FORCES

Force

A push or pull

Balanced Forces

equal and opposite forces. Sum of the forces is zero (net force zero). Object will not move.

Unbalanced Forces

Unequal forces. Sum of the forces (net force) is greater than zero. Object will move.

Gravity

A force of attraction between two objects based on their masses. It is a non-contact force.

Friction

A force that resists motion. It is a contact force.

Magnitude

The size or amount of a force, indicating its strength.

Vector

A quantity that has magnitude and direction. Shown as an arrow.

Newton

A unit of force; used to quantify the amount of force applied to an object.

Net Force

The combination (sum) of all forces acting on an object

To find net force of opposite forces

subtract the forces

To find the net force of forces in the same direction

add the forces

Net force should have

a number, an arrow and a N unit

Contact Force

a push or pull on one object by another that is touching it (examples: friction, push, pull, drag)

Non-Contact Force

a force that one object can apply to another object without touching it (examples: gravity, magnetic force, electric force)

potential energy

energy stored due to an object's position; energy waiting to be used

kinetic energy

the energy an object due to its motion