All Flashcards
Differentiate between balanced and unbalanced forces.
Balanced forces: Net force is zero, constant velocity. Unbalanced forces: Net force is non-zero, acceleration occurs.
What is the difference between internal and external forces?
External forces: Act on the system from outside, can change the system's momentum. Internal forces: Act within the system, do not change the system's momentum.
Compare the effect of doubling the net force versus doubling the mass on an object's acceleration.
Doubling net force: Doubles acceleration. Doubling mass: Halves acceleration.
Compare the motion of an object with zero net external force vs. non-zero net external force.
Zero net force: Constant velocity (or at rest). Non-zero net force: Acceleration.
Compare the directions of net force and acceleration.
Net Force: Direction of the net force can be in any direction. Acceleration: Acceleration is always in the same direction as the net force.
What is the difference between internal and external forces regarding the motion of a system's center of mass?
External forces affect the motion of the center of mass. Internal forces do not.
Compare the effect of force on objects with different masses.
For the same force, an object with smaller mass will have a greater acceleration than an object with larger mass.
Compare the relationship between net force and acceleration vs. mass and acceleration.
Net force and acceleration are directly proportional. Mass and acceleration are inversely proportional.
Define Newton's Second Law.
An object's acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
What is 'net force'?
The vector sum of all forces acting on an object.
Define 'acceleration'.
The rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time.
What is 'mass'?
A measure of an object's resistance to acceleration (inertia).
Define 'external force'.
A force that originates from outside the system being considered.