Science Key Study Notes: Energy, Forces, and Motion

Comprehensive review flashcards covering energy stores and transfers, types of forces, motion, speed, acceleration, and the distinction between mass and weight.

What is energy, and what are its different "pockets" called?

Energy is the ability to do work and is kept in different "pockets" called stores.

What are the specific energy stores listed in the study notes?

Kinetic energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, Gravitational potential, and Elastic energy.

What happens to the total amount of energy when it changes from one store to another?

The total amount of energy never disappears.

In what ways can energy move between stores?

Energy moves between stores in four main ways, including heating, electrical currents, or mechanical movement.

How does energy transfer when a flashlight is switched on, and what happens to some of that energy?

Chemical energy transfers into light and heat energy, and some energy always spreads out into the air as wasted heat.

What is a force, and what three changes can it cause in an object?

A force is a simple push or a pull that makes things move, change speed, or change shape.

What are examples of forces that touch an object versus forces that act from a distance?

Friction touches the object, while gravity works from a distance.

What tool and unit are used to measure forces?

Forces are measured using a tool called a newton meter, and the unit used is Newtons ($N$).

What are balanced forces, and what effect do they have on an object?

Balanced forces are equal in size but pull or push in opposite directions, so the object stays still or moves at the same steady speed.

What are unbalanced forces, and what is the leftover force called?

Unbalanced forces happen when one force is stronger than the other, causing an object to start moving, speed up, or slow down; the leftover force is called the resultant force.

What does speed tell us about an object?

Speed tells us how fast an object is moving, like how many meters it travels in one second.

What is acceleration, and how can changes in motion be visualized?

Acceleration happens when an object speeds up, slows down, or changes the direction it is traveling, and these changes can be seen by looking at a simple line graph of the object's journey.

What is mass, and how does it behave in space?

Mass is the actual amount of matter or "stuff" inside an object, and it never changes no matter where you go in space.

How does weight differ from mass when considering an object on the Moon?

Weight is a force caused by gravity pulling down on mass and depends on gravity, meaning you would weigh much less on the Moon, but your mass would stay exactly the same.