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Unit 2 Overview: Dynamics

10 min readjanuary 13, 2023

Sam Reich

Sam Reich

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Sam Reich

Sam Reich

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Daniella Garcia-Loos

2.0 Unit 2 Overview: Dynamics

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-gkCe7WJiBHog.png?alt=media&token=28e9ae33-c1f8-4e09-902b-a2e0ffd5041d

Image from Unsplash

is the study of the forces 💪, or the interactions of an object with another object, that cause objects and systems to move. The basic understanding of a force as a push or pull helps solidify that it is a vector quantity and has both magnitude and direction 🔁. 

Similar to that of Unit 1, translation is key in Unit 2. In Unit 1, you learned how to analyze the motion of an object.  Unit 2 takes this idea further and teaches you not just how but why translational motion occurs.  

The first major concept that you will learn about in this unit is the idea of defining a system ⚙️ as a portion of the universe that you choose to study.  You will be able to identify internal and to the system.  The aim of the unit is to show the same object–force interactions through different graphs 📈, diagrams, and mathematical relationships. During Unit 2, you will also learn a necessary skill throughout the remaining units of AP Physics 1: how to derive new expressions from fundamental equations to form predictions in unfamiliar scenarios. 

The backbone of this unit is a variety of different types of forces.  These forces are typically classified into two categories: and are exactly what they sound like–forces that occur when two objects are directly touching each other 🙏.  are forces that occur at a distance 🙌. 

The most common forces that you will study in this unit are , , , , and is the force exerted on an object by gravity.  It is the only non-contact force you will encounter in this unit, and you calculate it by multiplying the mass of the object by the is the force of a surface pushing against the object’s . is the pulling force transmitted by a string, cable, or similar object 🪢. You will find that there are a lot of hanging signs and ropes when you have situations involving is the force between two surfaces that resists motion.  Rougher surfaces (like sandpaper) have lots of , and smoother surfaces (like ice 🧊) have less .  Finally, is precisely what it sounds like–the force exerted by springs!  We treat this differently from because springs and other elastic items act differently than a rope that is not as stretchy.  We use Hooke’s Law to relate the stretchiness of the spring, how far it stretches, and the .

After learning about the different forces, you will start to add them together using force vectors and Free-Body Diagrams. This tool will allow you to write and calculate the net force acting on a system. This is probably the hardest part of the unit 😓, but doing practice problems will help you see patterns in the different types of questions.  Once you have that, you can relate it to the mass and acceleration of an object, culminating in Newton’s 2nd Law.  In this section, you will also learn how to determine if a system is in equilibrium (if the net force is zero) or accelerating (net force is not zero).  

There are two special 😎 cases that you will practice in this unit.  The first one is called an Atwood’s Machine.  One of these setups usually involves a pulley, a string, and a system of masses.  To work through these problems, you should be able to decide what your system is and be able to shift between the entire machine as one system and each mass separately.  

The second special case that you will practice is when you need to calculate the of an object.  The of an object will be different from the actual of an object when the force of gravity is not balanced by an equal ⚖️.  This case typically arises when an object is accelerating vertically, such as in an elevator. 

The exam of this unit is 12-18%, and it tends to span over approximately 19-22 45 minute class periods.

Applicable Big Ideas

Big Idea #1: Systems - Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structures.

Bid Idea #2: Fields - Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.

Big Idea #3: Force Interactions - The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.

Big Idea #4: Change - Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.

2.1 Systems

In physics, a system is a collection of objects or particles that interact with each other. The concept of a system is important in physics because it allows us to understand how different parts of a system are connected and how they influence each other.

There are several types of systems in physics, including:

  1. : These are systems that do not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings. An isolated system is a specific type of closed system that does not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings and is not affected by any .

  2. : These are systems that exchange matter or energy with the surroundings. A thermodynamic system is a specific type of open system that exchanges energy but not matter with the surroundings.

  3. : These are systems that do not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings and are not affected by any .

