Introductory Physics: Energy, Work, and Motion

Vocabulary flashcards covering core physics principles from the lecture, including types of energy, conservation of energy, work, power, net force, acceleration, impulse, and momentum.

Kinetic Energy

The energy an object possesses due to being in motion, calculated using the equation $\text{KE} = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$, where $m$ is mass and $v$ is velocity or speed.

Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object due to its position or height relative to a surface, calculated using the equation $\text{PE} = m g h$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravity, and $h$ is height.

Total Mechanical Energy

The sum of an object's kinetic and potential energy ($E = \text{KE} + \text{PE}$), which remains constant throughout the object's motion when neglecting external resistive forces.

Joule

The unit of measurement used for work and energy.

Work

An energy transfer accomplished by applying a force over a distance, calculated as $\text{Work} = \text{Force} \times \text{Distance}$, requiring the object to undergo displacement.

Power

The rate of energy transfer per unit of time, calculated as $\text{Power} = \frac{\text{Work}}{\text{Time}}$.

Net Force

The total vector sum or combination of all individual forces acting upon an object.

Acceleration

The change in speed or velocity of an object over time, determined either by force divided by mass ($a = \frac{F}{m}$) or change in velocity divided by time ($a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$).

Impulse

The product of the force applied to an object and the time duration over which it acts ($\text{Force} \times \text{Time}$), which equals the resulting change in momentum.

Momentum

The product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented mathematically as $p = m v$.