Force and Motion Vocabulary

Front

What is kinetic energy?

Back

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. It is the energy an object possesses due to its movement.

Front

What is friction?

Back

Friction is the force that results when two materials rub against each other or when their contact prevents sliding.

Front

What does Newton's second law of motion state?

Back

Newton's second law of motion states that acceleration, mass, and force are related, and that the force acting on an object can cause the object to speed up, slow down, or change direction (force = mass X acceleration).

Front

What are unbalanced forces?

Back

Unbalanced forces are forces that are not equal and do not cancel each other out when acting on a single object.

Front

What is a contact force?

Back

A contact force is a force that requires two pieces of matter to touch.

Front

What is potential energy?

Back

Potential energy is the stored energy of an object due to its position or state.

Front

What is gravity?

Back

Gravity is the force that attracts two bodies toward each other, commonly experienced as the force that pulls objects toward the Earth.

Front

What is a non-contact force?

Back

A non-contact force is a force that can act on an object without physical contact, such as gravity or magnetism.

Front

What is the difference between balanced and unbalanced forces?

Back

Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in no change in motion, while unbalanced forces cause a change in motion.

Front

What is an example of kinetic energy?

Back

An example of kinetic energy is a moving car or a running athlete.