Physics Basics: Forces and Motion

Front

Force

Back

A push or a pull

Front

Net Force

Back

The sum of all forces acting on an object; if balanced = 0, if unbalanced ≠ 0

Front

Unbalanced Force

Back

The net force on an object does not equal zero, which results in a change in the object’s motion

Front

Balanced Force

Back

The net force on an object is zero, and the object’s motion does not change

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Mass

Back

The amount of matter that makes up an object; directly related to inertia

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Newton (N)

Back

The SI (Standard International) unit of force

Front

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Back

Three laws, developed by Isaac Newton, that explain the motions of objects

Front

Law of Inertia (Newton’s 1st Law)

Back

An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force

Front

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Back

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma)

Front

Law of Action-Reaction (Newton’s 3rd Law)

Back

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction