Unit 1: Motion, Forces, and Energy

motion

the change in position of an object over time, typically described in terms of speed and direction.

reference point

A stationary object used to compare and measure the motion of another object.

Translational motion

Movement along a path (straight or curved) that changes an object's position.

oscillary motion

Repeated motion around a central point or equilibrium position, such as swinging or vibrating.

force

A push or pull on an object that causes it to move or change its motion.

contact forces

Forces that occur when two objects are physically touching each other, such as friction and tension.

non-contact tension

Forces that act on an object at a distance, such as gravitational, magnetic, or electric forces.

Inertia

 An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force

Force and Acceleration

The force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object times its acceleration. F=ma

Action and reaction

 For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Energy

The capacity to do work or produce change in a system

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion, calculated as 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

potential energy

The stored energy of an object due to its position or state, commonly defined as gravitational potential energy, which is calculated as mgh, where m is mass, g is gravitational acceleration, and h is height.

work

done when a force causes an object to move in the direction of the force. 

Conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Acceleration

the rate of change of velocity over time