the causes of motion and changes in motion, involving the application of Newton's laws of motion.

What are Newton's laws of motion?

Newton's laws of motion are the backbone of classical mechanics, explaining how forces affect the motion of an object and how the motion of an object affects the forces acting upon it.

What is the first law of motion?

The first law of motion, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move in a straight line at a constant speed, unless acted upon by an external force.

What is inertia?

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion.

What is the difference between gravitational and inertial mass?

Gravitational mass is the measure of the strength of the gravitational force experienced by an object, while inertial mass is the measure of an object's resistance to a change in its state of motion.

How is gravitational mass measured?

Gravitational mass is measured by comparing the weight of an object to a known standard mass under the influence of gravity.

How is inertial mass measured?

Inertial mass is measured by applying a known force to an object and measuring its resulting acceleration.

What is the second law of motion?

The second law of motion, also known as the Law of Acceleration, states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net external force acting on the object, and inversely proportional to its mass.

What is the third law of motion?

The third law of motion, also known as the Law of Action-Reaction, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What are the limitations of Newton's laws?

Newton's laws are only valid in inertial reference frames, do not apply to objects that are moving at speeds close to the speed of light, and do not take into account the effects of quantum mechanics.

What is projectile motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is launched into the air and then moves under the influence of gravity.

What is circular motion?

Circular motion is the motion of an object that moves in a circular path.

What is friction?

Friction is the force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact.

What is tension?

Tension is the force that is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.

What is gravity?

Gravity is the force of attraction between two bodies with mass.

What is normal force?

Normal force is the upward force exerted by a surface on a body to balance the downward force of gravity.

What is compression?

Compression is the force exerted by a rope or string when it is pushed together.

What is applied force?

Applied force is a force applied to a body, causing the body to exert a force in the opposite direction.

Why is understanding forces important?

Understanding forces is crucial in many fields, including physics, engineering, and everyday life, as it helps us predict how objects will move and interact with each other, and design safe and efficient systems and structures.

What are some important forces to know for the AP Physics 1 exam?

Some important forces to know for the AP Physics 1 exam include gravity, normal force, tension, compression, friction, and applied