definitions chap 1-3 Flashcards
(18 cards)
accuracy
How close the reading is to its true value. When readings are accurate the average moves closer/towards to its true value
Percision
Smallest change in the value that can be measured by an instrument.
Random errors
Readings have positive and negative/ scattered values around the peak value (done by the experimentor)
- to reduce take multiple readings
Systematic error
The average value is not the/centered around the true value(done by the instrument)
- look and check for zero error
Uncertainty
The range of value within which a measurement is likely to be in
Free Fall
The downward motion of an object only under the influence of gravity with a constant acceleration.
Projectile Motion
Objects acted upon by a force with vector at perpendicular to its horizontal velocity.
- assume zero frictional forces
- trajectory of object will result in a parabola
Terminal Velocity
Constant speed of object when resultant force is zero due to large air resistance.
Conservation of Momentum
In an isolated system the total momentum of two or more bodies acting upon each other remains constant unless an external force is applied
- the total momentum before the collision = the total momentum after the collision
Elastic Collisions
collision in which there is no net loss in kinetic energy in the system as a result of the collision.
- When two objects collide, they may spring apart retaining all of their kinetic energy.
An elastic collision is one where kinetic energy is conserved
- Speed of approach is equal to speed of separation (relative)
Impulse
It is the product of force and time during which the force is applied
Inelastic Collisions
Total Momentum of a system is conserved, but the total kinetic energy is not conserved.
- Speed before impact is not equal to speed
Linear Momentum
Product of an object’s mass and velocity, with its direction always being the same as the direction of velocity
Mass
-Amount of matter contained in a body
- mass= force/acceleration
-It is a measure of inertia of a body or or the property of a body that resists change in motion.
Newton’s First Law
A body remains at rest or constant velocity unless acted on by a resultant(external) force.
Newton’s Second Law
The (resultant) force is proportional to the rate of change of momentum, p=mv of the object.
Newton’s Third Law
If one body exerts a force on another, it will experience a force by the other body, which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.
- If body A exerts a force on body B, then body B will exert a force on body A of equal magnitude but in the opposite direction
- Both forces are not of the same kind
Weight
- Weight is the effect of a gravitational field on a mass.
- Weight is the force due to the gravitational field
