Forces Glossary

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A comprehensive vocabulary set covering the basics of force types, balanced and unbalanced forces, resistance, non-contact forces, mass versus weight, and simple machines like levers.

Last updated 7:33 AM on 7/27/26
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29 Terms

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force

A push or pull that can make something move, stop, speed up, slow down, change direction or change shape.

<p>A push or pull that can make something move, stop, speed up, slow down, change direction or change shape.</p>
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applied force

A force exerted by a person, animal or machine, such as when a girl kicks a ball.

<p>A force exerted by a person, animal or machine, such as when a girl kicks a ball.</p>
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contact force

Any force that can only occur when two objects are touching, such as applied forces and friction.

<p>Any force that can only occur when two objects are touching, such as applied forces and friction.</p>
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non-contact force

Any force that can occur even when two objects are not touching, such as gravity and magnetism.

<p>Any force that can occur even when two objects are not touching, such as gravity and magnetism.</p>
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balanced force

A force with an equal and opposite force acting on the same object; these forces cancel out and do not change an object's motion.

<p>A force with an equal and opposite force acting on the same object; these forces cancel out and do not change an object's motion.</p>
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unbalanced force

A force without an equal and opposite force acting on the same object; these forces change an object's motion or shape.

<p>A force without an equal and opposite force acting on the same object; these forces change an object's motion or shape.</p>
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net force

The overall force on an object, found when balanced forces are cancelled out.

<p>The overall force on an object, found when balanced forces are cancelled out.</p>
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friction

A contact force that resists an object's motion and is larger on rough or sticky surfaces.

<p>A contact force that resists an object's motion and is larger on rough or sticky surfaces.</p>
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air resistance

A contact force that resists an object's motion through air, caused by the push of air particles.

<p>A contact force that resists an object's motion through air, caused by the push of air particles.</p>
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water resistance

A contact force that resists an object's motion through water, caused by the push of water particles.

<p>A contact force that resists an object's motion through water, caused by the push of water particles.</p>
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elastic force

A contact force that occurs when a springy object is squashed or stretched, causing a spring to return to its natural length.

<p>A contact force that occurs when a springy object is squashed or stretched, causing a spring to return to its natural length.</p>
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tension

A contact force that pulls inward when a solid object is stretched, which can prevent a stretched rope from breaking.

<p>A contact force that pulls inward when a solid object is stretched, which can prevent a stretched rope from breaking.</p>
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gravity

A non-contact attractive force between any two objects that have mass, which pulls objects to the ground or keeps them in orbit.

<p>A non-contact attractive force between any two objects that have mass, which pulls objects to the ground or keeps them in orbit.</p>
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gravitational field

The space around an object where its gravity is felt; on Earth's surface, the force is about 10 N10\,N for every 1 kg1\,kg mass.

<p>The space around an object where its gravity is felt; on Earth's surface, the force is about $$10\,N$$ for every $$1\,kg$$ mass.</p>
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magnetism

A non-contact force exerted on some metals, such as iron and nickel, which can be either attractive or repulsive.

<p>A non-contact force exerted on some metals, such as iron and nickel, which can be either attractive or repulsive.</p>
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mass

The amount of matter in an object or substance; it does not depend on gravity and is measured in grams or kilograms.

<p>The amount of matter in an object or substance; it does not depend on gravity and is measured in grams or kilograms.</p>
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kilogram

The standard unit of mass; an object with a mass of 1 kg1\,kg on Earth also has a mass of 1 kg1\,kg on the Moon.

<p>The standard unit of mass; an object with a mass of $$1\,kg$$ on Earth also has a mass of $$1\,kg$$ on the Moon.</p>
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weight

The force of gravity on an object, which depends on mass and gravity (1 kg1\,kg mass weighs 9.8 N9.8\,N on Earth but only 1.6 N1.6\,N on the Moon).

<p>The force of gravity on an object, which depends on mass and gravity ($$1\,kg$$ mass weighs $$9.8\,N$$ on Earth but only $$1.6\,N$$ on the Moon).</p>
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newton

The standard unit of force, named after Isaac Newton; 1 N1\,N is roughly the force of an apple pressing down on your hand.

<p>The standard unit of force, named after Isaac Newton; $$1\,N$$ is roughly the force of an apple pressing down on your hand.</p>
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spring balance

A scientific instrument used to measure forces where the distance the spring stretches is related to the force pulling down on it.

<p>A scientific instrument used to measure forces where the distance the spring stretches is related to the force pulling down on it.</p>
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lever

A simple machine made of a bar that rotates around a fulcrum to help move an object more easily or quickly.

<p>A simple machine made of a bar that rotates around a fulcrum to help move an object more easily or quickly.</p>
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fulcrum

The fixed point that a lever can rotate around; its location determines the type of lever.

<p>The fixed point that a lever can rotate around; its location determines the type of lever.</p>
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effort force

A force that is applied to make an object move, which must be greater than the resistance force.

<p>A force that is applied to make an object move, which must be greater than the resistance force.</p>
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effort arm

The distance between the effort force and fulcrum in a lever; it is longer than the resistance arm in a force multiplier.

<p>The distance between the effort force and fulcrum in a lever; it is longer than the resistance arm in a force multiplier.</p>
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resistance force

A force that acts against an effort force in a lever, such as gravity acting on a mass being lifted.

<p>A force that acts against an effort force in a lever, such as gravity acting on a mass being lifted.</p>
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resistance arm

The distance between the resistance force and fulcrum in a lever; it is longer than the effort arm in a speed multiplier.

<p>The distance between the resistance force and fulcrum in a lever; it is longer than the effort arm in a speed multiplier.</p>
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force multiplier

A lever that reduces the force needed to move an object, having an effort arm longer than its resistance arm.

<p>A lever that reduces the force needed to move an object, having an effort arm longer than its resistance arm.</p>
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speed multiplier

A lever that increases how fast an object moves, having a resistance arm longer than its effort arm.

<p>A lever that increases how fast an object moves, having a resistance arm longer than its effort arm.</p>
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angle of inclination

The angle between the sloped face of a ramp and the ground, which alters the effort force required to raise an object.

<p>The angle between the sloped face of a ramp and the ground, which alters the effort force required to raise an object.</p>