physics torque keyterms

centripetal

central seeking, toward the center

centripetal acceleration

acceleration toward the center of circular motion; radial acceleration

centripetal force

force perpendicular to the path of a moving object that produces circular motion; center-directed force that causes an object to move in a circular path

centrifugal

center seeking; away from the center

centrifugal force

apparent outward force on a rotation or revolving object; not real.

g-force

not actually forces; a reference to the feeling experienced under a certain amount

center of gravity

point at the center of an object’s weight distribution where gravity is considered to act

center of mass

point at the center of an object’s mass distribution, where all of its mass is considered to be concentrated.

topple

to fall in a circular path or rotate; occurs due to a torque

torque

measurement of the ability of a force to rotate an object around an axis; produces rotation

lever arm

distance between the fulcrum/axle and the perpendicular force applied

balanced force

when torque CCW is equal to torque clockwise CW; when net torque or sum of all torque is zero

moment of inertia

also called rotational inertia, the reluctance of an object to change its state of rotation, determined by the mass of the object