Forces and Motion
Investigate how force, mass, and friction affect the way objects move.
How do force, mass, and friction interact to determine how an object moves?
Key Vocabulary
Force
A push or pull on an object that can change its motion.
Mass
The amount of matter in an object; measured in kilograms.
Acceleration
The rate of change in an object's velocity (speed/direction).
Friction
A force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.
Newton's Second Law
Force = Mass × Acceleration (F = ma).
Net Force
The overall force on an object after all forces are combined.
Key Concepts
- 1
A force is a push or pull. Forces can change an object's speed, direction, or both.
- 2
Newton's Second Law: F = m × a. More force → more acceleration. More mass → less acceleration.
- 3
Friction is a force that opposes motion. More friction → less net force → slower movement.
- 4
An object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by a net force (Newton's First Law).