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Forces
Glossary for Forces and Motion
41
Science
Not Applicable
02/23/2005

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Term
Acceleration
Definition
Any change in the velocity of an object. If the object moves faster, or slower, or changes directions, it has accelerated. Acceleration is the change in velocity per second.
Term
Acclerometer
Definition
A device for detecting and measuring acceleration; it indicates zero when it is stationary or moving at constant velocity.
Term
Archimedes
Definition
A greek mathematician , physicist, and inventor. Archimde
Term
Archimedes
Definition
A greek mathematician , physicist, and inventor. Archimde
Term
Aristotle
Definition
A Greek philosopher, pupil of Plato, and tutor of Alexander the Great. Aritotle saw the importance of careful observation and detailed classification, which are parts of the scientific method.
Term
Balance
Definition
An instrument used to compare masses, traditionally with tow equal pans. Known masses are palced in one pan to balance an object in the other pan.
Term
Buoyancy
Definition
The apparent loss of weight of a body partly or completely immersed in a fluid, due to the wieght of fluid displaced by the object.
Term
Centripetal
Definition
Directed towards the center, for example the force requeired to keep an obeject moving in a circular path or orbit.
Term
Deceleration
Definition
Slwoing down, braking, or negatice acceleration.
Term
Density
Definition
The mass of an object divided by its volume. The amount of matter (mass) in a unit volume of a material: for example, the density of gold is 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
The quanity plotted on the vertical axis of a graph, which depends on the value of the (independent) variable on the horizontal axis.
Term
equilibrium
Definition
A situation in which the resultant force on a obejct is zero. The object is at rest or moving at constant velocity in a straight line.
Term
Equilibrium
Definition
A situation in which the resultant force on a object is zero. The obejct is at terst or moving at constant velocity in a straight line.
Term
Fluid
Definition
Any liquid, gas, or powdered material, which flows, and lacks a derinite shape.
Term
Force
Definition
When applied to an object, a force tends to make the object move, change the motion of the obejct, or change its shape. Forces are measured in newtons and are vectors.
Term
Fricton
Definition
The force that resists sliding motion between two surfaces in contact. Vehicles moving trhough air experience friciton, commonly called air resistnace or drag.
Term
Gravity
Definition
The floce of attraction between objects, which increases as the mass of the objects increases but decreases as the separation of the objects increases.
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
The quantity plotted on the horizontal axis of a graph; for example, time is a common independent variable.
Term
Inertia
Definition
The tendency of an object to remain at rest (stationary) or to continue moving in a straight line at constant speed. Inertia increases as the mass of the object increases.
Term
kilogram
Definition
The SI unit of mass; 1000 grams; approximately 2.2 pounds. Written as "kilogram" symbol "kg"
Term
mass
Definition
is the amount of substnace in an object, is fixed, and measured in grams and kilograms,. The mass of any object is independent of the location of the object.
Term
meter
Definition
The SI unit of length; equal to 39.37 inches (US) Written as "meter", symbol"m".
Term
momentum
Definition
A moving object has mass and a velocity in a certian direction. Momentum can be calculated by multiplying mass times velocity. To change the momentum of an object, a force must act on it. Momentum is a vector because its direction is as important as its magnitude.
Term
Newton
Definition
The SI unit of force, written as "newton" symbol "N". This is the force that makes a one kilgram mass accelerate at one meter per second per second.
Term
Newton, Isaac
Definition
(1642-1727) English mathematician and physicist who studied motion, gravity, optics, and the orbits of the planets. His laws of motion an theory of gravitation were set out in a famous book, the Principia.
Term
Newton's 1st Law
Definition
An object remains at rest or continues to to moce in a straight line at constant velocity, unless it is acted on by an external force.
Term
Newton's 2nd Law
Definition
The acceleration of an object is proportional to the applied force and takes place inthe direction of the force. The accerleration is inversely proportional to the mass of the object: for example heavier objects accerlerate more slowly.
Term
Newton's 3rd Law
Definition
Actiona nd reaction are equal and opposite. The weight of an object presses on the floor, the floor provides a reaction force on the object equal to the object's weight.
Term
Orbit
Definition
The path of a planet aroudn the Sun, or of a moon around a planet, or of a satellite around the Earth. The path may be circular or elliptical. The orbit is maintained by the force of gravity and the speed of the body in its orbit.
Term
Reaction
Definition
The equal and opposite force that arises when a force is applied to anobject or system. The weight of a building is supported by the reaction of the ground.
Term
Resultant
Definition
The single force that is equivalent to the sum of the separate forces acting on an object.
Term
SI
Definition
Systeme International d'Unites; the international system of scientific untis of measurement.
Term
Speed
Definition
The distance a moving object covers in unit time; for example five centimeters per second, 20 miles per hour; the rate of movement.
Term
Spring Scale
Definition
A device containing a spring for measuring forces. The size of the force is indicated by the length the spring stretches.
Term
Terminal Velocity
Definition
The maximun velocity of an object falling through air or water. Gravity accerlerates the obejct until air or water resistnace prevents it accerlerating any more. The velocity is then constant.
Term
Upthrust
Definition
The buoymant force experienced by objects in any fluid. The upward force provided by the fluid.
Term
Vector
Definition
A quantity such as velocity or gorce, which must be specified by its size and direction.
Term
Velocity
Definition
The speed and direction of an object; a vector describing the motion of an object.
Term
Venn Diagram
Definition
A method for respresenting groups of similar objects (sets) using circules. Relationships between sets are expressed by overlapping the circles.
Term
Weight
Definition
The force of gravity on any object. Weight is dependent on the location of the object and for the force of gravity acting on the object.
Term
Weightlessness
Definition
A condition experienced by astronaunts orbiting the Earth. Gravity and the astronauts' speed keep them and the spacecraft in orbit.
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