Energy, Kinetic Energy Transfer, Collisions, and Momentum Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key definitions, formulas, graph types, collision classifications, and conservation laws presented in the physics lecture slides.

Energy

The ability to do work or cause change.

Potential Energy

Stored energy possessed by a stationary object, representing its potential to do work.

Kinetic Energy

The energy an object possesses due to its motion.

Kinetic Energy Formula

The mathematical expression for kinetic energy: $KE = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{mass} \times \text{speed}^2$.

Bar Graph (Kinetic Energy)

A graph used to compare kinetic energy at different masses or speeds.

Line Graph (Kinetic Energy)

A graph used to show how kinetic energy changes as speed or mass increases.

Scatter Plot

A graph used to plot real data points to analyze relationships between variables such as speed, mass, and kinetic energy.

Energy Transfer

The movement of energy from one place, object, or system to another, occurring whenever an object's kinetic energy changes.

Collision

An interaction between two or more objects hitting each other where equal and opposite forces are exerted on one another.

Momentum

The measure of an object's resistance to changes in its state of motion due to the application of a force, defined as mass in motion ($p = m \times v$).

Elastic Collision

A collision in which objects separate after impact, conserving both kinetic energy and momentum.

Perfectly Elastic Collision

A collision occurring when a body completely transfers its momentum to another object.

Inelastic Collision

A collision in which momentum is conserved, but kinetic energy is lost and converted into another form.

Perfectly Inelastic Collision

A collision occurring when objects stick together after impact and move together sharing the same velocity.

Law of Conservation of Momentum

The principle stating that total momentum remains constant in an isolated system unless acted upon by an external force ($m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2 = m_1 v_1' + m_2 v_2'$).