Flashcards Forces, Motion, and Energy

Front

Acceleration

Back

A change in an object’s speed or direction over time. Example: When a car speeds up from a red light, it’s accelerating.

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Balanced Force

Back

When all forces acting on an object are equal, causing no change in motion. Example: A book resting on a table has balanced forces — gravity pulls it down while the table pushes it up.

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Energy

Back

The ability to do work or cause change. Example: You use energy to lift a backpack or run a race.

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Force

Back

A push or pull that can change an object’s motion. Example: Kicking a soccer ball applies a force that makes it move.

Front

Friction

Back

A force that resists motion between two surfaces that are touching. Example: Friction slows down a skateboard rolling on the sidewalk.

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Gravity

Back

The force that pulls objects toward each other. On Earth, it pulls things toward the ground. Example: Gravity keeps your feet on the floor and makes dropped objects fall.

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Kinetic Energy

Back

Energy of motion — any moving object has kinetic energy. Example: A rolling basketball or a flying airplane both have kinetic energy.

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Law (Scientific Law)

Back

A rule in nature that has been proven by repeated experiments and observations. Example: Newton’s Laws of Motion describe how forces affect motion.

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Magnetic

Back

Having the ability to attract or repel certain metals like iron or steel. Example: Magnets on a fridge stick because of magnetic force.

Front

Mass

Back

The amount of matter in an object; it does not change with location. Example: You have the same mass on Earth and on the Moon.