Forces, Motion, and Collisions Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic physics concepts of forces, collisions, energy, and related biological terms from the provided lecture notes.

Balanced Forces

Forces that are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in a Net force = $0$ and no change in motion.

Unbalanced Forces

Forces that are not equal, causing a change in motion where the Net force $\neq 0$.

Net Force

The total or sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Inertia

An object's tendency to resist a change in its motion.

Acceleration

A change in an object's speed, direction, or both.

Magnitude

The amount or size of a measurement, such as the strength of a force.

Force

A push or pull that can change an object's motion.

Contact Force

A force that happens when two objects touch, such as friction, pushing, or pulling.

Gravity

A force that pulls objects toward Earth.

Friction

A contact force that resists motion when two surfaces rub or slide against each other.

Air Resistance

A force from air particles that pushes against a moving object.

Lift Force

An upward force that helps keep an object in the air.

Thrust

A force that pushes an object forward, usually from a system expelling mass in the opposite direction.

Impact

When two objects collide or one object hits another.

Elastic Collision

A collision where kinetic energy is conserved and the energy stays in motion.

Inelastic Collision

A collision where some kinetic energy changes into other forms of energy.

Peak Force

The maximum force reached during an event or collision.

Breaking Point

The maximum force or deformation an object can withstand before it breaks.

Elastic Limit

The greatest amount of force or deformation an object can handle and still return to its original shape.

Independent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is changed by the person conducting it.

Dependent Variable

The data measured in an experiment.

Deformation

A change in the shape of an object.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Kinetic Energy

Moving energy.

Line of Best Fit

A line on a graph that shows the trend or pattern of the data.

Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

A drawing that shows the forces acting on one object using arrows to show direction and size (magnitude).

Neuron

A cell that sends messages or signals through the nervous system.

Axon

The long part of a neuron that carries signals away from the cell body.

Concussion

A type of brain injury caused by a bump or blow that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull.