Chapter 6: How Forces Affect Motion - Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Chapter 6 focusing on the concept of force, units of measurement, and specific examples of forces like friction and buoyancy.

Force

A physical quantity that can make an object move from rest, change the speed and direction of its motion, or change its shape.

Newton

The SI unit of force, written with a small 'n' and having the symbol $N$.

Magnitude

A value that expresses the strength of a force; if this or the direction changes, the effect of the force changes.

Vector Nature of Force

A physical quantity for which magnitude, direction, and unit must be specified, similar to position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Spring balance

An instrument used to measure the magnitude of a force in general or specifically the weight of an object.

Weight

The gravitational force with which the Earth pulls an object.

Millinewtons

A unit of force equal to $10^{-3}\,N$, which is the order of the smallest forces humans can directly feel in everyday life.

Yoctonewtons

A unit of force equal to $10^{-24}\,N$, representing the scale of the smallest forces scientists can measure in specialized experiments as of 2026.

Force of Friction

A force acting on an object in a direction opposite to the direction of its motion.

Buoyant Force

A force exerted by a liquid in an upward direction on an object placed in it.

Gravitational Force

A force exerted by the Earth that attracts objects towards itself, typically acting downwards.