  4. : These are systems for which the total mechanical energy is conserved, meaning that the sum of kinetic and potential energy remains constant in time.

  5. : These are systems for which the total mechanical energy is not conserved, meaning that the sum of kinetic and potential energy is not constant in time.

It is also important to note that a system can be defined in different ways depending on the scale or level of detail considered. For example, an object can be considered as a system in one context and as part of a larger system in another context.

2.2 The Gravitational Field

A gravitational field is a region around a massive object within which another massive object will experience a force due to gravity. The strength of the gravitational field is represented by the symbol "g" and is measured in units of acceleration, typically in meters per second squared (m/s^2).

The gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This relationship is described by Newton's law of gravitation.

The gravitational field strength "g" is defined as the force experienced by a unit mass placed at a certain point in the field, and it points towards the center of the massive object creating the field.

For example, the gravitational field strength at the Earth's surface is 9.8 m/s^2, which means that an object with a mass of 1 kilogram placed on the Earth's surface will experience a force of 9.8 newtons due to gravity. This value is also known as "" or "standard gravity".

It's also worth noting that the gravitational field is a vector field, meaning that it has both a magnitude and direction. The magnitude of the field is dependent on the mass of the object creating the field and the distance from the object. The direction is always towards the center of the object.

As for the gravitational constant "G", it is a universal constant that relates the gravitational force between two objects to the product of their masses and the distance between them. The value of G is approximately 6.67 x 10^-11 N*m^2/kg^2

2.3 Contact Forces

are forces that are exerted by one object on another when the two objects are in direct contact with each other. These forces can be divided into two main categories: and .

  1. : A is the force exerted by a surface on an object that is in contact with it. The is always perpendicular to the surface and its direction is always away from the surface. The is what keeps an object from falling through a surface. The is also known as the "reaction force" since it is always equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted by the object on the surface.

  2. : are forces that oppose motion between two objects that are in contact with each other. are caused by the roughness and irregularity of the surfaces in contact. There are two types of : static and kinetic . Static is the force that opposes motion when an object is at rest, while kinetic is the force that opposes motion when an object is in motion. The magnitude of the frictional force is typically proportional to the and is also determined by the coefficients of of the two surfaces in contact.

2.4 Newton's First Law

Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move in a straight line with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

In other words, an object will keep moving or staying at rest in a straight line at a constant speed, unless something makes it change its motion. This means that an object that is not being acted upon by a net force will maintain a constant velocity. If the velocity is zero, then the object will remain at rest.

This law is based on the idea that an object has a natural tendency to remain in its current state of motion (at rest or in motion) and that it takes an unbalanced force to change that motion.

It is important to note that in an inertial reference frame (a reference frame in which Newton's first law holds), the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

2.5 Newton's Third Law and Free Body Diagrams

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object. The forces are said to be "" and they are always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

For example, when you push a wall, the wall pushes back on you with an equal force. When a car accelerates forward, the road exerts an equal and opposite force () on the car's tires.

A free body diagram is a tool used to help understand the forces acting on an object. A free body diagram is a simplified representation of an object that shows all the forces acting on it. It includes the object, the forces acting on it, and the direction of the forces.

To create a free body diagram, you should:

  1. Draw a simple representation of the object.
  2. Identify all the forces acting on the object and indicate their direction.
  3. Make sure to draw the force vectors to scale and to the correct direction.

2.6 Newton's Second Law

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the object's mass. Mathematically, it can be represented as:

F = ma

where F is the net force acting on the object, m is the mass of the object and a is the acceleration of the object.

This means that the greater the net force acting on an object, the greater the acceleration of the object will be; and the greater the mass of an object, the smaller the acceleration of the object will be.

It is important to note that net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

Newton's second law is a fundamental principle in physics and it is used to analyze the motion of objects and predict how they will respond to forces. It is used to calculate the acceleration of an object given the net force and mass of the object. It also provides a way to calculate the net force on an object given its acceleration and mass.

