Physics flashcards, generated for you.

Velocity is the rate of change of displacement (vector quantity with direction). Speed is the magnitude of velocity (scalar, direction-independent). Example: 5 m/s north vs. 5 m/s.

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity: a = Δv/Δt. Units: m/s² (meters per second squared). Can be positive (speeding up in positive direction) or negative (slowing down or speeding up in negative direction).

ΣF = ma. Net force on an object equals its mass times acceleration. Physical meaning: a net force causes an object to change velocity proportionally; larger mass requires larger force for same acceleration.

Work is energy transferred by a force: W = F·d·cos(θ), where F is force magnitude, d is displacement, and θ is the angle between them. Units: joules (J). Only force component parallel to displacement does work.

The net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy: W_net = ΔKE = ½m(v_f² - v_i²). Example: A 2 kg object accelerated from 3 m/s to 5 m/s; net work = ½(2)(25−9) = 16 J.

Elastic PE stored in a spring stretched/compressed by distance x: PE = ½kx². Derived from W = ∫F dx = ∫kx dx = ½kx². k is spring constant (N/m). Maximum when displacement is maximum.

In a closed system with only conservative forces (gravity, springs), total mechanical energy is constant: E_total = KE + PE = constant. Applies when friction and air resistance are negligible. Non-conservative forces change total mechanical energy.

Momentum: p = mv (kg·m/s, vector). Impulse: J = FΔt (N·s). Relationship: Impulse-momentum theorem: J = Δp = m(v_f − v_i). A force acting over time changes an object's momentum.

Elastic collision: kinetic energy and momentum both conserved; objects separate. Perfectly inelastic: objects stick together; momentum conserved but kinetic energy lost (converted to heat/deformation). Example: elastic: billiard balls; inelastic: clay collision.

For an object moving at constant speed v in a circle of radius r: a_c = v²/r (or a_c = ω²r using angular velocity). Direction: always points toward center. Centripetal force: F_c = ma_c = mv²/r, required to maintain circular path.