MS-PS2-2: Forces and Motion

Front

Force Noun

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[forss]

Back

Force

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A push or pull resulting from an interaction between objects, which is capable of changing an object's state of motion.

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Example: A person pushing a box shows force as a push, changing the box's motion.

Front

Interaction Noun

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[in-ter-ak-shun]

Back

Interaction

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The mutual action of one object pushing or pulling on another, which is the fundamental basis for any force.

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Example: A child pushing and pulling a box illustrates interaction as mutual forces act between the child and the box.

Front

Gravity Noun

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[grav-i-tee]

Back

Gravity

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An invisible force of attraction that exists between any two objects that have mass, pulling them toward each other.

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Example: Arrows pointing toward Earth show how gravity pulls objects toward the planet.

Front

Mass Noun

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[mass]

Back

Mass

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A measure of the amount of matter in an object, which determines its inertia and the strength of its gravitational pull.

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Example: A balance scale with a feather and a rock shows how mass is a measure of the amount of matter.

Front

Weight Noun

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[wayt]

Back

Weight

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The measure of the downward force of gravity acting on an object's mass, which can change depending on location.

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Example: An apple falling from a tree shows the force of gravity acting on its weight.

Front

Newton (N) Noun

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[noo-tun]

Back

Newton (N)

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The standard international scientific unit used to measure the magnitude or strength of a force, named after Isaac Newton.

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Example: The image shows how force (N) is calculated using mass (kg) and acceleration (m/s²).

Front

Spring Scale Noun

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[spring skayl]

Back

Spring Scale

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A tool used to measure force, typically weight, by observing how much a spring stretches or compresses under a load.

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Example: A spring scale shows how a spring stretches to measure weight or force.

Front

Elasticity Noun

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[ee-las-tis-i-tee]

Back

Elasticity

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The physical property of a material that allows it to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.

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Example: Stretching a slingshot shows elasticity as it returns to its shape after release.

Front

Acceleration Noun

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[ak-sel-er-ay-shun]

Back

Acceleration

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The rate at which an object's velocity changes over time, which includes changes in speed, direction, or both.

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Example: A spring pushes a ball, showing acceleration as the ball speeds up.

Front

Friction Noun

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[frik-shun]

Back

Friction

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A force that resists motion when the surfaces of two objects rub against each other, always acting opposite to motion.

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Example: A box on a surface shows friction as a force opposing motion, with arrows indicating direction.