KIN2303 Foundations of Kinesiology

These flashcards cover key concepts from biomechanics, including definitions, types of motion, force laws, and applications in kinesiology.

What is biomechanics?

The application of mechanical principles to living organisms.

What does the term 'bio' in biomechanics refer to?

Living things.

What is kinematics?

The study of the description of movement without referencing forces that cause motion.

What are the three types of motion in biomechanics?

Linear motion, angular motion, and general motion.

What are scalar quantities in the context of linear kinematics?

Magnitude only, such as distance and speed.

What are vector quantities in linear kinematics?

Quantities that have both magnitude and direction, such as displacement and velocity.

What affects the acceleration of an object?

The forces acting on the object.

What is Newton's 1st Law of Motion?

An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by a net force.

What does Newton's 2nd Law of Motion state?

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

What is torque in biomechanics?

The rotational effect produced by a force applied away from the center of mass or the axis of rotation.

What is the significance of the center of mass (COM) in biomechanics?

It determines the stability of an object; if the COM moves outside the base of support, it can lead to destabilization.

What is the Magnus effect?

The lift force created by the spin of a ball causing its path to curve.

How does the lever system function in biomechanics?

It consists of a beam on an axis with motive and resistive forces which rotate around the axis.

What distinguishes a 1st class lever from a 2nd and 3rd class lever?

In a 1st class lever, the fulcrum is in the middle, while in a 2nd class lever the resistance is closer to the fulcrum than the effort, and in a 3rd class lever, the effort is closer to the fulcrum than the resistance.

What are the two types of fluid forces?

Buoyant force and dynamic fluid force.

What is the relationship between force and motion in kinesiology?

The linear motion is caused by force, and angular motion is caused by torque.