Biomechanics Flashcards
(191 cards)
multiplication factor of the prefix ‘mega’
10 to the power 6
multiplication factor of the prefix ‘giga’
10 to the power 9
multiplication factor of the prefix ‘micro’
10 to the power -6
multiplication factor of the prefix ‘nano’
10 to the power -9
what is the importance of reference frames and coordinate systems?
reference frames allow us to describe all positions and directions in biomechanics.
positions within the reference frame are related by a particular coordinate system
2 types of co-ordinate system
rectangular co-ordinate system
polar co-ordinate system
describe the rectangular co-ordinate system
also known as the Cartesian co-ordinate system.
consists of 3 axes at right angles to one another (x, y and z axes)
describe the polar co-ordinate system
uses a length and an angle to describe positions
define a plane
a flat surface, which has zero-thickness so is therefore 2D
list 3 facts about planes
- two planes can be at right angles to one another
- 3 planes, but no more, can mutually be at right angles, like at the corner of a cube
- a straight line is formed where 2 planes cross each other
name the 3 planes of the body
coronal/frontal plane - side to side
sagittal plane - front to back
transverse - horizontally through
describe the difference between linear and rotary motion
linear motion is motion in a straight line
rotary motion is motion about a central axis
objects can undergo either type of motion or both at the same time
what is a vector quantity and how does it differ from a scalar quantity
a vector is a quantity that has a magnitude and direction, however a scalar is a quantity that only has magnitude
list examples of vector quantities
displacement
velocity
acceleration
force
list examples of scalar quantities
distance
speed
temperature
what is the difference between ‘distance’ and ‘displacement’
distance is a scalar quantity, and is the actual distance travelled between 2 points
displacement is a vector quantity, and is the straight-line distance between 2 points with a defined direction
what is the difference between ‘speed’ and ‘velocity’
speed is a scalar quantity, and is the rate of change of distance travelled
velocity is a vector quantity, and is the rate of change of displacement
what is the equation for average velocity
change in displacement/time (metres per second)
define the term ‘acceleration’
the rate of change of velocity
define the term ‘deceleration’
the rate of change of velocity on slowing down (it will be a negative value)
what is the equation for average acceleration
change in velocity/time (metres per second squared)
what 2 effects can a force have on an object
- change the position of the object in space
2. deform the shape of the object
what is the unit of force
the Newton (N)
i.e. 1 kg per metre per second squared
it is an SI derived unit
define the term ‘statics’
the branch of mechanics dealing with forces and moments acting on objects at rest or moving with constant velocity i.e. not accelerating