2.7 Applications of Newton's Second Law

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. It can be mathematically represented as F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. Some common applications of Newton's second law include:

  1. Understanding the behavior of objects in motion, such as cars, airplanes, and projectiles.

  2. Designing and analyzing mechanical systems, such as gears, levers, and pulleys.

  3. Describing the motion of celestial bodies, such as planets and satellites.

Key Terms to Review (26)

Acceleration due to gravity

: The acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which an object falls towards the Earth under the influence of gravity. It is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s^2) near the surface of the Earth.

Action-reaction force pairs

: Action-reaction force pairs are a pair of forces that two objects exert on each other. These forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Apparent Weight

: Apparent weight refers to what we perceive as our weight when we are in non-inertial reference frames, such as when accelerating or decelerating. It can differ from our actual weight due to additional forces acting on us.

Atwood's Machine

: An Atwood's machine is a simple mechanical device that consists of two masses connected by a string or rope that passes over a pulley. It is used to study the effects of gravitational forces on the motion of objects.

Closed Systems

: Closed systems refer to physical systems that do not exchange matter with their surroundings but can exchange energy with them. These systems are isolated from their environment in terms of matter transfer.

Conservative systems

: Conservative systems are those where mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energies) remains constant throughout its motion.

Contact Forces

: Contact forces are types of external forces that occur when two objects physically touch each other and interact through direct contact.

Dynamics

: Dynamics refers to the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the forces that cause them to move or change their state of motion.

External Forces

: External forces are forces acting on an object that originate from outside the system being analyzed. These forces can cause changes in the motion or shape of the object.

Free-Body Diagrams (FBD)

: Free-body diagrams are visual representations used to analyze forces acting on an object. They show all external forces acting on an object as arrows with their respective magnitudes and directions, allowing for easier identification and analysis of these forces.

Friction

: Friction is a force that opposes relative motion between two surfaces in contact. It arises due to microscopic irregularities between surfaces and can cause objects to slow down or come to rest.

Frictional Forces

: Frictional forces are resistive forces that oppose motion when two surfaces are in contact with each other. They can be either static or kinetic, depending on whether there is relative motion between the surfaces.

Gravitational constant (G)

: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that represents the strength of the gravitational force between two objects. It determines the magnitude of the force of gravity.

Hooke's Law

: Hooke's Law states that within the elastic limit, the force required to stretch or compress an elastic material (like a spring) is directly proportional to its displacement from equilibrium.

Internal forces

: Internal forces are the forces that act within an object or system, causing it to change shape or deform. These forces do not affect the motion of the entire object as a whole.

Isolated systems

: Isolated systems are completely sealed off from their surroundings, preventing any exchange of matter or energy.

Net force equations

: Net force equations are mathematical expressions that represent the total force acting on an object. They take into account both the magnitude and direction of all the forces acting on an object.

Newton's First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia)

: An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an external force.

Non-conservative systems

: Non-conservative systems are physical systems in which mechanical energy is not conserved. Energy can be converted from one form to another or lost due to external factors such as friction or air resistance.

Non-contact forces

: Non-contact forces are forces that act on an object without any physical contact between the objects. These forces can affect an object from a distance.

Normal Force

: The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. It acts perpendicular to the surface.

Normal Forces

: Normal forces are contact forces exerted by a surface to support an object resting on it. They act perpendicular to the surface and counterbalance external forces.

Open systems

: Open systems refer to systems that can exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings.

Spring force

: The spring force is the force exerted by a stretched or compressed spring. It is directly proportional to the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.

Tension

: Tension is a pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or any flexible connector. It acts along the direction of the connector and has equal magnitude at both ends.

Weight

: Weight refers to the gravitational force acting on an object. It is the measure of how heavy an object is and depends on both the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity.

