Physics Definitions

IEB MATRIC PHYSICS DEFINITIONS

Vector
A physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction

Scalar
A physical quantity that has magnitude only

Resultant vector
The single vector which has the same effect as the original vectors acting together

Distance
Length of path travelled

Displacement
Change in position

Speed
The rate of change of distance

Velocity
The rate of change of position
The rate of change of displacement

Acceleration
The rate of change of velocity

Weight (Fg)
The gravitational force the Earth exerts on any object on or near its surface

Normal force (FN)
The perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it

Frictional force (Ff)
The force that opposes the motion of an object and acts parallel to the surface with which
the object is in contact

Newton’s First Law
An object continues in a state of rest or uniform (moving with constant) velocity unless it is
acted upon by a net or resultant force

Inertia
The property of an object that causes it to resist a change in its state of rest or uniform
motion