Forces can change motion

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. For example, a child at the top of a slide has potential energy because of its height.

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of an object in motion. The faster an object moves, the more kinetic energy it has.

Front

What is an unbalanced force?

Back

An unbalanced force is a force that causes an object to change its motion. It can cause an object to start moving, stop moving, or change direction.

Front

What is a balanced force?

Back

Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion. For example, if two people push a box with equal force in opposite directions, the box does not move.

Front

How does mass affect acceleration?

Back

When the same force is applied, an object with less mass will accelerate more than an object with more mass. For example, a golf ball will accelerate more than a soccer ball if both are pushed with the same force.

Front

What is inertia?

Back

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Front

What is friction?

Back

Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It can slow down or stop moving objects.

Front

What happens to an object's speed when an unbalanced force acts on it?

Back

The speed of an object changes when an unbalanced force acts on it, causing it to accelerate or decelerate.

Front

What is the relationship between force and motion?

Back

Force is needed to change the motion of an object. Without force, an object will continue to move at a constant speed in a straight line or remain at rest.

Front

What is acceleration?

Back

Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It can be an increase or decrease in speed.