Unit 2 Overview: Dynamics

10 min readjanuary 13, 2023

Sam Reich

Sam Reich

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Sam Reich

Sam Reich

Daniella Garcia-Loos

Daniella Garcia-Loos

2.0 Unit 2 Overview: Dynamics

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-gkCe7WJiBHog.png?alt=media&token=28e9ae33-c1f8-4e09-902b-a2e0ffd5041d

Image from Unsplash

is the study of the forces 💪, or the interactions of an object with another object, that cause objects and systems to move. The basic understanding of a force as a push or pull helps solidify that it is a vector quantity and has both magnitude and direction 🔁. 

Similar to that of Unit 1, translation is key in Unit 2. In Unit 1, you learned how to analyze the motion of an object.  Unit 2 takes this idea further and teaches you not just how but why translational motion occurs.  

The first major concept that you will learn about in this unit is the idea of defining a system ⚙️ as a portion of the universe that you choose to study.  You will be able to identify internal and to the system.  The aim of the unit is to show the same object–force interactions through different graphs 📈, diagrams, and mathematical relationships. During Unit 2, you will also learn a necessary skill throughout the remaining units of AP Physics 1: how to derive new expressions from fundamental equations to form predictions in unfamiliar scenarios. 

The backbone of this unit is a variety of different types of forces.  These forces are typically classified into two categories: and are exactly what they sound like–forces that occur when two objects are directly touching each other 🙏.  are forces that occur at a distance 🙌. 

The most common forces that you will study in this unit are , , , , and is the force exerted on an object by gravity.  It is the only non-contact force you will encounter in this unit, and you calculate it by multiplying the mass of the object by the is the force of a surface pushing against the object’s . is the pulling force transmitted by a string, cable, or similar object 🪢. You will find that there are a lot of hanging signs and ropes when you have situations involving is the force between two surfaces that resists motion.  Rougher surfaces (like sandpaper) have lots of , and smoother surfaces (like ice 🧊) have less .  Finally, is precisely what it sounds like–the force exerted by springs!  We treat this differently from because springs and other elastic items act differently than a rope that is not as stretchy.  We use Hooke’s Law to relate the stretchiness of the spring, how far it stretches, and the .

After learning about the different forces, you will start to add them together using force vectors and Free-Body Diagrams. This tool will allow you to write and calculate the net force acting on a system. This is probably the hardest part of the unit 😓, but doing practice problems will help you see patterns in the different types of questions.  Once you have that, you can relate it to the mass and acceleration of an object, culminating in Newton’s 2nd Law.  In this section, you will also learn how to determine if a system is in equilibrium (if the net force is zero) or accelerating (net force is not zero).  

There are two special 😎 cases that you will practice in this unit.  The first one is called an Atwood’s Machine.  One of these setups usually involves a pulley, a string, and a system of masses.  To work through these problems, you should be able to decide what your system is and be able to shift between the entire machine as one system and each mass separately.  

The second special case that you will practice is when you need to calculate the of an object.  The of an object will be different from the actual of an object when the force of gravity is not balanced by an equal ⚖️.  This case typically arises when an object is accelerating vertically, such as in an elevator. 

The exam of this unit is 12-18%, and it tends to span over approximately 19-22 45 minute class periods.

Applicable Big Ideas

Big Idea #1: Systems - Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structures.

Bid Idea #2: Fields - Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.

Big Idea #3: Force Interactions - The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.

Big Idea #4: Change - Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.

2.1 Systems

In physics, a system is a collection of objects or particles that interact with each other. The concept of a system is important in physics because it allows us to understand how different parts of a system are connected and how they influence each other.

There are several types of systems in physics, including:

  1. : These are systems that do not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings. An isolated system is a specific type of closed system that does not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings and is not affected by any .

  2. : These are systems that exchange matter or energy with the surroundings. A thermodynamic system is a specific type of open system that exchanges energy but not matter with the surroundings.

  3. : These are systems that do not exchange matter or energy with the surroundings and are not affected by any .

  4. : These are systems for which the total mechanical energy is conserved, meaning that the sum of kinetic and potential energy remains constant in time.

