Physics - IB Laws of Motion Summary

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Laws of Motion topic in Physics as part of the IB syllabus.

What does Newton's First Law of Motion state?

Every body continues to be in its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.

How is linear momentum defined?

The linear momentum of a particle is the product of its mass and velocity, given by P = mV.

What does Newton's Second Law relate to linear momentum?

The rate of change of linear momentum of a particle is equal to the net force acting on it.

What is the formula for force when mass is constant?

F = ma, where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration.

How is impulse defined?

Impulse is defined as the product of the average force and the time interval over which it acts.

What is the significance of Newton's Third Law?

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

What happens when a bullet is fired from a stationary gun?

The total momentum of the gun and bullet is zero before and after firing, showing conservation of momentum.

What is the relationship between impulse and change in momentum?

Impulse is equal to the change in momentum, J = mv - mu.

What does the law of conservation of linear momentum state?

In the absence of external forces, the total linear momentum of a system remains constant.

How does acceleration change if a block is on a rough inclined plane?

For a block sliding down a rough inclined plane, acceleration is affected by both gravitational force and friction.

What are the factors affecting friction?

Friction is dependent on the nature of surfaces in contact, the force pressing them together, and is independent of surface area.

What is the formula for the maximum speed of a vehicle on a banked curve?

V_max = √(r g tan(θ)), where θ is the banking angle, r is the radius of the curve, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

How is the braking force related to stopping distance?

The kinetic energy of the vehicle is equal to the work done by the braking force over the stopping distance.

What is the function of tension in a string?

Tension in a string acts to balance forces on masses being pulled or hanging, maintaining systems in equilibrium.

What is the concept of pseudo force?

Pseudo force is an apparent force observed in a non-inertial frame of reference, acting in the opposite direction to acceleration.

How is static friction different from kinetic friction?

Static friction acts to prevent movement, while kinetic friction opposes the motion of sliding objects.

What is the significance of a correctly balanced pulley system?

In a correctly balanced pulley system, the forces acting on both sides are equal, resulting in equilibrium.

What occurs during an explosion in terms of momentum?

Linear momentum is conserved during an explosion, though kinetic energy may not be conserved.

How do conservation laws apply to rocket propulsion?

The thrust produced by a rocket must counteract gravitational force and provide the necessary acceleration for ascent.

What happens when two bodies collide elastically?

In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.

How is friction quantified between surfaces in contact?

Friction is quantified by the product of the normal force and the coefficient of friction.