Newton's Second Law of Motion Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the vocabulary and core concepts of Newton's Second Law of Motion, including SI units, relationships between variables, and key forces.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

The law stating that acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass; written as the formula $F = m \times a$.

Acceleration

Produced when a force acts on a mass; calculated as $(\text{final v} - \text{starting v}) / \text{time}$.

Force

A push or pull applied to an object.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Newton (N)

The SI unit label for force.

Kilogram (kg)

The SI unit label for mass.

$$m/s/s$$

The SI unit label for acceleration.

Balanced Forces

Occur when forces are equal, resulting in no motion or change in position.

Unbalanced Forces

Occur when forces are not equal, resulting in motion.

Direct Relationship (Newton's 2nd Law)

The relationship between mass and force, where more force is needed to move an object with more mass.

Indirect Relationship (Newton's 2nd Law)

The relationship between acceleration and mass, where an object will accelerate less when there is more mass.

Net Force

The sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Inertia

The property of resisting change in motion; explains why acceleration is affected by mass.

Gravity

The force that pulls on all objects and gives them weight.

Friction

A force that opposes movement.

Velocity

An important vocabulary term related to Newton's Second Law of Motion representing the speed of an object in a given direction.

Momentum

An important vocabulary term related to the motion of a mass (impuso).