SPH4U Unit 1 Dynamics and Kinematics Vocabulary

Vocabulary and definition flashcards covering dynamics, kinematics terms, Newton's laws, and related foundational concepts from SPH4U Unit 1.

Scalar

A quantity that consists of magnitude alone or magnitude and units.

Vector

A quantity that consists of magnitude, units, and direction.

Position

Where something is with respect to a defined origin, represented as $\vec{d}$.

Distance

Change in position representing the total path length from initial to final position, calculated as $\Delta d = d_2 - d_1$.

Displacement

Change in position representing the straight line distance from initial to final position, calculated as $\Delta \vec{d} = \vec{d}_2 - \vec{d}_1$.

Time Interval

Period of time over which a motion is being investigated, calculated as $\Delta t = t_2 - t_1$.

Speed

The rate of change of position using distance, calculated as $v = \frac{\Delta d}{\Delta t}$.

Velocity

The rate of change of position using displacement, calculated as $\vec{v} = \frac{\Delta \vec{d}}{\Delta t}$.

Acceleration (Scalar)

The rate of change of speed, calculated as $a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$.

Acceleration (Vector)

The rate of change of velocity, calculated as $\vec{a} = \frac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t}$.

Average

A quantity measured over a finite time interval.

Instantaneous

A quantity measured over an interval of time that approaches zero.

Force

A push or a pull.

Applied Force

A force that is usually a push.

Friction

A force ($F_{fr}$) that opposes the motion of one object with respect to another.

Kinetic Friction

A friction force ($F_{frk}$) acting between objects that are sliding with respect to one another, calculated as $F_{frk} = \mu_k F_N$.

Static Friction

A friction force ($F_{frs}$) acting between objects that are not sliding with respect to one another, calculated as $F_{frs} = \mu_s F_N$.

Net Force

The vector sum of all forces acting upon an object ($F_{net}$), defined by $F_{net} = m a$.

Normal Force

A push ($F_N$) acting perpendicular to a surface.

Tension

A force ($F_T$) that is always a pull, directed along the rope/string/cord/etc., whose direction can be changed without affecting its magnitude by passing the rope over a pulley.

Force of Gravity

An attractive force ($F_g$) acting between all objects, calculated as $F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{\Delta d^2}$ or $F_g = m g$.

Gravitational Field

A field ($g$) that exists around every object and interacts with matter to produce the force of gravity, measured in $N/kg$.

Acceleration Due to Gravity

The acceleration ($g$) experienced by any object while in freefall, measured in $m/s^2$.

Mass

A measure of the amount of material contained within an object, denoted as $m$.

Weight

The force of gravity attracting an object to a planet.

Newton's First Law

The principle that any object will maintain constant velocity (including a velocity of $0\,m/s$) unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to maintain constant velocity until an unbalanced force acts upon it.

Newton's Second Law

The law defined by the equation $F_{net} = m a$.

Newton's Third Law

The principle stating that when object "A" exerts a force upon object "B", object "B" will exert a force upon object "A" that is the same size, has the same name, and is in the opposite direction.

Newton (Unit)

The unit of force ($N$), defined in base units as $1\,N = 1\,kg\,m/s^2$.

Kinematics Equations of Motion

Equations derived from a $v-t$ graph (where slope equals acceleration and area equals displacement) that are valid for motion in one dimension with constant acceleration.

Air Resistance

Resistance experienced by any object moving through air due to air particles needing to be moved aside, which is considered negligible when small relative to other forces acting upon the object.