Physics: Forces and Motion

Flashcards covering Newton's Laws of Motion and the concepts of forces, balance, and impact safety.

What does Newton's First Law of Motion state about balanced forces?

Balanced forces do not change an object's motion.

What happens to an object in motion if no other forces act upon it?

It will continue to move at a constant speed.

What are unbalanced forces?

Forces that change an object's motion, causing it to speed up, slow down, or change direction.

Can you provide an example of balanced forces?

A box on a table where gravity pulls it down and the table exerts an equal normal force up.

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

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

What happens when two objects collide according to Newton's Third Law?

Object 1 pushes on object 2, and object 2 pushes back on object 1 with equal force.

Why does a boat move backward when a person steps onto a dock?

The person stepping forward exerts a force on the boat, causing it to move backward.

What do crumple zones in vehicles do?

They absorb impact force during a collision.

How do seat belts and airbags enhance passenger safety?

They increase the time over which the passenger experiences impact force, reducing the force felt.

What occurs when the pail collides with the pillow?

The pillow exerts an equal and opposite force on the pail.

How does the mass of an object affect the force exerted in a collision?

An increased mass results in a greater force exerted upon collision.