Physics definitions and laws
vector A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
scalar Physical quantity that has magnitude only
Resultant vector Single vector which has the same effect as the original vectors
together.
distance Length of path travelled
displacement Change in position
speed Rate of change of distance
velocity Rate of change of displacement
acceleration Rate of change of velocity
Weight (Fg) The gravitational force the Earth exerts on any object near its
surface
Normal force (FN) The perpendicular force a surface has o any object in contact
with it
Frictional force (Ff) The force that opposes the motion of an object
Newton’s 1 law
st
An object continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless
it is acted upon by a net/resultant force
Inertia Property of an object that causes it to resist a change in its state
of rest or uniform motion
Newton’s 2 Law
nd
When a net force is applied to an object of mass, m, it
accelerates in the direction of the net force. The acceleration is
directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional
to the mass
Newton’s 3 law
rd
When object A exerts a force of object B, object B
simultaneously exerts an oppositely directed force of equal
magnitude on object A.
Linear momentum Product of the mass ad velocity of the object
Newton’s 2nd law (in The net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change if
terms of momentum) momentum
Isolated system Closed system with no external force acting on it
Law of conservation of The total linear momentum of an isolated system remains
linear momentum constant
Elastic collision A collision in which both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved
Inelastic collision A collision in which only momentum is conserved
Impulse(J) Product of the net force and contact time(vector)
work done on an Force as he product of the displacement and the component of
object(J) the force parallel to the displacement
vector A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction
scalar Physical quantity that has magnitude only
Resultant vector Single vector which has the same effect as the original vectors
together.
distance Length of path travelled
displacement Change in position
speed Rate of change of distance
velocity Rate of change of displacement
acceleration Rate of change of velocity
Weight (Fg) The gravitational force the Earth exerts on any object near its
surface
Normal force (FN) The perpendicular force a surface has o any object in contact
with it
Frictional force (Ff) The force that opposes the motion of an object
Newton’s 1 law
st
An object continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless
it is acted upon by a net/resultant force
Inertia Property of an object that causes it to resist a change in its state
of rest or uniform motion
Newton’s 2 Law
nd
When a net force is applied to an object of mass, m, it
accelerates in the direction of the net force. The acceleration is
directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional
to the mass
Newton’s 3 law
rd
When object A exerts a force of object B, object B
simultaneously exerts an oppositely directed force of equal
magnitude on object A.
Linear momentum Product of the mass ad velocity of the object
Newton’s 2nd law (in The net force acting on an object is equal to the rate of change if
terms of momentum) momentum
Isolated system Closed system with no external force acting on it
Law of conservation of The total linear momentum of an isolated system remains
linear momentum constant
Elastic collision A collision in which both momentum and kinetic energy are
conserved
Inelastic collision A collision in which only momentum is conserved
Impulse(J) Product of the net force and contact time(vector)
work done on an Force as he product of the displacement and the component of
object(J) the force parallel to the displacement
