Forces and Energy Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is displacement (s)?
The straight-line distance from start to finish in a specified direction.
Define velocity (v, u).
Rate of change of displacement.
What is initial velocity (u)?
Velocity at the start of the motion.
What is final velocity (v)?
Velocity at the end of the motion.
Define acceleration (a).
Rate of change of velocity (vector quantity).
What does time (t) measure?
Duration of motion, measured in seconds (s).
What is force (F)?
Something that changes or tends to change the state of motion (N).
Define mass (m).
Amount of matter in an object; resistance to acceleration (kg).
What is work (W)?
Energy transfer when a force moves an object through a distance (J).
Define kinetic energy (Ek).
Energy of motion (J).
What is potential energy (Ep)?
Stored energy due to position in a force field (e.g. gravity) (J).
What is gravitational field strength (g)?
Acceleration due to Earth’s gravity; ≈ 9.81 m/s².
What is the equation for final velocity (v) with constant acceleration?
v = u + at
What does the equation v² = u² + 2as relate?
Relates speeds to displacement without time.
What is the equation for displacement (s) with initial velocity, acceleration, and time?
s = ut + ½ a t²
What is the value of gravitational acceleration (g) on Earth’s surface?
g = 9.81 m/s²
How is gravitational acceleration denoted in kinematics formulas?
a = g (downward positive if chosen).
What is the formula for kinetic energy (Ek)?
Ek = ½ mv²
In the kinetic energy formula, what does ‘m’ represent?
Mass (kg)
In the kinetic energy formula, what does ‘v’ represent?
Final velocity (m/s)
What happens to kinetic energy if you double the speed?
Kinetic energy quadruples.
What is the formula for gravitational potential energy (Ep)?
Ep = mgh
In the gravitational potential energy formula, what does ‘h’ represent?
Height above reference point (m)
What happens to potential energy if you double the mass or height?
Twice the potential energy.
