Physical Science Vocabulary

Physics

GRAVITY - The attraction created by anything that has mass and occupies space

SPEED - A measure of motion in an amount of timeSpeed = Distance ÷ Time

VELOCITY - Speed of an object in a certain direction

ACCELERATION - Change in velocity in a certain amount of time

DISPLACEMENT - The shortest distance from start to finish.

Displacement

MASS - Amount of matter in an object.

INERTIA - Tendency of an object to resist a change in motion

MOMENTUM - How hard it is to stop an object.Momentum=Mass x Velocity

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM - Total momentum of objects that collide is the same before and after the collision

Newton’s 1st Law of Motion An object at rest will remain at rest unless a force is applied, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless a force is applied

Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion An object acted upon by a force will accelerate in the direction of the force

Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

FRICTION - A force created when 2 objects rub against each other. Causes objects to slow down.

Force - Any push or pull

Work - When a force causes an object to move.N0 Movement = No WorkWork = Force x Distance

POTENTIAL ENERGY - Energy stored in an object due to its position

KINETIC ENERGY - Energy an object has due to its motion

The 6 Simple Machines

INCLINED PLANE – A flat, sloped surface Force Distance

LEVER- Ridged rod or plank that revolves around a point (fulcrum)

3 types(classes)

WEDGE - A “V” shaped object that changes the direction of the force.

SCREW - An inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder to change the direction of the force

WHEEL AND AXEL- Two circular objects connected together

PULLEY- A grooved wheel with a rope wrapped around it