AP Physics 1 Unit 3 - Forces

Front

What is Newton's 1st Law of Motion?

Back

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a net external force.

Front

What is the formula for calculating force?

Back

Force (F) = mass (m) × acceleration (a) or F = ma.

Front

Define tension in the context of forces.

Back

Tension is the force exerted by a rope, string, or cable when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends.

Front

What is the difference between mass and weight?

Back

Mass is the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg), while weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass (measured in Newtons). Weight = mass × gravity.

Front

What is an example of action-at-a-distance force?

Back

The force of gravity is an example of an action-at-a-distance force, as it acts on objects without physical contact.

Front

What does it mean for forces to be balanced?

Back

Forces are balanced when the net force acting on an object is zero, resulting in no change in motion.

Front

What is the significance of the slope in a force vs. acceleration graph?

Back

The slope of a force vs. acceleration graph represents the mass of the object being analyzed.

Front

What is static friction?

Back

Static friction is the force that resists the initiation of sliding motion between two surfaces in contact that are at rest relative to each other.

Front

What is the relationship between acceleration and net force?

Back

Acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on an object and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).

Front

What is the role of gravity in motion?

Back

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth, affecting their motion and acceleration.