All Flashcards
What is the effect of a non-zero net force acting on an object?
The object accelerates in the direction of the net force.
What happens when the net external force on an object is zero?
The object's velocity remains constant (it either stays at rest or continues moving at a constant velocity).
What is the effect of increasing the net force on an object, assuming mass is constant?
The acceleration of the object increases proportionally.
What is the effect of increasing the mass of an object, assuming the net force remains constant?
The acceleration of the object decreases proportionally.
What happens if the forces acting on an object are balanced?
The object maintains a constant velocity (or remains at rest); there is no acceleration.
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.
What is the effect of an unbalanced force?
Causes the system to accelerate in the direction of the net force.
What is the effect of doubling the net force on an object?
The object's acceleration doubles, assuming mass remains constant.
What is the effect of doubling the mass of an object, with the same net force applied?
The object's acceleration is halved.
What happens when the net external force on a system is zero?
The system's center of mass maintains a constant velocity (or remains at rest).
What is the effect of friction on a moving object?
Friction opposes the motion, resulting in a net force that is reduced, and thus a smaller acceleration.