Physics: Laws of Motion and Force

Vocabulary flashcards covering Friction, Aristotle and Galileo's theories, Inertia, and Newton's Laws of Motion (Inertia, Acceleration, and Interaction) including common formulas and methodology.

Friction

A force that opposes sliding and is influenced by the type of surface in contact between two objects.

Rough surface

A type of surface that results in a larger frictional force.

Smooth surface

A type of surface that results in a smaller frictional force.

Aristotle's Theory

The theory that a constant force was required to keep a moving object at a steady speed and that extra force was necessary for acceleration.

Galileo Galilei

A scientist who challenged Aristotle's ideas, arguing that an object would continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line indefinitely in the absence of friction.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist in its motion.

Law of Inertia

A principle stating that an object at rest stays at rest and an object moving stays moving unless a force acts on it.

Relation between Inertia and Mass

A principle where more mass results in more inertia, making heavier objects harder to stop than lighter ones.

Acceleration

A measure of how fast and in what direction an object's speed and direction of motion are changing.

Law of Acceleration

Also known as the 2nd Law of Motion, it states that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on an object and inversely proportional to its mass.

$$F = ma$$

The formula for Force, where $F$ is Force, $m$ is Mass, and $a$ is Acceleration.

$$m = F/a$$

The formula used to determine the Mass of an object.

$$a = F/m$$

The formula used to determine the Acceleration of an object.

Kg

The terminology used in the notes representing kilogram/s.

N

The terminology used in the notes representing Newton/s.

$$m/s^2$$

The terminology used in the notes representing Meters per second squared.

GAFSA

A problem-solving method sequence consisting of Given, Asked, Formula, Solution, and Answer.

Law of Interaction

The law stating that for every action force, there is an equal and opposite force; whenever one object applies force on another, the second object simultaneously applies an equal force in the opposite direction.

Action Force

The force exerted by the first object in an interaction.

Reaction Force

The force exerted back by the second object in an interaction.

Core Characteristics of Interaction Forces

Forces occur simultaneously, have equal magnitude but opposite directions, and act on different objects (meaning they do not cancel).

Examples of Law of Interaction

Common activities including walking, swimming, running, rocket repulsion, and pushing or pulling objects.