Exploring Forces - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, and principles from Grade 8 Science Chapter 5: Exploring Forces.

Force

The push or pull applied on an object resulting from its interaction with another object.

newton ($N$)

The SI unit of force and weight, written with a lowercase 'n' and symbolized by $N$.

Contact forces

Types of forces that act only when there is direct or indirect physical contact between objects.

Muscular force

A contact force resulting from the contraction and elongation of muscles during physical activity.

Force of friction

A contact force arising from surface irregularities that opposes the motion or attempted motion of an object over another surface.

Non-contact forces

Forces whose effects can be experienced even when the interacting objects are not in physical contact with each other.

Magnetic force

A non-contact force exerted by a magnet on another magnet or on a magnetic material.

Static charges

Electrical charges that build up on the surface of certain materials when rubbed together and do not move by themselves.

Charged object

An object that has acquired static electrical charges on its surface.

Electrostatic force

A non-contact force exerted by a charged body on another charged body or an uncharged body.

Gravitational force

An attractive non-contact force with which the Earth pulls objects towards itself, also referred to as gravity or force of gravity.

Vertical motion

The movement of an object in a vertical direction under the influence of gravitational force.

Weight

The measure of the gravitational force with which the Earth pulls an object towards itself, measured in newtons ($N$).

Spring balance

A device used to measure weight (force) consisting of a spring fixed at one end with a hook attached at the other.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object, measured in grams ($g$) or kilograms ($kg$), which remains constant everywhere.

Upthrust (Buoyant force)

The force exerted by a liquid on an object in the upward direction.

Archimedes' Principle

The principle stating that an object fully or partially immersed in a liquid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the liquid it displaces.

Pumice

A light, porous rock formed during volcanic eruptions containing trapped air bubbles, allowing it to float on water.

Electroscope

A device used to determine whether an object is electrically charged.