Flashcard library · Physics
Physics: Newton's Laws of Motion
Master Newton's three fundamental Laws of Motion with this essential flashcard deck. Covering inertia, force, mass, acceleration, and action-reaction pairs, these cards will solidify your understanding of how objects move and interact. Perfect for preparing for tests and deepening your foundational physics knowledge.
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State Newton's First Law of Motion.
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 external force.
What is inertia and how does it relate to Newton's First Law?
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. Newton's First Law is often called the Law of Inertia because it describes this resistance.
State Newton's Second Law of Motion as a formula and in words.
The net force acting on an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration (F = ma). This means an object's acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to its mass.
What are the SI units for force, mass, and acceleration?
The SI unit for force is the Newton (N), for mass is the kilogram (kg), and for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
How does an object's acceleration change if the net force applied to it is doubled, assuming constant mass?
If the net force applied to an object is doubled while its mass remains constant, its acceleration will also double according to Newton's Second Law (F=ma).
State Newton's Third Law of Motion.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that if object A exerts a force on object B, then object B simultaneously exerts a force of equal magnitude and opposite direction on object A.
What are two key characteristics of an action-reaction pair as described by Newton's Third Law?
Action-reaction forces always act on different objects and are always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
Define force in physics.
Force is a push or pull that can cause an object to accelerate, change direction, or deform. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
Define mass in physics.
Mass is a measure of an object's inertia, or its resistance to acceleration when a force is applied. It is a scalar quantity, measured in kilograms.
Define acceleration in physics.
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
What is the formula for the gravitational force (weight) acting on an object near the Earth's surface?
The gravitational force, or weight (W), is calculated as mass (m) times the acceleration due to gravity (g), so W = mg.
What is the normal force?
Normal force is the component of a contact force perpendicular to the surface that an object rests on or is in contact with. It acts to prevent objects from passing through surfaces.
What is friction force?
Friction force is a force that opposes motion or attempted motion between two surfaces in contact. It can be static (preventing motion) or kinetic (opposing motion in progress).
What is the net force and why is it important for Newton's Second Law?
The net force is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on an object. Newton's Second Law (F=ma) explicitly refers to this net force as the cause of acceleration.
Define linear momentum and state its formula.
Linear momentum is a measure of the mass in motion, defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. Its formula is p = mv.