Mechanics: Dynamics

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What is Newton's first law of motion?

Newton's first law, or the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.

Define inertia.

Inertia is the property of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

What is Newton's second law of motion?

Newton's second law states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma).

How is weight different from mass?

Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object's mass, while mass is the amount of matter in the object.

What is Newton's third law of motion?

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Define friction.

Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion or tendency of such motion of two surfaces in contact.

What factors affect the magnitude of friction?

The magnitude of friction is affected by the nature of the surfaces in contact and the normal force pressing them together.

What is the normal force?

The normal force is the force exerted by a surface perpendicular to an object resting on it.

What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is the constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the drag force of the air.

How can you calculate the tension in a rope?

Tension can be calculated using Newton's laws, considering the forces acting parallel to the direction of the rope.

Explain the concept of net force.

Net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object, determining the object's acceleration.

How is kinetic energy related to work done?

Kinetic energy is equal to the work done to bring an object from rest to its velocity.

What is centripetal force?

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of rotation.

Describe the difference between static and kinetic friction.

Static friction acts when objects are at rest, preventing motion, while kinetic friction acts on moving objects, opposing motion.

What is momentum?

Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity, indicating the quantity of motion an object has.