Types of ForcesEdexcel GCSE Physics: Flashcards
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What is a contact force? Give an example.
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- What is a contact force? Give an example.
- A force requiring the objects to be physically touching, e.g. friction or normal contact force.
- What is a non-contact force? Give an example.
- A force acting between objects that are not touching, through a field, e.g. gravitational, electrostatic or magnetic force.
- What happens when object A exerts a force on object B?
- Object B exerts an equal and opposite force back on object A (forces occur in interaction pairs).
- Define a scalar quantity.
- A quantity that has magnitude (size) only, with no direction.
- Define a vector quantity.
- A quantity that has both magnitude (size) and direction.
- Is force a vector or scalar quantity?
- A vector quantity — it has both magnitude and direction.
- Name three types of field through which non-contact forces act.
- Gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic fields.
- What is a resultant force? (higher tier)
- A single force that has the same effect on an object as all the individual forces acting on it combined.
- What does it mean if an object is in equilibrium? (higher tier)
- The resultant force on it is zero, so it is either stationary or moving at a constant velocity.
- What does a free body force diagram show? (higher tier)
- An isolated object with only the forces acting on it drawn as labelled arrows.
- What is lubrication and why is it used?
- Adding a substance like oil or grease between surfaces to reduce friction and reduce unwanted energy transfer.
- Give an example each of a scalar and a vector quantity.
- Scalar: speed or mass. Vector: velocity or force.