General Physics I - Rationalization Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts of General Physics including Newton's Laws of Motion, forces, energy, and vector quantities based on the lecture notes.

Newton's First Law

The law stating that an object resists changes in its state of motion, such as a ball continuing at a constant velocity until acted upon by an external force.

Inertia

The property observed when a passenger's body resists a change in motion, causing them to lean backward when a train suddenly starts moving.

Newton's Second Law

The physical law relating force, mass, and acceleration, represented by the equations $a = \frac{F}{m}$ or $F = ma$.

Net Force of Zero

A state indicating that an object has no acceleration, although it may still be in motion at a constant velocity.

Net Force (Opposing Forces)

The result of subtracting the smaller force from the larger force, such as a $25-N$ force north and a $15-N$ force south resulting in $10-N$ north.

Potential Energy

Stored energy an object has because of its position or condition.

Vector Quantity

A measurement that possesses both magnitude and direction.

Resultant of Opposite Equal Vectors

The combined value of two vectors of equal magnitude acting in opposite directions, which is zero.

Acceleration Calculation Example

Determined by dividing the net force by the mass, such as $\frac{24}{4} = 6 \text{ m/s}^2$.

Force Calculation Example

Determined by multiplying mass by acceleration, such as $1,200 \times 3.0 = 3,600\text{ N}$.

Net Force with Friction

The total force acting on an object after friction opposes the pulling force, such as $60\text{ N} - 15\text{ N} = 45\text{ N}$.