Physics and Investigation Terms

Front

Collision

Back

when one moving object hits another object

Front

Force

Back

a push or a pull on an object resulting from the object’s interaction with another object

Front

Contact force

Back

a force that an object experiences due to contact with another object

Front

Deform

Back

to distort, bend, or change the shape of something in any way (either temporarily or permanently)

Front

Variable

Back

a factor that you want to change or control in an investigation

Front

Independent variable

Back

the variable that you purposely change in an investigation. It is what you are testing.

Front

Controlled variable

Back

the variables that you want to keep constant in an investigation. What you do not want to change.

Front

Elastic Limit

Back

the maximum amount of force or deformation that an object can withstand before it permanently deforms.

Front

Breaking Point

Back

the maximum amount of force or deformation that an object can withstand before it cracks or splits apart. The point that it can no longer handle force.