Physics Unit 2

Newton's First Law

An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Inertia

The tendency of an object to resist a change in motion

free body diagram

a physical model that represents the forces acting on a system

net force

The sum of all forces acting on an object

balanced force

two forces acting in opposite directions on an object, and equal in size

unbalanced forces

Forces that produce a nonzero net force, which changes an object's motion

Newton's Second Law

Force equals mass times acceleration

normal force

the perpendicular contact force exerted by a surface on another object

Weight

A measure of the force of gravity on an object

friction

A force that opposes motion between two surfaces that are in contact

Tension Force

The force that is transmitted through a string, rope, cable or wire when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends

applied force

a force that is put on an object by another object

direct proportion

a relationship in which the ratio of two variables is constant

inverse proportion

a relation between two quantities such that one increases in proportion as the other decreases.

Newton's Third Law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

static friction

Friction that acts on objects that are not moving

kinetic friction

Friction between moving surfaces

air resistance

Fluid friction acting on an object moving through the air

work

Force exerted on an object that causes it to move

power

the rate at which work is done