Classical Mechanics - Kinematics, Dynamics & Energy Conservation Flashcards

Question 1

What is Displacement?

Accepted Answer

Displacement ($\Delta x$) is the change in position of an object, a vector quantity indicating both magnitude and direction. It is the shortest distance from the initial to the final position: $\Delta x = x_f - x_i$.

Question 2

Define Average Velocity.

Accepted Answer

Average velocity ($\vec{v}_{avg}$) is the total displacement divided by the total time taken. It is a vector quantity: $\vec{v}_{avg} = rac{\Delta \vec{x}}{\Delta t}$.

Question 3

Define Instantaneous Velocity.

Accepted Answer

Instantaneous velocity ($\vec{v}$) is the velocity of an object at a specific instant in time. It is the derivative of position with respect to time: $\vec{v} = rac{d\vec{x}}{dt}$.

Question 4

Define Average Acceleration.

Accepted Answer

Average acceleration ($\vec{a}_{avg}$) is the change in velocity divided by the time interval over which the change occurs. It is a vector quantity: $\vec{a}_{avg} = rac{\Delta \vec{v}}{\Delta t}$.

Question 5

Define Instantaneous Acceleration.

Accepted Answer

Instantaneous acceleration ($\vec{a}$) is the acceleration of an object at a specific instant in time. It is the derivative of velocity with respect to time: $\vec{a} = rac{d\vec{v}}{dt}$.

Question 6

State the first constant acceleration kinematic equation.

Accepted Answer

The first constant acceleration kinematic equation relates final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration, and time: $v = v_0 + at$.

Question 7

State the second constant acceleration kinematic equation.

Accepted Answer

The second constant acceleration kinematic equation relates final position, initial position, initial velocity, acceleration, and time: $x = x_0 + v_0t + rac{1}{2}at^2$.

Question 8

State the third constant acceleration kinematic equation.

Accepted Answer

The third constant acceleration kinematic equation relates final velocity, initial velocity, acceleration, and displacement: $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a(x - x_0)$.

Question 9

What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Accepted Answer

Newton's First Law (Law of Inertia) states that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force.

Question 10

What is Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Accepted Answer

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The direction of the acceleration is in the direction of the net force: $\vec{F}_{net} = m\vec{a}$.

Question 11

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Accepted Answer

Newton's Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If object A exerts a force on object B, then object B simultaneously exerts an equal and opposite force on object A: $\vec{F}_{AB} = -\vec{F}_{BA}$.

Question 12

Define Gravitational Force.

Accepted Answer

Gravitational force ($F_g$) is the force of attraction between any two objects with mass. Near the Earth's surface, it is approximated as the weight of an object: $F_g = mg$, where $g \approx 9.8 \, 	ext{m/s}^2$.

Question 13

What is Normal Force?

Accepted Answer

Normal force ($F_N$) is the component of a contact force perpendicular to the surface that an object rests on or is in contact with. It prevents objects from passing through surfaces.

Question 14

What is Tension Force?

Accepted Answer

Tension force ($F_T$) is the force transmitted through a string, rope, cable, or similar one-dimensional continuous object when pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It acts along the length of the string.

Question 15

Define Friction Force.

Accepted Answer

Friction force ($F_f$) is a force that opposes motion or attempted motion between two surfaces in contact. It can be static friction (opposing initial motion) or kinetic friction (opposing ongoing motion). $F_{f,s} \le \mu_s F_N$ and $F_{f,k} = \mu_k F_N$.

Question 16

How is Work defined in physics?

Accepted Answer

Work ($W$) done by a constant force is the product of the magnitude of the force, the magnitude of the displacement, and the cosine of the angle ($	heta$) between the force and displacement vectors: $W = Fd \cos 	heta$. It is a scalar quantity.

Question 17

What is Kinetic Energy?

Accepted Answer

Kinetic energy ($KE$) is the energy an object possesses due to its motion. It is a scalar quantity and depends on the object's mass ($m$) and speed ($v$): $KE = rac{1}{2}mv^2$.

Question 18

What is Gravitational Potential Energy?

Accepted Answer

Gravitational potential energy ($PE_g$) is the energy an object possesses due to its position in a gravitational field. It depends on mass ($m$), gravitational acceleration ($g$), and height ($h$) relative to a reference point: $PE_g = mgh$.

Question 19

What is Elastic Potential Energy?

Accepted Answer

Elastic potential energy ($PE_s$) is the energy stored in an elastic material (like a spring) when it is stretched or compressed. It depends on the spring constant ($k$) and the displacement ($x$) from its equilibrium position: $PE_s = rac{1}{2}kx^2$.

Question 20

State the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy.

Accepted Answer

The Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy states that if only conservative forces (like gravity or spring force) do work, the total mechanical energy ($E = KE + PE$) of a system remains constant: $KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f$.

Question 21

Define Power.

Accepted Answer

Power ($P$) is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. It is a scalar quantity: $P = rac{W}{\Delta t}$. It can also be expressed as $P = Fv \cos 	heta$ for a constant force.

Question 22

What is Momentum?

Accepted Answer

Momentum ($\vec{p}$) is a measure of the mass in motion. It is a vector quantity, defined as the product of an object's mass ($m$) and its velocity ($\vec{v}$): $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$.

Question 23

Define Impulse.

Accepted Answer

Impulse ($\vec{J}$) is the change in momentum of an object. It is equal to the average net force acting on an object multiplied by the time interval over which the force acts: $\vec{J} = \vec{F}_{avg} \Delta t = \Delta \vec{p}$.

Question 24

State the Law of Conservation of Momentum.

Accepted Answer

The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that if no external net force acts on a system of objects, the total momentum of the system remains constant. For a collision between two objects: $m_1\vec{v}_{1i} + m_2\vec{v}_{2i} = m_1\vec{v}_{1f} + m_2\vec{v}_{2f}$.

Classical Mechanics - Kinematics, Dynamics & Energy Conservation

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