Scalars, vectors and types of force: Forces: Physics: GCSE (9:1)

Cards (12)

  • Scalar quantity

    A quantity that has a magnitude (size) only
  • Examples of scalar quantities

    Speed, temperature, mass, energy, distance, density
  • Vector quantity

    A quantity that has a magnitude and an associated direction
  • Examples of vector quantities
    Velocity, force, displacement, acceleration, momentum
  • Representing vector quantities
    Vector are represented by an arrow to indicate its size and direction
  • Contact forces

    Forces that act between two objects that are physically touching each other
  • Examples of contact forces
    friction, air resistance, tension, normal contact (reaction) force
  • Non-contact forces

    Forces that act between two objects that are not physically touching each other
  • Examples of non-contact forces
    gravitational force, electrostatic force and magnetic force
  • Resultant force
    A single force that has the same effect as the original forces on an object acting together
  • Components of a force
    A single force can be resolved into two components acting at right angles to each other and have the same effect as the single force
  • Free body diagram
    A diagram showing all the forces acting on an object