General Science 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering translational and rotational motion, linear and angular quantities in human movement, and simple and compound machines.

Motion

The change in an object's position over time.

Translational Motion

Motion of an object in which all parts move the same distance in the same direction without changing the object's orientation.

Rotational Motion

The motion of an object in which all parts move in circular paths about a fixed axis, changing the object's orientation.

Distance

Total path traveled.

Displacement

Shortest straight-line change in position, including direction.

Speed

Distance covered per unit time.

Velocity

Speed with direction.

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity.

Angular Displacement

Angle through which an object rotates, or the angle a body segment rotates through at a joint.

Angular Speed

How fast an object rotates.

Angular Velocity

Angular speed with direction, describing how fast a joint rotates in a direction.

Angular Acceleration

Rate of change of angular velocity, describing how quickly a joint's rotation velocity changes.

Kinematics

The branch of mechanics that describes motion by observing it, without asking why it happens.

Radius ($r$)

The distance from the joint (axis of rotation) to the point being measured.

Torque

Calculated using the formula $\tau = r \times F \times \sin(\theta)$, where $r$ is distance/radius, $F$ is force, and $\theta$ is angle.

Linear Work

Work calculated using the formula $W = F \times x$, where $F$ is force and $x$ is distance/displacement.

Angular Work

Work calculated using the formula $W = \tau \times \theta$, where $\tau$ is torque and $\theta$ is angular displacement.

Power

The rate of doing work or the rate of energy transfer, calculated as $P = \frac{W}{t}$.

Machine

A device that makes work easier by modifying how a force is applied.

Energy

The ability to do work or produce change, existing as kinetic or potential energy, measured in Joules ($\text{J}$).

Simple Machine

Basic mechanical devices for applying force that have few or no moving parts.

Lever

A simple machine consisting of a fulcrum, load, and effort, categorized as first-class, second-class, or third-class.

Wheel and Axle

A simple machine consisting of a larger wheel attached to a smaller axle, so that both rotate together around a common center.

Pulley

A simple machine that can be fixed, movable, or a block and tackle.

Inclined Plane

A simple machine consisting of a sloping surface, used for raising heavy bodies.

Wedge

A simple machine that consists of two inclined planes, giving it a thin end and thick end, used to cut or split apart objects.

Screw

A simple machine consisting of a twisted inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder in ridges, having a sharp tip and mainly used for drilling.

Compound Machine

Machines made up of two or more simple machines working together.