Forces and Net Force - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from notes on force, net force, and balanced/unbalanced forces.

Force

A push or pull on an object that can change its motion; common forces on Earth include gravity, friction, and air resistance.

Gravity

The force that pulls objects toward Earth; a downward force that acts on all objects with mass.

Friction

A resistive force that opposes motion between two touching surfaces.

Air Resistance

Drag force from air acting opposite to the direction of an object's motion.

Net Force

The overall force acting on an object, found by combining all individual forces; measured in Newtons (N). If net force is zero, motion does not change; if nonzero, motion changes.

Newton

The unit of force in the metric system; 1 Newton accelerates a 1 kg mass by 1 m/s^2.

Balanced Forces

When equal forces act in opposite directions, producing a net force of 0 N and no change in motion.

Unbalanced Forces

When forces on an object are not equal, producing a net force that causes a change in motion (speed or direction); the motion is toward the greater force.

Net Force Calculation

The method to determine net force: add forces pointing the same way and subtract forces pointing in opposite directions; the result shows the net force and its direction.

Constant Speed

A state in which an object moves at a constant speed (or is at rest) because the net force is 0 N; this occurs with balanced forces.

Change in Motion

Occurs when the net force on an object is not zero, causing acceleration, a change in speed, or a change in direction.

Direction of Motion with Net Force

If the net force is greater in one direction, the object accelerates toward that direction.