Understanding Forces and Motion

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts related to forces and motion, including inertia, gravitational pull, friction, and magnetic fields.

What are the two main forces that keep the planets in orbit around the Sun?

Gravitational pull and inertia.

What is inertia?

The resistance of an object with mass to changes in its direction and speed.

What would happen if the Sun lost its gravitational pull?

All planets, including Earth, would fly off into space.

What occurs if planets lose their inertia?

They would be sucked into the Sun due to its strong gravitational pull.

What is friction?

A contact force that opposes motion.

Under which condition are the applied force and friction force balanced on an object?

When the applied force is equal to the friction force.

What is the independent variable in the experiment measuring Earth's magnetic field?

Distance from Earth.

What is the dependent variable in the experiment measuring Earth's magnetic field?

Strength of the magnetic field.

In a dropped ball experiment, what forces act on the ball?

Gravity and air friction.

What do the arrows in an interactions diagram represent?

The forces pushing and pulling on each other.

What does a flat line on a Newton's Cradle graph indicate?

No motion.