Unit 17: Mechanics (Definitions)

def

Acceleration

rate of change in speed or velocity in m/s²

Deceleration

slowing down (negative acceleration)

Displacement

how far an object has gone in a specific direction

Force

push or pull

Magnitude

size of vector

Moment

force x perpendicular distance to pivot

Stationary

not moving

Velocity

speed of an object in a specific direction (vector)

Gravity

force of attraction of all objects

Mass

amount of atoms in an object

Matter

subatomic particles and anything made from them

Frictional force

force that resists one object moving through or over something

Gravitational field

gravitational force per unit mass

Kinetic energy

energy involved in motion

Surface area

total area of an object

Terminal velocity

maximum speed of an object falling

Pressure

force applied to a surface