TEST 1 REVIEW

Topic Details
Definitions Mechanics – study of the motions of objects and the forces that act on them
Kinematics – study of motion without regards to the forces that cause those motions
Statics – study of forces acting on objects at rest
Dynamics – study of the action of forces on bodies and the changes in motion they produce
Scalar – quantities with magnitude only
Vector – quantities with magnitude and direction
Distance – total travel of object without direction
Displacement – net travel of an object from starting to ending point with direction
Position – displacement from a given origin
Average speed – distance travel per unit of time
Average velocity – displacement per unit time with direction
Instantaneous velocity and speed – measurement at a moment in time
Uniform Motion – Constant Velocity (horizontal line)
Projectile Motion – is used to describe events where the object moves under the influence
of gravity and is not self powered – has vertical and horizontal components
Parabolic – curved
Range – horizontal displacement
Relative Motion - is movement in relation to a frame of reference
– velocity of the person or object relative to the ground
– velocity of the medium the person or object relative to the ground
- velocity of the person or object relative to the medium he/she/it is in
Significant 1. All numbers in a measured value are significant
Digits 3102. 32 6 significant digits
2. Leading zeros are not significant.
0.00502 (Bolded numbers are insignificant, italicized numbers are significant – all numbers
after decimals are significant)
3. Adding and Subtracting
The answer must contain the number of DECIMALS of the number with the fewest
4. Multiplying and Dividing
The answer must contain the number of DECIMALS of the number with the fewest
5. Example

Negative Vector quantities can be negative when there is a movement West or South and Down and Left
Kinematics (behind).
Graph 1. You can read values off the graph.
Analysis 2. You can find slope(s) of the graph.
3. You can calculate the area between the curve and the x-axis of the graph
Slopes: Position is the same as displacement
Position-
Time Graph Straight Line
(vectors 1.
only) 2. Slope of the position time graph is the velocity of the object
Curve
 SUBTRACTING VECTORS

1. Add the two vectors

2. Reverse
 Gravitational field strength, g, around the Earth:

Field Theory – explains why you do not have to be in contact with an object in order to feel the effects of a
force. Gravitational fields are represented by field going directly to the centre of an object. They are paths along
which an object travels when it is affected by a gravitational force. Thus, no matter where we are on Earth, we
will fall directly toward the planet’s centre.
Normal Force ( ) – when the body receiving the action force is a surface, the reaction force of the surface
pressing back is called the normal force (always perpendicular to surface)

FRICTION

Intermolecular forces form microscopic welds that must be broken in order for the object to move, these welds
form and break along the length of the path
Magnitude of the frictional force is determined by the types of materials in contact and by normal force exerted
by one object on the other

Static friction – when object is not moving

Kinetic friction – when object is moving

SPRINGS

No matter the stretch, the spring will restore itself

Greater force = greater stretch

HOOKE’S LAW

The restoring force of a spring is where is the spring constant and is the stretch or compression of the string from the
natural position
 7.7

CONSERVATION OF MECHANICAL ENERGY

Decrease of gravitational potential energy = increase

7.5 in kinetic energy

GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY

When an object is lifted, work is done on it by 7.8

applying a force against the force of gravity
Because work is done, the energy of the object EFFICIENCY OF ENERGY TRANSFER PROCESSES
increases as it is lifted
Completeness of energy transfer

RELATIVE POTENTIAL ENERGY

Problem: when calculating gravitational

potential energy is that we have no designated
spot on Earth that everyone accepts as a
reference point with zero height
Value of height depends on reference point

7.6

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF MASS

1. Energy cannot be created or destroyed but only

transferred from one form to another without any
loss
2. The total energy of a closed system always remains
the same.
3. Energy can change from one form to another but the
total amount of energy always remains the same as
long as the system being considered is a closed one

Closed System – isolated from the rest of the universe

so that no matter or energy can move in or out.