P5: Forces & their Interactions Physics GCSE

• What are the two types of quantities?

  A scalar and a vector
• What defines a scalar quantity?

  It has only a magnitude
• What defines a vector quantity?

  It has both a magnitude and a direction
• Why is it necessary to mention direction when describing velocity?

  Because velocity includes both speed and direction
• What is distance in terms of scalar quantity?

  It describes how long an object is or how far between two points
• How does displacement differ from distance?

  Displacement includes direction, distance does not
• What are some commonly confused pairs of scalars and vectors?

  • Distance and displacement
  • Speed and velocity
  • Weight and mass
• How is distance measured compared to displacement?

  • Distance: length of the path taken
  • Displacement: straight line between two points with direction
• Why is it important to understand the difference between distance and displacement?

  Displacement is often less than distance travelled
• How can a vector be represented visually?

  Using an arrow
• What does the length of an arrow in a vector represent?

  The magnitude of the vector
• What does the direction of an arrow in a vector indicate?

  The direction of the vector
• If a tennis ball is thrown at an angle of 45° at a speed of 5 m/s, how would you represent its velocity vector?

  Draw an arrow at 45° with appropriate length
• How would you represent a second tennis ball thrown at 10 m/s in the same direction?

  Draw an arrow twice as long as the first
• What is a force defined as?

  A push or pull acting on an object
• What can forces change about an object?

  Speed, direction, and shape
• What is thrust?

  The force causing an object to move
• How does gravitational attraction affect a comet?

  It can change the comet's direction
• What is weight?

  The force of gravity on a mass
• What is electrostatic force?

  The force between two charged objects
• What is air resistance also known as?

  Drag
• What is upthrust?

  The force of a fluid pushing an object upwards
• What is compression in terms of forces?

  Forces that act inward on an object
• What is tension?

  Force transmitted through a cable or string
• What is a reaction force?

  A force due to contact between two objects
• What are the two types of forces?

  • Contact forces
  • Non-contact forces
• What defines a contact force?

  A force acting between physically touching objects
• What is friction?

  A force that opposes motion
• What is air resistance?

  A type of friction when moving through air
• What is tension in terms of forces?

  A force that pulls two connected objects
• What is a reaction force?

  A force that pushes touching objects apart
• What defines a non-contact force?

  A force acting at a distance without contact
• What is gravitational attraction?

  The attractive force between two objects with mass
• What is electrostatic force?

  A force between charged objects that can attract or repel
• What is magnetic force?

  A force between magnetic poles that can attract or repel
• In the scenario where Ben drags a sledge, what contact forces are involved?

  Tension, reaction force, and friction
• In the same scenario, what non-contact force is involved?

  Gravitational attraction
• What should you consider when describing forces?

  Which object exerts and experiences the force
• What is the gravitational pull of the Earth on an object called?

  Weight
• What is the relationship between weight and mass?

  Weight is the force due to gravity on mass