All Flashcards
What is the difference between contact forces and field forces?
Contact forces: Act when objects touch (e.g., friction, normal force). Field forces: Act at a distance (e.g., gravity).
What is the key difference between action and reaction forces and why don't they cancel each other out?
Action and reaction forces act on DIFFERENT objects. They don't cancel because the net force is calculated for a SINGLE object.
What is a vector?
A quantity with both magnitude (size) and direction.
What is a force?
A push or pull; a vector with magnitude and direction.
What is a Free-Body Diagram (FBD)?
A diagram showing all the external forces acting on an object.
What is 'Magnitude' in the context of force vectors?
The strength or size of the force.
What is 'Resultant Force'?
The sum of all force vectors acting on an object (use vector addition).
Define 'Action' in the context of Newton's Third Law.
The force exerted on an object.
Define 'Reaction' in the context of Newton's Third Law.
The force experienced by the object in response to the action force.
According to Newton's Second Law, what is the effect of applying a net force on an object?
The object accelerates in the direction of the net force. The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass ().
What is the effect of the Earth pulling on you?
You pull on the Earth (equal and opposite force).