  5. : These are systems for which the total mechanical energy is not conserved, meaning that the sum of kinetic and potential energy is not constant in time.

It is also important to note that a system can be defined in different ways depending on the scale or level of detail considered. For example, an object can be considered as a system in one context and as part of a larger system in another context.

2.2 The Gravitational Field

A gravitational field is a region around a massive object within which another massive object will experience a force due to gravity. The strength of the gravitational field is represented by the symbol "g" and is measured in units of acceleration, typically in meters per second squared (m/s^2).

The gravitational force between two objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This relationship is described by Newton's law of gravitation.

The gravitational field strength "g" is defined as the force experienced by a unit mass placed at a certain point in the field, and it points towards the center of the massive object creating the field.

For example, the gravitational field strength at the Earth's surface is 9.8 m/s^2, which means that an object with a mass of 1 kilogram placed on the Earth's surface will experience a force of 9.8 newtons due to gravity. This value is also known as "" or "standard gravity".

It's also worth noting that the gravitational field is a vector field, meaning that it has both a magnitude and direction. The magnitude of the field is dependent on the mass of the object creating the field and the distance from the object. The direction is always towards the center of the object.

As for the gravitational constant "G", it is a universal constant that relates the gravitational force between two objects to the product of their masses and the distance between them. The value of G is approximately 6.67 x 10^-11 N*m^2/kg^2

2.3 Contact Forces

are forces that are exerted by one object on another when the two objects are in direct contact with each other. These forces can be divided into two main categories: and .

  1. : A is the force exerted by a surface on an object that is in contact with it. The is always perpendicular to the surface and its direction is always away from the surface. The is what keeps an object from falling through a surface. The is also known as the "reaction force" since it is always equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted by the object on the surface.

  2. : are forces that oppose motion between two objects that are in contact with each other. are caused by the roughness and irregularity of the surfaces in contact. There are two types of : static and kinetic . Static is the force that opposes motion when an object is at rest, while kinetic is the force that opposes motion when an object is in motion. The magnitude of the frictional force is typically proportional to the and is also determined by the coefficients of of the two surfaces in contact.

2.4 Newton's First Law

Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue to move in a straight line with a constant velocity, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

In other words, an object will keep moving or staying at rest in a straight line at a constant speed, unless something makes it change its motion. This means that an object that is not being acted upon by a net force will maintain a constant velocity. If the velocity is zero, then the object will remain at rest.

This law is based on the idea that an object has a natural tendency to remain in its current state of motion (at rest or in motion) and that it takes an unbalanced force to change that motion.

It is important to note that in an inertial reference frame (a reference frame in which Newton's first law holds), the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

2.5 Newton's Third Law and Free Body Diagrams

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object. The forces are said to be "" and they are always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

For example, when you push a wall, the wall pushes back on you with an equal force. When a car accelerates forward, the road exerts an equal and opposite force () on the car's tires.

A free body diagram is a tool used to help understand the forces acting on an object. A free body diagram is a simplified representation of an object that shows all the forces acting on it. It includes the object, the forces acting on it, and the direction of the forces.

To create a free body diagram, you should:

  1. Draw a simple representation of the object.
  2. Identify all the forces acting on the object and indicate their direction.
  3. Make sure to draw the force vectors to scale and to the correct direction.

2.6 Newton's Second Law

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the object's mass. Mathematically, it can be represented as:

F = ma

where F is the net force acting on the object, m is the mass of the object and a is the acceleration of the object.

This means that the greater the net force acting on an object, the greater the acceleration of the object will be; and the greater the mass of an object, the smaller the acceleration of the object will be.

It is important to note that net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

Newton's second law is a fundamental principle in physics and it is used to analyze the motion of objects and predict how they will respond to forces. It is used to calculate the acceleration of an object given the net force and mass of the object. It also provides a way to calculate the net force on an object given its acceleration and mass.

