Forces and Motion

force

push or pull that can act on or

change an object

friction

an opposing force caused by two

objects touching each other

balanced

when two equal forces acting on an

object cancel out each other’s effect

on the object

unbalanced

a force that is unequal in size and may

or may not be opposite in direction

that causes a change in an object's

motion, resulting in: acceleration,

deceleration, or a change in direction.

speed

a measure of how fast an object is

moving. It tells you how much

distance an object covers in a specific

amount of time.

mass

a measure of how much matter an

object has.

contact force

a push or pull that moves or changes

an object when two objects touch

non contact force

a force that does not need to touch an

object to affect it, such as gravity

inertia

an object’s ability to oppose a change

in motion

acceleration

Speeding up: Slowing down:

(sometimes called "deceleration").

Changing direction...even if they stay

at the same speed

resistance

a force that acts against motion

texture

A physical property of a solid used to

describe its surface.

observation

Information about the natural world

gathered through the senses and/or

scientific instruments.

ramp

a type of simple machine called an

inclined plane. It is a flat surface set at

an angle (tilted) that helps you move

objects up or down.

assume

to suppose something is true

direction

is the path that an object travels or

the way a force is pushing or pulling.