Physics Vocab

Action-Reaction

when two bodies interact, they apply forces to one another that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

Coefficient of Friction

The ratio of the frictional force (only if they are equal) resisting the motion of two surfaces in contact to the normal force pressing the two surfaces together. Ffs ≤ UsFn

Contact Forces

Any force that occurs as a result of two objects making contact with each other. Friction (Ff), applied force (Fapp), spring force (Fs), tension force (Ft), normal force (Fn)

Dynamic Equilibrium

The sum of the forces = 0 when the object is in constant motion

Equilibrant

A force capable of balancing another force and producing equilibrium.

Equilibrium

If the size and direction of the forces acting on an object are exactly balanced, then there is no net force acting on the object and the object is said to be in equilibrium.

Field Force

gravitation force (Fg), electrostatic force (Fe), magnetic force (Fm)

Force

A push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object.

Free Body Diagram

In physics and engineering, a free body diagram is a graphical illustration used to visualize the applied forces, moments, and resulting reactions on a body.

Friction

The force that resists the sliding or rolling of one solid object over another.

Gravitational Field Strength

The gravitational force in newtons that acts on a mass of one kilogram.

Gravitational Force

The universal force of attraction acting between all matter, a force that attracts any two objects with mass. Weak force.

Kinetic Friction

A force that acts between moving surfaces.

Inertia

An object's resistance to change in its "state".

Net Force

The sum of all the forces acting on an object.

Newton

The force necessary to provide a mass of one kilogram with an acceleration of one meter per second.

Newton's 1st Law

Every object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force.

Newton's 2nd Law

The acceleration of an object is directly related to the net force and inversely related to its mass.

Newton's 3rd Law

For every action (force) in nature, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Normal Force

The force that surfaces exert to prevent solid objects from passing through each other. Perpendicular supportive force.

Projectile

An object upon which the only force is gravity. any object that once projected or dropped continues in motion by its own inertia and is influenced only by the downward force of gravity.

Resolution of Forces

A process of splitting the forces or dividing the forces into two or more parts which ultimately creates the same effect on the body that the single force would have created.

Resultant

The vector sum of two or more vectors.

Spring Force

The force exerted by a spring to restore its relaxed state.

Static Equilibrium

The physical state in which a system's components are at rest and the net force is zero through the system.

Static Friction

A force that keeps an object at rest. Ranges of values that depend on materials in contact and the weight of an object. The force must be overcome to get an object in motion.

Tension

A force along the length of a medium, especially a force carried by a flexible medium, such as a rope or cable.

Thrust

A force or a push (mostly reactive).

Torque

A measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis.

Trajectory

A path taken up by a moving object that is following through space as a function of time.

Unbalanced Force

The force applied in one direction is greater than the force applied in the opposite direction. Acceleration is happening.

Vector Component

A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Vector components allow us to break a single vector quantity into two (or more) scalar quantities.

Weight

Weight is a force that acts at all times on all objects near Earth. The Earth pulls on all objects with a force of gravity downward toward the center of the Earth (in Newtons).