All Flashcards
Differentiate between balanced and unbalanced forces.
Balanced forces: Net force is zero, no change in velocity. Unbalanced forces: Non-zero net force, causes acceleration.
What is the difference between inertial and non-inertial reference frames?
Inertial frames: Newton's First Law holds. Non-inertial frames: Accelerating or rotating, require fictitious forces.
Compare equilibrium and 'no motion'.
Equilibrium: Constant velocity (can be zero). 'No motion': Object is at rest (zero velocity).
Define Newton's First Law.
An object maintains its state of motion unless acted upon by a net external force.
What is inertia?
The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
Define translational equilibrium.
A state where the net force on an object is zero, resulting in constant velocity.
What is an inertial reference frame?
A reference frame in which Newton's First Law holds true; an object with no net force maintains constant velocity.
What is net force?
The vector sum of all forces acting on an object.
How do you calculate net force?
- Identify all forces acting on the object.
- Resolve forces into x and y components (if necessary).
- Add the force vectors, considering both magnitude and direction, to find the resultant force.
How do you determine if an object is in translational equilibrium?
- Identify all forces acting on the object.
- Calculate the vector sum of all forces.
- If the vector sum is zero, the object is in translational equilibrium.