2.7 Applications of Newton's Second Law

Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. It can be mathematically represented as F = ma, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. Some common applications of Newton's second law include:

  1. Understanding the behavior of objects in motion, such as cars, airplanes, and projectiles.

  2. Designing and analyzing mechanical systems, such as gears, levers, and pulleys.

  3. Describing the motion of celestial bodies, such as planets and satellites.

Key Terms to Review (26)

Acceleration due to gravity

: The acceleration due to gravity is the rate at which an object falls towards the Earth under the influence of gravity. It is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s^2) near the surface of the Earth.

Action-reaction force pairs

: Action-reaction force pairs are a pair of forces that two objects exert on each other. These forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.

Apparent Weight

: Apparent weight refers to what we perceive as our weight when we are in non-inertial reference frames, such as when accelerating or decelerating. It can differ from our actual weight due to additional forces acting on us.

Atwood's Machine

: An Atwood's machine is a simple mechanical device that consists of two masses connected by a string or rope that passes over a pulley. It is used to study the effects of gravitational forces on the motion of objects.

Closed Systems

: Closed systems refer to physical systems that do not exchange matter with their surroundings but can exchange energy with them. These systems are isolated from their environment in terms of matter transfer.

Conservative systems

: Conservative systems are those where mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energies) remains constant throughout its motion.

Contact Forces

: Contact forces are types of external forces that occur when two objects physically touch each other and interact through direct contact.

Dynamics

: Dynamics refers to the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the forces that cause them to move or change their state of motion.

External Forces

: External forces are forces acting on an object that originate from outside the system being analyzed. These forces can cause changes in the motion or shape of the object.

Free-Body Diagrams (FBD)

: Free-body diagrams are visual representations used to analyze forces acting on an object. They show all external forces acting on an object as arrows with their respective magnitudes and directions, allowing for easier identification and analysis of these forces.

Friction

: Friction is a force that opposes relative motion between two surfaces in contact. It arises due to microscopic irregularities between surfaces and can cause objects to slow down or come to rest.

Frictional Forces

: Frictional forces are resistive forces that oppose motion when two surfaces are in contact with each other. They can be either static or kinetic, depending on whether there is relative motion between the surfaces.

Gravitational constant (G)

: The gravitational constant (G) is a fundamental physical constant that represents the strength of the gravitational force between two objects. It determines the magnitude of the force of gravity.

Hooke's Law

: Hooke's Law states that within the elastic limit, the force required to stretch or compress an elastic material (like a spring) is directly proportional to its displacement from equilibrium.

Internal forces

: Internal forces are the forces that act within an object or system, causing it to change shape or deform. These forces do not affect the motion of the entire object as a whole.

Isolated systems

: Isolated systems are completely sealed off from their surroundings, preventing any exchange of matter or energy.

Net force equations

: Net force equations are mathematical expressions that represent the total force acting on an object. They take into account both the magnitude and direction of all the forces acting on an object.

Newton's First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia)

: An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction, unless acted upon by an external force.

Non-conservative systems

: Non-conservative systems are physical systems in which mechanical energy is not conserved. Energy can be converted from one form to another or lost due to external factors such as friction or air resistance.

Non-contact forces

: Non-contact forces are forces that act on an object without any physical contact between the objects. These forces can affect an object from a distance.

Normal Force

: The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. It acts perpendicular to the surface.

Normal Forces

: Normal forces are contact forces exerted by a surface to support an object resting on it. They act perpendicular to the surface and counterbalance external forces.

Open systems

: Open systems refer to systems that can exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings.

Spring force

: The spring force is the force exerted by a stretched or compressed spring. It is directly proportional to the displacement of the spring from its equilibrium position.

Tension

: Tension is a pulling force transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or any flexible connector. It acts along the direction of the connector and has equal magnitude at both ends.

Weight

: Weight refers to the gravitational force acting on an object. It is the measure of how heavy an object is and depends on both the mass of the object and the acceleration due to gravity.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.